Bruh, the spoilers for Gachiakuta have got to stop.
I don't mind people expressing their love for the anime, I highkey fuck with it, but that new chapter shit, has got to chill.
I've already been spoiled for Tamsy, I'm lowkey still upset about that ngl. I got spoiled for Follo and Eishia, and now I'm lowkey getting slightly spoiled for Enjin.
It's fine to be excited. It's fine to post about it, but please, for the love of God, give a mf a warning before you just randomly post it. Like (SPOILER ALERT!!!) or (SPOILERS DOWN BELOW FOR GACHIAKUTA!!!)
Not everyone reads the manga. Some just simply can't, while others choose not to, like myself. I like seeing it in motion pictures on my screen. It's a personal preference.
This also goes for the anime watchers too, don't just spoil the next episode just because you're excited. Not everyone is watching it at the same time. I had to pull back from tumblr-akuta just because of it. I was busy with life when season 1 was animated, and people were posting screensshots and literally telling the episode. That's how I almost got spoiled for Dear's Vital Instrument.
And again it's fine, post what you want, it's fine and it keeps the community alive, but do drop hits to a spoiler first so I know to either not read it or to not look at the images whether it's fan art or not.
I shouldn't have to pull back from the fandom all because I'm trying to protect myself from being spoiled on a good anime. I should be able to enjoy the fanfics, the fan arts, the memes, and the anime itself.
We all share this community. Let's not destroy it and make it a mess. It's by far the most wholesome while also the most down to Earth community I've ever been in, and I'd like to keep it this way, please.
Regto was the only man I've ever known to be my father, my biological one just up and vanished, at least that's what Mom said. But everyone in the city said the same thing. That he was a criminal, a monster, a murder who was dropped in the pit for his sins. So, why did Mom say it wasn't true, and that he left on his own accord?
I never really cared, I never knew him, and I can't miss or have an opinion on someone I've never met let alone never even seen before. I personally didn't really care what had happened to him, from the way Mom spoke of him, he didn't seem like a good man. I've known Regto my whole life, one of my earliest memories even involves him.
To me, he was my father. He was the only man I ever truly respected, he never really spoke of my real father, and neither did Mom. It was treated as taboo to even speak of him, even the City treated it like it was a curse to even mention his name.
Sometimes, when I see my own reflection, I can't help but to wonder whose eyes am I staring into... My Mother didn't have red eyes, so I could only assume, that they were his.
These red, vicious eyes of mine.
A Mother's Love Ch. 11
Rudo x Mother!Reader
Ch. 1 ... Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
You followed Gris down the halls, a firm hold on the back of Rudo's shirt as he walked next to you grumpily. Gris spoke up. "Your son is quiet the heroic one, Y/n." He said, his voice held pride and admiration for your son. At his words you beamed happily at him while Rudo's displeasure fell into disappointment. "Is he now? What did he do to earn such a title?" You asked him eagerly. He looked over a strong shoulder at you, his blue eyes held pride. "He stepped up and defended Follo from a Trash Beast that snuck up on him. Even when he himself wasn't sure that he could do it, he still did it. Those are the promising qualities that we look for in a cleaner." He said proudly. You tried to push down the worry that bubbled up in your chest that began trying to over power the pride you felt.
But you couldn't help it, although you tried to hide it. "Really now!? That young man from before was saved by Rudo? How'd he do it?" You asked. You wanted to better understand you son's new found powers so that you could learn to love that part of him too, even if you couldn't be out with him, you at least wanted a better understanding, and any chances that came you way, you'll take it. Gris looked back forward, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes. "He activated his powers when he grabbed a random pole, it seemed to bloom into some sort of thorn like barricade... I'm not too sure on what his giver abilities could be, but I'm guessing it has something to do with his emotions in the moment of battle." Gris said, theorizing on what Rudo's maturing abilities could be.
Your brows shot up at his theory while Rudo's disappointment turned into curiosity. "His emotions?" You questioned, it made sense to you, Rudo has always been rather expressive, especially under tense moments of pressure that could cause a potential outburst, usually resulting in rage that could turn deadly... Something he inherited from his father no doubt. Gris nodded. "Yes, in the heat of battle, Follo was caught by surprise, he must've been focused on Riyo's battle with the much larger Trash Beast. I've told him time and time again that he mustn't get distracted by such things, but he's still young, and still relatively new... But, as I was saying, in his distraction a smaller one charged at him. But Rudo was quick to jump to his rescue. Instead of forming a weapon that could kill the beast, he instead made a barricade around himself and Follo. I'm guessing it was because he wanted to protect Follo, as that was the reason why he jumped up to begin with." Gris explains, recapturing the moment word from word.
In his description, you could hear the care he held for Follo, though you couldn't pin point if it was more fatherly or brotherly, but you knew he was a mentor of some kind. Rudo stared up at Gris with a rather blank but thoughtful gaze, taking in his words as he tried to think of how emotions could control his abilities. 'Could I, maybe learn to control my emotions at will? No, that's impossible, Regto was always getting on my ass and covering for me whenever I'd let my emotions take control... It was something he was always trying to drill in my head... And now he's gone, and I still don't have a grip on it... Damnit.' Rudo thought as he stared down at his gloves, a slight sadness overcoming him as he thought of Regto and some of his teachings. 'I'm still failing him, even after death... Some son I am. I can't seem to do anything right, not even my powers... What am I going to screw up next?' He thought, anger slowly clouding his mind as he berated himself.
You thought over Gris's words before your thoughtful gaze moved down to Rudo, he was looking down at his gloves, and usually this wasn't a good sign. You released his shirt, and placed your hand on his head instead. He gave a small sound of acknowledgment before he looked up at you, he looked relatively normal, but you could see the frustration behind his rather calm expression. You smiled down at him gently. "Regto would be very proud of you Rudo. To hear that you helped another in need, not knowing if you could do much at all. He'd be proud to call you his son, just as I am today." You gently said, reassuring him. It seemed to do the trick as his eyes widen with intense emotions. You gave a small, fond chuckled before you moved your hand from the top of his head and down to his shoulder, so you could pull him into your side as you walked with him behind Gris.
"Don't ever think little of yourself, and don't ever beat yourself up over something you can't control. This is all new to you, so you don't know no better. Nobody is expecting you to be a pro over night, and nobody is expecting you to be someone you're not. And if they do, come tell me and I'll set the score straight." You softly lectured as you tried to ease his stress and insecurities. At your words he leaned against you slightly more, and you tightened your arm around his shoulder some. "Thanks Mom." He softly said, your smile widen more. "You're welcome." You sweetly said.
Gris suddenly stopped before two double doors that looked similar to the ones that lead to the common room. Both you and Rudo stopped as well as you both stared up at the doors. Gris turned towards you both, a gentle stare in his eyes and a soft smile on his face, he heard the talk you gave Rudo, and he couldn't of have said it better himself. "Here's the showers. You can go in there and take as long as you need, if you need anything I'll be right out here." He said kindly. You gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you Gris, you've been a big help." You said thanking him.
He fanned your thanks off. "Of course, no need to thank me though, anyone would've done the same. Here at Cleaner's HQ, we're a family. We help one another no matter how big or small the issue, if we don't understand it then we'll scourer the Ground until we find an answer. You and your son have shown nothing but kindness and respect towards everyone you've met so far here at HQ, and thus I must thank and congratulate you both on. Not many people does that, even some cleaners here at HQ. So thank you." He said, truly moved, impressed and pleased by both of yours and Rudo's interactions with his family.
Both you and Rudo stared at him in slight shock at the words and passion he held. "O-oh, but of course! And I thank you and everyone we've met so far for the kindness and compassion you've shown me and my son. We can both be a bit much and defensive at times, so thank you for having patients for our hotheadedness." You quickly said, feeling the need to match his unprovoked passion. He gave a light chuckle at your antics. "I assure you, we have all kinds of personalities within these walls. It's going to take a lot more than 'hotheadedness' to scare us off and just simply give up on someone." He said earnestly. He really liked you, he already liked your son. He's glad to have new people within their home, and hopefully you and your son will soon join his family too, he'd love to have you both.
Your smile brighten at his words, his mannerisms and personality slightly reminded you of Regto. Rudo stared up at Gris blankly, but not with negativity. 'Damn... These people are weird... But I kind of like it.' He thought, as his eyes drifted downwards, his heart feeling slightly full with all the support he's seen thus far. You gave Gris a gentle smile as your heart warmed. "Thank you, your words mean a lot Gris, I mean it." You said moved with an emotion that you thought died with Regto, acceptance. Gris nodded at your words, before he looked at the doors and he gripped the handle, opening one of the doors for you and your son to enter. "You're welcome Y/n. And remember, if you need anything I'll be right out here. Just holler and I'll come running." He promised. You nodded at his words before you guided yourself and Rudo into the room.
Entering the spacious room, Gris gently closed the door behind you both. You both looked around the room, taking in the multiple showers that were divided by walls, they were each spacious, and held their own curtain. Each one wide enough for someone to bend down and sit, which was more than perfect as you needed all the space you could get so that you could properly scrub him. With a pleased and firm nod of your head you removed your arm from around his shoulder as you walked to stand in front of him, with a stern stare you placed your hands on your hips. "Alright mister, strip out of those dirty clothes and get into one of those showers! I'm going to scrub you clean!!" You ordered sternly. His blank gaze quickly morphed into an embarrassed one.
"WHAT!? YOU'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO SCRUB ME!? I THOUGHT YOU WERE JUST SAYING THAT!?" He shouted in shock. You huffed in determination. "YUP!! I SURE WAS!! But, I'm just going to give you one good scrubbing, and I'm going to wash your hair too, but after that you're going to take two good showers on your own, understand?" You ordered as you also explained, holding a finger out in front of him so he could understand how important this was. His embarrassed gaze slightly edged into a cautious one. "Is this going to be a new thing now?" He cautiously asked, hoping not. You eased up on your sternness as you gave him a a much more relaxed stare.
"No, you've no need to worry. This is going to be a one time thing. Only reason why I'm scrubbing you this time, is because apparently you've been rolling around in nothing but garbage when we first got down here, you've been covered in poop, and you've fought against a trash creature! You've most definitely earned yourself a grade A scrubbing from Mama." You explained. He seemed to relax at this, glad to know he'll be taking his own showers after this one. At the tension leaving him you smiled before you pointed towards the showers. "Now, hop to it mister!! That filth isn't going to scrub itself off of you!" You ordered. His cheeks brighten into a soft red before he slowly began walking to the showers. As he did, you sighed. "I need to take a shower myself too, I'm sure that I'm just as filthy." You said tiredly before you followed after him.
The scrubbing went by, sort of easy. Rudo was squirmy as he complained that you scrubbed too hard, especially on the back of his neck. His hair was scrubbed by you as well, but he didn't too much mind that part. However, he survived, and as promised he was able to take his own showers. As he got busy doing that, you wondered over to your own shower, your clothes drenched from the scrubbing you gave Rudo. Before you could turn on the water to your own shower, you remembered that you didn't have any fresh nor clean clothes for both you and Rudo. "Darn." You gently said. "Silly me, I should've asked Gris for some extra clothes." You lectured yourself softly. You walked past the shower Rudo was in, the curtain pulled over.
You sighed as you walked, you didn't need to ask for any towels as you found some earlier before you began washing Rudo's hair, he doesn't do will with water in his face and over his eyes. It's like he felt smothered and it'll make him start to panic. Making it to the door you grabbed the handle and you pulled, but it didn't budge. Your eyebrows raised. "Damn, these doors are heavy!? Wow, everyone made then seem so light." You said aloud in shock, making a mental note to always use force when you opened doors around here from now on. With the new found knowledge, you now gripped the long handle with two hands, as you pulled with more force and this time the door gave.
Easing it open gently to a reasonable sized gap, you poked your head out. A small pleased smile blossomed on your face when you seen Gris leaning against the wall right across from the doors. His arms were crossed over his chest, his eyes down casted as he seemed lost in thought. You felt guilty to break him from his thoughts, it seemed real important. "Gris?" You called for him softly, not wanting to startle him. He was shook from his thoughts as he looked up, his gaze dazed for a moment before a small smile graced his face, he uncrossed his arms as he pushed himself off of the wall. "Yes, Y/n? Need anything?" He kindly asked as he walked towards you.
You smiled up at him sheepishly as you held onto the door, grounding yourself. "Um, I hate to ask, and I should've asked before we came into the showers. But do know if there's any clean clothes that we can borrow? It doesn't have to be anything specific, just something for us to wear." You asked, kindly, giving him free range of clothes he could pick from for both you and your son. He gave you a reassuring smile. "Of course, and no need to beat yourself up, you're already going through a lot as it is, something as small as clothes is bound to slip your mind." He said easing your worries with understanding. You sighed in relief, thankful that he was so understanding. "Thank you Gris, You can just come in and drop them off by the door somewhere, me and Rudo will collect them." You said, giving him permission ahead of time to enter the large room. His smile turned more fond as he nodded at your words. "The same goes for yours and your son's clothes. I'll pick them up while I drop off the clean ones, this way they can get washed." He explained and offered.
A weight was taken off your shoulders at his words, one less choir you had to worry about. "Thank you Gris, I'll be sure to do that right now." You said with a firm nod, he nodded in response before he turned and began walking off. You watched him for a moment before you pulled back and closed the heavy door gently. Once it was closed you turned back into the spacious room and you sighed. "Alright, lets get busy." You said, as you made a bee line for Rudo's piled up clothes, you gathered them all up into your arms before you walked back over to the large double door and you dropped them right in front of the split, making it easier for Gris to find them. As soon as you dropped them, you then quickly stripped out of your own dirtied, wet clothes, dropping them into the pile.
Once you were naked you made a beeline for the shower right across from Rudo's, making it easy for him to gain access to you if he needed anything. You closed the curtain, and looked around the spacious shower. You've noticed that every shower was already stocked with some shampoo, conditioner, brushes, combs, soaps, a few rags, and some razors. Though you noticed that the shampoo and conditioner came in pairs. A woman's set and a men's set, and no set was the same. The shampoo didn't go with the conditioner, and no two same scents existed. It was all just randomized.
'Wow, they've truly learned how to live in this world, this trash pit. It's amazing honestly how they've managed to salvage things and made them work... Though I kind of wonder, how did this many people come to live down here to began with?' You wonderer as you switched on the shower, adjusting it till it was comfortable. Once the decent pressure of the warm water hit you, you gave a deep sigh. 'Ah... Finally.' You thought, pleased to finally take a shower.
"MOM I'M DONE!! WHERE'S MY CLOTHES!?" Came Rudo's voice. Your eyes snatched open as your world came crashing down as a tired smile graced your face. "I PLACED THEM BY THE DOOR, HUN! BUT DON'T PUT THEM BACK ON THEY'RE DIRTY!! GRIS IS BRINGING MORE CLEAN CLOTHES SO JUST SETTLE FOR A TOWEL FOR NOW, OKAY!?" You yelled back. He was silent for a moment, your eyes rolled around for a bit, waiting for his response. "KAY!" Came his simple response. You gave a sigh of slight disappointment, as you were expecting to take a much longer shower, but your disappointment turned into love as you softly chuckled to yourself. 'Ah, the joys and stress of motherhood. No matter how many years go by, I still think it's the best thing that's ever happened to me.' You thought lovingly.
Remembering the day you first held Rudo in your arms after you just gave birth to him, his soft, thin, and still wet tuffs of hair gently swirled over his soft skull, his bug eyes softly closed and his little button nose red from the cold air. His little naked body, still slimy, and his umbilical cord still uncut. The love you held then, has only grown stronger as he grown. A loud noise suddenly sounded out, pulling you from your memories and making you jump in slight fear as your eyes widen.
You looked over our shoulder quickly, only seeing the now wet shower curtain. "WHAT WAS THAT!?... RUDO!?" You cautiously yelled, fear slowly blooming in your heart. "NOTHING!!" Came his quick response. Before you could question him on what happened, Gris suddenly spoke up. "SORRY Y/N, HOPE I DIDN'T STARTLE YOU!! I WAS JUST DROPPING OFF A BOX OF CLOTHES FOR YOU AND.... AND RUDO TO PICK FROM!!" Gris explained his voice trailing off to get Rudo's name, as he gave you an answer to what the noise was. He sounded apologetic for startling you.
At his voice your hands instinctively went to cover your chest, even if the curtain was pulled, but relief filled you as you processed his words. "OH, THANK YOU GRIS!! RUDO, GO AHEAD AND GET DRESSED HUN!! LOOK THOUGH THAT BOX AND PICK YOURSELF OUT AN OUTFIT!!" You ordered. His response was quicker this time. "KAY!" He simply said, you nodded as you hasten your pace, realizing that you were going to have to unfortunately to shorten your shower, you've been so looking forward to this too. You could hear the gentle mummer of Gris's baritone voice as he spoke to Rudo before he addressed you once more. "TAKE YOUR TIME Y/N, I CAN WATCH OVER RUDO WHILE YOU SHOWER, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU!? I JUST DON'T WANT RUDO HERE GETTING BORED AND START WONDERING ON HIS OWN!!" Gris offered.
You slightly jumped when he loudly spoke, still getting used to his voice in your vulnerable position. You thought over his words for a bit, he was still a stranger, and this place was so big. "UMM...SURE, I DON'T MIND!! BUT WHERE WILL YOU TAKE HIM?" You yelled, giving him permission but you couldn't help but to question him, slightly nervous on letting Rudo just wonder off with anyone, even a good person like Gris. He didn't sound offended by your caution. "I CAN TAKE HIM TO THE COMMON ROOM, I SEEN ENJIN AND RIYO GOING IN THERE EARLIER!!" He said.
Your worried slightly eased, as you knew exactly where the Common Room was. So far, everyone you've met seemed nice and can be trusted, but you just didn't feel too comfortable of just letting Rudo jump up and go with any of them... But you're going to have to get used to it, these were the same people he was going to be on the front lines with... The change has to start soon, so why not now? "OKAY!! THAT'S A GOOD IDEA!! RUDO, MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN TO GRIS NOW, YOU HEARD!? AND DON'T GIVE HIM A HEARD TIME, UNDERSTAND!?" You ordered, agreeing with Gris's offer.
Rudo was quiet for a moment before he spoke up. "KAY, I WILL!!" He promised. At his simple response you gave a tight smile before you sighed. 'The distance, it's got to start now... And I've gots to get used to it.' You thought, slightly sadden. "THANK YOU, GRIS!! YOU'VE BEEN A LIFESAVER AND YOU STILL ARE!! I OWE YOU ONE!!" You thanked him. He fanned off your thanks. "IT'S NO PROBLEM AT ALL, Y/N!! AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, REALLY!!" He said, reassuring you that he didn't need you to repay him anything.
You gave a light sigh at his words, and a somber look fell over your face. 'I've gotta start learning how to watch, love, and support him from a distance... And I've gotta learn fast, because it seems it's already starting... It almost feels unfair, it almost feels like a curse... But that's also apart of motherhood.' You thought, as you slowly returned to your shower, battling with yourself while Rudo began to walk out the room with Gris, making it to the large double doors, Gris opened one, holding it open for Rudo to go through. But Rudo looked over his shoulder, his slightly nervous eyes landing on your occupied shower.
Gris observed Rudo quietly before he gave his a soft, and understanding smile. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she's safe and sound, and I'll even guide her to where you are after her shower too. You have my word." He gently promised. Rudo's eyes stay locked on your shower a little longer before he looked up at Gris, a firm stare in his eyes. "Promise?" He asked, his tone serious. Gris nodded. "I promise." He said, just as serious, his gentle smile never leaving. Rudo stared up at him a bit longer before he looked out the open doorway and he walked forward. Gris waited for him to exit the room, before he walked out behind Rudo, as he gently let the door close behind him.
A few hours have gone by since Semiu dropped you off with Bro, Dear, and Guita. They've explained a plethora of things to you that they deemed would be important for you to know about the Ground. So far, they've explained the Ground itself, the Sphere, the Cleaners, a group called the Raiders, Vital Instruments, Polluted and Safe Zones, Trash Beasts, and an energy called Anima. It was very educational and very active, more so on Guita end, as she was very animated in her explanations, she also tended to get stuck on a topic that really interested her, causing Bro to remind her to get back on topic or he'll just take over the explanation. Dear's way of explaining things was very silent and extremely visual, you truly did appreciated it as well, as his little drawings gave you a better understanding of what it was they were trying to educate you on.
By the end of the session, your lap, the table, the booth and the floor in your area was littered with drawings from both Dear and Guita, somewhere down the line she got distracted and began helping Dear with his drawings before she completely forgot why it was she even began to draw and just started doodling mindlessly. So Bro took over the rest of the explaining, while Dear continued to try and help by drawing more pictures of whatever Bro was explaining, but eventually he grew tired and began dozing off. Somewhere throughout the middle of Bro speaking to you, Dear found his way in Bro's lap, sleeping peacefully, while Guita was more energetic than Dear, also began to get tired, she somehow thought it was comfortable for her to sleep sprawl out on the table on her back, her head hanging off the edge.
You and Bro were quietly talking, minding your tone as you didn't want to wake the children, you were both sat back and comfortable in the booth. Dear was curled up against Bro's chest, his arms tucked against his little body, as he sat in Bro's lap, his soft snores filling the silence, when Guita's louder ones would soften into an exhale. You were silently busying yourself with collecting both Dear's and Guita's pictures, taking the time to admire each one as Bro continued to softly talk. "That's about all I know, honestly. Sorry I can't be of much help." He softly said, as he lazily watched you collect the pictures.
Your smile was soft as you looked over each picture, your heart clenching in slight sadness as you remembered the little drawings and little trinkets that Rudo would make you when he was little. You missed those days. At Bro's apology you looked over at him sweetly. "I think you did wonderful, Bro. I'm far more aware of what everything is now. I'm still a little confused, as it's all so new and foreign to me, but I'm not as ignorant as I used to be. So thank you." You honestly said, thanking him for his effort and time.
He watched you for a moment before he shot you a enduring smile before he closed his eyes tiredly. "You're one hell of a woman, a good mother too, I can tell. Semiu was right, your kid is in good hands. It's hard to be a parent." He fondly said in a slightly tired voice, he then looked down at the sleeping boy in his lap, a loving stare in his tired eyes as he took in Dear's freckled, chubby, sleeping face. His cheek pressed up against his chest, his pacifier was slowly falling from his mouth, allowing drool to stain his shirt. But he didn't feel disgust, he just felt nothing but love. One of his hands came up to gently rest on Dear's back, the gentle weight made Dear give a deep sigh of content.
"You know, I didn't realize, all the worries that came with being a parent. I didn't realize that I would be so worried for his and Guita's safety. I know that they're givers, and that they can protect themselves pretty well, but I can't help but to jump in and fight their battles for them every now n' then. It hurts when they don't want my help, because now that I've bonded and fell in love with them, I can't help but to wonder, 'What am I going to do when they're nothing but memories?'" He gruffly admitted in a tired voice. You stared at him with a somber stare, understanding deep in your heart. "Why do you let them fight then? Why let them be a cleaner, when you know how dangerous it is?" You asked, because you seen yourself in him in that moment. You've been debating with yourself on whether you were going to step back or stop Rudo from joining the cleaners.
Bro gave a deep sigh, as his hand gently rubbed Dears back in thought. "Because, they have a story to complete, they have scores to settle, and they have a point to prove. Not to the world, not to the cleaners, and not even to me, but to themselves." He gruffly explained. You stared at him in confusion. "Bro, that doesn't make any sense." You countered. You couldn't wrap your mind around it, letting your child throw himself into danger, and for what? All because he wanted to prove a point to himself? Bro didn't seem offended by your confused defense. Instead, he gave a slight chuckle, not at you but in understanding. "I know right? I was like you at one time. I couldn't bare to see them in danger." He said, his gentle gaze shifting from Dear to Guita tiredly. You stared at him in question before your gazed shifted down to Dear as he gently shifted, a little grunt leaving him as he got comfortable against Bro again.
