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Team akuta had come back from a tiring mission an hour ago. They’d fought against 3 huge trash beasts and gained a few new cuts and bruises, (maybe a broken bone or two on Rudo) but that’s nothing Eishia couldn’t fix.
He really aught to get that girl something to thank her for her troubles. Maybe tomorrow.
It’s afternoon now and the few cleaners who weren’t out on a mission were either resting or enjoying their downtime.
No one needed him at the moment so Enjin decided to treat himself to a well deserved nap.
Walking into the mess hall he threw himself down on one of the couches , landing with a light thump. After his team had gotten back to headquarters, they all parted ways to go do their own things — Rudo was the first to zip out of the car and into the building, followed by Zanka who was muttering about some gunk on his jinki. No one knows where Riyo went, but if Enjin had to guess, she probably slipped away to her room.
He had no reason to worry about his kids, they were safe at HQ and out of trouble — potentially.
Enjin let out a little snicker, closing his eyes and stretching his body across the furniture, crossing his arms behind his head and making sure to take up every inch. It’s not like anyone would want to sit on this very specific couch when there were two more in the room.
He was just about to drift off when he felt the cushions by his feet dip, making him peek an eye open.
It was Rudo. The little brat who was so insistent on fighting even after taking a punch to the face just an hour ago. The same Rudo who bickered with Zanka all the way back to HQ in the car. The very same Rudo who was now sat with Enjin, looking smaller than he’s ever seen him.
He didn’t say anything, just sat there with his hands in his lap — his gloved fingers twitching every now and then. Enjin was used to Rudo’s silence by now, it was never a bad kind of silence, never an ounce of judgment or sourness. If anything it was comfortable.
He was just the sweetest kid even when he didn’t mean to be.
“Rudo? Ya need somethin’ kiddo?” Enjin questioned as he sat up, making some space for the kid to actually take up space on the couch. Although he didn’t move from the edge.
The teen didn’t respond right away, he just fidgeted with the cuffs of his gloves as if the fabric would just disappear in front of him. “I just…I just didn’t want to be alone,” sounding absent as he spoke, “My room felt too cold to be in.” Rudo continued. Enjin just looked at the boy with a smile. It warmed his heart that he was the person Rudo chose to come to when he needed someone. He knew Rudo tried to fake how he felt sometimes, trying to sound unaffected even when his wary glances toward Enjin gave away how nervous he really felt.
It honestly felt a little comical, he never thought needy kids would depend on him. In fact, he hated the idea, but his kids? He would fulfill every one of their needs. Even if they came from broken families or harsh pasts. Hell, even from the sky. That’s just what a good team leader does.
“Well you’re not alone anymore, c’mere I got you.” He answered, tugging at the sleeve of Rudo’s hoodie. He may have accidentally tugged a bit too hard by the squeak Rudo let out. “Oops, sorry!” “You’re not sorry at all you prick!” “Yeah you’re right.”
They bickered for a bit over the rough treatment, well, Rudo did — Enjin just cackled the angrier Rudo got. Eventually, Enjin was able to pull Rudo closer to him and settle the boy, letting him curl his small body into his.
It was quiet for a bit after that. The only sounds in the room were Rudo’s quiet huffs and the sound of Enjin’s watch ticking on his wrist. It was comfortable, so comfortable that Enjin could nuzzle into Rudo’s disheveled hair. It smelled of the shampoo Zanka had not so kindly gifted Rudo after a he went digging through trash for trinkets, and faintly of rust. It reminded him of those weird blends of smells you’d find in an antique shop, weird, but not unpleasant.
“Y’know,” Enjin started, “ever since I found you our lives have gotten so much more chaotic.” Rudo tensed at that, hiding his face in between Enjin’s shoulder. “M’sorry..” the teen murmured, it was muffled but Enjin heard it loud and clear. “Don’t be,” he huffed out a laugh, “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to have another ball of energy around until you came along.” He squeezed Rudo tightly in a hug and nuzzled his cheek in Rudo’s hair to get his point across, earning a disgruntled grumble from Rudo, though he made no move to pull away.
“I just needed to hang out with someone, not be babied…” He growled out. “If you didn’t wanna be babied then stop acting so baby like.” Enjin teased. He got a single hum im response so Enjin assumed Rudo felt tired. “Why don’t we take a nap together? Today’s been a long day.” Enjin offered, though Rudo was already dozing off in his arms.
Enjin’s expression softened and he looked down at Rudo’s sleepy face with a smile. Careful with his movements, he maneuvered both of them into a more comfortable position on the couch, with laying nestled between the cushions and Enjin. “Sweet dreams fireball.”
Enjin would happily be Rudo’s someone if it meant comforting his kid.