Chapter Text
The newest supporter was nothing out of the ordinary. He was tall, loud, decently intimidating and physically built as all their frontline staff must be. But for some strange reason hard as hell for Enjin to avoid. That man was goddamn everywhere. In the kitchen, in the after parties, in the training room, in the shitter. The only place he wasn't were Enjin's missions, new guy and all, but he has a feeling it would change soon. Huh? It's not like he was actively seeking him, or avoiding him. There was no requirement for more than necessary communication. Even if he's probably a super nice guy, Enjin just doesn't work like that. Although at the pisser-He cant deny that was a hell of a sight.
(But Enjin loves women. Hot, curvy women, who drown his entire being and let him cease existing for the night. He loves the sirens with long hair and slim waists, too much to even think of his jacked as hell coworker, who always works out in a shirt whose sleeves he seems to have ripped off himself.)
Enjin stands in front of Semiu's desk, distracting himself on her magazines while waiting on a couple of supporters. He doesn't really need them, but protocol is protocol and he'd rather be thrown in a trash beast before getting on the bad side of Semiu's reports again. It's not even been 2 days since he got in trouble from them for going to No mans land alone and returned bleeding with a concussion, so he refrains on pestering her, lest she puts more missions on his roster and adds like 10 more guys to his team.
"Sorry for the delay." A singular deep voice from his right clears his throat and gets Enjin's attention.
Speak of the devil, its the new guy, briskly walking towards them with nobody else trailing behind. Enjin was right on the mark. He raises a single eyebrow at Semiu, who chooses to ignore him and greets the new guy. The man greets her back and steps closer in Enjin's space in that split moment.
"Gris Rubion. Pleasure to work with you."
Right, he had completely forgotten his name after the welcome party. No reason to remember it really, he can't be assed adding and removing names from his dictionaries. New guy—Gris, stands with his left hand extended. Leftie huh? It'd be embarrassing to leave him hanging, so Enjin removes his left hand from his pocket and lazily slots it in his.
Only to hear a sharp crunch as pain shoots in through his knuckles, wrist being twisted in all the angles it shouldn't be.
"Dude what the hell!" Enjin tries to yank back his hand, but cant as it's locked in that crazy monster grip of his. Is it a hand or a fucking desk clamp wrapped in skin?
"Haha, sorry." Gris tosses him a grin as he lets go, his words having no remorse attached. Semiu watches it unfold with a wicked smile behind her desk as Enjin hisses and shakes life back into his fingers.
"Thank you for sparing me the explanation on why you'll be joining Enjin instead of our other support staff."
"Anytime ma'am."
"Come on, you're older than me." Semiu giggles.
Giggles? He shoots her a look, but Semiu clocks him immediately and glares back, face quickly to her usual explanation mask. She clears her throat and addresses the two.
"As you know, it's just a recon mission. No beasts sighted yet, but reports suggest that anima is brewing to create 'em. Enjin will guide you, and your first priority is to keep him in check, stayin' outta trouble yourself. Here's your mask and pack, and here are your keys." The keys are tossed to Enjin, who catches it with the hand that's not throbbing like hell.
"Want me to get ya somethin?"
"Your ass back here in time. Boss is returning today and he wants to have a word."
Enjin groans. If boss was returning today he's sure they'd have plenty of time tomorrow, when he doesn't have any work to do. A night out wouldn't hurt, boss probably even expects it. Enjin grabs Umbreaker and turns to head out without bothering to wait for Gris. He only hears footsteps and no cribbing, as he goes to the garage and gets out his car. Enjin's chivalrous enough to wait for the man to buckle in and get settled, before turning his key and revving his baby up. The car's old engine whirrs loudly as he hits the pedal and storms out of HQ. Their ride shouldn't be long, half an hour at best, but with hopefully good company even a day seems too short.
Enjin is proven wrong immediately.
He's quiet. Damn quiet. For a man of his size, and how much he seemed to rough house with the rest of the crew, he's too fuckin quiet right now. Not even a complaint on Enjin's godawful driving that turned the 2 hour trip into an eighth of the ETA. Atleast the radio is on, his being the only car with a working one, and blasting Too Lily. Her sharp but sexy voice and the music's electrifying beats fills the air and Enjin cant help but sing along to her loudest song. Usually as soon as he opened his mouth- he'd get even more complaints on his apparently shitty singing. Of course, they don't know what they're talking about. But this guy was taking every broken high note and every bump in the road like a champ, almost as if he's used to it.
"Yo. Gris right?" Enjin drawls. "You like Too Lily?"
"First I'm hearing, but she's good" Gris nods his head along to the beat.
"Rightt."
What a boring ass answer. If he said he didn't like her-atleast he'd have something to argue about the rest of the ride. If he did, then even better. But a stupidly neutral answer later the car immediately returns to housing only Lily's dreamy voice.
"Say. Can anyone get a car?"
Enjin barely catches his question, he's too invested in the song than his lackluster company.
"Hmm? Oh, if you got a license and are in Semiu's good books, she'd put in a request for one. Of course- gotta pass one of HQ's driving tests."
"I see. Thank you."
Enjin hums and glances at him, noticing the man is now in deep thought looking outside the murky window. Fuck, its been a while since he cleaned his car. Given their environment, if a car isn't parked in a closed garage then you'd have a years worth of grease and dust to scrub off. That's one of the many, many reasons people didn't bother with a car, despite civilizations being hundreds of kilometers away from eachother. So to think the first question he's asked...
"...You interested? In cars I mean."
"We're here."