"What changed?" You asked him, you couldn't picture this small child, out on a battle field, fighting one of those monsters. Bro leaned his head back against the booth tiredly, a deep gaze in his eyes as he seemed to go back to a deep rooted memory. "I seen the fire in his eyes... The desire to prove that he wasn't that same weak little boy, and that he could now fight back, protect himself and everyone around him. That he wasn't a burden and that he could pull his weight all on his own. But I had to let him know, that he could rely on me. That he didn't need to be strong forever, that he didn't have to carry the world on his shoulders. He's a child, and he should be allowed to enjoy his childhood just like any other child. So he falls back on me, to shield him from the harsh world, to back him up when he can't be strong, and to be the adult figure he needs to guide him. Guita's a bit of a different case, however. But she's still a child too, so that same ideology goes for her too. I just don't want any regrets when the unfortunate day comes, that I either get the news, or when I have to hold their lifeless, little body in my arms. I don't want to feel regret, in wondering 'What I should've done.' instead what what 'I didn't do.'." He explained, a fatherly love so deeply rooted into him flooding out deeply.
Your eyes slightly widen, his words resonated with you as you thought back to what Rudo said to you just a few hours ago. "I need to do this, so that I can get stronger!! I need to know how to use my powers, so that I can help keep you safe from anything that comes our way! I know you don't like it and neither do I, but this is our reality now, and I need you to understand and be on my side!!" His desperate voice, and that strong stare in his eyes, the fire within him. It was just as Bro said. He needed to prove to himself, that he was stronger now. He wasn't that same weak, and prone to rabid anger child.
That he could protect those that he cares for, so that a tragic repeat couldn't be committed. You wanted him to rely on you when he needed to. You wanted him to remain a child, and live out his childhood. It was his right, just like every other child. But you now know, that he wanted you to understand and accept the fact that he was now able to do more. He wasn't as weak anymore, he was soon going to be stronger, and that means he'll be stronger than you too... But that doesn't mean he still can't fall back on you too... You and Rudo were going to have to talk, so that you could both understand one another in a new found light.
Bro's gruff, tired voice broke you from your thoughts, and you looked up at him. His eyes were closed, and he looked like he was just about to fall asleep, but he was determined to help guide you on this new form of parenting. "It's going to be rough, and it's going to feel like the hardest thing you could ever do, but you gotta let him go, so that he can grow... But never abandon him, stay close enough so that he can reach out, but far enough so that he can choose to fall back on you." He explained, sleep thick in his voice. You stared at him thoughtfully before you gave him a small but grateful smile. "Thanks, Bro." You softly said, but he heard you anyways as he gave a slow nod, before he gave a deep yawn.
You chuckled fondly before you looked down at the drawing in your hand. His words from earlier, of him complimenting you on being a good mother rang through your head. "I could say the same for you, too. These kids are also in good hands." You softly said. The drawing was very simple, and you couldn't tell who drew it, but the love was real. Bro was in the center, Dear was on his left and Guita was on his right. It was made of mostly stick figures, poorly drawn hair, clothes, and their visible Vital Instruments. So far, it was your favorite one, so you made sure to place it on top of the neatly stacked pictures that you left on the booth next to a sleeping Bro and Dear for all three of them to find later, because as soon as you gathered up the drawings, Semiu came to collect you, telling you that Rudo was back.
On the walk back to the front desk with Semiu, she noticed that you seem warmer, relaxed, and simply more at eased. "Hmm... Seems like that session with Bro and them made you more at ease." She said, noting your new shift in energy. You walked next to her at an easy pace, your eyes locked ahead of you in determination. "It really did, he made me understand and realize that I'm a mother, and that'll never change but I have to step back and let Rudo grow in this new world... Because he has a point... What am I going to do, when he's nothing but a memory? I won't be able to go back and do what 'I should've done' when I can do it now, and not have any regrets just in case that day comes, and god forbid, but at least I'll have some peace with it." You said, your words deep in your soul, making you heart hammer with gentle desperation of what the future may hold.
She stared at you with admiration, she already respected you before, but now she truly could say that she admired you in a way. A small smile graced her face as she looked ahead of herself. "Well said, Little Mama, well said." She softly said, commending you. Your hummed at her words, appreciating them before your eyes widen with relief as you seen your son, wearing a new outfit, and standing around the front desk with Riyo and two other men. One was a tall blonde with slicked back hair under a hat, and the other was slightly shorter than the other man, with short, fluffy black hair stuffed under the same type of hat the blonde had. They were both facing away from you as they seemed to be speaking to Riyo. The closer you got the more you could make out the sadden and defeated look on Rudo's face.
Concern floods you as you hasten your pace, Riyo was the first to notice you, her eyes widening happily before she waved you down. "HI MAMA SPHERERITE!!" She shouted happily. At her words and reaction, the two men perked up and they looked back in curiosity. Once you were close enough you greeted her. "Hi, Riyo." You said kindly, your smile tight with concern as your gaze locked back on Rudo. Riyo, not bother by your reaction placed a hand on her hip as she huffed out an understanding sigh. "Yeeeaaaaah, he's pretty bummed out, his powers activated, but it didn't last too long, he thinks he got in the way and ruined the mission. We keep telling him that he didn't and that he in fact did a pretty good job, but he won't listen to us." Riyo explained lazily yet somberly as you marched past her and the men and straight towards Rudo.
You walked in front of him, his head still down as he stared at the floor intensely, his hands balled up into tight fists. You stared down at him sadly, you didn't understand what it is that he's going through, and hearing what Riyo said made you slightly sadden, as you now felt so far away from him yet so close. He has powers now, something you'll never be able to understand, but you were willing to try. You placed your hands on his shoulders gently. "Rudo... I don't understand what you're going through, and I probably never will ever again, but I want you to understand something - look at me, hun." You said tenderly as you slowly crouched down in front of him so that you could see his eyes, but they were casted low so you gently held his chin as you raised his head up some. At your order he timidly lifted his gaze into your own.
Immediately you recognized the shame and self blame. You sighed lightly. "I don't understand what you're going through, and that hurts, but just because I don't understand, doesn't mean I can't be there for you. I'm going to do my best to support you from a distance, but I'll still be close enough for you to rely on me. I want to see you grow, in ways I've never even imagined. Its scary, and god knows I want to stop you, I want to strip you of these... These powers, and I want to shield you from it all!... But I know that I have to pull back, and let you become strong, but Mama ain't going nowhere, okay? I'll always be right here." You softly said, gently trying to explain to him, that you're both still together but you're not the same anymore. His stare was still slightly sadden but now he was more confused than he was disheartened.
"What are you talking about, Mom? We're still going to be together, I'm not leaving you, and if that's what you're asking, then you can wipe it from your mind." He fussed, he didn't like what he was hearing. He didn't understand it, but it didn't sound very good. You didn't reprimand him for his small outburst, simply because you knew he didn't understand. "We are still going to be together, Rudo, I promise you, hun. We're never going to split up." You promised him, as you reached up to push back his bangs lovingly.
His stare softens just a tad bit. "Then what are you talking about? I don't get it." He softly says, sounding sadden and confused. You gave him a small but tight smile. "What I mean is, I'm willing to pull back, and I'm willing to let you fight, to become strong, to grow and learn your powers. I'm going to be right here, next to you. I can't be on the battlefield with you, and I can't protect you from those monsters either. But I can be there when you need me most. To support you, to give you comfort, to give you reassurance, to give you confidence... It's going to be hard, but we'll get through this, just like you'll get through - whatever this is -, you will, I know you will. Because you're my son."
You explained gently to him, your hands went down to hold his gloved one in yours. It took a moment, but eventually your words began to make sense to him, and his eyes slightly widen. "You're really going to let me!? For real!?" He asked shocked, he just knew he was going to have to fuss with you every time he had to go on a mission, but now, he didn't have to worry about that.
You nodded, smile still small but not as tight. It was more at easy but not my choice, but by obligation. His surprise melted into a more sternness as a small fire lit within him. "I don't want you to worry Mom, I'm always going to need you, even when I finally master my powers, I'll always come back to you." He said firmly. His words meant a lot to you. Rudo didn't always know how to express himself, he had a hard time with words, but sometime, he knew just what to say.
You your small smile widen into a more grateful one. "Thank you, Rudo." You gently said before you stood up and you pulled him into a tight hug, and he hugged you back just as tightly. You held him for a moment, soaking in these last few moments, because you knew, after this, you were going to have to step back more than you ever dreamed of doing at his young age. But this was your reality now. You then pulled back from him, causing him to loosen his own hold on you and his arms fell to his side.
Your gentle stare shifted into a more stern motherly one, as you placed both your hands on your hips. "Now that that's settled, guess who needs a bath!?" You stated more than asked, his loving stare quickly shifted into an embarrassed one. "WHAT!? But I already told you that I can take one myself!" He fussed as he took a step back. You took one step forward. "And I told you, that I am well aware and that I'm going to give you a good washing, as you had a patch of dung on the back of your neck and you weren't even affected by it. You need a good washing." You sternly said, your tone final as you pointed a finger at him.
Riyo and the young man with the black hair both snickered at Rudo's misfortune while the blonde hair man gave you both a fond but heartfelt smile. "Uh-oh~ Looks like someone needs mommy's heeeelllllp." Riyo teased while the young man hid his face with his cap. Rudo's eyes widen in horror before he snatched his head to look back at her. "S-SHUT UP!!" He stuttered, his face heating up into a bright red. "Come on! We're going right now, young man!" You said, as you grabbed his ear, he quickly flinched as he grabbed your wrist firmly but gently with both of his hands. "OW!! MOM!!" He fussed. You ignored his fussing before you smiled over at Semiu. "Can you point me in the direction of a bathroom please?" You sweetly asked her.
She's been quietly standing off to the side, listening to both yours and Rudo's talk, her arms folded comfortably over her chest. She lifted her arm and she pointed a thumb over her shoulder. "The showers are back that way, I'm sure that either Riyo, Follo, or Gris here can show you where they are." She casually said. You nodded at her before you looked over towards Riyo, ignoring Rudo's squirming. "Can one of you please show me the way, I'd greatly appreciate it." You kindly said.
Riyo gave you an apologetic smile. "I'd love to, but I've got a report to fill out. Follo or Gris here can guide you." Riyo explained, as she pointed to each man respectfully as she called their names. You smiled at her kindly. "That's okay, thank you for showing Rudo how to do his future job, Riyo." You said kindly, thanking the girl. She fanned you off as she smile gently at you. "Nah, you ain't gotta thank me, I'm just doing my job. See you after your shower, Rudo." She said causally before she winked at Rudo and she stalked off in the opposite direction.
Rudo's face flushed a brighter red as his eyes widen in slight panic at her words. The young man named Follo, rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I would show you, but I've got another mission I needs to be getting to soon, I'm really sorry." He said sheepishly feeling guilty that he couldn't help you. You smiled at him sweetly, noticing just how young he really was. "It's okay sweetie, you don't have to apologize at all, hun." You said in understanding. His cheeks flushed at your words, he wasn't used to such sweet words being thrown in his direction. A heavy hand landed on his head, making his hat fall further over his eyes as he gave a soft grunt in surprise. Gris stared fondly at Follo for a moment before he looked over at you. "I can guide you to the showers, Miss." He said kindly.
You smiled at him in appreciation. "Thank you, Gris, was it?" You asked, as you let go of Rudo's ear, in favor for the scruff of his shirt. He grumbled at the new hold but he didn't complain, knowing that fighting with your grip was near impossible. You took in Gris's appearance, noticing that he seemed much older than, Follo, who looked to be just a few years older than Rudo. But Gris also looked younger than you, the jagged scare over his eye made you curious. Gris nodded his head, confirming your question.
Your smile seemed to brighten at this. "I'm Y/n, pleasure to meet you, Gris, Follo." You said in kind introducing yourself to both of the men. Follo nodded his head in greeting as Gris removed his hand from his head and Follo took this chance to readjust his hat. Gris's own smile brighten. "Likewise, Y/n. You best to get going now, Follo, you wouldn't want to be late now." He said, gently reminding the younger man. Follo looked back at Gris for a second before he nodded at him. He then flashed you one last smile before he rushed off past you and Rudo, heading down the same hall that Riyo went down.
You watched him as he ran past, you could tell that he was a sweet boy. Gris's voice caught your attention. "Come on, I'll guide you there." He said kindly. You turned back towards him, shooting him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Gris." You thanked him, following after him as he began walking down the hall that Semiu pointed down earlier, dragging a grumbling Rudo with you.
The walk to the common room wasn't very adventurous, it was also very quiet. Your mind too preoccupied with thoughts and worries for your son to engage in small talk. You couldn't help but to worry for him, as well as beat yourself up. 'Should I have stay stern?... Did I make a bad mistake by letting him go on that mission?' You thought, your mind plaguing with what if's. Semiu suddenly came to a stop in front of two large double doors, her sudden pausing in movement made you come back to and you stopped as well. Your eyes observing the two massive doors for a moment before a thoughtful look crossed your face. 'Aren't these the same doors that Enjin brought us to earlier?' You thought. You were pulled from them when Semiu spoke up. "This here, is the common room. Everyone comes here to just relax, talk and just catch up with one another. It's like a meet up place that we all use to catch up with one another, it's also the place we hold massive emergency meetings." Semiu explained.
You listened intensely, as you remember when Enjin brought you and Rudo here earlier, it seemed like the entire building was within this one room. As you thought over her words, she began opening the door, pushing open only one. Your eyes flicked down and into the slowly revealing room. your eyes took in all that they could, and you quickly realized that it looked like a bar mixed with a diner and a living space of some kind. It was large, spacious, and plenty of places to sit. Once the door was full open, Semiu stepped in and you followed after her. The door slowly closing behind you, once inside, you were able to scan more of the room. The lighting in the room was more warm, giving off a yellow glow. 'Seems like a common thing in this building.' You thought.
The sound of a child's excited laughter caught your attention, and you looked towards your right, seeing nothing but a wall, but Semiu was already making her way towards the laughter. You followed after her, your observant eyes curious. 'She did say he had a son.' You thought, making sense of the laughter you heard. Once past the wall, your eyes slightly widen as familiarity came into your gaze.
In the area, three people. A young girl in a teal onesie, her short hair the same color. Her red eyes were wide with happiness as she stood on the table, her hands high above her head as she seemed to excitably explain something, she looked to be around Rudo's age, possibly 12 to 13, maybe even 14. Sitting at the same table that the girl was standing on, was a young child, you could tell that they was much younger than Rudo, they looked to be 8 possibly even 10, you weren't too sure. They were sitting in a booth, their small back facing you. The booth covered most of their body, you could only see the back of their head. The hair was two different colors. The left side was white and the right was a rich brown. Their hair was thrown together into small bunches of hair that was tied with small hair ties.
Next to the boy was a man, his back was also facing towards you. His hair was pretty amber blonde, it was long and seemed to go into a loose braid, but it was down in the booth. You could see the tie of a light blue bandana. One of his arms laid lazily over the back of the booth behind the child's head, his shirt was a short sleeved, light blue top, the collar bent nicely. He seemed relaxed as he listened to the young girl talk. In the middle of her explaining something her excited eyes landed on both you and Semiu, and she beamed excitedly before she waved her hand. "HI SEMIU!! WHOSE YOUR PRETTY NEW FRIEND!?" She shouted excitedly. At her words, the man perked up in slight confusion before he looked over his shoulder. From what you could see, he seemed to be around your age, the first person you've seen in this place that seemed to be in your age group. It felt slightly refreshing.
The young child also looked over, but the man's arm was blocking their view, so they laid a small hand, drowning in a long, light blue sleeve on his arm, and they hoisted themselves up. Your eyes light up with aww as you seen his little face. 'Awwww!! He's so cute!!' You mentally thought, your heart aching as you remember when Rudo looked cute like that at one time. His large blue eyes observed you innocently yet cautiously. "Hey Semiu, what's up?" The man asked as he waved lazily in greeting with his other hand. She walked a bit closer before she stopped a few steps before the booth. She placed a hand on her hip. "Bro, I'm sure you're more than aware of the possible newest addition to the cleaners, right?" Semiu asked. He nodded. "Yeah, I actually think I got a bit of a glance at the little guy earlier, but it was only for a few seconds." He explained as his aged gaze looked up in thought. The boy next to him huffed in agreement as he nodded his head.
Now that you were closer, you could see the man's features better. He was most defiantly around your age, he had a dark brown goatee, it made you wonder if he dyed his hair or if maybe he also had a duo hair color, perhaps that's where his son inherited it from. His eyes were a gentle, dark brown, and a light blue bandana over his forehead that covered his eyebrows with small designs on it. His face was slightly chiseled, strong jaw bone and two simple, black earrings.
The boy was just simply adorable, he really did remind you of Rudo so much, he even had that cute little scowl that Rudo had too at his age. His eyes were a pretty blue, his face still soft and chubby, as he hasn't grew out of his baby fat just yet. His cheeks was spotted with soft, brown freckles. The only thing that made you raise a brow however, was the pacifier in his mouth. 'Isn't he a bit old for that?... Wait... Is that one of those vital instrument things?' You thought, your eyes slightly widening in realization.
The sound of the young girl speaking brought you back and you looked over at her curiously. "OH YEAH!! I remember seeing her too!! She was with Enjin earlier!!" She suddenly declared as she pointed a cotton stuffed, red finger at you. Bro looked back at the girl curiously before he looked back up at Semiu, he arched a brow before he moved his head some so that he could peek around her, and his curious gaze landed on you. He stared at you for a moment before his eyes widen in realization. "Oh yeah... I remember seeing her now. She was with the little guy." He said in a enlightened voice. You stared at him for a moment before a welcoming smile graced your face. Semiu spoke up. "You most definitely did. The here is Y/N, Rudo's - or the young man you seen earlier - mother." She explained as she introduced you, turning her body to the side so that you were on full display.
Their eyes widen at the news. "Mother? I didn't realize that two of them fell." Bro said, a thoughtful look on his face before his other hand came up to gently rest against his chin in thought. The young boy nodded, his eyes observing you as he seemed to also remember catching a glimpse of you. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, I'm Y/N Surebrec, the mother of Rudo Surebrec. Thank you all for allowing us to stay here, and thank you for showing us such kindness. I know it's not set in stone, until your boss approves, but the thought still counts, so thank you." You gratefully said, sincerity deep in your tone as you were truly grateful for them and their acceptance. They all stared at you in slight shock, not expecting your words. The girl spoke up first. "Yoooooouuuuuu'rrrreeee welcome!! I like you!! You're both pretty and nice!!" She brightly said. You smiled at her sweetly. You really liked her, she's so sweet and adorable.
"Thank you, I like you too." You said in kind. She beamed happily at your words before she began twirling happily on the table, as she sang some random little song she probably came up with. Everyone watched her for a moment before they focused back in on you again. Bro spoke up first. "Well, it's nice to meet another parent. I'm Bro Santa, this here is Dear Santa, and this little munchkin back here is Guita Fantasia." Bro said, as he introduced himself and the children. Dear gave a small hum of agreement. You gave a nod in greeting. "Pleasure to meet you all, and yes, I agree, it's most definitely nice to meet another parent. I don't feel so isolated now, ya know?" You said in agreement.
Semiu spoke up. "Great, I figured you two would get along pretty well. However, Bro, I'mma need you to explain to Little Mama here, how the Ground works in general, what vital instruments are, what makes a giver a giver, and what the Shpere is, along with whatever you think she may need to know or if she has any other questions." Semiu explained, giving Bro an unwarranted answer as to why she brought you to him.
His eyes widen at her words. "And you brought her to me!? That's quite a big task, Semiu... I- I don't think I'm the guy to do it." He said, slightly panicked and sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck. You slightly deflated at his words, but Semiu spoke up before you could even think of saying anything. "I think you're more than qualified to do this task, Bro. You're obviously more closer in age to her, you're patient, you both can do more than just talk about the Ground, and the kids are here so it'll keep her and yourself pretty busy. I say it's perfect." She explained as she gave a list of reasons as to why she believes he's perfect for the task. He gave her an uncertain stare, he didn't seem too confident in his abilities to explain things. "That's all true n' all... But why can't you do it, Semiu? You explain things the best." He questioned. He didn't mind explaining it all to you, he just felt that he wasn't as efficient at explaining things.
You stared at him with sympathy before you finally spoke up. "I-it's okay, I can just figure it all out on my own, I don't want to be a burden." You quickly said, trying to defuse the tension. Semiu and Bro looked over at you. Semiu stared at you with an observative and confused stare while Bro stared at you with a slightly guilty one. "And just how are you going to do that? You don't even know if we have any source of information that you can learn from. I would tell you everything, but I'm needed around the clock all day." She asked, while she also explained why she couldn't help you.
You stared at her with uncertainty but a determined fire was in your eyes. "I'll figure it out, after all, I'm stuck down here, and Rudo is trying his hardest with what little he knows. He hasn't really complained once about not having that much information about the ground, and yet he's out there fighting on the front lines! So what's stopping me from giving it my all too?" You explained, determined to make things happen, no matter how impossible it seemed. You didn't like the idea of Rudo going out and fighting monsters, but you were influenced by his courage and strength. Your words caused Semiu's, Bro's and Dear's eyes to all widen at your words. Dear's widen eyes suddenly sharped into a displeased glare as he looked over at his father, before he gave a shape jab of his elbow into Bro's stomach. The man grunted as he flinched and he grabbed the spot that Dear jabbed him in.
He looked down at the boy curiously. "What was that for, Dear?" He asked, wanting to know why he was so viciously attacked. Dear's glare sharpen further as he made a demanding grunt before he pointed his baggy, sleeve covered arm at you. You all stared down at him in confusion, Bro was the only to make sense of what Dear was hinting at before his eyes widen slightly in realization. "You wanna help her, Dear?" He asked gently. The boy nodded as he huffed. Guita chimed in. "YEAH!!! Come on Bro!! We just GOTTA help her!! You're great at explaining things to both me and Dear!!" She encouraged as she waved her cotton stuffed arms around animatedly. Dear nodded in agreement. Bro stared at the two children in uncertainty for a moment, he brought a hand to the back of his neck as he began rubbing it in nervous thought.
At his silence they doubled down on their begging. Guita quickly jumped down from the table, as she ran to the back of the booth and over to where Bro sat. "PLEASE!!!!! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE!!!" She begged loudly as she bounced up and down on her toes. Dear joined in on her begging as he turned towards Bro, his bright blue eyes shinning up at him desperately as he gently jabbed his sleeved cover hand into Bro's chest. Bro stared at the both of them for a moment, his uncertainty wavering into a thoughtful stare before he finally sighed and they both stopped. "Fine, fine... We'll help her." He agreed a fatherly smile on his face. Their eyes widen in happiness before they both celebrated. "YAY!!" Guita shouted. While Dear gave a more pleased grunt.
Semiu, who was silently watching the small family, gave a nod of confirmation once Bro agreed to help. She then turned to looked back at you, catching your attention from the small family. "Well, looks like my job here is done. I'll either come back and get you once Rudo gets back, or I'll just send him here to you instead. If neither one happens, then he's probably in a meeting with the boss." She explained. You nodded in understanding before you gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you, for everything Semiu. I'm sorry I've yelled at you, twice now." You said thankful yet apologetic. She fanned you off. "You've got nothing to apologize for, you're a mother before anything, and for that alone, I respect you. You're a real Mama Bear, he's in good hands." She complimented. Your eyes widen at her words before you gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you." You said, a new wave of respect for the woman flooding you.
She nodded at you before walking away, leaving you with the small family. Once she did, you looked over at them, Guita was already staring at you, her smile wide an manic. You shot her a cautious yet sweet smile. "COME ON!! COME ON!! I wanna be the one to explain what Trash Beasts are!!" She excited said, claiming a topic to educate you on as she rushed at you. Your eyes widen and your smile wavered as you took a cautious step back, but she either didn't mind or didn't care about your nervousness as she grabbed your hand between two of her cotton stuffed ones, her grip was surprising strong as she dragged you closer to the booth. Bro quickly stood up, as he moved to walk around the booth towards you both. "Guita, don't just drag her like that! And be careful, you could hurt her." He lectured as he gave her a stern stare.
Your nervousness slowly vanished and you shot him a sheepish yet comforting smile as you fanned off his concerns. "It's fine, trust. My son sometimes drags me around like this too, he's a big boy now and he's not aware of his strength so he will mindlessly tug me around too, I'm used to it." You said, reassuring him. It seemed to work as he relaxed just the slightest bit but he was still tense. "Still, I'd feel guilty if something happened to you in my care." He said, firm on making the children behave. Dear, who was still sitting on the couch was quick to slid over into Bro's seat, before he patted at the spot next to him that he was just sitting in.
You smiled down at him sweetly as you allowed Guita to excitedly guide you around the booth, you sat down next to the boy. Once you were down, Guita was quick to climb back onto the table. "OKAY!!! So, a Trash Beast is a big, cool monster that's made out of trash!! They're kind of like kaiju, and they're supper strong!!" Guita immediately began explaining, as she imitated what you believes to be a 'Trash Beast.' As she did, Bro sighed in defeat before he sat down neatly next to you.
Some movement from Dear caught your attention, causing you to look down at him curiously. His little back was facing you, as he seemed busy doing something in the space on the seat next to him, he then looked over his shoulder at you with a glare. You would've taken it as a sign of reject, if you didn't remember Rudo having the same little glare when he was younger, it was more of a 'I'm going to impress you with something cool' type of glare rather than a 'get away from me' type of glare.
You smiled down at him sweetly, as you waited for him patiently. His glare lightened up just the slightest bit before he fully turned towards you, rather shyly now before he showed you what he was doing. Looking down curiously you seen it was a drawing on a piece of paper, it was a rather good drawing of what looks to be a monster with an animal skull for a head. "Wow... You're a little artist huh?" You sweetly said praising his work. He seemed to soak in the pride as he puffed out his small chest. You chuckled at him. Bro looked over your shoulder, seeing the picture he smiled.
"Wow Dear, that's a damn good picture." He praised, you nodded in agreement. Dear soaked in the compliments, proud of his work. Guita who was still explaining, realized that nobody was listening to her anymore. "Hey, what gives!" She complains before she looks down at what it was that caught your attention, once she realized what it was a bright smile broke on her face. "OH WOW!!! THAT'S AMAZING DEAR!!" She shouted her compliment. Dear soaked up her praise as well. She stared at the picture a little longer before she pointed a cotton stuffed, red finger down at the picture. "Though, it's a little lopsided, and the lines a little wavy, aaaand the heads a little too small, but it's still good." She criticized. This earned her a heated glare from the boy as he fussed at her through his pacifier, and she laughed in response. "HAHAHAH!!! DON'T GET MADE AT ME!! JUST LOOK FOR YOURSELF!!" She teased.
It only earned her more angry huffs in return. You smiled at the two kindly, watching the children bicker like siblings. They didn't share the same last name, but they certain did act like siblings. "Sorry about them." Bro suddenly spoke up from next to you, causing you to look over at him in question. "What for?" You questioned as you stared at him curiously. He gave you a bit of a sheepish smile. "I'm supposed to have control over them so that I can give you a proper explanation, but it seems lime I'm failing pretty badly." He said, apologizing as he looks down at his feet.
You stared at him a bit longer before you gave him a small, understanding smile. "I think you're doing just fine actually. This is way better than just words! Guita can explain it to me and Dear can draw it and you can simplify it so that I can understand better. This is far better than I could've ever hoped for." You admitted as you looked at the bickering children. Dear was trying to climb on the table to attack Guita but she kept a firm foot on his cheek to keep him back. You then looked down at the picture.
He stared at you with slight admiration before he gave a slightly shy smile. "Thanks, means a lot ya know?" He softly admitted. You looked up at him and you smiled. "I know." You said, meaning it from your heart. He smiled at you a little longer before he looked over at the children, a fatherly stare in his eyes. "Alright you two, knock it off. We still have tons of topics to break down and explain to Y/N, here." He ordered sternly. The two looked over at Bro for a moment before they went back to their separated areas. Dear back on the booth and Guita back to explaining what Trash Beasts are excitedly.
You listened to her for a bit before you looked over at Bro, you were going to ask him a question, but you stopped short, your eyes widen as you stared at him. They were two different people, two different backgrounds, they didn't even look the same, but you swore, in that moment, he looked like Regto. Sitting in your small, run down home filled with love. A loving stare in his kind, dark blue eyes as he listened to Rudo talk about something he discovered as he ran about the city.
A sweet smile graced your face, and you chose to stay quiet, keeping your questions to yourself, as you selfishly enjoyed the feeling of being apart of a family again as you listened to Guita talk and happily observe Dear's pictures he'd proudly present to you.
Regto... He knew they were going to come... I warned him, that if he got involved with me or my son... then he'll be made a target too...He didn't care, because he knew that love came with consequences. He bonded with Rudo first, always making it a point to interact with the child. He was always watching out for him... I appreciated him, but I kept him back from me... I cussed him out a million days. I pushed him away, I slapped him, I'd yell at him for hours... It all made him just try that much harder... Some how, that sly fox wormed his way into my home, my heart, and eventually into my bed. Sometimes I swore he was the devil, he'd laugh, and he swore he didn't believe in anything, but he did believe that something sent him my way... but the more I think about it... He really was an angel in disguise
He was so handsome, even as he laid there... In a pool of his own blood... I could do nothing, not even cry... Because we knew they'd come... All I could do was just stare down at him...
Because I knew... That was supposed to me.
A Mother's Love Ch. 8
Rudo x Mother! Reader
Ch. 1 ... Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
True to his words, Enjin was going to make everyone wait. Both you and Rudo didn't mind, not one bit. The walk to the boss's room was relatively easy, it was mostly silent as both you and Rudo were busy marveling at the beauty of the building. Enjin stopped walking, catching both yours and Rudo's attention. It was another pair of double doors, only these seem more grand, and held a beautiful, modern design of green, purple, and golden squares and rectangles. Enjin stood tall and proud as he stared up at the door, you could tell that he admired his boss. 'Must be a great man to gain that response.' You thought as you observed Enjin for a moment before you looked back at the door.
"And here we have the boss's room." Enjin casually explains. Rudo's stare was stern as he stares at the door, he was ready for anything that came his way, and if he needed to fuss and fight the boss, he will. "Look, I'll be cool, but I'm asking about-" He started, his voice stern as he was set, taking a few steps towards the door, he reached for the handle but Enjin was quick to stop him. Placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Oooh no you don't. Take a breath, cause your face says 'I'm about to go scream at a guy till I get some answers'." Enjin warns as he eyes Rudo with a stern seriousness. His words made Rudo gasp dumbfoundedly. You stared at the duo wearily. 'Rudo... He's always been a little fighter... Though sometimes he can be a little too hot headed for his own good.' You thought fondly as you silently watched the boys.
Enjin kept his hand on Rudo's shoulder, making sure he didn't just barge into the room. He looked up at the door himself. "Allow me refresh your memory first." He said sternly, he was very adamant about how Rudo presented himself to his boss. He can take disrespect aimed at himself, he could even tolerate some disrespect towards Riyo and Zanak, but he refuses to tolerate any disrespect towards his boss, no matter who they were. "Info is a prime commodity that doesn't come cheap." He softly said, restating the number one rule on the Ground. "Tell him you'll work for him in exchange, or no ones getting what they want." He coached, he really wanted Rudo to join the cleaners, he was very passionate about that, but he also wanted Rudo to get what he wanted, even if he wanted to be selfish and deny Rudo any chance of making it back to the Shpere.
Part of him was honestly hoping that Rudo would bond with them so much till his ambitions of making it back to the sphere would vanish entirely, but then there was also you. If you weren't accepted, or just didn't like it, then he was sure Rudo would favor your comfort over anything, even if he really did end up loving it here on the Ground. At Enjin's coaching Rudo gave a tense grunt as he looked over at Enjin, his mind racing with his own wants but also with all the small steps he has to take just to get what he wants.
Enjin pulled back from Rudo, standing to his full height once more. His gaze locked on the door before him, before he looked down at Rudo with a thoughtful gaze. "Also, wise men don't ask about the boss's instrument. I told you about mine because I needed you to trust me. And don't ask anyone else about it, because we don't know. Not what it is or what it does. We don't care, none of us cleaners follow the boss because we're scared or weak, its cause we want to. Power can't win that kind of trust." Enjin explains, admiration for his boss was clear in his voice.
You said nothing as you stared at the door, but your gaze was held with deep thought. 'Neither can that kind of trust just be thrown around all willy-nilly like that either... Having some form of knowledge would be good to have, giving a person that much power isn't good.' You wisely thought, making a mental note to not let Rudo just trust their boss so blindly, it wasn't safe and it wasn't wise. 'It's like the tribes folk, they just follow our leaders mindlessly, they don't even stop to question on why people are being thrown into the pit... Blind trust like that only leads to trouble.' You thought wearily. Rudo looked over at Enjin with a thoughtful stare before he looks back at the door. The weight of the kind of respect this person held was enough to make Rudo understand that if he messed up, he can kiss all his chances goodbye. He closed his eyes before he took in a deep breath, calming himself, just like Regto taught him.
He then exhaled before he opened his eyes once more, the sternness in them died down some, but a fire was still lit. He calmly reached towards he handle and he pulled the door open, ready to face the boss who could possibly help him. But his eyes widen as he gave a noise of confusion. Both You and Enjin stared at Rudo in confusion, Enjin was the first to move, taking a few steps over so he could peeked into the room, seeing that the chair was empty. "The hell?" He questioned aloud, he too was confused on as to why the boss was just gone. You scooted over just a bit, so that you could peek around Enjin's large frame and you gave a light sigh. "Yup... Just as I figured." You whispered to yourself. 'With the kind of trust this person has, things like this is just bound to happen.' You thought, not shocked at all. A sudden voice sounded up from behind you, startling you. "Uh-Did I not tell you?" The sudden voice brought both Enjin and Rudo from their own thoughts, and all three of you turned around to see the owner of the voice.
At the end of the hall, her arms crossed low over her stomach and her hands cradled her elbows, was Semiu. A calm but observant look on her face as she stared you all down. "The boss is away on business right now. He won't be back for a while." She explained casually once you all turned to look at her. Rudo was the first to react, as he reeled back in shock. "Say wha? Gone? Really?" He asked, flabbergasted at the unfortunate news, he looked over at Enjin with the same shock, looking for answers. You gave a soft sigh at the news as you stared at her thoughtfully. "Damn." You softly said. Enjin gave a disappointed sigh, as he really wanted his boss and Rudo to meet. "Damn, that sucks." He said softly. "Well that's that, can't be helped." He somberly said. You gave a small hum of agreement as you turned back towards the boys.
Enjin then gave Rudo an apologetic smile as he sheepishly held a hand on the back of his head. "Got some bad news for you bud, turns out the boss isn't here." He said, 'updating' Rudo on the bad news. Rudo gave him an annoyed glare. "YEAH I HEARD!! SO WHAT DO I DO NOW!?" He shouted in irritation. He was getting real fed up with all this run around, if it wasn't one issue it was the next. Your eyes shifted down to Rudo with a pointed stare before you took a few steps towards him. You placed a gentle hand on his back as you gently lectured him half heartedly. "Mind your volume Rudo, we're indoors." You softly said, rubbing comforting circles in his back. Though you couldn't blame him really. He gave an annoyed grunt at your words before he angrily turned his head towards you. "It's his fault!! He's been giving me the run arounds since I've met him!! He even had the nerves to try and give me up to some kidnappers who sold Sphereites in pieces!!" He vented as he pointed an accusing finger at Enjin.
At his words your eyes bucked in shock before your eyes shifted towards Enjin. "He did what?" You warningly asked, your aura becoming dangerous. Enjin's apologetic smirk wavered into a panicked one as he stared at you with fear, he then quickly looked to Semiu. "UH- I-IS THERE AN ETA ON HIS RETURN!?" He quickly asked Semiu, in hopes she'll defuse the situation and that you'll get distracted by whatever - hopefully good- news that she had. She seemed unfazed by the situation, and Enjin sore she was on your side because all she did was spread her arms wide and shrugged her shoulder. "Uhhnumm." She hummed. He stared at her in shocked horrors while Rudo stared up at Enjin, a frown on his face but his eyes gleamed in evil satisfaction.
Enjin's shocked fear turned into a sheepish crooked smile as he slowly turned towards you, his head slightly ducked down, his eyes closed as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Um... I did it for a good cause?" He quickly yet nervously tried to defend. When you didn't say anything, his eyes peeked opened and they widen in panic as he stood up straight and his arm fell to his side. Your stare was intimidating as you glared at him like he was the most foulest thing you've ever seen. "Again, I know I don't pray to you often, and I know I ain't no saint... But please, if you're up there, save me." He prayed, his eyes still locked on you as he was too scared to look away, in fear of you possibly transforming.
But his prayers were answered this time, as Riyo suddenly poked her head around the corner, Semiu, whose been watching Enjin's downfall silently, noticed the girl, and she moved over just the slightest bit. "As much as I love seeing Enjin get in trouble, I kind of still need him alive ya know, besides, instead of wasting energy on him you guys can tag along and watch me work...?" She sheepishly said, hoping to save Enjin, hoping to show Rudo something and most importantly, hoping to get you to relax... No matter how entertaining it is to see you fired up. "You can't officially join until the boss gets back and gives the okay." She continues to say, her voice was soft and calming, it was enough to catch both yours and Rudo's attention, the anger and irritation flowing between the both of you began to dwindle down towards Enjin.
Seeing that she had all eyes on her, she tipped around the wall, making her way over towards the both of you. "Come be my trainee for a day, get a close and up personal look at the job, it'll be fun." She offered, her observant gaze locking in on Rudo as she stepped closer towards him. His eyes widen in slight panic as he realized she was closing in on him. She gave him a smirk as she entered his personal space, she leaned in so close till their bangs were touching, her calm eyes locking in on Rudo's wide ones. "Aand, it's a chance for us to get to know each others, right?" She asked teasingly as she pressed her forehead against his gently. He almost choked on his breath as he seemed to choke up at the closeness, his eyes blown so wide it seems he went cock-eyed. You stared down at the two, you were slightly worried about Rudo, but you knew he'd be fine, however you made a mental note to probably not let him get too close to Rudo. Your baby was still innocent, but you weren't too sure about Riyo.
The sound of Enjin giving a loud exhale of relief made you glare over at him warningly. "Good idea, Riyo!!" He exclaimed as he was saved once again.
You, Rudo, Enjin, Riyo and Semiu all found yourselves back at the front desk, a large map of the Ground that Semiu pulled out was laid over her desk. Your eyes roamed over it in curiosity as you made out certain landmarks. "This'll be more or less, basic maintenance. A town near the polluted zone reported that small trash beasts have been approaching their barricade lately. They don't wanna take any chances so they're asking us for a cleaning." Semiu explained. Riyo sat on the edge of the desk while you, Rudo and Enjin all stood in front, everyone listening to Semiu's words intensely. Your brow arched at the word. 'Trash Beasts?' You wondered. Rudo himself had a question too, only he didn't hesitate to express his. "What's a polluted zone?" He asked, his wondering gaze flickering up to Semiu for answers. You looked up at her too, also curious. She looked up at Rudo for a moment before she looked over at Enjin with an accusing stare.
"Enjin, what all haven't you told him?" She asked, both you and Rudo looked over at him. He seemed rather proud, a hand on his hip. "Told him plenty! I've just been using words he can wrap his head around!" He proudly explained. Semiu gave him an unimpressed stare and so did you and Rudo. She gave a soft frustrated sigh before she looked over at Rudo. "Okay, I'm gonna need you to forget everything this imbecile said." She said in a firm tone. "Rude." Enjin huffed, but you all ignored him. Unlike Rudo however, you haven't been given any knowledge of the Ground. Where Rudo had a vague understanding, you were completely lost, so you made sure to listen extra closely to what she was about to say. She looked back down at the map, her finger moving about as she explained.
"The Ground is divided into pockets of habitable areas, called 'Safe Zones' and 'Polluted Zones', the latter being the garbage tainted deathtraps that Trash Beasts comes from. While all polluted zones are dangerous, some - like the ones ya'll happen to land in - are especially so. A No Mans Land." You listened intensely, you were slightly lost but you got a bit of an understanding. Rudo however, perked up when she mentioned no mans land. Your eyes shifted over to him for a moment, the sound of his soft noise of familiarity caught your attention. Semiu continued to explain, pulling your focus back in on her. "Only six No Mans Lands have actually been confirmed, largely because most people die immediately after wondering into one. Plus they're swarming with Trash Beasts that even givers struggle with. It's nothing short of a miracle that Enjin found you both when he did." She explained, from the expression on her face, you could tell that what she was speaking of was something serious.
'I'm really going to need someone to explain to me what all these things are. Trash Beasts, No Mans Land, Givers, Vital Instruments!?' You thought, thinking over all of the words you've heard so far. You remember earlier that when you first met Semiu, Enjin mentioned her glasses being one... But you weren't sure what a Vital Instrument actually was. You really hoped she'd be willing to explain all of these things to you at a later date, because from what you just heard, Enjin is a lost cause. Semiu's voice brought you from your thoughts, your eyes focusing in back on her.
"Speaking of, what were you doing out there anyway?" She asked as she looked over at Enjin curiously. You, Rudo and Riyo all looked over at him as well, the three of you also wanted to hear his answer. Enjin didn't seem bothered by her question, a fond stare in his eyes as he stared down at her, he seemed to like listening to her talk. "Can't a man stretch his legs? Last I heard we could." He lazily said, an easy smile on his face. "That's your excuse?" She pressed, a flat look on her face as she didn't believe him. He simply turned his hands up as he shrugged, a secretive smirk on his face. "Uhnnuhmm" He hummed.
Repeating her earlier response to him when he needed saving. Semiu stared at him flatly a moment longer before she looked down and she bent over to retrieve something from under her desk. "Grand idiocy aside, remember to wear a gas mask whenever you're in any polluted zones." She said, as she dug through her desk, the sound of items shuffling around sounded out before she pulled out a single gas mask, leaning over to give it to Rudo. "Breathing in toxins never ends well, you can become dangerously ill very fast." She cautioned as she stared Rudo down. He grabbed the mask from her, looking down at it as he inspected it. You stared down at it too, taking in its simple design. She continued to speak as you both inspected the small mask.
"And in a No Mans Land, you got about fifteen minutes before you die without one." She warned, making both you and Rudo look up at her in shock, more so Rudo. "Fifteen!?" You exclaimed in panic. She simply nodded her head. You looked back at the mask in Rudo's hands before you shot her another bewildered stare. "And you're sending him out in that!? No way!! I forbid it!!" You fussed as you glared down at her. Enjin stared down at you with a bit of a worried stare. This was a possibilty that he knew could happen, but he's been putting it on the back burner for a while now. "Uh-oh." He mumbled.
Rudo's eyes widen. "What!? But, Mom!! I have to do this!" He tried to reason. Your stern glared turned towards him, and your hands flew to your hips. "Don't you 'But' me mister!! You don't have to do anything that these people tells you!! Just Like I won't let them tell me that I have to send you out there into danger!!" You argued back, your tone final. Rudo's wide stare became slightly panicked as his grip on the gas mask tightened. "Mom!! I have to do this in order to get back to the Sphere!" He explained. Your brow arched at the word before you gave a frustrated sigh. "Ugh, all these new words, and I'm clueless on it all!! No mans land, trash beasts, vital instruments, givers, and now a thing called the Shpere!? What else is everyone aware of that I'm not, huh!?" You fussed, as your eyes darted around at everyone in the area.
Rudo groaned in frustration, he wasn't really angry at you, but he was annoyed. He could understand that you were confused and worried. He understood all of that, but he needed you to understand him. "Mom, listen!! The Shpere is the place we came from, and a No Mans Land is the place that Enjin found us in and saved us from! And Trash Beasts are just these weird monsters made of trash, that the cleaners - these guys here -, kills so that everyone else can live in peace!! I need to do this, so that I can get stronger!! I need to know how to use my powers, so that I can help keep you safe from anything that comes our way! I know you don't like it and neither do I, but this is our reality now, and I need you to understand and be on my side!!" He explained in rapid fire, once he was done, he huffed, his eyes wide and locked on you with a tired glare.
Everyone was silent, waiting on baited breaths, wondering what you would say or do. You stared down at Rudo, your stern stare was sharp but not as heavy as it was before. You were still confused, and even more so now, as you didn't know you son had 'powers' now. Enjin gave an impressed whistle at Rudo's explanation. "Damn, he explained it even better than me." He praised, Semiu glanced at him in slight annoyance. "Trust, we know." She shot. "Hey." He whined, but she ignored him as her observant gaze went back to you. Riyo's own observant gaze was locked onto you well, but they shined with a bit of hope that you'll agree. Rudo's tired glare eased up some the longer he stared at you before he dropped it completely, his shoulders fell and he looked at the ground for a bit before he looked back up at you with a pleading stare. "Please, Mom... I promise I'll stay safe... And I'll come home without a single scratch on me, I swear!!" He promised.
Your stern stare wavered, but your hands remained on your hips. At the slight weaver in your stare Riyo piped up. "He's not wrong, ya know." She stated casually. Your stern eyes shot up to her as Rudo looked back over his shoulder at her, his eyes gleaming with hope. A easy smile bloomed on Riyo's face as she looked down from her perch on Semiu's desk, her eyes locking with Rudo's for a moment before she looked back into your eyes. "Technically, he's not an official cleaner yet, so he'll just be on standby observing everything, he won't even be in the danger zone!" She easily yet softly explained. At her words your shoulders slightly dropped, but you remained on your square.
"And what if something goes wrong? What then? I'm supposed to just stand here and cry when you come back and tell me that one of those beasts got loose and hurt my son? What then!?" You questioned her. You liked Riyo, really you did. But she was still young and had lots to learn. Enjin piped up next, making you turn towards him. Rudo peeked around you as he stared at Enjin with the same hopeful stare. "That won't happen, with the amount of supporters we have, accidents like those doesn't happen. They're pros at what they do, and we're all willing to die for another if it comes down to it." He said reassuring you, his tone was relaxed but the serious stare in his eyes told you he was being honest.
You stared him down, the sternness in your eyes falling slightly more as your brows turned up in worry. "Please mom... You heard what they said, I'll have a whole big ass team with me." He pleaded, hunkering down on what Enjin said. You looked down at him, your sternness melting away completely until only worry was left in you. Semiu piped up lastly, having watched and listened to everything carefully. "I can send you on down to the common room, Bro's off today, and I'm sure he'll be more than happy to speak and give you the run down on everything you need to know. And he's a parent too, his own son is also in the cleaners. And trust me, he worries just as much as you do." Semiu offers. Both Enjin's and Riyo's eyes widen at the idea.