Enjin frowns. Of course they were here, he's the one fucking driving. He stares at him for a solid minute, before grabbing Umbreaker and getting out, slamming the door as he does. Gris, apparently not minding it, steps out immediately after, pulling his mask on and getting his supplies. Enjin walks up to a large pile of junk and plops himself down. He began surveying the area with a pair of binoculars, and he hoped new guy would get the hint to do the same, binoculars or not. The new guy, seemingly capable, calmly walks beside him and looks over the area.
Not a trash beast in sight. He thought he'd given them enough time to form, by now they'd be out and terrorizing the borders, but apparently not. Shame. He wanted to get his irritation out at the very least. Good for new guy though, less work the better, Enjin thinks, rolling his eyes internally. He pulls down his mask, flicks open his lighter and gets out a cigarette by muscle memory. He lights it, takes a deep breath, and lets it out. He swears the damn smoke is louder than his partner over there.
"All clear then huh?"
"Not quite. We should stay for a bit more, atleast scour the area in person to check for hidden ones."
Gris hops down and begins to wander in a random direction. Enjin is tempted to sit it out, but he doesn't want to seem useless just yet, so he jumps and walks in the opposite direction. It's pretty silent out here, only a little way off from the walls of the nearest town. Perfect to yell his thoughts across without being perceived.
"Maann, you don't like me or something?" Enjin yells loudly over the crunching of trash beneath their feet.
"Huh?" Gris voices back.
"Being all brisk and shit. I've seen you, you're not like this at all. Loudest bastard at parties, right after Delmon"
"Ah. Sorry? I guess. I mean I don't have anything against you..."
"Could've convinced me" Enjin kicks away a bucket.
"I mean, you're quite a bigshot, but still nice and pretty comfortable to be around. Thought I'd relax a little."
Wow. Talk about looking up to him. Is that really how people see him? He's gotta become more assholey, else someone might get the wrong idea.
Meanwhile, Enjin's got Gris completely wrong, and he almost feels like a dick over it. He cant see Gris' face, but the guy was probably embarrassed admitting that. Ugh, shouldnt've opened his stupid mouth. He doesn't even mind the silence most of the time, better than the rest of the overly enthusiastic crew he always manages to end up with. Then why, right now, is he itching to just talk to this guy. Enough that he's ruining his apparent reputation over it.
The trash crunching resumes, and its really grating on Enjin's ears now. Of course its a super great thing that he's being a good senior and letting the new guy be able to do his job without having to think of the social obligations and all, but he's bored as shit without 'em. If only the stupid trash beasts would show their faces and he can show off and-
"Enjin! Behind you!"
Enjin whips his head around. How did he not sense the beast—A wolf like thing was mid air pouncing on him and he is T minus four from getting a bad bruise on his butt. Umbreaker was asleep, would he have time to get her up-? He needs to just punch the thing if he wants to get out of this unharmed. Its made of metal and pipes though and probably really fucking hurts-
Before he could process his next line of action, a blur of grey shoots across and tackles the beast half a mile away from him. Gris had leaped up and managed to grab the beast's muzzle as he wrestles to restrain it. Two loud clangs—And the beast's jaw was crumbling as it writhed under his grip with a broken limb and crushed jaw.
Despite seeing it occur front seat right in front of his eyes, Enjin thought there was no fucking way this guy was able to restrain the beast bare handed. That thing was 5 meters big at least, made of scrap metal wires and lord knows what that definitely cannot be fought without MINIMUM heavy duty knuckledusters.
"Enjin! Your jinki!"
"Oh fuck right"
Enjin quickly activated Umbreaker, feeling the energy finally course through his veins. He barely gets time to react however, as the stupid trash beast is thrown right at him. He braces Umbreaker and the momentum impales her cleanly under the neck, right where Enjin detected its core. The beast disintegrates, flying away as dust under Enjin's glare. And he's able to throw it? Unfair.
"...Had my back there. Thanks" he mutters.
"Just doing my job. But appreciate it."
Enjin turns back to reply, and finds Gris with his mask pulled down to catch a breath, with the gentlest smile resting on his face.
He understood why Semiu giggled. Holy hell that man is hot. Gris has that kind of rugged face that matched his hands, the thinnest stubble, barely visible over a blunt jaw and a mean scar that runs through his left eye that really ties in his whole "tank" build together. But the smile he has on his face melts Enjin's heart like ice under a direct flame. He feels like he just wants to get tucked in by this guy, blanket up to his chin and a kiss on the forehead before he passes out. How has he never registered this hottie before? It'd be a disservice to reduce him to just a hottie. A hottie that can throw him right on the-
"Enjin?"
Enjin wordlessly extends Umbreaker right above Gris' shoulder, impaling a trashbeast trying to sneak up on him. Gris doesn't even flinch, just looks at the beast as it disintegrates next to his feet, mildly surprised.
"Shit! Haha, thank you there! Man, I gotta be careful." Gris' crows feet deepen with his laugh as he fixes his mask again and turns back to face the herd of beasts heading their way. Enjin pulls down his own mask again, and shoves a hand in his pocket to get out his pack and lighter. He puts one in his mouths and lights it, eyes counting the beasts in the line. He takes a deep puff, and exhales the smoke to mix with the already polluted gas.
"15."
"Huh?"
"Wrapping this up in 15 minutes."
Gris looks at him wide eyed and back to the 26 similar trashbeasts their wolf friend attracted. He finally chuckles, sounding deeper under the mask.
"Before your cigarette finishes."
Oh he likes this guy alright. They're gonna get along swell.
-
They wrap up in not a second more, Enjin snuffing the butt out on his boot and tossing it.
However, Enjin notices, after their initial icebreaker they don't really manage to talk much. Shame, he really wanted to take the time to bond. Maybe it was trying to not let the other and yourself get killed under trash-slob, but they weren't spending much effort in that aspect seeing how their fighting styles complemented each others so efficiently. One instance being Gris throwing the beasts after disarming them into a spinning Umbreaker, like a papershredder going to town on company ruining documents.
So as soon as Gris finished their last one (ripping its core out sexily and tossing it onto Umbreaker's jagged edge), Enjin clapped his hands together.
"Guess we're finally done then! Wanna hit a bar? I happen to know a good one on the way back"
"I'm not supposed to encourage your womanizing behaviors" Gris rolls his eyes and Enjin frowns. Semiu must have told him—is that what she meant to keep him in check?
"Whaaatt nooo, I just wanted us to hang out you know? celebrate your first great job!"
Gris raises his eyebrows, seeing right through his bullshit.
"Fine. I wont drink though."
"You do you man," Enjin feigns disappointment, but it's quickly replaced by a toothy grin. "I, however, shall drink to my hearts content. On your behalf of course."
They hit the road and reach the bar soon enough under Enjin's hands. It was located in an alley near the entrance of the second town from them, so hidden you wouldn't even think it existed. Stepping inside, Enjin noticed the place was emptier than usual. Cant be helped since they came at an off time, but it was still tastefully decorated as ever with low lights and quiet music. Perfect to relax and pick up just his kind of women. Enjin walks in like he owns the place and slides on the stools, prompting Gris to do the same.
"3 shots and a chaser."
"And a whiskey, on the rocks please."
Enjin raises an eyebrow and grins. Not gonna drink my ass.
"Came all the way, would be a waste to go without a taste at least" Gris shrugs.
The drinks are served in front of them, and they clink their glasses to a record time job. Out of the corner of his eye, Enjin notices Gris stare at him as he brings the glass to his mouth. He looks up again, and Gris shifts his gaze to the bottles lined up behind the bar. He has to admit, Gris looks especially hot right now. He's shed his stupid hat and his tousled pale hair frames a thoughtful expression and a light flush from their mission, reaching right to the tips of his ears.
Enjin decides he's feeling a few more tonight.
No sooner than he asks for a second round, he notices a table of onlookers, who giggle and shy away once his eyes flicker to them. They've left their uniform jackets in the car, so Enjin and Gris look much more approachable as regular men than cleaners. Its literally the perfect scenario. Enjin shifts forward on his seat and spreads his legs, tossing his left ankle over his right knee. If Gris notices, he doesn't comment on the change in posture. He just continues sipping his drink, possibly unaware he's supposed to be preventing the following events.
As expected, two of the girls gather their courage and approach the bar.
"Did the room get hotter or is it just me?" Enjin grins. "How can we help you ladies?"
The pink haired girl narrows her eyes at him, but smiles politely. The brunette immediately turns to Gris, completely ignoring Enjin.
"Say, could I buy you a drink? You're too handsome to be hanging out alone. I can show you a good time." She says, voice low as she slides a coaster towards her, knee balancing on the empty stool next to Gris.
Enjin blinks. Seriously? Sure Gris is like, super fucking hot, especially in this lighting, but pretending he doesn't exist when he's sitting right here next to him? Rude! Half the regulars will tell you just how good of a time Enjin actually gives. Gris widens his eyes at her advances, and Enjin catches him trying not to laugh. Bastard. He watches him compose himself immediately, and clear his throat to reply.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'd like to keep it light today. I have babysitting duties after this." His eyes flicker to Enjin and the brunette's follow them. She laughs.
Okay jackass. Way to kick a man when he's down.
"Babysitting? Oh, then you'd need more than just a single drink."
"Really, you're too lovely. But I cant, not now atleast." Gris smiles at her, all genuine, and Enjin mentally consoles the visible short circuit this girl just has. That smile carries all the electric love of 440 volts, enough to knock a person down. Honestly she should be honoured to receive it.
The brunette doesn't mind being rejected, especially sent off with that smile, but the pink haired girl shoots them a look as she ushers her back to their table. Their loss. Enjin huffs, watching them go away. He doesn't want to face Gris now—bastard's probably reeling over Enjin's rejection—So he instead focuses on getting his drinks down. His slams get Gris' attention, who reaches out to grab his wrist.
"Remember, we have to get back."
Enjin frowns, and shakes off his hand. Not using his iron grip was a mistake as he watches Enjin suffer through the last of the shots, burning his throat as the glasses empty.
"Enjin." Gris' stern voice cuts through his senses.
"Go with her. Get em tiger, or somethin'," Enjin slurs, rolling his eyes. He catches Gris looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face, big blue eyes staring into a part of Enjin he'd rather not have perceived. Gris doesn't do anything, however, and pops a couple of peanuts in his mouth, swirling his drink. He's just asking to be taken home tonight.
"Hey Gris." Enjin begins, suddenly scared that Gris would get up and leave, either with the girl or back to HQ. "You...You like cars?"
Gris perks up. Bingo.
"You can say that." Gris mutters. Enjin nods, hopefully encouraging him to speak. "I mean, It's a pain most of the time to keep them working, and god forbid the sphere is traveling over you, and the roads-" air quotation marks "-are a practical joke to drive on. But they're so worth it. They're such a technological marvel and-"
Enjin doesn't know Gris' tolerance, but it seemed like the drink was doing its job and loosening the man up. A lock of hair framed his face, casting a shadow that Enjin itched to uncover. Gris seemed so much better now that earlier today, he could really get used to it.