They both looked over towards you, hoping this offer would be more than enough to calm you. You stared down at Semiu, a thoughtful gleam in your eyes, after a moment, you finally sighed and you looked up at Enjin. "You promise me that he'll be safe, at all time!?" You pressed as you pointed a finger up at him. He smiled down at you reassuringly before he gently placed his hand over yours, lowering it. "You have my word, Little Mama, I swear he'll be safe and sound, not a single hair on his head will be missing." He gently said. You stared up at him a little longer before you finally gave a true sigh of relief and defeat.
You then turned towards Rudo, making him look up at you with wonder. "Rudo... Promise me you'll listen and you'll do as you're told." You pressed, as you placed your hands gently on his shoulders. He stare slightly widen before it harden in a stern stare, and he nodded. "I promise, Mom." He said firmly. You stared down at him lovingly before you cuffed both his cheeks and you leaned down to kiss his forehead. His eyes widen some before he clenched them tightly as you did. Somewhere down the line Riyo had migrated over to where Enjin stood. "Awwww!!" Both Riyo and Enjin teased, their hands clasped together in front of their own chests. Rudo's cheek flared up into a bright red, his eyes snatching open before he pulled back from you and he glared over your shoulder at them. "SHUT UP!!" He yelled in embarrassment.
You smiled down at him, feeling slightly better and more comforted that he'll be safe, but you did still hold some worry, but even you knew you'd have to pull back eventually. Semiu spoke up. "Great, now that that's settled. Riyo, Enjin, and Rudo. You all will head out to the polluted area, and complete the request. As for Little Mama, here. You'll be coming with me. I'm gonna take you on down to see Bro." She ordered and explained.
Rudo stared up at Semiu with a thoughtful gaze. 'I promised that I wouldn't separate from her... But I didn't think that me being a giver would immediately put us into different lanes.' He thought, realizing that he was going to have to get used to this. You listened to Semiu, nodding to her words before you looked down at Rudo, his thoughtful gaze made you gently pinch his cheek. He closed the eye on the cheek you pinched and he looked up at you in wonderment. When he did you released his cheek. "Don't worry, Rudo. I'll still be here when you get back, okay." You said comfortingly. He signed before he nodded. "Kay." He simply said. Enjin perked up. "Alright team, you heard the woman. Time to roll out!!" He excitedly said, happy that it all worked out in the end. Riyo smiled before she turned and began walking in the direction they needed to go.
Enjin turned to follower after her. "Come on, Rudo! Time for your first test drive! See you in a bit, Little Mama!" Enjin said as he stalked off. You and Rudo stared after the two for a moment. Rudo looked up at you once more, looking for official approval, and you gave him an enduring smile. "Go on, and be safe." You gently said. His eyes lit up with happiness before he turned and began running off after both Enjin and Riyo. "Geez, you're slow." Enjin's teased, his voice distant. "Shut up, jack ass." Rudo shot back in annoyance. You sighed. "LANGUAGE YOUNG MAN!!" You yelled. Enjin and Riyo laughed as Rudo grumbled. "Shut up!!" He yelled at them.
You watched as your son walked away, your heart heavy as you realized you were going to have to get used to this now... Especially if the boss approves of him. Semiu spoke up. "Come on, standing around here ain't going to make em come back any faster." She said wisely, and you silently agreed with her. She walked past her desk, going in the opposite direction the small group went in. You stood there for a moment longer, your eyes locked on Rudo's back until her turns the corner and he was gone from your sight. Once he was, you gave one last heavy sigh and you turned to follow after Semiu, so that she can introduce you to 'Bro'.
The drive to HQ was relatively quiet, aside from the gentle chit-chatting between you and Riyo. Zanka was busying himself by looking out the window, a thoughtful look on his face as he watched the scenery of broken cars, washing machines, stoves, and other large, abandoned and broken down appliances scattered about the desert. Somewhere through the ride, he was able to calm himself down from his giddiness, and he was able to focused on the task of cleaning himself up some. He pulled out a handkerchief, gently wiping himself down from the violation he endured earlier the night before, as he got lost in his thoughts.
Enjin's gaze was locked on the road, he seemed both happy and slightly excited but he hid it well under his usual cool demeanor. Rudo was still in a trance, his eyes locked on the roof of the jeep, his head resting back against his seat. His hand had been since relaxed, letting your hand go in the process, and you knew this was a good sign, as he wasn't feeling anything negative, and he was instead very relaxed. Riyo was still playing in Rudo's hair as she spoke to you, she really liked how soft it was, and she was itching to go and find the same shampoo that you used on Rudo's hair. You yourself was very relaxed too, your hands were in your lap, only moving from time to time to better explain things to Riyo.
"So, you're Mama Sphererite, right?" Riyo inquired in a lazy yet curious tone. her hands still playing through Rudo's locks. The earlier conversation between you and Riyo had came to a peaceful end, and for a few minutes everything was quite, until she asked her question. You looked back at her, giving her an approving smile before you nodded and gave a light chuckle. "That's right, I would ask how'd you guess that, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't too hard to tell. Why'd you ask?" You questioned. You were pretty sure she already knew, seeing as how she already knew Rudo's name.
She stared at you, her gaze ever so calculating and knowing. You've grown use to her strangeness, honestly you quite liked it. She was outgoing, curious, and always observant, but she was also very casual and relaxed. "Just making sure. If I didn't see the way you interacted with him, I would've guessed you were his big sister or somethin'" She she admitted with an easy smile. Your own smile grew as you fanned her off bashfully. "Oh hush you!" You playfully said, as you turned your back on her. The rearview mirror caught your attention and you angled your head some till you could see your reflection. You turned your head every which way before a bright smile graced your face, your hand coming up to gently caress your cheek. "Hmmm, though I guess I do look pretty good for my age." You said happily, as you agreed with her. Riyo stared at you for a moment, watching your movements before an enduring and fond smile graced her face. "Yup! Sure do!" She encouraged.
Suddenly the car darkened, causing your smile to fall into a curious frown as you looked ahead out the windshield. The sudden darkness was due to the tunnel Enjin entered, it wasn't a long tunnel, as sunlight was once again introduced into the car. Entering the clearing, an excited smirk stretched on Enjin's face before he whipped the car, making a sharp turn so he could drift. Your eyes widen as you were thrown with the sudden turn, your arm outstretched over Rudo on instinct to keep him safe. Drifting to a hard enough stop for the car to slightly tilt before it balanced itself back out once more. Enjin didn't hesitate to turn the key, turning off the ignition. He quickly gathered up his umbrella, before exiting the jeep, he was excited to go inside so he could introduce Rudo to the cleaners. He was seriously going to gloat over his findings. He excitedly slammed his door, before he rested his hand on the roof of the jeep.
Zanka exited next, he looked calm and unbothered by the aggressive parking as he finished cleaning his hand with the handkerchief, his staff attached to his back where it belonged. After Zanka exited, Riyo quickly climbed over the seat where Zanka was sitting, so she could exit the car quickly, a cheeky smile on her face as she stared over at Enjin expectantly. She bumped her elbow into Zanka's back, making him slightly jump before he looked over his shoulder at her curiously. She said nothing as she pointed in Enji's direction and Zanka's curious eyes followed. Through the same side that Zanka and Riyo exited, you slid out next, more carefully than Riyo did, as you didn't want to fall, you weren't used to traveling in a vehicle.
Once you were out and on your feet, you turned back around towards the jeep, ready to help Rudo should he needed it. You silently and observantly watched as Rudo slowly scooted his way towards you, his eyes still wide as he was still dazed. You gave him a tender smile, as you knew he was going to be just fine. You moved back some, giving him space to exit the car. Once he was out, you gently placed your hand on his back, pushing him forward some so that he'd step forward. Once he took a few steps forward you were able to shut the door. You took a deep breath, straightening your back as you did. Enjin's excited grin seemed to relax some as he was able to gain his cool persona once more. He walked around the front of the jeep, a proud look in his eyes as he stared up at the building he lovingly calls 'home.' "Welcome to Cleaner HQ." He casually said, before he turned back to look at the newest additions.
Instead of meeting the flabbergasted stares of excited Sphererites, he was met with the face of an aloof one who was still in a trance, and one that was glaring at him like she was going to murder him. His eyes widen and his smirk tightened as a sense of danger ran through him, his alerted eyes stared into your threatening ones. Riyo chuckled to herself lightly. "Uh-oh, looks like someonnne made Mama bear maaad." She teased as she watched in mirth. Zanak just stared on with an unimpressed yet curious gaze. "Serves him right, he should've known that slinging her around like that wouldn't end well." Zanka said his tone flat. "Just what kind of driving are you doing!? You could've killed us!!" You fussed as you pointed an accusing finger at him. His eyes widen as dread slowly began to fill him, he gave a weary sigh as his shoulders dropped and he looked up to the heavens with a pleading stare. "If there's a god in heaven, save me now." He prayed.... They went unanswered
Both Riyo and Zanka stared for a while, watching as you began chewing Enjin out about endangering you, your child, and the other children within his reckless care. Riyo crossed her arms, a giddy smile on her overall calculating expression. "I think I'm actually going to like having her around." She said merrily. Zanka sighed tired before he turned off and began walking towards the building. He was ready for a much needed and well deserved shower. Riyo stared a little longer before she too followed after Zanka. Your voice echoing around the desert as you continued reprimanding Enjin, as you did, two flies seemed to fancy Rudo, as they flew around him constantly.
Not bothered by his two newest, little companions, Rudo slowly came back to himself, gently perked up, before he looked up, his eyes locking on the massive building before him, he marveled at it for a moment before his eyes slightly widen as they locked on the giant red emblem, the Cleaner's symbol sat proudly in the center of the mass. 'Guess this is going to be our new home for a while then... Until I can figure out a way back to the Sphere.' He solemnly thought, he then looked over at you.
He wasn't too bothered by you fussing at Enjin, he was honestly pretty used to it. Memories of you fussing out the other parents to the children who'd bullied him flooded his mind, you were always ready to defend him, always ready to shower him with love and acceptance. Coming back to reality, he stared up at you with admiration, before he gently laced his gloved hand with yours, causing you to pause mid sentence. You looked down at him, all your anger and frustration melting away instantly as you looked down at him questionably. "What is it, Rudo?" You gently asked him. He said nothing as he stared at you, his hand tightening around yours. His stare was intense as he finally spoke. "Lets stay together, okay?... I'm going to get stronger... So that I can protect you too." He declared.
Your eyes widen before they began to shine with tears, but you quickly blinked them away as you gave him a loving smile. Enjin stared at you both with a fond gaze before he gave a chuckle. "Come on you two, lets head on inside, this way ya'll can share that love with the rest of us." He said in a lightly teasing way as he turned towards the building, following after his fledglings with a pep in his step as he's been saved. Both you and Rudo stared at him for a moment before you both began following after him.
Leading them inside with a proud smirk, Enjin strolled through, spotting Riyo at the entrance, it seems she was waiting on them to enter. Enjin flashed her a welcoming smirk. Riyo smirked back as she winked while shooting a finger gun at him. "Glad to see that you at lasted waited on me." Enjin lazily said, noting that Zanka has been since departed. Riyo shrugged. "I wanted to see how long she'd chew you out, plus I wanted to see them off." She casually admitted. Enjin gave an exaggerated gasp as he grabbed his chest. "Not even worried about me, real cheap of you Riyo." He said, using a mocking hurt tone. She she fanned him off as her eyes trailed towards Rudo as he entered with his mother. "Eh, you'll live." She said dismissively as she put all her focus on Rudo, ignoring the 'sad' stare Enjin gave her.
Both you and Rudo stepped into the building together. You both looked around at the interior. Your eyes gleamed at the condition it was in. "Wow! It's so lovely in here!! I love the color too, and the decorations are are just beautiful." You complimented. Enjin shot you a proud yet giddy smirk. Riyo walked up to Rudo, causing his observant gaze to quickly widen as he slightly panicked. She shot him a teasing smile. "Make sure you keep taking care of those locks for me, kay?" She casually slurred, flashing him one last smile and a wink before she stalked off. Rudo watched her in confusion. 'Is she just messing with me, or what?' He thought, not wanting to believe that a girl as pretty as Riyo was possibly flirting with him.
You watched the small interaction, a slight sadden feeling filled you. Your baby was growing up, and one day, he'll be off on his own... It hurt, but you were willing to step back and let Rudo find his other half, though something was telling you that it probably wouldn't be Riyo, though anything was possible. Somehow Regto got with you, even after you rejected him more than 50 times, you swore you were done with love... After Rudo's father, but Regto was a charmer, he had a way with words.... You missed him so much. The sound of Enjin's voice brought you back, causing both you and Rudo to look forward in question.
"Hey! You two get over here, come say 'hi' to Semiu. Receptionist extraordinary. She always gives the new guys a once over" He introduced as both you and Rudo walked over towards him. You both eyed the black woman curiously. Her hair was extremely short and a blonde so light it was almost white. She was dressed in the same color code as the others. Her golden eyes observed you both very closely, as she rested her elbows on her desk, her cheeks on the back of both of her hands. Her round, circular glasses making her eyes all the more noticeable.
Enjin was eager to introduce you all, and he was just as eager to explain her powers. "You see, she's got this ability-" He began to explain, but he was cut off when Semiu suddenly jabbed her fork forward towards Rudo, causing the three of you to stare down in shock, and for you in slight horror. At the end of her fork, was the two flies that made themselves rather familiar with Rudo, they were stabbed on the ends of her fork before their small bodies fell apart and off of her fork. Once they did she causally pulled back. "'Mister Natural', it's nice to meet you in the flesh." She welcomed him teasingly as she gave him a welcoming smile. Rudo's eyes stayed wide with shock and slight amazement while your eyes stay wide with horror before you quickly pulled Rudo towards you, making his amazement melt away into slight embarrassment as you held him protectively against you.
You shot her a defensive and disapproving glare, her smile dropped as she looked over at you questionably as she observed you. "How dare you!! You could've poked one of his eyes out!! Are you mad!?" You fussed at her. Rudo's cheek that was pressed against your chest was squeezed up against his eye, making him close it, he stared up at you wearily with his other eye as he gently grabbed your wrist. "I-it'sh otchay, mom. Really, I'm fine!" He said as he tried to reassure you.
His voice slightly muffled and he spoke with a bit of a lisp due to him being pressed against you so tightly. Enjin's wide eyes studied Semiu closely before they quickly shifted towards you and back to Semiu. 'Oh damn...' He thought in worry. Semiu continued to stare at you, her observant gaze piercing. She leaned her cheek against the back of her free hand, while she idly twirled her fork in her other hand. "You must be the mother of Mister Natural here, AKA 'Little Mama'." She said calmly, she didn't seem bothered by your defensive reaction, if anything she was expecting it.
Your glare eased up some as curiosity bleed into it. At your reaction and silence she continued. "Enjin got me up to speed on everything, so I know all about ya'll. Where you're both from, his potential, all of it... Riyo also got me hipped real quick before ya'll walked up in here, she told me that you're quite the 'Mama Bear.'" She calmly explained, as she placed her fork down gently. Your hold on Rudo loosened, but your hands stayed on his shoulders, and his hand stayed loosely around your wrist. "Apologies for startling you, but I like for my office space to stay 'pest free', if I can help it." She said, apologizing for her actions as she also explained them. Your stare stayed stern for a moment longer before you finally eased up. "Apology accepted... I'm Y/N... It's a pleasure to meet you, Semiu." You said, a small welcoming smile on your face, as you introduced yourself. Your hands pulled from Rudo's shoulder and he let his hand slip from your wrist. He stared up at you for a moment before he looked down at Semiu.
Semiu gave you a pleased stare before she gave an easy smile. "Now that that's settled." She stated before she straighten herself up in her seat, getting comfortable as she straightened her back. She placed two fingers on each side of her glasses. "Let me see for myself, what makes 'Mister Natural' a natural." She said, before she closed her eyes in what seems to be concentration. Enjin's lazy smile returned as he stared down at Semiu with familiarity. "Her glasses are her vital instruments. They amp up her kinetic vision, even let her see what people are made of when she locks in on them." Enjin gently explains. Both you and Rudo listened to Enjin, you were both watching in anticipation, eager to see what her glasses could do. 'Oh damn, so vital instruments aren't just weapons.' Rudo thought. Not too much longer later, the tips of Semiu's fingers began to glow a neon, light yellow, before the frame of her glasses glowed the same color. Once the connection was completed her eyes shot open, revealing them to be the same color.
Her stare was intense as she locked in on Rudo. All three of you watched, not daring to blink, fearing you'll miss it. But nothing amazing happened. The only thing that did seem to happen was Semiu giving a surprised gasp as she quickly pulled her fingers from her glasses canceling her powers. Her eyes gazed wide with uncertainty as she stared distantly. You all watched her curiously, you couldn't help yourself as worry and panic quickly filled you, causing you to inch closer to Rudo. "Er-what's up? Are you freaked or somethin'?" Enjin cautiously asked. At his words, she seems to catch her self. "O-oh um... Sorry 'bout that." She quickly apologized. Before she gathered herself, folding her hands over one another as she stared down at her desk in thought as she spoke, her tone more professional and guarded.
"Physically speaking, he's in excellent shape, so we won't have to build him from the ground up, and he's got a good relationship with his vital instrument. That said, seems his use of it is spotty at best. He's gonna need some work before he can draw on his powers at will." She explained, you all listened intensely, both you and Enjin making mental notes of her words, and her previous actions, more so Enjin on the latter. "That everything then?" Enjin inquired, his gaze open and unguarded, hoping that Semiu would tell him everything she saw. She stayed quiet for a bit, as she stared off to the side, her eyes distant as she seemed to be deep in thought. "Not quite." She tensely said.
You all watched and listened with anticipation, your heart began to hammer in your chest. 'Please no... Not my baby... Not him too.' You thought fearfully. She suddenly looked up at Rudo, her stare deep as she regarded him intensely. He stared at her back, his expression owlish. "How'd you get boo-boo on the back of yo neck?" She questioned. Rudo's eyes widen before he touched the back of his neck in shock. Your own eyes once filled with fearful panic quickly eased into a blank stare before you stiffly looked towards Rudo. Enjin's own tenseness quickly left as he tied to hide his laughter behind his hand. "Pff, For real!! Pfff, NO WONDER THAT FLY LIKED YOU!! MY MANS A REAL POO-POO PLAYER!!" Enjin loudly teased before he bent over from laughter.
Rudo's embarrassment turned into annoyance as he turned on Enjin. "I WASN'T TOYING WITH IT JERK!!" He shouted his defense. Your shoulders sagged as you sighed in relief. "Thank goodness." You mumbled. You then straighten up as you gave Rudo a stern motherly stare. "Rudo." You called his name. He tensed up, as he looked up at you with slight worry. "Yeah?" He questioned. "You most defiantly are going to need more than two showers, young man!! And I'll be sure to help you, so that you don't miss a single spot!" You said in a stern voice.
His eyes widen as his cheeks redden, Enjin's laughter made it no better. "What!? I'm more than old enough to shower on my own now!!" He defended. You shook your head. "Trust me, I am well aware, but for you to somehow have something like that on the back of your neck, and not even having any sort of irritation from it, is more than a good enough reason for me to make sure that you're properly freshen up!!" You said in an authoritative voice. Rudo whined in frustration as he stared down at the ground in defeat, his eyes wide.
Semiu watched you both closely, her eyes locked on Rudo before they shifted towards you and they twitched just the slightest bit. Enjin's laughter finally toned down with a bit of a snort before he straightened up and he shot Semiu a pleased and relaxed smile. "Appreciate you, Semiu. Ah, I'm gonna take him to say 'hi' to the boss now." He said, sounding more relaxed and relived if anything. As Enjin spoke to her, Semiu's eyes darted down to her desk, her stare distant as she seemed lost in thought. "Fuuun." She absentmindedly said as Enjin directed you both in the direction of the bosses office. Rudo lead the way, while you followed him, your eyes locked onto the back of his neck. He wiped the patch off but a stain remained on his pale skin, making one of your eyes tick. 'I'm so scrubbing him down.' You mentally promised. Enjin followed after you both casually, he stopped for a split second, a concern look on his face as he looked back at Semiu, he seemed like he wanted to say something to her, but he quickly thought against it before he turned back to the task at hand.
Semiu sat her her desk, her head down as she rested her chin on the back of her hand, she was deathly still and quiet, her mind racing with her discoveries and theories.
As the three of you walked, Enjin explained vaguely about the organization, somewhere down the line, he took the lead. Rudo walked in between both you and Enjin, his eyes locked ahead of himself as he listened to Enjin speak. "If you count all of the combatants, sentinels, and the supporters, which you should. There are about a hundred cleaners, but with danger around every corner, gotta spread out. So it's rare for everyone to be home at the same time." He casually explained to you both. You stared up at Enjin, listening to his words intensely, while Rudo stared straight ahead, he was listening too, but in his own way.
Enjin looked over at you both, his easy smile and lazy stare settling on you and Rudo comfortably. "You both up for shaking some hands real quick?" He inquired. Your brows shot up and Rudo finally looked over at him, his eyes widening with slight surprise. "Like, all of em?" Rudo asked in shock, he didn't really mind... But he didn't exactly have the best track record of having good first impressions. You looked down at Rudo sweetly. "Not all of them, dear. Remember what Enjin said?" You quizzed him, you already knew he wasn't listening, he had a bad habit of either zoning out or his selective hearing would act up and he'd miss some important key words.
He tensed up some as he stared up at you guiltily. "Umm..." Was his only response. You sighed at him before you gave him an enduring smile. "He said only some of the cleaners are here, due to them having to pretty much work around the clock." You summarized for him. His eyes slightly widen as he soaked in the information, he then looked over up and Enjin. He was already looking down at the two of you, a fond smile on his face. He really liked watching you both interact. He's spoken and has been around you both separately, and he can speak from experience that you were both polar opposites and yet very similar in small ways. "Yup, you've got nothing to worry about, little man." He reassured, before he stopped next to a pair of double doors.
Both you and Rudo stopped as well, eyeing the two large doors. Enjin turned towards them, grabbing the long handles. "Most everyone is probably at work, so this'll take-" He proceeded to explain as he opened the door, but he stopped short when he seen what was inside. You both stood to his side, both of yours and Rudo's eyes were wide as you both stared into the room full of cleaners of all sizes, ages and genders. Your wide eyes trailed over the unexpectedly large group of people, before something caught your eyes. Long, ash blonde hair up in a loose bun caught your attention, their back was facing towards you, but that hair was undeniable.
You seemed lost in a trance, as you stared at the person. Not noticing your inter turmoil, Enjin said nothing as he casually closed the doors, cutting your field of view off from the person. You gave a soft gasp, taking a deep breath as you didn't realize you were holding your voice, it's almost as if you feared they'd turn around and see you. 'Why... Why here?' You thought, your hands became tacky with a light sweat. The sound of Enjin's voice broke you from your thoughts, snapping you out of it. "Huh... Looks like I was wrong." He said thoughtfully, he then looked down at the mother and son, his stare still casual, pleased but it now held some slight mischief in them. "How about we make em wait?" He asked. Both you and Rudo stared up at him in slight shock, before you both quietly nodded.
Rudo wasn't ready for the massive crowd, he wasn't sure he'd be able to shake that many hands, while you yourself, weren't ready to come face to face with one particular person.
Through hazy vision, Rudo is seen being dragged off by the constables, the tribes folks all staring, cheering, hatred in their eyes, as they all watch the boy get pulled away, his words of reason falling on deaf ears. Looking back into the open door way of the once loved filled home, lays Regto in a pool of blood, his body motionless. With a blink, looking down, shoes, covered in blood, are seen scrambling to stand, with the aid of hands, arms covered by thick sleeves. Once up and steady, stumbling for a bit, began charging and chasing the angered crowd. Rudo's name could be heard screaming in desperation by a woman, everything began to sound muffled, the sound of a heart beat was deafening, blood rushing sounded like powerful waves from an ocean.