"There's just something about them. Its like... a child." Gris finishes lamely.
"A child?" Enjin snorts.
"Of course not a child. Like, just how you cant justify wanting a child, I cant justify..." He flushes. Cute.
"Right right. Totally get ya."
Enjin sees something like doubt in Gris' eyes and hastens to reassure it. He doesn't want Gris to think he's taking the piss outta him.
"I'll get you one." Enjin mutters, not looking at him. "Till then, use mine. Not just for missions."
"Thats... really nice of you. Thanks." Gris sounds genuinely surprised. Seriously what kind of man does he think Enjin is. Enjin lets it slide, and just takes in the buzz, staring at Gris all through it. His scar looked deep and angry in the dim light, but seeing how relaxed he was soothed Enjin's feelings toward it. He would tell probably, but he wouldn't ask. And Enjin doesn't deserve that sort of kindness.
"You don't mind shitty drivers?" The words slip from Enjin's tongue like the vodka from his glass.
"What, like you?" Gris teases.
"Didn't complain even once."
"I mean, I'm probably worse." Gris laughs, and in a chain reaction, Enjin bursts laughing beside him.
"Naah nah ahhh. Unless you're like, an F9 winner-" Enjin's words die on his tongue as Gris just stares with his piercing blue eyes, lips quirked upward.
"NO SHOT" Enjin slams his hands on the counter as he gets up, almost toppling the glasses. Gris shushes him and puts a hand on his shoulder to drag him back to his seat.
"Why'd you join the cleaners man, and that too as a supporter?! There's- there's so much out there for you!" Enjin whines. Gris just runs a hand over his face like he regrets even bringing the topic up, but Enjin sees the grin under his fingers.
He can't help it. F9 was the ground's biggest underground street racing circle, with cash prizes to set you for life. Its an unspoken rule to not pry about anyone's past, but to think that Gris—Good boy Gris reigned on top of the most dangerous tournaments at some point? Enjin's just discovered something about him that's stirring his dick awake.
"I'm not gonna answer any of your questions." Gris laughs, and its the cutest thing Enjin's heard.
"You're seriously so cool at your...thing."
"I'm just a supporter. You guys are the real stars of the show." Gris scoffs.
"Nah- you are. You know, you're so cool."
"Am I?"
"Yeah." Enjin's voice drops low. "Coolest guy. Wish I could keep ya around forever." His voice is barely audible now, and as much as he wishes Gris doesn't hear it, he wishes he does.
Enjin looks at him, but he can't tell whether or not he did. He watches Gris empty the last of his drink, a drop of the amber liquid escaping the corner of his lips. Gris wipes it before thoughts about licking it clean intrude Enjin's mind.
"We'd better go now. I'll drive."
Enjin blinks. But the fun's only just begun. Gris' finally let a little loose, and now he's buttoned up his collar again. If only...
His eyes drift to the refreshed glasses on the table, and he reaches out to empty them one by one. Gris stares at him in disbelief as Enjin gets up with a clatter and saunters to a corner of the bar, where there's a group of women playing pool.
"Mind if I join ladies?"
The ladies obviously don't mind the rabbit walking into their den as they laugh and hand him a cue. Two birds in one biscuit, Enjin smirks at his own genius.
(Gris finds himself minding a lot, but he really doesn't feel like intervening. But at the same time, he really wants the damn company car. He silently slides coins over the counter and gets up to follow Enjin, who's bent over the table by now and not paying attention to him. He knows he won't, so Gris addresses the girls.)
"Excuse me, I'll take him off your hands now." Gris' voice comes directly from behind Enjin, nearly startling him. Fuck, when did he get here?
"Looks like Mr bodyguard is here~" Bodyguard? Enjin rolls his eyes. "You're free to join too you know."
"Thank you, but he's troubled you all enough. Besides, past his bedtime now." He chuckles, encouraging sweet coos from the girls.
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here!" Enjin grumbles as he shoots his shot and promptly misses. The girls laugh, exactly as orchestrated.
"Enjin, I wont hesitate to resort to physical force to get you back in the car."
"You can use your physical force on us anytime handsome" A redhead pipes up, and her friends laugh in agreement. Gris doesn't seem to react at the attention, all focus on Enjin splayed across the pool table. Enjin pretends he hasn't heard their words, spreading his knees and reaching further than he needs to. Suddenly he feels a large hand snake around his waist. Before he could register it—he's hauled over Gris' shoulders like a sack of rice. The girls positively squeal and Enjin feels something sick in his throat which is definitely not just his drinks on an empty stomach.
"See ya." Gris ducks low and steps out the door into the chilled alleyway.
Enjin, for once, doesn't feel the need to protest. He only stares at the moving ground as he's carried out the door, process ing what just happened.
Did he actually pick him up? Enjin is by no means a small guy—he's six foot two and eighty five kilograms on a good day. Hell he's like, top 3 biggest guys in their 20s in the cleaners. Even if Gris did occupy 2nd place, you'd think Gris lives in the damn gym with how he tossed him just like that, like he weighs nothing. Speaking of, why was he carrying him in the first place? Enjin was obviously joking, and more than ready to leave. His soberly working brain provides only one answer.
Gris is totally into him.
Sexually. Wants to get in his pants.
And he got jealous.
There's no other explanation. Why else is he always popping up wherever Enjin is, somehow managing to get a duo mission to "supervise" him, and now spending half his life as a racer just to woo Enjin? Okay! mans got dedication, and Enjin appreciates a hardworking guy. Gris is in for a right treat for coming so far in face of the blatant fact that all Enjin does is win at heterosexuality.
From his angle, Enjin can only see Gris' slicked back hair over his back. He's tempted to touch it, but his hands can't reach and his brain is too busy with important thoughts about men. Minutes pass like seconds and he's suddenly laid onto the passenger seat and buckled in.
"I'm not gonna take my pants off!"
"What?"
Gris gives him a weird look before slamming the door. Enjin watches him walk to the drivers side. He gets in his seat, looking completely done, and Enjin almost feels bad for giving him trouble. Almost.
Gris straps in, and Enjin slowly comes to the realization that he's sitting in the passenger seat of a goddamn F9 driver. Hell, F9 winner. Now's the perfect time to judge if he'll be a worthy candidate to spend Enjin's entire life with. Excitement bubbles in him as he braces himself for the ride of his life, closing his eyes and leaning back on the headrest, already dreaming how he'd have Gob paint their wedding car as they cross the finish line of the F9 Prix finals.
15 seconds pass. 1 minute passes. 4 minutes pass.
Did he even start the car? Enjin opens his eyes. If the walls of the town they were just in weren't actively becoming smaller behind them, he wouldn't have thought they were actually moving. He focuses, and sure enough the seat is gently rumbling underneath him as they traverse the nonexistent roads between towns. He looks over at Gris, and his foot is clearly pressing the accelerator and turning the steering wheel, face calm and nodding to some song on the radio, barely audible. Despite all of this, Enjin's still in disbelief.
He shifts and checks the speedometer. 30. He lifts his hand and knocks on the thing, just in case it's stuck. It wasn't. It dips down to 25. Hes not insane! But it seems like his coworker is.
"Gris..." Enjin growls.
"Hm? You want the radio up?"
Gris pretends to be oblivious. Is this a form of torture? edging? S&M? It feels like S&M, but Enjin will not be the token masochist in this prequel.
"This is a joke! You're joking! Fucking kidding!" Enjin slams his fist on the door.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Gris calmly replies, keeping his eyes locked on the road ahead.
Is this revenge? Was Gris really that annoyed seeing Enjin flirt? He literally signed up for this. Semiu probably fucking briefed him about his courting methods. And its not like Enjin was taunting him on purpose, even if he didn't need to spread his legs on the pool table that much. But that was for the ladies! To preview the package! Which ended up remaining undelivered and returned to sender at the mailing office, but that's a different topic.
Enjin stares at Gris. He cant be assed to argue with a wall he knows won't crumble. He knows that he was sent here to prevent exactly this, and out of the 3 things Enjin knows about Gris, its that he's damn good at his job.
A heaviness settles in Enjins temples. The vodka must be acting up. His blinks become slower, desperately trying to catch rest in the face of Enjin's stubborn alertness. Alertness, already hampered by the booze, he doesn't want to compromise further. He bites his lip to stifle a yawn and shifts his sights to the piles of trash moving outside their window, the driver being too still for his liking. He wants to provoke him. Wants him to rip off his stupid mask that he's worn again. Wants him to take what is his. But he isn't. Fuck, he isn't doing anything and it's driving Enjin crazy.
"You know... It coulda been anyone. But since it's you..."
The slow scenery moving like a silent film doesn't help. It was like everything on this stupid drive was orchestrated to get him to sleep. Like a lullaby, for problem children. He sneaks a glance at Gris. His focus is still stuck to the road, face annoyingly neutral. But the longer he stares, the longer his features warp into a figure he'd give anything to forget, a figure of anger and resentment. One that flares up nothing but bitter memories in Enjin. He turns back to the window.
"I thought you'd be something." Enjin mutters, eyes finally fluttering shut at the gentle waves of Gris' car lullaby.
...
Enjin's eyes blink open to a familiar but unwelcome ceiling. His head feels like a brick and his brain works overtime to realize he's back in his room, Umbreaker still in his arms. Once he's confirmed she's here, he lets himself relax only slightly. He turns and checks the clock on his nightstand. Half an hour past noon. On straining his ears, he can hear the bustle of HQ up and running, everyone returning to mess for lunch. He doesn't feel like stirring, now that he's awake there's a relentless throbbing in his head and his stomach is threatening to act up. Nothing out of the ordinary. Last he remembers, he was at the bar in Mint and... Well, the alcohol explains his stomach. But there's a strange gap in his memory from when he sat in the car-
Gris was there. He must've carried him back. Carried him after... He fell asleep? Counting back, he realizes that's the longest sleep he's had in- Ever, really. That too one without nightmares. Now that's a feat he didn't think his coworker's driving would've achieved. Enjin stares at the patchy grey ceiling, thumbing his thin blanket Gris probably put over him. That man is a natural caregiver. So much love to give, none for his own. Is it love he shares with Enjin? Its not something as stupid as pity. Gris is above that. He doesn't want to believe otherwise.
Theres a lot of things Enjin doesn't want to believe. He doesn't want to believe that he stayed asleep in a car with that guy, who he's only known for a day. He doesn't want to believe that he might form any sort of relationship with him. He doesn't want to believe he wants that man, in a way he's trying to not decipher further, in a way that will only bring him pain.
It's dangerous, how he can't get a read on him, lowering down all of Enjin's guards and allowing him to hurt him.
But Enjin has always been a selfish, reckless man.