Hands began to desperately shove people to the side by their shoulders, they paid the shoving no mind, too caught up with the sentencing of the local son of a criminal. They've waited so long for this day. Rudo's name is once more screamed again by the same woman, her voice powerful among the crowd. The boy comes into view, after pushing aside another body, his little body, drowning in his bloodied clothes, as he's heartlessly hung by his wrists. His distant eyes gleams in hope as he looked up, his red orbs shifting desperately among the crowd.
Another shoulder is shoved to the side, and finally freedom, but it's too late, the ropes are loosened and Rudo's body begins to fall. The chanting of 'no's' is heard by the same woman whose been yelling Rudo's name, a hand reaches forward, bursting with speed and a leap into the air, going over the cliff. Rudo's airborne body could be seen, and two arms latch around his body tightening, holding him close. Desperate cries could be heard from the woman as they fall, as she gently repeat the words. 'I know it wasn't you... never you... not you...' Darkness slowly fades in.
Darkness, it's hard to breath, voices, fighting, grunting, the taste of blood, PAIN!! ... Sounds of chains, fresh air, sounds of arguing, talking... The feeling of cool air, shouting, the feeling of something sharp, breaking skin... Blurry vision, bright light, darkness... Blurry vision once more, bright lights... Darkness... Clearer vision... Bright lights, a ceiling, limbs can move again, toes and fingers can move, eye sight, taste, touch, hearing, and smells exists... Looking around, realization floods in, it's a doctor's office.
Vision beginning to blur with tears.
You lay there, your eyes filling with tears before they overflow and they streak down to your ears. "Rudo..." You softly say.
A Mother's Love Ch. 6
Rudo x Mother! Reader
Ch. 1 ... Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Not too far away from the clinic, in an darken alleyway that's only illuminated by the moon light, was a crouched, guarded and confused Rudo. Holding a blue stick with bandages around it, as he's looking over his shoulder at the young man who just approached him with a random threat. The young man in question, was staring at him with a piercing glare. He appears calm, however, he's anything but. Rudo eyes him cautiously for a moment before he speaks. "The hell? What are you talking about? This money belongs to me. You can't just say its yours and-." He began to say, getting the facts straight, and claiming his rights over his money, but the young man interrupted him. "No, you idiot. I'm talking about the stick." He clarified.
Rudo arched a brow at him in confusion before he looked over at the stick in his grasp. "Eh... This thing? It's just a dumb stick man-" He started to say, as he moved to stand up, but he was cut short when the young man suddenly grabbed onto the upper end of the stick, before he shoved him harshly against the middle of his back by his hand. Rudo's eyes widen in shock as he was shoved forward, it wasn't enough to make him hit the ground, but it was enough to make him stumble some. Once on steady feet he turned around, his eyes widen with confusion as he stared at the young man.
The young man gently caressed his staff before he firmly gripped it gently, he then twirled it, so that the curved end was above his head, he then sniffed the stick before he gave a breathy, and satisfied sigh. Rudo watched him, quickly getting creeped out by the strange behavior. 'Dude, ew.' He thought, officially weirded out. His disgust was quickly forgotten when he noticed the emblem on the young man's top. His eyes widen as he eyes the symbol on his chest. 'Enjins got that emblem.' He thought, realization was slowly coming into play in Rudo's mind.
The young man glared at Rudo as he centered his stick to himself, lining it up with his own body. His eyes and hands began to glow a bright, neon blue. "It's not dumb, and it's not something you get to steal and then walk away without a busted face." He threatened, his voice still eerily calm yet angry as he suddenly began to twirl his stick as it too began to glow the same color. Switching to his more dominate hand as he continued to twirl it around his body, and over his head until it landed comfortably behind his back. Rudo watched cautiously before his eyes widen in slight fear as his thoughts finally gathered themselves. 'Oh man!... Is he a cleaner!?' He thought in slight panic as he watched the stick grow in size, it's glowing form morphing.
The curved end became more prominent as it began to form into a deadly weapon, spikes could be seen, forming around it. Once it was fully transformed, the glowing ceased and the once blue, wooden stick was now a metal one with blue bindings on it. Once the stick was fully matured, the young man spoke. "Now, pay attention. I'm bout to teach you some respect, with some help from my lovely assist-staff." He said, his voice still eerily calm as his eyes widen with some form of crazed obsession when he mentions his staff. His words caused Rudo to prepare himself as he readied himself for what looks to be an incoming fight. The young man was quick to maneuver his staff, bringing it around his body as he swayed with it, before he brought it up, gabbing it with two hands and he slammed it down towards an unprepared and shocked Rudo, casing the boy to grunt in surprise.
In the doctor's office, you were now sitting up, your legs dangling over the side of the bed, the IV has been removed from your arm and in it's place was a bandage with a cotton ball under it. A thoughtful look was on your face as you listened to the old doctor, who seemed to have a bit of a volume problem, as she 'talks' to a young man with blonde hair. "MAKE SURE YOU TAKE GOOD CARE OF HER!! DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT LETTING HER OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!! AND YOU BEST TO GIVE HER ALL OF THAT MONEY YOU MADE OFF OF HERS AND THAT BRAT'S CLOTHES YOU GREDDILY SOLD, YOU HEAR ME!!" She loudly lectured as she continued to walk more into the young man's space. A disappointed yet guilty smirk stretched on his face as he looked down at the old woman. He looked like a son who was getting fussed out by his mother.
"Alright, alright!! I will, cool ya jets before ya bust out with a heart attack Granny. Don't you worry your cute head over anything, I'll make sure to do everything and more." He said cooly, his tone lazy and drawn out as he was trying to reassure the doctor. She glared up at him with her wide eyes. "HMPH, FLATTERY AIN'T GONNA WORK ON ME, SHRIMP DICK!! YOU SAVE THAT FOR THOSE DUMB GRILS WHO DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO WIPE THEIR ASSES PROPERLY!! NOW GET HER SOME CLOTHES, AND PAY ME MY DAMN MONEY DAMNIT!!" She shouted, seeing past his 'pretty words'. You watched on in slight amusement and curiosity at the interaction. You didn't know either one of them, but you knew that they had saved yours and your son's life, and for that you were forever grateful towards them.
The young man held his hands up defensively, his umbrella hooked on his inner elbow as his smirk finally fell and a slightly annoyed look crossed his face, but he still kept that lazy tone he seems to like to speak in. "Okay, okay!! Ya ain't gotta bite my head off girl." He complains, causing the old woman to huff as she held her hand out impatiently. He started down at her hand for a moment before he huffed and his shoulders dropped along with his hands. His relaxed smirk came back as he gave an amused chuckle, before he began to dig into his coat pocket, as he did, he looked over at you. "Come on little mama, lets get you on up outta here, before I lose my damn hearing." He said, it sounded like he was complaining but there was a fondness in his voice.
Once he was able to pull out his hand, he immediately reached over to the doctors stretched out hand, depositing the coins into her palm gently. As soon as he pulled his hand away, she snatched back, giving him a few grumbles before she counted the coins. As they were completing the exchange, you slid from the bed silently, you were ready to leave and go find Rudo. You didn't like the idea of being separate from your son in this new, unknown place. You won't truly be happy until your son was standing before you in one piece. Walking over towards him, he gave you a good once over before he nodded, he then turned to the door, opening it. "See ya next time, Granny, take care." He said, bidding the old woman farewell as he stepped out, you followed close behind him. She waved him off with a grumble before she began stripping the bed, the door closed echoing loudly into the darken alleyway.
Exiting the doctors office, you followed behind him silently, your eyes darting around the darken alleyway, you then looked forward at the young man's back, taking in his outfit now that everything has quitted down. Starting at his boots, to his pants, to his large trench coat, your eyes widen as they locked onto the emblem he wears proudly on the back of his coat. He suddenly stops, causing you to stop as well. He looked over his shoulder at you, a relaxed smirk on his face. "You got a name, 'Little Mama'?" He asked in a slightly teasing manner. You could only assume the nick name was due to the fact that he knew you were Rudo's mother. "Y/N Surebrec." You answered honestly. His eyes lighten with something. "Oh, cute name." He casually complimented. You nodded as you flashed him a gentle smile. "Thank you." You softly said.
You stared up at him questionably before you spoke. "What's your name, unless you'd like me to just call you 'Young Man'." You asked teasing him in return as you arch a playful brow up at him. He gave a small chuckle before he looked back forward. "Enjin." Was his simple response. You gave him an enduring smile. "Nice to meet you, Enjin, and thank you... For taking care of Rudo." You said, sounding grateful. He looked back over at you for a moment with an observant gaze, before he gave you a lazy smile in return. "He was no trouble at all." He said giving you a cheery yet tight smile.
You gave him an unimpressed smile, as you knew your son better than anyone else. You were sure that Rudo gave him hell on earth. He looked forward, coming to a gentle stop, he placed his hand on the handle, and he pulled it, unlatching it. He then looked over his shoulder at you, his relaxed gaze held some caution in them. "Stay close, alright?" He said, his lazy voice held a serious under tone to it. Your smile fell as you took in his words and the sudden shift in his demeanor before you gave him a serious stare in return and a firm nod of your head. At your silent compliance he turned back towards the door and he opened it.
Fresh air rushed into the alley, and you took a deep breath, not realizing that the air you were breathing in the alley was so stale and stiff. He stepped to the side, shooting you a lazy yet friendly smirk as he held the door open for you. "Ladies first, madam." He teasingly said. You shot him a teasing, yet playful glare. "I thought you told me to 'stay close', what happened to that?" You challenged as you placed your hands on your hips. He gave you a sheepish yet playful chuckle. "I said 'stay close', not follow me like a duckling." He defended. You rolled your eyes at his words before you turned and walked through the door, stepping out of the alley and into the city.
Your hands fell from your hips as your eyes slightly widen in amazement at the scene before you. Never before have you ever seen so many colors. The lights on the buildings, the clothing of the people, even their mannerisms were colorful too. "Wow... It's so colorful down here." You softly said in astonishment. You then looked up to the sky, seeing that it was night time. You then looked back down, taking in the city again. As you did, Enjin walked up behind you. "Man, like mother like son huh?... Rudo was just as shock and lost as you are now." He said with slight amusement. You nodded at his words before you looked up at him. "Its beautiful down here." You said, complimenting his world. His eyes widen as and his smirk fell. He regarded you for a moment before he looked up and at the city too. He stared for a bit before a small, fond smile bloomed on his face. "Yeah... I guess you're right." He gently said, agreeing with you.
You both stood there together a moment longer before Enjin gave a soft sigh. "Come on, let me fill my promise." He suddenly said, you looked up at him with a curious gaze. "Promise?" You asked confusedly. He shot you a lazy smirk before he jutted his thumb over his shoulder. You observed him for a moment longer before you leaned over, peeking around him, your curious gaze landing on a vehicle. It was the same color scheme as his trench coat. You blinked owlishly at it for a moment. 'Oh... I didn't realize they were throwing vehicles down here too' You mentally thought. He then shifted some, as he began turning to the vehicle, catching your attention. You looked up at him quizzingly. He stared down at you, a mischievous gleam in his eyes as he shot you a smirk. "I'm gonna take you shopping, little mama." He teasingly said.
You gave him a crooked smile as you arched a brow at him. "Basically with my money... Right?" You asked, you didn't exactly sound impressed but you didn't sound displeased either. That was enough for him, as Enjin was going to run with it but a sudden horrified scream sounded out, making you jump and tense up as you stared at the sky while Enjin just looked up with a casual stare. "Sounds like we'll be meeting up with Rudo sooner that I thought we would." Enjin said as he looked down at you with a relaxed yet knowing smirk. You looked over at him, still tense from the sudden scream before your eyes lit up with happiness. Finally, you were going to be reunited with your baby, and you weren't going to let him leave your sight.
You quickly loaded up into the car with Enjin, getting into the passenger seat, you buckled your seat belt, before you shifted some in your seat, getting comfortable. Enjin, did the same, jumping into the front seat, he gently rested his umbrella against his seat, you looked down at it, taking in it's bandaged handled. You could tell it was well loved and cared for, you stared at it intensely for a moment before you looked out your window. Not noticing the defensive yet curious stare Enjin was giving you as he shut his door. He then looked down, tilting his head some so that he could see the keyhole, once in sight he stuck in the key and turned it, the engine roaring to life, a relaxed and pleased smirk crossed his face as he gripped the steering wheel.
"Alright, let's go pick up the kiddies." He teasingly said as he shifted the jeep into gear and he stomped on the exhaust pedal. You were causally staring out the window before your eyes widen in horror as he suddenly took off. "WHO TAUGHT YOU HOW TO DRRRIVVEE!!?" Your screams echoing throughout the city as the jeep drove down the dirt road quickly as it slightly bounced along the path.
The drive wasn't long, and you were slowly getting used to the fast but controlled speed that Enjin drove in, your eyes scanned the streets looking for any signs of your son. Enjin on the other had was relaxed, as he drove with one hand on the wheel while his other arm rested on the door as his elbow hung slightly out the open window. He was humming a random song he either knew or was making up as he went, his finger casually taping the wheel and his head gently bobbing to his little song. As he drove, he noticed Rudo crouched over to the side of the road. He seemed to be looking down at something with a questionable stare, a plunger was resting on the ground next to him, its stick facing the heavens.
A smile bloomed on Enjin's face as his eyes widen happily. "FOUND HIM!!" He suddenly exclaimed, you snatched your head forward, your eyes bucked and observant as your orbs quickly shifted around. When they finally landed on Rudo you relaxed and a happy and relieved smile bloomed on your face. Pulling to a gentle stop just a little behind Rudo, Enjin looked out the window with excitement as he was expecting good news, while you made quick work of unbuckling your seat beat. Rudo didn't bother turning around towards the sound of the jeep stopping, his curious gaze still locked on the sight before him. Enjin spoke happily, not bothered by Rudo's silence. "He-hey!! So are you two best friends yet or what!?" He excitedly asked, the sound of the passenger door opening and closing sounded out, but his excited smile quickly fell into curious frown once he got a good view of what Rudo was staring at.
On the ground, not far from Rudo, laying on a pile of garbage bags was the young man that Rudo was previously in an altercation with earlier. He seemed dazed and horrified as he laid stretched out on the trash bags, his 'lovely assist-staff' was back in it's wooden form as it laid diagonally across his chest. At the sound of Enjin's voice Rudo finally looked around, his curious eyes still glowing a bright, neon red as he looked up at Enjin through the window. You quickly walked around the jeep, ignoring the young man on the pile of trash, your eyes immediately landing on Rudo who was staring up at Enjin. "RUDO!!" You happily called out to him. His eyes widen and he quickly looked in your direction, he stared at you for a moment, his eyes wide. "Mom?" He gently asked, almost as if he couldn't believe it was you.
You shot him a sweet smile, you're heart practically blooming with flowers as you seen your baby. You held your arms out, ready to hold him. His glowing red eyes slowly lost their glow, before tears began gathering, his eyes sadden with joy before he shot towards you, he stumbled a bit before he caught himself, and he ran towards you. Crashing hard into your chest, he almost knocked you over as his arms wrapped around you almost too tightly, but you didn't care as your arms immediately wrapped around him in return. One arm around his back and the other over his head, your fingers brushing through his fluffy hair. He buried his face into your chest, his shoulders shaking and his tears staining your top.
"My baby... My sweet, sweet baby... I missed you, so much... You did a good job, Rudo." You gently said, as you pressed your cheek onto the top of his head. His eyes were squeezed shut, his body shaking with sobs. "You're okay... You're actually okay." He said through his sobs. At his words, tears began building up behind your closed eyes, before they over flowed and spilled down your cheeks and into his hair. You felt so guilty at how much you worried your son, it broke your heart to hear his sobs. 'He must've been so scared in this new, big world... Not knowing if he's lost both of his parents in one day.' You thought sadly. As you both embraced and cried in joy, Enjin had busied himself with loading the young man into the jeep. Sitting him up in the seat as straight as he could possibly get him, his staff was already propped up in the jeep. He was still slightly slumped to the side, but Enjin figured it was good enough.
He pulled back, straighten his back as he exited from the back seat, his head tipping back as he took in a deep breath, he then exhaled before he looked over at the mother and son duo. He shot you both a crooked, lazy but gentle smirk as he closed the back door. He softly chuckled, sticking his hands into his pocket, as he patiently waited for you both to get it all out. Eventually, everyone was loaded into the car, and Enjin waisted no time in taking off. As he drove, he interrogated the young man on what exactly transpired between the two, the story wasn't something he was quiet expecting. As he drove through the city, his laughter could be heard through the streets, pedestrians looking over at the moving vehicle in curiosity as to what tickled the man so much.
In the jeep, Enjin sat in the driver's seat once more, laughing his head off till tears formed. In the back seat behind the passenger seat, sat the young man. He was hunched over, his elbows resting on his knees as he hides his face in shame. Next to him in the middle seat sat Y/N, your back was slightly turned to the young man as you gently fretted over Rudo's appearance, your hands running through his hair gently, as your fingers collected a few snags from tangles, small pieces of trash, along with some dirt and dust. "We gotta give you a good washing, love." You gently said, before your wondering eyes locked onto a stain on his cheek. You quickly licked your thumb, before you began rubbing it on the stain.
Rudo gently grabbed your wrist with his gloved hand, as he lightly complained about your pampering, it was bad enough he was slinging turds earlier, he totally thought he was being cool. "Moommm stooop... You're embarrassing mmmeee." He whined as he tried to pull back, but you just placed a hand on the back of his head to keep him close. "Oh hush, you." You said softly. As you were both busy Enjin began speaking through his laughter. "YOU'RE KILLIN ME!! CHY-YOU GUYS BONDED OVER A DOO-DOO DUEL!?" He yelled through his laughter, trying to catch his breath as he spoke. Trying to make sense of what went down between the two young boys. "AHHOHOH THAT IS TRULY PRICELESS!!" He continued to speak, this is a story he'll never forget.
Through his happy tears, Enjin made note of a accident in the street, he slowed to a stop, his laughter still coming out just as loud and hard. The young man made no move to lift his head, keeping his face hidden in his hands. 'I've never been more humiliated than right now.' The young man thought, wishing something would save him from this embarrassment. Enjin, finally able to catch his breath, was able to speak normally. "Zanka's the closest the Ground gets to making a 'spoiled rich kid'." Enjin explained, catching Rudo's attention in the middle of him gently wrestling with you. 'Zanak...?' Rudo thought, before he looked over at the young man who still had his face tucked away in shame. 'So that's his name?' He thought in curiosity.
Enjin spoke once more, his face scrunching up as he tried to get his words out before he began laughing again. "And you flung diarrhea at him!!" He said, before he lost his composure and he spat out some spit as more laugher consumed him. Rudo's thoughtful gaze fell as embarrassment came over him again, and he shot an annoyed glare at the back of Enjin's head. You suddenly pinched his cheek, making his glare fall as he closed the eye above the cheek you were pulling and pinching, while his other eye stared at you in pain. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" He cried as his cheek was pulled. You stared at him with a stern look. "Fix your face mister, before it gets stuck." You lectured, not liking the stare he was shooting Enjin.
As Enjin laughed and while Rudo and his mother silently fought, Zanka's shoulders began to tremble as he pressed his face further into his hands, as Enjin continued to make fun of him. "Kill me... Please just kill me now." He shakily muttered to himself in despair. You and Rudo wrestled a bit longer before your determined glare lightened into a happy one, and you smiled happily. You suddenly pulled back, making Rudo slightly shift back in his seat as he's been pulling back, his eyes widen at the sudden switch up. Once stable, he stared at you with wide, curious and cautious eyes. You folded your arms and you gave approving nods as you looked him over. "Much better, now you look like somebody loves you again." You said approvingly as you smiled at him. Rudo just stared at you curiously yet lovingly before he looked away embarrassed, his eyes shifting to the back window as he tried to break eye contact.
His embarrassment melted away into tense curiosity as he noticed a pair of boots, crossed over one another as they were casually pressed against the side of the jeep. His focus on the shoes were shifted when Enjin began to speak again and he looked forward with a more relaxed, curious stare. You too focused in on Enjin, your crossed arms relaxing as you rested your hands in your lap. "Oh man, well it wasn't the most dignified first meeting." He noted, as his laughter finally died down. You gave a nod of agreement as you shot Zanka a sheepish and pitied stare. You would comfort him, but you didn't exactly know how, and you honestly didn't really want to touch him, as he wasn't exactly the 'cleanest' at the moment. Rudo shot an annoyed stare at Enjin as he sunk back into his seat. Enjin then slightly turned his head to look back at Zanka. "But hey!! You got a good story out of it, so that's something!!" He said, trying to be positive.
Zanka's face remained tucked into his hands, but it didn't stop Enjin from being positive. He looked back forward, watching the people slowly collect their fallen goods out of the road. "Aaas far as trainers go, Zanka's the best we got at controlling vital instruments, believe me, you're in good hands with him." Enjin suddenly said, his laughter completely dying down as his more casual and relaxed tone came back. At this, Zanka perked up, finally pulling his face from his hands, he stared up at Enjin with amazed puzzlement. 'Enjin thinks I'm the best we got? Enjin? The Enjin thinks I'm the best!?' He excitedly thought as his eyes slowly widen in excited realization.
He begin to chuckle giddily in his seat, his shoulders shaking. Rudo stared at Zanka with a confused and flat stare, he was slightly weirded out, but he haven't forgot the whole 'stick smelling' incident, so he was prepared for Zanka's creepiness, he just hopes that the boy keeps it to himself and away from him and his mom. Enjin's eyes suddenly shifted to the rear view mirror, unfazed by Zanka's sudden shift in mood. His eyes lazily stared up into the mirror before a familiar and happy gleam filled them and he smiled. "Oh hey! Didn't see you back there, Riyo!! What's up?" Enjin suddenly happily said. Both you and Rudo perked up at this, before you both turned to looked back into the trunk curiously. Laying on the floor of the trunk was a young girl, she looks to be about Rudo's age. Her hair was long and red, but it was tied back into a large, sideways, loose bun.
Her outfit was the same as Enjin's and Zanka's, showing her affiliation with the cleaners. Her hands were crossed behind her head, acting as a makeshift pillow, her feet were propped up on the wall of the jeep behind Rudo's head. At the sound of her name being called, she cracked open one bright green eye sleepily before she opened them both. She sighed lazily before she uncrossed her legs and she sat up. You beamed a welcoming smile at her while Rudo glared at her with confusion, his bottom lip turned up. "Got curious about the new guy." She lazily admitted as she scratched the back of her head. You eyed her with gentle curiosity before you looked over at your son, your gentle smile melting into a light disapproving glare as you seen the face he was making.
You gently but firmly slapped his upper arm, making him jump. He glared over at you in instinct before his eyes widen with realization and he ducked down some, his wide eyes locked onto you cautiously. You glared at him for a few more seconds before you looked back at the girl, and you smiled at her. She was already watching, her eyes locked onto the interaction, her gaze unreadable but an amused smile was stretched across her face. You spoke to her. "You're so pretty, and I just simply love your hair. Riyo, was it?" You happily complimented her, you really did like her red hair. She gave you a sweet smile, a bit of a happy and proud gleam coming into her calculating eyes. "Thanks!! I take reeaal good care of her!! She's my pride and joy." She said lazily yet happily as she looked at her side bun while she gently ran her hand over it. Still ducked down, Rudo observed Riyo, his wide eyes curious as he looked her over.