Enjin wants out. He can't deal with low level missions anymore. Their staff has grown enough to take care of willy nilly reports from spooked townspeople that result in a couple of small trash beasts and no new information. Lucky for him, Boss seems to agree. He promises Enjin more responsibility, more control and an active role in his plans—In exchange for obedience. None of his reckless, flandery bullshit. Tough call, but you have to lose some to win some.
It'll be a while before Enjin's jobs are cut down, as promised, so he's stuck with regular cleaner work again today. Semiu rang about 15 minutes ago, and he made sure to reach her desk as slow as possible. Her call didn't seem urgent, but he'd be sure to apologize to all the supporters waiting on him. Reception comes into view and he's surprised but not surprised to see only one six foot four figure looming over it.
"-can take the job"
"Finally here are we?" Semiu's clear voice cuts through her and Gris' conversation, addressing Enjin without looking at him. He pretends not to notice the tense atmosphere he just parted through.
"'Ssup. Ready to go?" Enjin grabs the masks on the desk, when suddenly Semiu's hand shoots out and grabs his wrist.
"Hold on boy. I'm not letting you go just yet. Mind telling me what happened at your last mission together?" Semiu's voice is light, but firm enough to keep him fixed in place, if her hand wasn't already doing that. Enjin narrows his eyes. Gris submitted the post mission reports, and as far as he knows, everything was A-okay. Just peachy in fact.
To be completely honest, he hadn't seen head or tail of Gris after that night, about a week and a half ago. Which was surprising, because he seemed to really be the talk of the town. Gris became the most popular guy in HQ, right after the party his friends threw for a job well done. The party Enjin missed out on, due to being completely conked out in his room. But that was a long time ago. Maybe due to a lull in jobs, cleaners being as unpopular as ever, they never exchanged words outside of summons. Its not like he wanted to hang out 24/7, they had only ever talked for official work and if that's not there—then nothing was between them.
Semiu's eyes are still on him as he replies, picking his ear.
"Gris gave you the report didn't he?"
"He did. Nothing but compliments." Semiu replies. Gris pointedly stares at the magazines on her desk. Is he into that? "But right now, he's asking to switch." Gris doesn't seem to feel an ounce of shame as Semiu reveals his motivations. She continues.
"You know I thought I was so lucky that finally, Finally! Enjin would be outta my hair and into some wonderful strong hands-" Did she really have to put it that way? "-have to mess things up and—Enjin are you listening?" Enjin hums. "If you are, then tell me what the hell did you do when you went out."
It was unsettling seeing her so worked up. But fact was, Enjin remained innocent.
"Yeah, thing is, I didn't do anything. Why don't ya ask him? It's literally that guy who's throwing me under the bus." Enjin stares at Gris, who finally looks up from the plant pot and into his eyes.
Nothing. Enjin cannot read him. He really wishes he had Eyes right now just to find out what the fuck goes on in this man's head. One day he's the best partner one can ask for and the second he's more avoidant than an absent father.
"...I dont have a problem with it. I'll go with him. Sorry for making a fuss," Gris finally says. He's doing that thing again, where his words hold no emotion behind them.
"Really? Gris if its serious-" Semiu raises an eyebrow.
"Its alright. Although, could you please reschedule my test to the day after?" Test? Driving test. Right. He mentioned. He'd been taking his car out too, and honestly she's never looked better under Gris' care. If anyone deserves a limited company car, its this guy.
"Sure. But, I do trust ya, so you want the keys?"
"Let him have it." Gris smiles, nodding to Enjin.
"In the history of cleaners, you are the first one who is not snatching away- literally giving the keys of a car to drive, to this man."
"Again, don't talk about me like I'm not here! Mind you, I cut down the travel time like nobody can"
Semiu rolls her eyes affectionately, but Enjin only has his on Gris, to see his reaction. He watches him head out the doors without a word instead, and it takes every muscle in Enjin to not follow him without saying goodbye to Semiu. But Enjin knew she saw through him like glass, even without Eyes.
He didn't think it was possible but the ride is somehow even quieter than that day. Gris stares outside the window, not sparing a word nor glance towards Enjin. Fine. He doesn't need to. Play the docile passenger princess, Enjin doesn't care. He instead cranks up the radio as usual, playing rock music from a band called firecracka, loud enough to drown out the car's groans and rattles and his own thoughts.
They reach the outskirts of a polluted zone. Apparently frantic calls came first thing this morning, something about a haunted abandoned village on the edge of this area. It was probably just trashbeasts, but the caller didn't seem trustworthy at all according to Semiu, and thus she entrusted the investigation to Enjin. In her eyes he was the man for this strange job, and naturally Gris would accompany him to keep a rein on him. There's nothing to keep a rein on! Enjin is perfectly well suited to handle such lame tasks all on his own, and would do so a million times more efficiently without having to think of his damn partner all the time.
The abandoned town looms over them, but Enjin has more things to worry about them potential ghosts. He kicks a piece of junk in his way and turns random alleyways, uncaring what Gris is doing. He's probably checking every house and nook and cranny and doing his job like a good boy. Enjin feels like a child being irritated by this. He'd been getting along fine with him! Frankly, it's always been Gris putting the strain on their relationships, and now he suddenly wants to cut him off for no reason. Mind you, Enjin has been nothing but a good guy all this time, he's even taken everyone out for drinks on his tab that one time and he's like 92% sure Gris was there too. There is literally no reason to avoid such a nice guy like Enjin. He's been trying, and shouldn't that count for something?
But if anything's been hammered to him constantly by Corvus whole time he's been at cleaners, its to talk shit out. Communication is key to maintain healthy working and living environments. Even the little things. Honestly, Enjin isn't paid enough for it. But he means to do just that on this little trip if it would earn him one less person he likes who hates him for no reason. He turns a corner, intending to look for Gris- When suddenly he's face to face with the man in question himself, nearly knocking his head on his face.
"Are you mad at me?" He spits out instead of an apology, first thing on his mind. Gris doesnt seem surprised at their collision, nor at his outburst. Well, he was the one following Enjin.
"No."
"You are."
Our chests are way too close.
"I just think-" Gris takes a breath. "You'd be better suited with someone stronger." He looks away, but fails to hide his flush.
"You're kidding right? Is this a weird thing of yours—making me admit you're the strongest guy we have?"
"You need a giver."
"What?"
"I mean it. You don't have to pretend then."
Pretend what? Enjin does have a hunch, but he's not liking where it's leading him. It's leading him to a place filled with misunderstanding and hurt, all the things he doesn't want Gris to go through. But Gris seems determined to play into a nonsensical superstition.
Does he seriously think that Enjin doesn't care for people like he does? Umbreaker may be his soul, but that doesn't mean he's incapable of love or commitment or a healthy relationship or any of the things he runs from at night to hide in nameless bodies. He can easily love him he can cherish him too! For fucks sake, he already does!
Wait, since when did that-
"I don't fucking get you. You- You do all these things- save my ass and drive me around and say-"
"Because that's my job."
Yeah, and that job includes all the staring he's been doing lately despite supposedly ignoring him.
"Job that you suddenly don't want to do? What have I done to you man?"
"Nothing! Nothing at all! It's what I can't seem to fucking do for YOU." Gris practically yells the last word, making Enjin involuntarily take a step back.
Enjin racks his brain to think of any instant where he implied that Gris needs to earn his companionship.
"You've already done enough! I dont- I just wanna be friends!"
"No. You know you don't."
He knows.
He knows Enjin doesn't want to be his friend. Enjin wants more. He's always wanted more than he could reach for. He's just extremely bad at it and is constantly fucking up and shit he said something that night didn't he.
"Is this about when I was drunk? Sorry about whatever the fuck i said, I was drunk." His hand shot out and grabbed Gris' wrist, freezing him in place. "But please, man. I want you here. Don't go." Enjin pleads, voice cracking, ugly desperation slipping through his lips.
Why? Why was he this honest in his attempt to keep him from leaving? Why did he not want him to leave? It cant be just attraction—there was something deep inside of him, that ached for Gris' presence. Umbreaker knew it, he felt her urge to be held in his hands. Was it hers, or was it his own, he cannot distinguish. But the fact was, he realized, he needed him. The thought revolted him, more than all the thoughts focusing on Gris' hand and how they should be wrapped around his-
Gris only looks at him wistfully. He steps closer and peels his hand off, and Enjin mourns the loss of contact.
"I-"
"What a tragic little couple! Straight outta a movie!" A sharp voice cuts Gris off and Enjin nearly snaps his neck to look at where it came from.
"Better than one, Mikeh" A second voice cackles, sound echoing though the valley. Gris looked around frantically, trying to locate the other source but the voice seemed to circulate them in a way that made their bones rattle.
"Enjin, come on- we need to leave." Gris grabs his wrist and turns to go, but Enjin jerks his hand out of his grip, remaining fixed to his spot.
"What? I can take them on!" Umbreaker was active and practically jumping in his hands, itching to maim.
"They're raiders! You don't even know where they are! What their jinkis are!"
"-How can you tell?"
"I- Just come on!"
Enjin tries to wench his hand out of the one that just grabbed him again, but to his irritation, this time Gris was in his desk clamp mode. Next thing Enjin knows his lower half is practically flailing in the air as Gris runs for both of their damn lives.
("Huh? They said the umbrella one would fight?"
"He should've. They got him a persistent dog it seems. Wait, what are you doing here- GO AFTER THEM!"
"IM IN THE CAR FOR FUCKS SAKE! stupid fork ain't no use if it can't even show what's in front of your eyes..."
"SHUT UP!"
"MY REARVIEW JUST BROKE, YOU SHUT UP! NOW GET IN!")
"Get in! One of them's behind us!" Enjin's dropped in front of the passenger seat. He frowns, confused.
"I can dri-"
"Just get in goddamnit!" Gris' voice has raised, and Enjin would be lying if he said he didn't like it. It fires up something in him too, somewhere much lower.
"Why are we running away?! You know I can take them in a second!" Enjin slams the door, Gris hardly flinches.
"Because you aren't supposed to deal with other givers yet!
"...What?"
"Seatbelt!"
"What does it matter-!"
"Boss told me! He told me to stop you now, he has plans for you! Now put on your seatbelt or so help me-"
Enjin buckles in, fingers fumbling at the junction. The boss told him to not pick any fights? What the hell does he want? He's never stopped him before. Hell, He's never told anyone else to stop him before.
Suddenly- Enjin is thrown back, completely plastered to his seat. The windows rattle and his car's engine sputters as Gris fucking slams the accelerator, surrounding area turning into a horizontal blur of grey. He feels the pressure of the sudden increase in speed acting up on his abdomen and he has never been more grateful to skip a meal before he arrived here. Gris drifts into a reverse U-turn and it's a miracle he doesn't crash into one of the houses as they exit.