Her own green eyes locked onto him suddenly, making him jump. She gave him a small, but curious smile as she leaned towards him, her arms coming to rest on the back of the seat as she rested her head in the crook of her folded arms. "Your name is, Rudo, right?" She lazily yet curiously asked him, her eyes locked onto him intensely. As she leaned forward, Rudo leaned back, his eyes widening in cautious fear as he stared her down. "Umm, yeah..." He nervously answered. 'Is she a cleaner too?' He thought. You gave him an enduring smile as your hand moved to gently hold his gloved hand, he was quick to tighten his own hand with yours, seeking the much appreciative comfort. Riyo, unbothered by his tense nature, reached forward, her movements were calm and controlled as she gently began touching and pulling at his fluffy strands of hair.
A friendly smile growing on her face, and you knew her intentions were to calm Rudo down and get him to be more open with her, but her actions had the opposite effect as he seemed to tense up even more, his eyes wide as he seemed paralyze with fear and overstimulation. "I'm so jealous of your hair, did you dye it yourself or what?" She questioned gently, as she began playing in his soft strands. You shot Rudo a worried stare. 'Well, she's obviously not a shy girl.' You thought, as you watched Rudo, seeing if you needed to save him or not. Riyo continued to play in his hair, unaware of the turmoil she was causing within Rudo.
"Ah, never mind, this is way too soft to be dyed." She complemented as she continued to run her fingers through the fluffy strands. You couldn't help yourself as your chest swelled with pride at her compliment. "You would be correct, his hair is 100% all natural!! I comb, brush, and wash it twice a week!!" You proudly explained. Riyo stared at you with a happy smile, her eyes wide with interest. "Really!? What kind of shampoo you be using, girl!? I've just gots to get myself some!" She questioned excitedly as she continued to play in Rudo's hair.
While you both talked, what you took for fear and overstimulation, Rudo was actually the most excited and happiest he's ever been. 'T-this is a-actually happening!! A beautiful woman is playing with my hair!! Dose this just happens on the Ground!?' He excitedly thought. Enjin's bored but relaxed expression suddenly bloomed into a mischievous and excited smile as the people who spilt their contents in the road have finally collected all their belongs and were clearing the road. He looked back excitedly. "Buckle up!! Time to get rollinnn!!" He excited exclaimed before he stared back at the road with a vicious grin, ready to devour it. He pressed into the gas pedal with so much force, the back wheels got caught in the dirt road for a moment, making the car sked to the side some before he took off.
His grin was easing into a more excited one once more as he looked ahead. "To Cleaner's HQ. Our home sweet home." He explained as he drove, taking them through the remainder of the city before he finally bypassed the border and into what looks to be a desert. Zanka was now sitting back against his seat, his 'lovely assist-staff' held snug in his arms, his head tilted back, a proud grin on his face. his eyes were close as he gently tapped his cheek with his finger, humming a happy tune as he was still on cloud 9 from being recognized as one of the 'best' by The Enjin. You and Riyo continued to chat happily about hair care, her hands still playing in a happy Rudo's hair. While Rudo himself, was also on cloud 9, one of his many dreams coming true as the young girl played in his hair, his hand still holding onto yours tightly, he felt that it was the only thing keeping him from floating off into heaven.
I finally found the alley. Im looking for steampunk!reader. The crazy energetic one with the hat vital instrument that grows huge and the crown of the hat gets crushed into the spiky brim and turns into a circular saw. I heard i can find them with Enjin, Corvus and Zodyl. Though they love wandering and bothering people. Where can i find them? 👀
Hmm, I'm not sure, though I do know who you're talking about.
She ain't one of the Cleaners and she most certainly ain't a Raider either. But she does come through here every so often, either she's coming through here, dragging an exhausted Enjin in, or she's somewhere cooped up with Corvus. I have heard talk about her hanging with the Raiders, but it's mostly hear say. She's an energetic one, that's for sure, and she's never just in one place either.
She's hard to track, and if she wanted to she can go into hiding for a while. Sometimes she'll drop by and hang out with the kiddies, she's either running amok with Guita, somewhere off spoiling Dear with candy, or she's off teasing and showing Rudo her newest findings, hoping the kid will fix it up for her.
And between you and me, I've heard that she's got a thing for Enjin, though that's just some more hear say stuff, but you ain't heard that from me, now. If I find or hear any more info, I'll let ch'ya know.
Any other questions that comes skittering across your mind, contact me, and I'll do my best to give ya the answers you need.
Both Rudo and Enjin wondered through the city, exploring and sight seeing. They'd bicker on and off, Enjin would explain a few things, and Rudo was mostly amazed. They quickly formed a bit of a relationship, in a way. In Enjin's mind, he's became like an older brother to Rudo. As for Rudo himself, he wasn't too sure, he enjoyed Enjin's company, no matter how much he wanted to punch his face in at time... But relationship wise, he wasn't too sure, but he was confident on one thing, he could trust Enjin with his life.
They walked around for a few hours, killing time till the sun went down. Rudo was starting to grow angsty. "You alright? You've been reeeal fidgety for a while now." Enjin asked, his lazy tone filled with concern as he looked down at Rudo. They were both standing in the middle of the street, Enjin's been leading the way for a few hours now, and Rudo's been following after him like a faithful shadow. Rudo was looking down at his feet, his gloved hands digging into his sleeveless top. He shook his head. "I'm fine... It's just that... It'll be dark soon, and the doctor said that mom should be up by then..." He softly said. A solemn look crossed Enjin's face as he stared down at Rudo. "You worry too much, you know?" He said in a casual tone. Rudo looked up at him through his messy bangs. "You'd be worried too if it was your mom... But it's not, so don't tell me that I'm too worried." He shot back.
Enjin didn't take the defense in any offensive way, he understood. "Look, I'll let ya know when it's time for us to go back, the doc'll call me when she's up, I promise." He said in a serious yet casual tone as he pointed to his choker. Rudo perked up at this, his eyes widen in newfound hope and relief. "Really!? You promise?" He asked in pleased excitement. Enjin gave him a crooked smirk as he shot him a thumbs up. "Have I failed ya yet?" He cheekily asked. Rudo deflated at this. "Yes." He flatly said. Ignoring Rudo's ungratefulness, the sound of someone thanking someone else from behind him caught Enjin's attention. Looked behind himself, seeing a small burger joint and a wide smirk crossed his face. He looked back down at an unimpressed Rudo before he jabbed his thumb behind himself. "Ya hungry?" He teasingly yet curiously asked. Rudo arched a brow at his sudden offer. "Wha?" He asked.
Not too much longer later, they were both sitting outside of the same burger joint. Enjin had ordered Rudo a simple burger meal with a drink, and he got himself what Rudo could only assume and hoped was chili. Rudo's mind wasn't anywhere near on food. It was clouded with thoughts of the Sphere, you, the weird powers he seemed to have, the masked killer, and how he was going to navigate it all while keeping you safe at all times. So when the meal was officially placed in front of him, saliva rushed into his mouth, his stomach growled and ached, and his pupils dilated. He was quick to gather the burger up and deliver a well deserved and massive bite. Enjin sat across from him, kicked back in his seat, his legs crossed and his umbrella resting against the rim of the table next to him. He himself wasn't as hungry as Rudo, so he made no move to even eat his meal, he just settled for watching Rudo.
He gave an impressed whistle as he watched Rudo eat. "Oh damn, someone had the munchies." He said in his usual lazy, casual tone. "I mean it figures, cause you bout to barfed yourself inside out thanks to all that garbage you gobbled up." He continued to say, part of him was just making causal observation and part of him was trying to strike up an open ended conversation with the kid. The whole point in getting the boy some food was to help him relax and not be so guarded. Because even though he seemed to trust him enough to follow him blindly, he also didn't trust him enough to just tell him things. He watched as Rudo devoured his food, his eyes wide and alerted like an animal, daring anyone to take his food.
Once Rudo was able to get at least three good bites into his stomach, he decided to dart his eyes around the city. Rudo still couldn't believe what he was seeing. "This is so weird... I've always thought the Pit... or the Ground, was nothing but just trash... Instead its trash, real food, people, and cities." He said, voicing his thoughts on what he was feeling. Enjin seen this as a good sign, his plans on buying the brat some food and trying to strike up a casual conversation was enough to loosen the kid up enough for him to speak openly about his thoughts. He's noticed that the kid would only voice his thoughts if he was too confused, worried, angry, or over stimulated. He's yet to just casually voice his thoughts, and Enjin seen this as an accomplishment.
Rudo's eyes stayed glued to the city around him, taking in all of the architects, lights, foods, and peoples. A woman, causally walked past behind Enjin, catching Rudo's attention. She was going into the burger joint, his eyes locking in on her strange clothing, the cloth on her head, and most importantly, the same choker that Enjin wears. He wanted to ask about it, but he didn't know how. Enjin took this as his chance to get to know the kid slightly better. While Rudo was looking around, Enjin dug into his pocket, fishing out his soon to be empty pack of cigarettes, he pulled one out, placing it gently between his lips while he placed the pack back into his pocket. "So, assuming your name isn't brat or kid..." He causally said as he dug back into his pocket to fish out his lighter. His open ended inquiry caught Rudo's attention. He looked down at his burger, not looking very happy at having to give his name, chewing his bite before he swallowed. "Rudo." He lightly said.
Enjin wasn't bothered by the short answer, whether it was the brat's real name or not meant little to him, he just needed a comfortable title for the kid, something familiar and something to form a deeper connection with. He cuffed his hand around his cigarette while he prepared to sparked his lighter to life with his other. "'Rudo'... Huh, good name." He complimented casually, as he tested the name, before he lit his cigarette. Rudo perked up at his words, he quietly watched as Enjin took in a well deserved puff of his cigarette before he gently exhaled it. "Sure... I guess." He said in an uncertain tone.
He wasn't sure on how to feel about Enjin having a positive reaction to his name... Usually he'd receive the exact opposite... He didn't know if he felt happy that Enjin didn't reject him after hearing his name, or if he felt weirded out that Enjin accepted him after hearting his name... He's been experiencing all types of emotions since he's gotten down here, and at rapid fire too. It hasn't even been a whole day yet and he's already felt things he's never felt before... He needed his mom... This was too much. At the thought of you his shoulders slightly sagged as he stared down at his half eaten burger, he missed you, a lot. He was pulled from his thoughts when Enjin spoke, catching Rudo's attention once again.
He gave Rudo a relaxed yet welcoming smile. "Alright, time for your first Ground Life Crash Course." He confidently said, Rudo just stared at him in confusion as he slowly took another bite of his burger. Enjin ignored his confusion as he picked up his spoon, he mixed his food around some before he gathered up a spoonful, and he dumped it into his cup. Rudo watched in confusion, watching as Enjin's meal oozed into his drink, it began to spread but it didn't mix into the liquid. "You see this mass in my cup here?" Enjin suddenly asked as he stared down at the cup too. Rudo remained confused but he gave a nod in response. Enjin continued, his gaze still locked on the cup. "This here, is a pretty good idea of what anima looks like." He causally explained. Rudo arched a brow at this, he swallowed his mouthful. "What's aniema?" He asked, unknowingly mispronouncing the word.
Enjin's looked up at him, making Rudo slightly tense up from the serious gleam in his lazy orbs. "It's pronounced 'Anima'." He corrected, Rudo gulped, realizing that this 'Anima' was a serious thing here on the ground. Enjin continued to explain, now that he had Rudo's full and undivided attention. "Here on the ground, trash ain't all that builds up. Emotions, or 'anima' do the same thing, and sometimes anima converts into energy, which is a whole grab bag of fun consequences. Trash beasts, for example, are one such -fun- consequence." He explained, his tone was still serious but it slow mixed a casual and relaxed under tone. Rudo stared at him for a moment before he looked down in thought as he remembered the trash beasts he encountered earlier. They were anything but, fun. Enjin continued to explain. "Aaand as you experienced, they'll attack humans on sight. They generally stick to dump areas, so they're not a daily worry for everyone, but they've been known to terrorize a city every now and then." He explained before he took another drag of his cigarette.
Rudo thought over his words for a moment before he looked up at Enjin. "Why not just stay in cities and beef up the defenses?" He asked, that made the most sense to Rudo. Enjin looked up to the sky in thought for a few seconds before he answered Rudo. "Because human nature says that things go bad if we stay cooped up for too long." He casually explained, his tone held experience, and Rudo understood immediately as he looked down at the table, his eyes distant as the words weighed heavy. "Yeah, that tracks." He softly said agreeing with Enjin. Enjin noticed that his cigarette has burnt down some, reaching towards the ash tray, he gently flicked the bud, knocking off the ashes into the tray as he spoke. "You've seen that taking out trash beasts ain't too easy, and that's because of their cores. Basically concentrated Anima. You need specialty items, like your gloves." He explained as he looked at Rudo.
Rudo's head shot up at Enjin's words, his eyes slightly widen in surprise before he looked down at his gloves. He raised up his hands, as he eyed them curiously. "How's that work?" He softly asked. Enjin explained. "It's a lot like the knife a chef faithful cleans and sharpens, or a trusty pen a writer always keeps at their side." He said, Rudo looked up at him with an questioning stare, trying to understand. Enjin, reached for his umbrella garbing it by the handle he picked it up as he gently rested it in his other palm, a look of trust, love, and care in his gaze as he stared down at it. "It's simple, with TLC in time, anima will inhabit any object, and that's when they'll become something else." He further explained.
He then looked up at Rudo. "You might call 'em 'treasures', we call em 'Vital Instruments.'." He said. Rudo's eyes widen, a soft gasp leaving his mouth, Enjin could tell that something resonated within Rudo. "You need anima to beat anima. That's why Vital Instruments works on trash beasts. But what makes a Vital Instrument a Vital Instrument, is someone who can draw out it's power." He explained. Rudo stared at him intensely as he spoke, soaking in his words before he spoke. "And I just happen to be one of those 'someones.' Is that what you're saying?" Rudo asked, reading between the lines. Enjin stared at Rudo with a serious gleam in his eyes. "We both are kid, and there aren't that many like us around... We're Givers." He explained. Rudo's own gaze turned serious, as he began to realize that he really was a special case.
He looked down at his empty plate, his burger and fries were devoured as he listened to Enjin speak. 'I guess Regto really was right all along... Did mom know too?... She never once disagreed with him... And the more I think about it, she acted like she believed it too.' He thought, his eyes widening slightly as he thought of his parents. Enjin watched Rudo with a lazy yet thoughtful stare. He could see the cogs in his head turning, and now that he had Rudo's mind closer to his understaaaannndddiiinnnggg....... "Now... Here's my pitch!" He confidently said as he leaned onto the table with a elbow, his cocky smirk returning. "The cleaners are a gang of trash beasts exterminators, we need all the givers we can get." He explained.
Rudo's thoughts were halted at Enjin's words before he sighed. "That's why you want me." He said, beginning to make sense of as to why Enjin wanted him to join his gang to begin with. He looked up at Enjin with a relaxed, guarded yet an unreadable gaze, Enjin wasn't deturbed by the stare, as he was sure he had Rudo hooked onto his side now. "So that's the deal right? I say 'yes' and you tell me how to get to the Sphere?" He asked, making sure they were on the same track. Enjin's grin dropped as he looked off for a second before he sighed. He leaned his head back as he clasped his hands together in his lap. Absentmindedly taking note of the white cat that's made it's way to the top of the illuminated sign of the burger join that rested above their heads. "Uhnmm, yeah... I'm gonna be real with ya, I don't have the vaguest whiff of an idea of how to get ch'you back up there." He casually admitted. Rudo's eyes bucked comically large as his mouth gapped wide.
"THEN WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU MAKE ME THINK THAT YOU DID!?" He shouted as he fussed Enjin for his deceitful actions and words. "Cause I wanted you to be receptive to my pitch?" Enjin quickly defended in a sheepish but not guilty tone, hoping to gain Rudo's forgiveness, but it didn't seem that way as Rudo's glares became pointed on him. "YOU-!" He was about to give Enjin an earful, but he was quickly cut off by the puff of smoke that Enjin purposefully blew in his direction, a defense mechanism he's discovered over the years, and it worked like a charm as Rudo broke into a small coughing fit instead. As he did, Enjin took this time to speak, his eyes locked on the cat. "I may be a dead end, but my boss keeps up to date. Probably knows a thing about a thing." He quickly yet lazily said, hoping to keep Rudo still on his side.
This didn't set well with Rudo as he gave a frustrated groan, his eyes closed tight, as he could feel a headache coming on, he rested his forehead against his hand. "Ugaah, so now I've gotta meet your boss, to maybe learn how to get back!?" He complained. He was getting overwhelmed, irritated, and tired of all this run around! Why couldn't someone just give him the information he needed so that he can go on with his damn life!? Enjin stared at Rudo for a moment, before he straightened up his posture. He needed to keep Rudo on his side and not make him just get up and leave. They needed as many cleaners as they can get, and Rudo was truly a specialty, he couldn't lose him. If only his boyish charms would work on Rudo, hell he even doubted that he could make them work even if Rudo was a girl! His best bet was to not make Rudo frustrated, and to just keep his attention on other things.
"Nneeew topic?" He cautiously yet casually asked. Rudo looked up at him with a pointed stare, it wasn't annoyed, so that was good, but it wasn't too promising either. So he proceeded with caution. Rudo was prickly, quick to anger, and heavily guarded... So he needed to ask a question that wasn't going to make him run away and give up on him, but he also needed something that was going to keep Rudo on his side... "Who gave you those gloves?" He decided to ask, it was a safe enough question, and it was a topic that Rudo has control on, it was foolproof. At Enjin's question, Rudo's eyes slightly widen before they became somber, his hand gently hit the table, causing the plates to lightly clatter, his head dropped as his mind was forced all the way back to his childhood.
"My dad gave them to me." He admitted, his voice was soft and slightly sadden. Enjin remained quiet, he was genuinely curious, his silence was rewarded when Rudo continued. "They were a gift." He said, his eyes went distance, as his gift held a new meaning to them, they weren't just a gift anymore. "And now they're... They're all I have to remember him." He said, his voice wavered for a moment, his tone sadden, his fingers twitched some before his hands lightly tightened around one another, almost as if he was giving himself a hug. Enjin listened faithfully, as he exhaled another puff off to the side, his eyes full of understanding as he stared at Rudo. He then reached over to put out his cigarette, as it's finally reached the end of its journey, his eyes down casted as he watched the embers dies out while he smashes the butt into the tray. "I'm sorry, he must've been a really damn good one, considering how well you take care of those busted up things."
He said solemnly, he then gave Rudo a moment of silence before he spoke once more. "You gotta put your whole heart into what you care about, it's a simple concept, but most people can't do it." He said, catching Rudo's attention. He looked up at Enjin, coming back to the presence as he took in Enjin's words. He watched as Enjin began to dig into his pocket. Enjin continued to speak. "It's clear those gloves ya daddy gave you got soul, so keep putting your heart into them." He said wisely. His words seemed to have an effect on Rudo, as his eyes widen with familiarity. Memories of Regto handing him his gloves in an old but cherished wooden box crossed his mind. At the memory, his lips curled down and his chin wrinkled up, his throat tightened and his eyes threatened to spill tears.
Enjin watched Rudo for a moment, his heart went out for the boy, he could only imagine the stress that Rudo was going through. Before his mind could wonder any further, his choker began to sing out, startling Rudo from his sadness. "Uh-oh, well that's my pitch, your turn to think it over. While you're doing that, I'll-." He spoke as he stood up, gathering his things quickly before he began making his departure, but he was cut off by Rudo who suddenly stood up. "Enjin!" He called out, catching his attention. He stared at Rudo over his shoulder, waiting for him to speak, the nervous look on his face told him, that Rudo wanted to tell him something important. "I-umm... Thanks, ya know... For everything... I owe you one." He said shyly before he looked down. Enjin stared at him for a few more seconds before he gave him an enduring smirk.
The sound of him turning back towards him made Rudo look up, and just in time as Enjin suddenly threw him a bag full of coins. Rudo reached up and quickly caught it, he stared down at it with disbelief. "That's for you to do whatever while I'm gone, be sure to pace yourself." Enjin explained. Rudo continued to stare down at the bag in shock before he looked up at Enjin. "No way... You sure about this?" He asked, he's never been given so much money before. I mean sure, his mom and dad sometimes gave him an allowance if they had any extra saved up money, but this was an insane amount.
Enjin fanned him off casually. "Oh yeah, totally. I made a serious killing after selling off your old Sphererite clothes! It's how I covered your treatment and lunch! You don't have to thank me or anything, charity is it's own reward. And while I'm at it, I might as well go and gather ya mama's clothes too! I'm sure I'll almost be stinking rich if I sell hers, seeing as how female Sphererite clothing is extremely rare, down here. But don't worry, I'll be sure to cover her treatment, feed her, and probably even buy her some new clothes too!! So it's not like I'm being a selfish prick here." He said, sounding extremely jolly as he explained what he did and what his future plans holds.
Rudo started at him in shock, his words slowly sinking in before he looked down at the bag in his hands, anger slowly over came him as he realized what the bag in his hands meant. His glare turned up to Enjin, but he was already stalking off looking proud of himself. "GRRR, GET BACK HERE SO I CAN KICK YOUR ASS!!" He shouted. Enjin continued to walk, not even giving a glance back as he spoke. "HEY, I JUST THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO NOT GET HARRASSED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF YA THREADS!! BESIDES, YOU'RE ONLY PISSED CAUSE I TOLD YOU!!" Enjin shouted back as he fanned Rudo off.
Rudo only continued to glare daggers at Enjin's back, he was pissed because his clothes got sold, he's been given the run around by this jackass for hours, he thought he got abandoned and was left for dead by kidnappers that wanted to sell him for parts, and that he thought the bastard stole his mother while doing it!! Then he let him get lectured by an old man, and even teased him about it!! But he was also grateful because of the fact that he saved him from the trash beasts, save his mom from possible toxin poisoning, he kept her safe, payed for his and yours treatments, he bought him food, gave him information, and he even gave him the money he got for selling his clothes to begin with. So all in all, he did more good than bad, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to hear his mouth. "THIS PART OF YOUR PITCH TOO, YOU DIRT MUNCHER!?... AND YOU BETTER NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING MY MOM'S THINGS, YOU SHITHEAD!!" He shouted.
Enjin shouted his answer back in a casual tone. "YUP, ANYWAYS I'M OFF TO MEET WITH YOUR TRAINER!! SO JUST SIT TIGHT, OKAY!?" He shouted back, his voice slowly fading as he grew more distant. Rudo continued to glare daggers into Enjin's retreating form. 'I'M DONE WITH THESE JERKS THE SECOND I FIND MINE AND MOM'S WAY BACK TO THE SPHERE!!' He angrily thought. In his anger, he placed his bag of money down on the table, and with his attention locked onto Enjin, he failed to notice the white cat that Enjin silently noted earlier, jumping down onto the table, it stared at the bag curiously for a moment before it decided that it wanted the bag for itself.
As soon as it latched onto the cloth, it launched off, the sound of the coins bouncing off of one another within the bag caught Rudo's attention. He looked over to the table, before he quickly slammed his hands onto the spot where he had his money at, as he knew that's where he left his money. "OH CRAP!!" He exclaimed in panic, before he quickly looked to his right, and he seen the thief darting off towards a nearby alleyway. "THAT'S MY CASH!! COME BACK YOU STINKY ASS- UGH!!" He shouted in frustration as he chased after the cat, almost slipping and busting his ass before he caught himself and he darted into the alleyway behind the cat.