They hit a ramp- Or Gris makes them hit a ramp- and if Enjin's seatbelt didn't have him glued to the seat, he'd be 50 meters in the air and then some. The car itself however- Enjin swears it flew, just like how he'd drive her off a cliff. But there was no cliff, only that ramp, which he later registered was nothing but a sheet of tin. His brain could barely form thoughts as it struggled to function against the sheer inertia of the car—head, chest, body, penis throbbing under the force.
Enjin has to strain his neck against the motion to look at his Gris. Gris the driver who's so deeply focused on the road, eyebrows furrowed, gaze filled with fury at nothing Enjin can figure out. A practiced turn of the steering wheel- a routine shift of the gear stick, only going up the numbers. He spares a glance at the speedometer. Its gone past it's limit, and seems to be stuck there. Enjin reaches out, hand shaking, and knocks on the thing, just in case. It shifts forward.
Holy balls he is so goddamn turned on right now.
His pants seem to only tighten around him as he grows harder by the millisecond. It's downright painful, but he shifts to try to make room. When his body rejects any kind of movement to oppose Gris' driving, he settles to instead try find respite. He very well can't shove his hand down his pants and rub one out, so he tries to—very unsuccessfully—get it out against his seat. The car rumbles like a washing machine and he couldn't be more thankful for the vibrations, providing him some shameful relief. He finds himself discovering things about himself and cars that he cannot explain without sounding more insane than a giver. It's definitely the Gris effect.
"-njin! Can you defend? I think they've got something ranged!"
Gris' voice snaps him back to reality. His eyes flicker once to Enjin to see if he heard. Enjin did, ohh he did. Shit, does he seriously have to fight with a fucking boner? He really hopes not, but a stiff head turn shows that indeed one of the raiders behind them has a harpoon that they are definitely aiming here. Enjin doesn't need to be told twice as he unbuckles his seatbelt and climbs out his window, trying to keep a steady grip on the ledge so he doesn't get fucking thrown off. Definitely not as easy as the movies make it seem, Enjin grumbles. His dick still sits uncomfortably, and even more so now that it's trying to not get blown off of his nutsack.
Suddenly, he hears a click and opens Umbreaker just in time to block it—Spinning her to ensure the sharp end bounces completely off. The raider holding it doesn't realize that it didn't land on the car and gets pulled to the sidelines, straight into a pile of trash. Enjin watches the whole thing amusedly. Unfortunately, for how easily the other guy got taken out, his partner just seemed to get hotter on their trail, closing the distance rapidly. Seriously what do these guys want?
As much as he wants to jump off and get rid of them too, he decides his job is done here, seeing how he actually isn't supposed to fight apparently. He decides to let Gris take the reins for their victory as he climbs back in through the window, trying to not fall off as their driver expertly swerves between open spaces, trying to throw their pursuer off. Honestly, if it was Enjin, he woulda given up by now. Its a 2 vs 1, and there's no way anyone's winning in a car chase against this guy, F9 skills coming in reaaal handy.
Gris is still torturing the accelerator and wheel like they owe him money, and Enjin's dick isn't getting any softer watching him do that. He suddenly takes a sharp turn and Enjin is nearly thrown out of the window again as he's painfully reminded to wear his seatbelt. The blood rushes to his head and he seriously has to take a moment to calm down his heart. Moments pass in a frenzy, everything around him blurry and dizzying. The only thing keeping him grounded is his painful, unquelled erection. Sweet Canis, he's never had one this- this irritatingly big before. He's at full mast without a hoister and the sights around him aren't helping in any way at all.
Enjin needs a distraction, fast. His hands are T minus 4 from shoving his pants down and getting it off against his driver and he can't have that, for fucks sake he barely just fixed their relationship! Instead, he remembers his best friend in the great big ground and messes around in his pockets. He grabs his cigarettes and lighter, fumbling to get one out and light it. The first hit of nicotine is more than welcome, and it feels like he can finally think straight.
He leans his head back, and now he can truly enjoy the ride. As much as his painful erection would allow him atleast. All passing of time is warped in that car, and Enjin barely registers when they lost the other raider. He only does so when he sees Gris visibly relax in his seat, leaning back against the headrest. But their car hasn't slowed down. If anything, its kept that insane off the charts speed—Gris has kept the pace steady across all the crazy turns he's been taking the entire journey. Speaking of actually, Enjin has no clue whatsoever where they are and where they're going, but he finds really wouldn't mind driving off into infinity with him. Or off a cliff. He's heard this thing called a double suicide is trending these days.
An unknown amount of time passes by, and out of nowhere the movement stops, making Enjin jerk forward, even if it wasn't a sharp break.
"We're here."
"Hm?" Enjin opens his eyes. Sure enough, they're right in front of HQ, front gate and all.
"Shit! Nice!" He fumbles with his seatbelt again, and hops out of the car with Umbreaker hooked on his arm.
Normally he'd be disappointed that his ride is cut short, but he perks up on the prospect of sweet relief from his dick. Honestly he's impressed at his own tenacity to not reach over and absolutely ruin Gris to quell his hard on. Enjin needs to take care of it fast, and get Gris to answer all of his questions about earlier before the man decides he's had enough and transfers to the south branch. He runs 5 steps, before turning back and reaching the car window, commanding right through it to the drivers seat.
"Now you'll go and park my car, meet me in the mess hall in 10 and tell me everything that boss told you not to tell me. Got it?"
Gris raises an eyebrow, but there's a quirk of the corner of his lips that makes Enjin grin back.
"Guessing that means a yes. SEE YA!" He turns back and dashes through the doors, running past the reception desk and into the nearest restroom. If Semiu saw anything, no she didn't.