For the next few minutes he chased after the cat, his eyes locked onto it, it suddenly turned and he followed. He chased a little longer, quickly closing the gap before he made a dive, aiming to capture the feline, but it was quicker, taking another turn as it averted Rudo, making him land hard into the pavement. But Rudo quickly got up, unfazed as he continued to chase after the cat, he gave chase for a few more feet before he looked up and a blue stick with bandages wrapped around it caught his attention. Not thinking much on it, he grabbed the stick as he ran by, not realizing that he snatched the stick out of the owners hand who was tucked into a sub alley, making them stop mid chew as their stick was stolen. "STOP RUNNING!!" He shouted in frustration as he continued to chase after the cat.
He chased after the cat for a few more feet, his heated glare locked onto the animal. The cat suddenly jumped onto the lid of a closed, tin trash can, but it didn't realize the tin wasn't stable making the trash can tilt and spilling all it's contents out. The cat panicked crying out in shock before it hits the ground. Before it could get up Rudo quickly pent the cat down with the curved end of the stick. It cried out in surprise back at Rudo, before it hissed as it tried to free itself. Slightly tired, Rudo crouched down, keeping a tight grip on the stick as he glared at the cat. "You brought this on yourself!" He hissed out.
He quickly reached down, aiming to grab the bag, but the cat bit at his hand, biting through the glove. He grunted in pain as he continued to wrestle with the cat. "OW!! NO BITING, FLEA BAG!!" He shouted in frustration as he flinched back for a moment before he continued to fight for his money. As he did, he didn't realize, that the owner of the stick he took was approaching from behind. "Hey." The owner calmly, yet angrily called out, catching Rudo's attention as he looked back over his shoulder, the cat took this distraction as it's chance and it darted off. The owner of the staff slowly walked towards Rudo, slowly exiting the shadows of the alley and into the moonlight. "That's mine, you little shit." He declared, his voice still eerily calm but the anger was evident. Rudo watched as the male approach, he was still crouched as he wearily observed the new figure.
Stepping into the moonlight, Rudo could make out the person. He was a young man, probably no older than himself. The dark blue cloth around his hips, and the tassel earrings, matched his wide and angered eyes perfectly. It would've been more appreciated, if they weren't locked onto Rudo with precision. "Give it back, or I'll make you." He threatened, his voice still eerily calm.
I remember what Regto told me all those years ago, back when I was just a kid...Regto told me that objects have souls and that if you care for them long and hard enough, it'll come to life. "If you take special care of something for long enough, eventually a soul will come and live in it."
The other kids would bully me for it, calling me 'weird', 'strange', 'odd', 'dumb' and any other discriminating thing they could think of. They'd laugh at me, dump water on me, and push me into puddles or piles of garbage... I'd always try and hold myself back, keep my anger at bay... I promised my Mom that I wouldn't let the darkness consume me... But damn did I want to... I want to rip their flesh from their bone, tear their guts out, and crush their skulls. I wanted to stomp on whatever remains of them... But I promised her that I wouldn't... And I didn't...
I wasn't my faceless father... The Criminal
A Mother's Love Ch. 4
Rudo x Mother! Reader
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
They both stood there for a moment, it was an awkward silence. The only noise around them was the sound of the wind blowing through, flaring up Enjin's trench coat and ruffling Rudo's hair. Enjin eventually gains his cool back, his face relaxing in a calm yet knowing smirk. "Alright then, that's your right to reject joining the cleaners. But, at least let me take ya to the nearest city." He offered. Rudo perked up at this. "A city?... There's cities down here too?" He asked. He was astonished. He never knew that there were even people living down in the pit, let alone cities. He wondered if there were towns, too. Enjin tapped the tip of his umbrella on the ground. "Course there is, what, you thought we just lived in no man's land with those trash beasts?" He asked in a lazy yet teasing manner.
Rudo tensed up at this, sensing the belittling under tone to Enjin's voice. "Hey... s'not like I knew it was people living down here, alright!?... So lay off." He complained as he pouted. Enjin gave him an enduring smile before he shrugged. "You're right, you didn't know... Come on, I'll lead the way." He said, sounding apologetic as he began walking going past Rudo. Rudo's eyes followed him as he watched Enjin walk by. He soon followed after him, doing a light jog to catch up to him. "Hey... Mind telling me what this place is, by the way?" He asked as he slowed his pace down in a brief walking one as he stared up at Enjin who was in front of him.
Without looking back, Enjin answered him. "No can do, bud." He said, his lazy tone final. Rudo's eyes widened before he tensed up with slight anger. "Why the hell not!? You said you'd tell me everything you know!!" He fussed as he glared up at Enjin. Enjin continued walking, giving a sigh of slight annoyance and disappointment. "Man... You reaaally don't like to listen, do you?" He asked. This made Rudo bristle up with annoyance. "Listen to what!? You haven't told me jack shit yet, asshole!! You've just been rambling about crap I could care less about!!" He yelled in frustration. He respected Enjin for keeping you safe, even if he did have you slung over his shoulder like a lifeless sack of potatoes.
Enjin groaned as his shoulders slightly deflated. "Damn, and just when you started calling me by my name too... And you don't like to listen, because if you did, then you would've remembered that I'd tell you everything, only if you joined the cleaners... Which you didn't, so now ya gotta pay the price and stay clueless." He explained, giving the boy another lecture, and in a way, another lesson on how the ground worked. Rudo's eyes widen impossibly wider before he growled and he clenched his fists. "THAT'S JUST STUPID!!" He fussed.
The rest of the walk through the wasteland was filled with bickering between the two, Enjin has gotten quickly used to the brat's attitude, he's also figured that the kid was a major crashout, he was quick to anger, he was prickly, but he liked the kid. He was going to get him on his side, whether he'd win him over or just force him into the cleaners. Either way, he wasn't letting the kid go that easily. As for Rudo, he's learnt that Enjin was a very relaxed and laid back individual. He likes to tease him too, something he wasn't very happy with. He's also noticed that he seemed lazy too, and yet he seemed to have no problem doing any work, he's a strange man, and even though he kind of got on his nerves, he was starting to get really comfortable around him. He liked Enjin... Even if he was a shithead.
Eventually, their bickering mellowed out into a peaceful silence, one that both males appreciated greatly. As they walked, something in the distance caught Rudo's attention, his eyes widen in wonderment before he raced forward, running past a relaxed Enjin who smiled when he seen Rudo run past him and towards the tip of the hill they were on. Staring on in amazement, his mouth a gap as he stared ahead of himself. Enjin, at a much relaxed pace, walked up next to Rudo, stopping next to him, a lazy yet proud smile on his face. "Looks like we made it. Welcome to the city, kid." He said, sounding proud. Rudo stared on in shock, his eyes taking in what looks to be a giant construction of some kind, the top of it was broken off. On it's dingy and brown walls laid piles of what looks to be colorful graffiti, in the center of the giant construction, down at the ground, laid a pair of giant double doors. "That's... A city?... It doesn't look like one." He said as he observed the creation.
Enjin gave a small chuckle. "Yeeeah, it doesn't huh?... But you have to get past the boarders to see the magic happen." He explained. Rudo continued to stare on at the place, its nothing like anything he's ever seen before, he wasn't sure how he felt about it. The words of the man that tried to sell him earlier came rushing back to his mind. "All you do is just dump your trash on us, and it just builds and builds, getting nastier and nastier, until it turns the air to poison. It even creates monsters. You're slaughtering us with your garbage. It crushes us when it falls, it poisons our soil, destroys our homes, makes killer beasts and all we can do is suffer and die." Rudo knew what he was feeling now... He felt guilty, he suddenly felt like he didn't belong here... He wasn't wanted... Not in the Sphere, and certainly not down here. His eyes fell down to his feet, his fingers twitched and he lifted his gloved hands.
He stared down at them for a moment. 'The only people, whose ever cared for me, were my parents... They're the only ones who ever truly wanted me around... And now, I only have one, and she's on the verge of death.' He bitterly thought, his gaze harden and his hands clenched into tight fists, the material of his gloves squeaking under the pressure. 'I won't let that happen... I won't let her die... This time, I'm going to be strong. I'm going to protect you... I'll be more than powerful to protect you... I'll protect our happiness.' He silently promised, his determined gaze flickering up to your limp form over Enjin's shoulder.
Eventually. they wondered into the city, before they entered however, Enjin made Rudo remove his jacket, this didn't go without an argument, but eventually the boy agreed. Stuffing it under his free arm, Enjin shot Rudo a thumbs up. Rudo wasn't impressed. They wondered into the city, Rudo's eyes wondering all over the place, taking in all the tall, graffitied buildings. He took in the people, their clothes, their mannerism. Everything was so colorful, it was bright and lively. He could most certainly tell, that he wasn't up on the Shpere anymore. Lost in his wondering he failed to notice that Enjin has stopped walking, causing him to run into him. "Oof!... Hey, what gives!?" He complained as he lightly glared up at Enjin.
But he just looked back at Rudo with a smirk. "We're here~." He said in a sing song voice. Rudo's glare left as it was replaced with a confused one. He watched as Enjin turned towards a door, opening it, he stepped back some, giving Rudo space to peek inside. It was dark, and dingy, releveling a hidden alleyway. "Wha?... Why is this here?" Rudo asked. But he was met with a firm push into his back with Enjin's boot. "Hush and just get inside." Enjin said flatly. "HEY!!" Rudo fussed as he stumbled inside, Enjin stepped in behind him, allowing the door to slam shut behind them, revealing just how dark it was, but a soft glow caught Rudo's attention. Glaring back at Enjin for a moment he looked forward, realizing that there was more to the narrow, darken, graffitied alleyway, a single door at the very end of it. Rudo gulped, his nerves stood on end. Something was telling him that he wasn't going to necessarily enjoy, whatever this place was... He was right.
Behind the door was a clinic of some kind. It was clean and sterile, the place itself looked just as dingy but it was cleaned well. It's the cleanest place that Rudo's seen since he's gotten down here honestly. He looked around, taking everything in, as he did Enjin stepped up behind him, a wide and welcoming smirk on his face as the door shut gently behind him. "Sup, doc!! I got some patients for ya!!" He suddenly proudly proclaimed, causing Rudo to tense up from his sudden joyfulness. A creaking noise sounded out, catching Rudo's attention. He stiffly looked around, his wide eyes scanning the room until they landed on a bald, old man.
He was wearing a white coat, his back hunched as he slowly turned around towards them both on his stool. Rudo flinched back some, seeing a large, red ring dangling from his nose, and two equally large rings dangling from his ears. 'EVEN THEIR DOCTORS ARE FREAKING WERIDOS!!' Rudo thought in panic. The old man's large eyes locked onto Enjin. "WELL!? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, GET THEM IN HERE!!!" He shouted. Enjin gave the old man a playful salute, while Rudo stared on in terror. 'IS EVERYONE DOWN HERE NUTS!?' He thought.
A pile of chains laid off in the corner on a thick, off white clothe, both long forgotten, and close to the forgotten pile was Enjin, sitting on a seat that looked too small for him, his feet laid flat against the ground, his arms were crossed. His umbrella propped up against the desk with a computer on it behind him, he had a solemn look on his face. Next to him sat Rudo, who was in a chair. His feet barely touched the ground, his hands resting limply on his lap. He was bandaged up, his left arm wrapped, a bandage on his right cheek, and a bandaged wrapped around his forehead. He too, held a solemn look on his face. His sadden red eyes locked onto your still figure on the bed. Your clothes were removed a while ago along with the chains, and the gas mask, revealing your more relaxed under clothing. The old man was looking over you, an IV was hooked into your arm. A bandaged was placed on your cheek, another on your lower left arm, and another on your upper right arm. You surprisingly weren't too banged up, but your internal organs were struggling.
"SHE'S VERY LUCKY TO EVEN BE ALIVE RIGHT NOW!! THE TOXIC AIR OF NO MAN'S LAND HAS PRACTICALLY ALMOST ROTTED OUT HER LUNGS, I'M SHOCKED SHE'S EVEN ABLE TO BREATH ON HER OWN!!" The old man exclaimed. Enjin sighed. "You and me both, doc... I through she was dead myself, and I would've left her there too, if it wasn't for the kid, that is." Enjin softly said, before he looked over at Rudo. Rudo stayed silent, his eyes locked on you. "Will she be alright?" Rudo softly asked. The old man stared at him for a moment, before he sighed and got up, walking over to the wall of medicine. "SHE'LL BE JUST FINE!! DON'T WORRY YOUR HEAD OVER THINGS YOU CAN'T CONTROL!! BESIDES, SHE'S NOT DEAD, AND WITH THAT MEDICINE I GAVE HER, HER LUNGS SHOULD BE GOOD AS NEW IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS!!" He loudly explained.
Rudo perked up at this, a hopeful look in his eyes before he looked over to the old man. "Really!? That's great news!!... But, what am I supposed to do until then?" He asked, his eyes going down to his lap. He didn't know the first thing about this place. Enjin looked over at Rudo for a moment, before he lazily smirked, tapping at the choker around his neck some, he silently waited, it didn't take long before he got an answer. A bored, relaxed, yet sharply sounded voice cut through, making Rudo jump in alarm. He looked over at Enjin in confusion as he listened to the new voice. "Enjin? Rare for me to hear from you. What's going on?" The voice asked. It was most defiantly a male. Enjin responded. "Well, ya boi got lucky today! I've ran across a real natural." He proudly said. Rudo looked up at him with a questionable look. 'Was that thing... Talking?' He thought.
The voice responded. "Huh? What do you mean you came across a natural?" He asked, sounding shocked and confused, but his voice still held that sharpness to it. Enjin responded. "Just that, guy fell into my lap back at no man's land. Aaand wouldn't you know, turns out he's got powers. Weee haven't seen that before in his kind, but obviously I had to convince him to join up with us. So, you two have a playdate after I'm done here, see ya then." He said in confidence, he pulled his hand away from his collar, a cheeky grin on his face as he looks down at Rudo. "WHELP!! Looks like you won't be so bored after all!!" He said cheerfully. His 'help', wasn't met with the gratitude he hoped for. Next to him, Rudo gave him a crooked glare.
"I never said anything about joining your gang of weirdo!!" He fussed. Enjin cocked a brow at him. "It's cute you think you got other options." He causally yet cheekily said. Rudo's glare sharped into an annoyed one. "OH SHUT UP!! I TOLD YOU THAT I GOTTA GET BACK UP TO TH-!!" He began to shout but the old man cut him off before he could finish, stepping into Rudo's space as he did so, causing Rudo to flinch back, his glare turning into a shocked and fearful look. "AND YOU'RE LUCKY TO EVEN BE SITTING UP, KIDDO!!" He suddenly yelled. Rudo stared up at him for a moment before he shouted back.
"BACK UP OLD MAN!!" He demanded, but the old man ignored him. "ONLY REAL IDIOTS GO WONDERING INTO NO MANS LAND!! COUPLE MORE HUFFS OF THAT AIR, AND I'LL BE CALLING YOU A DEAD IDIOT RIGHT NOW!! AND YOU NEARLY GOT SOLD FOR PARTS AFTER GETTING KIDNAPPED!!" He continued to shout, as he did he pulled back from Rudo, walking over to your bedside. He stared down at you for a moment before he began shouting again. "AND TALK ABOUT SOME ROTTEN LUCK!! YOUR POOR MOTHER DAMN NEAR DIED, TRYING TO SAVE YOUR LITTLE, UNGREATFUL ASS!!" He lectured. Rudo bristled up at this, his wide gaze turning concerned as he looked over at your still form.
The old man then walked back over to Rudo, standing more closer to Enjin this time, he pointed at Enjin. Who looked to be trying to hide his amusement by looking down. "SO YOU BETTER THANK THIS NICE MAN FOR KEEPING YOU TOGETHER!!!" He shouted some more. Enjin raised his head at this, his smirk wide and cocky, soaking in the praise for his 'heroism.' "Doctor's orders, little boy." He teasingly said. Rudo snatched his head over towards Enjin, his glare dark, he was glaring like he was trying to kill Enjin where he sat. "Bite me, asshole." He spat out, causing Enjin to whistle at the hostility. But he didn't say anything as the old man was already making his way over towards Rudo, catching Rudo's attention, he froze up in slight panic, as he knew another lecture was coming in. "AND FIX YOUR FACE, BUMB NUGGET!! YOU'RE BOTH ALL FINISHED UP HERE, SO GET THE HELL OUT!!!" He shouted
As he did, Enjin stood up and gathered his Umbrella, a pleased smirk on his face as he was enjoying watching Rudo get in trouble. Rudo wanted to protest, he didn't want to leave you alone, in this weird, backwards place. But if this old man shouted or lectured him one more time, he might flip. So he wearily got up, tipping towards you carefully, he stared down at you for a moment. His eyes taking in your sweet features, before he leaned down and he gave your forehead a sweet kiss. "I'll be back in a few, mom... I promise... I won't let us get separated." He whispered, promising to come back for you. The old man began shouting again, and an annoyed look fell on Rudo's face. "YOUR MOTHER'S GOING TO HAVE TO STAY FOR A FEW HOURS ANYWAYS, SO SUCK IT UP, GIVE ME MY DAMN MONEY AND GET THE HELL OUT!!!" He shouted, ready for them to leave his office.
Rudo sighed as he stood up, following Enjin out the door. "Alright, alright!! We're leaving already, stop your shouting, old man!" Rudo complained as he walked past Enjin who held the door open for Rudo to go out first. The old man didn't take too kindly to Rudo's snappy attitude. "AND ONE LAST THING YOU LITTLE SHIT, I'M A WOM-!!" But the door was closed before the sentence could be finished, generating instance silence in the alleyway. The air between the two males suddenly shifted into a more serious one. Rudo stared at the closed door, his hand still on the handle. He let it go, turning towards Enjin, whose back was facing him.
He looked up at Enjin with a look of gratitude before he looked down. "Thanks for that, ya know, paying... And thanks for keeping my mom safe... But seriously, all I'm after is information. I don't have time to go trash hunting or whatever what it is-" He began, trying to get what he needed. He wanted to get information from Enjin here and now, so that they can go their separate ways. He wasn't leaving his mom in this city, and he knew Enjin had things to do, and he wanted him to come with him. But he can't. But he was cut off by Enjin, the laziness in his voice that he usually carries was gone, replaced with a more serious tone.
"You're still not getting it, squirt. Those kidnappers weren't unique in how they felt about Sphererites." He said, before he stalked off. Rudo stared at him for a moment, he looked back at the clinic door for a second before he followed after Enjin. "You're free to ask around about getting back to the Sphere, but you're screwed if they find out who you are." Enjin casually said, his tone sounded like he didn't care, and in a way, he didn't, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't already feel for the runt. At his words, Rudo looked down at his feet as he walked behind Enjin, he knew that it was true... And he hated it. Enjin took a few more steps before he stopped at a door, grabbing the handle he spoke again. "Look, here's what you gotta let sink in." He said, pushing the handle down to unlatch the door.
Rudo looked up at him, waiting and needing answers. Enjin looked back at Rudo, his usual relaxed yellow eyes were harden. "This just isn't the kind of place where info comes without a cost." He said, the serious tone in his voice let Rudo know, he wasn't joking, and he wasn't going to cuddle him... He liked that, he really liked Enjin. Said man looked back at the closed door once more, pushing it open. "Now shut up and stay close." He said, the respect that Rudo felt blooming in his chest fell once more to slight annoyance for the man once again. 'This guy is really cool... But damn is he a shithead.' Rudo thought, as Enjin opened the door, the bright light that poured into the hidden alleyway making Rudo squint his eyes, before he lifted his gloved hand to shield his eyes even further. The sound of the city could be heard again, and Rudo knew this meant they were leaving.
He looked back at the clinic, the door still closed. 'I'll be back mom... I promise... And once you're up... I'm not going to let you out of my sight... I'll get stronger, and learn all I can about this place... And once I'm sure that I can keep you safe, we'll go back up to the sphere, and I'll beat those assholes, everyone last one into piles of shit.' He silently promised before he turned back forward and marched out the door, leaving the clinic and you behind.
The bastards... They threw him away... Like he was nothing but trash... They're selfish, small-minded, and ever so fragile...
I've always thought, that it smelt off to me. The way everyone was obsessed with filth, criminals, and other contaminations... Right up until they send them into the pit, then all of their concerns would disappear, like they didn't care what happened after that. The tribes folk are the ones who truly sicken me, they would treat their own kind like nothing more than a source of entertainment as they were being thrown onto the pit... They'd gather around like it's a spectacle, like it was some grand ritual or something, and then, as soon as it was over, they'd all go on with their lives, acting as if that person never existed...
They made me sick.
A Mother's Love Ch. 3
Rudo x Mother! Reader
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
A gentle vibration shook through his body, it's a constant vibration. It was shooting all throughout his body. He groaned tiredly as he was slowly coming to. His eyes barely cracked open, the brightness from the open skies made him close his eyes tightly. A pounding sensation in his head. "Mom..." He muttered, his hands instinctively aiming to try and hold you, but when he realized he couldn't even bend his arm his eyes flew open and he looked down. Two things he noticed. One, you were missing and two he was bound tight by a chain. The gentle vibration he's been feeling was him being dragged along the ground. His eyes began shifting around frantically before he began wiggling around trying to see if he could spot you. "What the-!? Where'd she go!? What's happening!? MOM!?" He began to shout, his voice muffled by his mask.
At his outburst, the dragging stopped and a relaxed yet slightly happy voice caught his attention. "Oh hey! Enjoy your nap?" He asked. Rudo perked up, before he laid down and tilted his head back, ignoring his swimming vision, he instantly recognized the man, the open umbrella laying lazily on his shoulder. He glared at the man. "Where is she!? What you'd do with her, shithead!?" He demanded. The man barely looked over his shoulder, revealing that he was holding a pair of binoculars. "First, it's Enjin. Second that's not how you talk to someone that just saved your life, brat." He lectured, not all too impressed by Rudo's attitude as he began dragging him once more.
Rudo's glare never eased up, instead it just seemed to harden. "I don't give a damn about any of that right now!! Tell me where she is!? What'd you do with her!?" He yelled his demands as he began thrashing around, hoping to loosen his binds so that he could do something. Not bothered by Rudo's erratic movements, Enjin continued to walk, dragging Rudo along with him, he looked over his shoulder as he spoke. "Stop your whining, she's perfectly safe, see?" He said, as he raised his umbrella some, catching Rudo's attention. Rudo stopped thrashing around, his eyes widening as he huffed from his actions. There you were, slump over Enjin's shoulder. You too were bound by a chain, but you were still unconscious.
Rudo's wide eyes relaxed as they lost their anger, he laid back down as he exhaled a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness." He said. The man noted the reaction, watching the boy for a moment longer before he looked back forward. "Damn... She must be real important to you. If I had known just seeing her would make you relax I would've been had her on display." He said. Rudo stared at the man with a perplex stare. He didn't know what to make of this 'Enjin' guy... Just that he was weird... and a jackass... But he did save them, and most of all, he wasn't subjecting you to the same treatment... That alone was enough to gain some if not almost all of Rudo's trust. He looked at the sky, taking in the strange swirls of greens, blues, and purples on the gray, cloudy sky. "She's my mom... We fell together." He explain in a calm tone.
Enjin perked up at this, he looked back at the boy, stopping in his tracks. "Together? I thought they only dropped one." He said. This was different... Rudo's eyes slightly squinted as he stared at the sky, his eyes darken just a bit before they softened. "They do... They only always drop one, unless they catch more than one... But they dropped me... And my Mom jumped in after me... I'm all she got left now... And she's all I got too." He said softly. Enjin had to strain just to hear Rudo talk, but he heard it all anyways. "Damn... Got one hell of a mother then huh?" He said, as he looked down at your slump body. Rudo nodded. "Yeah... She's amazing... I have to make it back up to the city... I've gots to." He said, determination in his voice. At this Enjin's back straightened as he looked back at Rudo once more.
"Whoa, yeah sorry that's not possible." He said, Rudo's eyes widen as he looked back up at Enjin. Said man, turned towards him and walked over him, casting a shadow over Rudo. "The place - 'City'? - We call it the 'Sphere.'" He explained before he looked up to the sky. "Aaand it never stays in one place for too long... Also hard to get to - the sky- from here. There's other factors too but I don't wanna be the one who drops a dud on you." He said, before he turned away and began walking again dragging Rudo along with him. Rudo was left flabbergasted, he never thought to consider that the City, er... Sphere, moved! It wasn't even a possibility in his mind. The man continued to speak, his tone more lazy again. "The lesson here is, hush up, cause for now, you're stuck." He said in a factual tone.
All was quiet for a while, and Enjin didn't mind it too much, he figured that now that the boy was aware of his situation, as rough as it was, and that he knew his mom was safe... He wasn't expecting too much yapping from the kid now. But he was surprised when he spoke up, and with so much venom in his voice too, it made him stop walking. "Screw your lesson, and screw your factors!! Nothing is going to stop me from going back!! Besides, you said it yourself, I'm only stuck for now!! That means you know something, right!? Tell me, how do I get back up to the c-sphere!?" He demanded as he maneuvered himself to sit up on his knees. Enjin listened to the boy, he was impressed with the amount of determination the brat had, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't... But damn could this kid talk.
Rudo steadied himself on his knees, his determined glare locked onto the man's back. "Tell me everything you know!! Those monsters, and that weird power of yours!! I have to know, I need to know it all!!" He growled out. Enjin almost wanted to sigh from this little speech, when was it going to end? But then Rudo's tone shifted, it turned deadly, and this caught Enjin's attention. "Because when I get back, I'm taking all the shit from this place and I'm going to beat those shit heads to death!!" He declared his deep rooted promise. Enjin almost wanted to laugh, he liked the spunk in the kid, what he didn't like though, was the fact that he just wouldn't shut up. And almost, seeming like Rudo could read his mind, he said just the thing Enjin's been dreading. "And I'm not going to shut up, until you tell me what you know!!" He threatened. That was enough to make Enjin act, because only certain people were allowed to yap his ear off.
He suddenly threw down his face mask, causing Rudo to break from his trance, he looked at the discarded mask and then up to the man in question. "Man, when that mouth of yours get going it doesn't stop, dose it?" He said in an annoyed tone. He then looked back at Rudo. "If you're that desperate for an education, fine. I'll show you the kind of place the ground is." He said, an ominous gleam in his eyes as his tone held promise. The rest of the journey was anything but kind, it's like Enjin's entire demeanor changed. He went from lazy, open, and relaxed. To tense, tight, and cold. He wasn't dragging Rudo with the same calmness he had earlier, he was now dragging him roughly, making Rudo bounce and ski across the harsh ground. Through the entire walk Rudo gave small complains but it fell on deaf ears.
Eventually they came to a stop, and when they did Enjin slung Rudo so that he'd land somewhere in front of him. With a painful grunt, Rudo landed on his front harshly, his eyes closed tight from pain and to keep the kicked up dust from his eyes. When the dust and pain settled, he cracked opened his eyes before they widen and he took in his surroundings. The land has changed, instead of the waste as far as the eye could see, it seemed like Enjin brought them to a valley of some kind. The trash was mostly cleared out leaving clear ground to be seen. Rudo also noticed that this area seemed to be brighter some how... Almost as if, due to less trash the air wasn't as dank, dark and polluted.
The more he looked around the more he began to see signs of life. He seen trucks, and signs, a wired fenced gate, he even seen a decent sized building. "What the hell?" He questioned, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. But he was brought from his thoughts when the man from behind him spoke up. "Good luck!! And Remember, learnings fun!" He said, his tone sounding much more 'happier' but it still held that ominous undertone to it, as he stalked off, you were still slump over his shoulder as he left. Rudo turned to him in shock. "WAIT!! WHERE ARE YOU GOING!? HEY!? YOU STILL HAVEN'T TOLD ME ANYTHING YET!!... AND GIVE ME BACK MY MOM!!" He shouted, his eyes wide and helpless as the man walked off, waving him bye over his shoulder.
"HEY!!DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME!! I SAID BRING HER BACK!!" He shouted again, he was about to try and stand to his feet, but a sound suddenly caught his attention from behind him. He looked back and his eyes widen when he seen a group of people with gas masks on that seemed to cover their whole face. "The hell?... People?" He questioned aloud to himself. One of the masked wearing men walked over to him in astonishment, his eyes wide with shock as he spoke aloud to himself. "No way... It can't be... It's possible but.... No not possible, then what's with his clothes?" He said, Rudo watched him cautiously, not liking the way the man was moving towards him. Once he was close enough he asked Rudo. "Hey... Are you a Sphererite?" He asked, Rudo perked up at that. 'A Sphererite?... Is that what they call us from the City?' He thought.
The other men all slowly approached too, circling around Rudo as well, all just as cautious and amazed. One of them spoke up. "Nah... Can't be sure of that." One said. Another one spoke up, asking a question. "You mind telling us where you're came from?" He asked. Rudo's guard doubled down but he spoke anyways. "Sure, I guess... I fell from the place you guys call the Sphere." He simply said. Their eyes widen with shock.
Not going too far, Enjin found himself a nice perch on top of a rock, he made sure he wasn't in line of shot, but also mad sure he was in a position where he could still see the boy. Laying on his stomach, his elbows propping him up as he stared through his binoculars, watching as all of the men happily threw off their masks. They all happily surrounded him, amazed and ecstatic as they began touching on his face. He chuckled to himself. "Greedy, no good, bastards... Though I guess I'm not entirely too different... I did sort of give him up to them." He said. His smile then dropped as he pulled the binoculars back from his eyes. A solemn look in his yellow orbs. "But he needs to understand, just what kind of place the ground is. For his own safety, and for hers too." he said before he looked down next to him.
He laid you out on your back, the chain still wrapped securely around you. Still unconscious, the gas mask still secure around your face. You seemed to be comfortably sleeping, though he was pretty sure you were knocked the hell out. He heard that female Sphererites were rare to see. It wasn't common for them to be dropped from the heavens, he suppose he could see why though. Much like the boy, you were still alive, though you didn't make it without suffering some, if not more significant damage... That just proves his theory even more that the brat was a special case. Most Sphererites usually dies from the fall, he suppose you would've been no different if you hadn't been with your kid.
He sighed as he closed his eyes and leaned his head back. His day had started off so nice too... A sudden panicked scream from down below caught his attention, his eyes opened and he quickly placed the binocular over his eyes, he scanned the situation quickly, spotting where the screaming had come from, one of the poor saps was holding his injured hand while he flopped and kicked his feet in pain. The rest of his rad tad squad all stared down at him in horror, and Enjin whistled when he seen the damaged done to his hand. "Damn, talk about the meat falling off the bone." He joked. A sudden burst of red energy came bursting from the truck, pieces of metal flew out and a long chain danced along with the chaotic energy. A giddy smirk crossed Enjin's face. The energy calmed down, seemingly vanishing before the boy suddenly jumped out, long chains attached to his wrists laid out in front of him as he crouched on the ground.
His energy once again burst from his body, causing the junk around him to react and float too. From where Enjin sat, it looked like a giant X, it was almost ironic in away, because for Enjin, this kid really was a treasure. "Tch, now that's what I call a show... Once again my instincts were right on the money." He said in a lazy yet prideful tone. The boy suddenly reached out and grabbed onto the chain that was idlily floating in front of him, causing it to glow a bright, neon red before it turned into a chain with thousands of jagged thorns. Enjin watched with glee. "The brat can give life to objects and draw out their powers, just like us, a Giver." He said aloud as he nerded out over the boys similar abilities to his own. He figured the kid was one... Simply do to the fact that he survived that big ass fall from the Shpere. If that's not a sign, tell him what is.
He watched excited at the fight, watching as the men all ran at him head on, but with one mighty swing of his arm and the chain came crashing down like it weighed a ton, causing all of the men to part and scatter. One of the men barked out orders, Enjin could barely hear him, his voice echoing as he gave orders. "DON'T GO AFTER HIM HEAD ON!! GET HIM AWAY FROM THE CHAIN!! A GIVER CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THEIR OBJECT!!" He shouted. This was true. Enjin watched on in wonderment, he wasn't sure what the brat's object was... But he was sure that it wasn't the chain... It couldn't be, he would've heard it rattling around... But he couldn't be for sure, so for now, he'll just sit back, and learn about this giver from another world.
One man was able to get his hands on a pole, running up to Rudo, he swung his pole, and Rudo blocked on instinct, but he was aiming for the chain, and he was successful in dislodging it from Rudo's tight grip. The man who was baking the orders earlier gave a shout of accomplishment, but it was short lived when Rudo grabbed a stray tire, holding it over his head with two hands, and it too began to glow, morphing into a more larger tire, with gigantic spikes protruding out on each end. This new revaluation got Enjin's blood pumping in excitement. "Oh hell yeah!!" He yelled before a crazed look on his face appeared. "USING MULTIPLE OBJECTS, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" He shouted
He watched on in excitement as the boy beat the poor saps to bloody and unconscious pulps. Having seen enough he pocketed his binoculars before he somewhat gently picked you up and he slung you over his shoulder. Air naturally escaped your lungs making you give out a weak wheeze of air, he looked over at you with an excited yet apologetic stare. "Sorry, girl. Don't mean to be rough with ya... But your boy down there... He's something else." He said, before he gathered up his umbrella and he began making his way down the small cliff. He was walking at a brisk yet relaxed pace, making his way down. Once on the ground, he looked over and spotted the boy. He was finishing off the last of the goons. He made his way over, not in any hurry to stop him, but that all changed when he walked up to the last man. Their little wanna be leader who was still down on his ass and holding his injured hand.
He wasn't too worried about the kid beating him down, but he became concerned when the kid grabbed one of the large, protruding spikes, his actions promising of certain death, and Enjin wasn't going to let it go down like that. He rushed forward into a light jog, reached the kid just in time before he could finish the man off for good. He grabbed his wrist firmly, his eyes locked onto the kid. They were wide with uncertainty but also with excitement. "Whoa there boy, easy, easy, easy, easy. You made your point, okay?" He gently said, hoping to calm the boy down. Hopefully a gentle approach will do the trick, but if not, he was confident enough in his skills to render the boy unconscious if need be. Thankfully it worked, and he relaxed. His power ceasing entirely as the objects that floated around him all began falling around them. A good sized cinderblock fell on the wanna be leader's head, knocking him unconscious, this seemed to truly relax the kid.
Rudo, relaxed his posture and he looked back at Enjin with a dazed and confused stare, placing the tire down, his hand rested on top of it. "Oh, um... Enjin?" He called his name in a casually, confused, and dazed tone. Enjin didn't look it but he was slightly surprised that the kid remembered his name, he was going to have to up his own game and now get the kid's, but he'll handle that later, for nooow. "Yes?" He answered, the boy needed answers. "What did I just do?" He asked. The tire that Rudo's hand was resting on, turned into a light gray color before it turned into dust and crumbled. 'How did I do that? I just remembered what Regto told me, and then... Was it my gloves?' He wondered in confusion. He looked confused and lost. Enjin noted the tire turning to dust, something he's never seen before... 'What a strange giver ability.' He thought.
He then looked to the boy, and he noticed the random nose bleed. "And there's the backlash. Yeah, that kind of power will do that." He said, watching as the kid broke from his thoughts as he noticed his nose bleeding. Enjin watched as the kid wiped his nose with his sleeve and Enjin gave him a crooked smirk. "But you'll be okay. I'm sorry for abandoning you like a jerk, but I had to see if you were the real deal." He said, his tone the most welcoming its ever been towards the boy. Rudo looked over at him, confused on the apology. 'Real deal? What's eh on abour?' Rudo thought. Having the kid's undivided attention now, he got down to business. "Congrats, you are, and I've got a deal. I'll tell you everything, and in exchange, you come work with us." He said, throwing an offer on the table that he knows the boy just can't resist.
He holds his hand out, his palm up, ready to make a deal. "Cleaners needs exceptional people like you." He said, his smirk turning more confident than friendly as he was sure the kid wouldn't turn him down. Rudo's eyes widen as he thought over Enjin's words, his nose bleeding again before enough dripped out for a drop to hit the ground. "Yeah, no." He said. Enjin's confident smirk slowly fell and his eyes became wearily. "Whaaa?" He complained.
Trotting through the trash, Rudo struggled to walk, his vision hazy and slowly warping, his steps were sluggish yet still firm as he made sure to not fall. He's determined to make it through this waste land, he going to make it. 'I'm going to get strong, I'm going to keep you safe, I'm going to make it back, and I'm going slaughter them all.' He thought, his gaze dark, his eyes seemingly darkening as rage slowly swallowed him from the inside. The sound of one of the beasts roaring caught his attention, making him come back to the situation at hand. His gaze locked in on one of the medium sized beasts ahead of him. His eyes locked in on it, his glare unforgiving.
He was getting tired, his body hurt from being thrown around so much, his lungs ached they felt like they were being shredding by fine pieces of glass, his throat felt like it was being carved by a knife, his nose burned. His blood constantly pouring from his nostrils, landing on your clothes, slowly staining them red. Your own nose was constantly bleeding, your lower face was covered in it. It trailed back towards your ears, down your chin and into your clothes. He looked down at you, his glare softening when he looked at you. His poor mother... "You're a mess, Mom..." He said fondly, the large beasts were all slowly closing in, ready to devour their prey. He then focused on the task at hand, he need to get you both somewhere safe. Finding a place to hide wouldn't work, from what he could see there was nowhere to hide.
He walked forward, he had to keep moving, but he was only able to take a few more steps before he stopped and began coughing aggressively. He's never coughed so hard before, it hurt. He fell to his knees, his hold on you tightening as he finally coughed up a mouthful of blood, some of it landed on your sleeve while the rest landed on the trash below him. He huffed, his breaths sounded strained. Blood bubbled up from your own mouth, your body naturally rejecting. Rudo huffed for a moment longer before he gritted his teeth. "I need to get up... I need to move... I gotta find us somewhere safe... At least for a little while." He said, struggling to get to his feet.
From behind him, one of the large beasts raised up on its back hunches, the sudden strange sound caught Rudo's attention. He snatched his head to look back behind him, seeing the large creature up on it's back hunches. His eyes widen and panic settled in. "No.... Wait!!" He cried, but it fell on deaf ears before it slammed down hard on its front legs, causing you, Rudo and a wave of trash to go flying in every which way. He grunted as his arms wrapped tight around you, his body taking the blunt force as he hit the ground and bounced a few times before he landed on his back with you tucked against him safely. He laid there for a while, grunting in pain as trash rained around him for a while.
He slowly opened his eyes, huffing in pain, his tight grip never loosening on you. His tired eyes locked onto the swirling sky, blood trailing out of the sides of his mouth. "This place is hell." He muttered. Suddenly, a man walked over him, holding an open umbrella, a strange mask on his entire face. His eyes locked onto the sudden man. 'Who the hell is this guy?' He thought. The man said nothing as he reached down and grabbed Rudo by the back of his top.
Too tired to stop the man, Rudo could do nothing but keep a tight grip on you as the man suddenly kicked him in his back hard. Rudo cried out hoarsely, his voice strained as he went flying. It wasn't his plan to land on you, but that last giant tumble he took sapped all his energy. So against his wishes, he landed on you heavily. He grunted in pain before he began coughing again, hacking up more blood. "You bastard... That hurt!" He fussed, making his displeasure be known.
The man behind him stalked towards him, approaching him silently before he crouched down and grabbed Rudo by the back of his top again. Rudo didn't have any strength for himself, but he was the strongest man on the Earth for you, as he kept an iron grip on you. He was expecting another attack from the man, but instead he shoved something onto his face making his eyes bulge out in shock. As soon as the man pulled back, Rudo's first instinct was to attack, but he quickly noticed that he could breath normally now. His eyes slightly crossed as he looked down at the mask on his face.
'I can breath... Is this a gas mask?' He thought. As he did the man walked past him, rather calmly. Rudo looked up at him, watching as the man closed his umbrella. His eyes then suddenly widen. "HEY!!! You got another one of those masks?" He asked slightly frantic yet hopeful. The man placed the tip on his umbrella down on the ground, his hand resting on the handle as he looked back at the boy. Rudo didn't seem deterred by the man's silence. He pointed down at you. "She needs one too!! Please!!" He begged. The man just stared at him, his head slightly tilting down to look at you.
He stared at you for a minute before he looked back at Rudo. He said nothing at first as he made a simple gesture of zipping his mouth shut. "Just zip it, alright?" He said, his lazy voice muffled and low. Rudo's eyes widen some as one of his brows arched in confusion. "Huh!? Did you not just hear me!? I just told you that she needs one too!!" He fussed, his voice rising. The man did the gesture once more. "What part of 'zip it' are you not getting?" He said in the same soft yet lazy tone. Rudo gave the man a stare of disbelief, his eyes widening as he began to mentally spiral. "You... You're no different than them... You're just as bad if not worst... I'm here, begging you to save my Mom's life, and you're over here telling me to fucking zip it!!"
He yelled. The man yelled back. "Shut. The. Hell UP!! AND FOR THE RECORD I DON'T GIVE MASKS TO CORPSES YOU IDIOT!!" He shouted. Rudo's eyes widen in shock before he looked down at you, his eyes dancing around your body. It wasn't true... You weren't... No... No you weren't, he was wrong and he'll prove him wrong. "SHE'S NOT DEAD YOU FREAK!! SHE'S WELL AND ALIVE!!" He shouted back. The man shouted back in response. "WELL SHE SURE AS HELL LOOKS DEAD TO ME!! BUT FINE, I'LL GIVE HER A DAMN MASK!! IF IT'LL GET YOU TO SHUT YOUR DAMN TRAP!! BECAUSE OF YOU, WE'RE DRAWING SOME UNWANTED ATTENTION!!" He shouted. Rudo's glare softened into another confused stare once more. "Huh?" He questioned.
The man clicked his tongue in irritation before he crouched down, laying his umbrella down next to him, he fished in his inner trench coat pocket, digging out another gas mask. He gently yet somewhat roughly placed it on your face. "Because of you, we got ol' hungry hungry back there coming for us now." He complained as he made sure the mask was secured on your face. Rudo stared at him owlishly before he looked up and terror crossed his face as he seen an even bigger beast coming towards them. It looked hungry as it seemed to be scooping up trash into its jaws almost hoping that it'll scoop them up with it.
"That thing, is a trash beast. It's a monster made of trash, Trash Beast." He explained in an annoyed yet belittling tone. Once the mask was securely on your face, you unconsciously took a deep breath. Your body immediately reacting to the fresh air. He stopped for a moment. "Well... Guess she was still alive." He muttered before he stood up, grabbing his umbrella by it's handle as he did. Rudo's eyes were still locked on the beast, he was listening to the man fuss yet at the same time he wasn't.
"Now... What tools do we use to take one down? Well not with just any weapon!! And as for why we needed to stay quiet, it was because they react to sound!! I was trying to stay quiet instead of barking my head off like some moron!!" He continued to fuss. At this point he was just fussing just to fuss, he's been irritated for the last few days and this random brat was just the thing to get him railed up and help him blow off some steam. It wasn't his style, but an opportunity was an opportunity, plus the brat already got them in a worlds of trouble so he might as well bark his head off. Give the runt a good run down of how the ground works.
He pointed his umbrella down at the boy, ready to give him a heated lecture. "I know that trash beasts are exceptionally nasty around here and I wasn't planning on getting tangling with them today!! So thanks for that, you mouthy, ignorant, little shit blossom!! You've even got me yelling and I'm not a loud guy!!" He continued his fussing. Rudo's eyes were still locked on the beast, watching as it was closing in behind the mouthy man, but a golden glow caught his attention, making him focus in on the man once more. His fear turning into amazement. 'What the hell!?' He thought as he watched the umbrella transform into something almost entirely new. Once it fully changed, the glow vanished and the man opened it, lifting it over his head, he gave a happy and relaxed sigh. "Man... It actually felt good yelling all that out... Alrighty then... Let's clean up this mess." He said, more to himself than to Rudo.
The beast roared before it launched for them, ready to swallow them whole, but the man simply held out his umbrella, allowing the creature to make contact with the newly bladed tip before it began to spin, destroying the beast into nothing but a pile of trash. Rudo watched on in amazement, the winds generated from the powerful tool whipped his hair around as he watched the creature get turned into nothing. A large piece of it's skull head landed before Rudo, he watched it land, seeing it began to disintegrate. 'He actually killed the trash whatever... While just using that umbrella?' He questioned silently, his grip on you adjusting slightly as he watched the man.
The man himself watched the other beasts as they gather around, something he didn't want to happen. "Guess we drew a crowd." He wearily said. All at once they all moved to attack and the man quickly readied himself, crouching down into a defensive stance. The beasts lunged at them first, and like a bullet the man shot off, smashing his umbrella into one of the creature's head and destroying it in seconds. He then bounded from beast to beast, doing the same method of destroying their heads. Rudo watched on, not bothering to move an inch from his spot. He watched with glazed eyes, not wanting to blink, afraid that he'll miss something. "He cleared them out like it was nothing!... Is that Umbrella some kind of pit tech!?... Or did he do something to it?" He questioned aloud to himself.
Watching as the man gently floated down to the ground using his umbrella. His eyes harden, and his grip on you loosened some before his fingers pressed into your shoulder slightly. "Whatever it is... If I had what he has... I'd make those assholes pay." He declared. He watched on as the man continued to battle, his mind racing on what all he'll do to those above that threw him away like trash. The man watched the last beast, the biggest one by far. He watched as it coughed up a large, purple, toxic ball before it launched it at him. His eyes squinted as he made a split second decision to block the toxin with his umbrella making it splatter. It's purple sludge landed on the trash around him, unfortunately everywhere it landed it exploded. Rudo grunted as he held you tightly to himself, keeping himself grounded as he shielded you from the strong winds.
The man, unbothered by the explosions, landed on the ground before he jumped up high, aiming to land on it's head, but it bumped him up higher with it's snout, not bother by the higher elevation, he popped open his umbrella once more, allowing him to glide again. He then quickly closed it and tucked it under his feet, the umbrella growing to enormous proportions in just seconds. Rudo stared on, watching intensely at the battle. He wanted this power... He needed this power. He watched as the man brought the giant umbrella down onto the beast's head, it spun rabidly, turning into a drill, it spun and pushed until the beast was finally crushed and vanquished. He sat there, his legs practically gone numb from all the poisoning and damage he took.
The man calmly walked back over to him, stopping a few feet away from Rudo. Rudo stared up at him with a look of utter disbelief but with an immense amount of respect. The man suddenly spoke, his lazy tone from earlier returned. "Hey kid, blink twice if you're dead." He said in a slightly teasing manner. Rudo ignored him, opting for asking him a question instead. "Who... Or what the hell are you?" He asked tiredly.
The man seemed to think over his question for a bit before he reached up with his free hand, twisting a little knob on his face mask. A hissing sound sounded out before he pulled off his mask, revealing that his gas mask was a separate thing on it's own, along with his blonde hair and strong yellow eyes. He then tucked the mask under his arm before he calmly spoke. Rudo could feel his vision giving way, his hearing was fading... But he wasn't going to go down... Not until he had his answer.
"My name's Enjin." He simply said, before he pulled off his gas mask, reveling his full face, a calm yet proud smirk on his face. "And I'm just a humble cleaner." He said. That was all Rudo needed to hear, before his vision and hearing finally gave way and he fainted, falling backwards, his grip on your loosening as he lost consciousness. The sounds of the man coughing and complaining fading away along with this odd, new world
