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Enjin hadn’t seen her before, of that much, he was certain. For as many faces as he came across in the city, hers would’ve stuck. There was something about it, not prettiness in the usual sense, but a pull, the kind that slipped under the skin before you even noticed.
The place was loud, the air thick with heat, laughter, and the sour-sweet sting of cheap liquor. Someone had hung up broken bulbs strung together from scavenged wire, throwing shifting amber light across the room. Metal clanged somewhere in the background to the rhythm of an improvised beat.
Enjin leaned against a dented support beam, a half-empty glass dangling from his fingers, pretending to listen while Zanka rambled about a scout mission gone wrong.
“…and the bastard still had the nerve to say it was his find.” Zanka was saying, waving his drink dangerously close to Enjin’s sleeve. “You believe that?”
Enjin chuckled lowly, eyes not really on him. “Yeah, sure.” He muttered, scanning the crowd again.
She was across the room, near one of the makeshift tables cluttered with bottles and old machine parts. The laughter from her group was softer, less forced. She didn’t seem drunk, just… comfortable. Out of place, maybe, but not lost.
Riyo followed Enjin’s gaze and smirked, nudging him with an elbow. “You’re staring again.” She teased, voice slurred just enough to give her away.
“Didn’t realize I was.” Enjin said, though he didn’t bother to deny it properly.
Riyo caught him mid-glance and leaned closer, grinning over the rim of her glass. “That’s the fourth time tonight.” She said, voice low enough to cut through the noise. “You really that interested in her, or just bored?”
Enjin didn’t bother to look at her right away. He swirled the liquid in his cup, watching it catch the light before taking a slow sip.
“Does it matter?” He said finally, tone lazy.
“Oh, it does.” Riyo teased, tilting her head toward you. “Can’t remember the last time you looked at someone that long without saying a word.”
Enjin let out a quiet chuckle, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Maybe I’m just enjoying the view.”
Riyo snorted. “Sure. Whatever you say.”
He turned his gaze back to her across the room, steady, unhurried. “Shut up.” He murmured, just loud enough for her to hear.
“I’ve seen her face a couple times.” Riyo added. “She’s the new tech from the scrapyard near Section Nine, started helping out last month. Knows her stuff, from what I’ve seen.”
“Tech girl, huh?” Zanka grinned. “Explains why she looks so clean for this dump.”
“Too clean.” Riyo echoed with a laugh. “That won’t last long.”
Enjin tilted his head slightly, a corner of his mouth quirking up. “You talk like she’s not one of us.”
“Didn’t say that.” Riyo shrugged, raising her cup. “Just saying, she’s got that look, like she knows what the sky looks like.”
He hummed under his breath, eyes flicking back toward her. The flickering lights caught the faint sheen of sweat on her collarbone, the curve of her mouth when she smiled at someone’s joke. It was… distracting.
Zanka followed his gaze and snorted. “If you’re gonna stare holes, might as well talk to her, man.”
“Not my thing.” Enjin replied easily, but his tone said otherwise.
“Not your thing?” Riyo laughed, incredulous. “You? Come on. You’d flirt with anyone with enough alcohol in your body.”
He downed the rest of his drink, the burn sharp down his throat. “That’s different.”
Riyo exchanged a knowing look with Zanka and smirked. “Right, sure. Totally different.”
They drifted back into conversation, but Enjin only half listened. Every so often, her eyes met his, fleeting, uncertain at first, then deliberate. She didn’t look away quickly enough for it to be an accident. There was something in her gaze that didn’t shrink under his, something steady. It pulled at him in a way he couldn’t quite name.
A voice crackled over the old speakers, someone announcing the start of another round of bets, laughter erupting again. The noise pressed in, too thick, too restless.
Enjin set his empty glass down on the nearest surface. “I’m going for a smoke.” He said, mostly to no one.
“Outside?” Zanka asked, though he already knew the answer.
Enjin nodded once, the corner of his mouth twitching in what could almost be a grin. “Yeah. Need some air before this place collapses under its own smell.”
Riyo raised her brows, playful suspicion coloring her tone. “Or maybe you’re hoping someone follows you out?”
He ignored her, shoving his hands into his coat pockets as he pushed through the crowd. There was something about the contrast, the cold air biting at his skin, the hot smoke crawling down his throat, that made it worth it.
The night wrapped around him, sharp and crisp, carrying the faint scent of iron and damp earth. From inside, the music thumped, laughter and shouting weaving through the walls, a distant storm of sound he could still feel in his chest.
He inhaled deeply, letting the cool air fill his lungs, then drew the cigarette from the pack, rolling it between his fingers before lighting it. The first drag burned, acrid and sweet, mixing with the scent of his own sweat and leather, curling into the night like a visible pulse.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel behind him, two or three figures stumbling out into the dark, likely drunk, already halfway lost to the streets beyond the city. He didn’t spare them a glance, too occupied with the subtle thrill of the empty space around him, the calm before chaos.
And then he noticed her.
She lingered at the edge of the doorway, not far but far enough to make him move his head. She wasn’t trying to hide, she didn’t look like the type, but there was caution in her posture, a self-awareness that sharpened the curve of her shoulders under the dim streetlight.
Enjin’s fingers tightened briefly on the cigarette. He studied her from a distance, noticing the way her eyes caught the light, the soft tilt of her head as she scanned the empty night. His mind, unusually quiet, flicked through fragmented thoughts.
She’s… different, not just another face in the pile of scavengers and survivors, she moves like she knows where she belongs, even here.
He stepped forward, each movement measured, deliberate. The gravel whispered under his boots as he closed the distance. She lifted her gaze from her drink as he approached, their eyes locking: golden, magnetic, almost predatory in their calm intensity. She was alert now, a slight tension in her jaw, but not fear.
He extended the cigarette toward her, tilting the pack casually. “Want one?” His voice was low, easy, carrying a teasing edge that didn’t mask his curiosity.
Her hand rose quickly, flat and firm. “No, thanks. I don’t smoke.” She said, sipping from her cup. “Just needed a breath before heading back in.”
Enjin shrugged, tucking the pack away. He leaned against the wall next to her, the side of his jacket brushing against her arm just enough to be felt without touching. She watched him for a moment, then turned her attention back to her drink, swirling it lightly.
The night was not quiet. If it weren’t for the muffled chaos inside, the silence outside would have been broken by the occasional creak of a metal shutter, the distant drip of water from a leaky pipe, or the hum of a generator somewhere beyond the shadows.
Enjin’s eyes flicked toward the darkness beyond the doorway, then back to her. “They told me you work on tech stuff, right?” He asked casually, though his gaze lingered. “Riyo mentioned you’ve been helping out in Section Nine.”
She lifted a brow, surprised but not offended. “I do, just helping with repairs and maintenance. Nothing exciting.”
“Nothing exciting...” He repeated, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Right, I’m sure it keeps you busy.”
A brief silence settled between them, filled with the occasional hiss of his cigarette, the faint rustle of wind, and the muted pulse of the party inside. Enjin leaned back a little, exhaling smoke into the air, and felt the rare, unspoken curiosity that this one person sparked, a quiet, insistent tug he wasn’t used to noticing.
“You always stand out here staring at people? Or you just weird?” She asked finally, voice casual but edged with curiosity.
Enjin glanced sideways, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Only when they make it worth staring.”
That earned her a quiet laugh, the kind that slipped out before she could stop it. The tension between them didn’t fade, it just shifted, warmer now, less sharp.
He took another drag from his cigarette, the ember flaring briefly, then dimming as smoke curled into the air. “You’re the quiet type uh?” He said after a moment, voice low and unhurried.
“I’m reserved.” She corrected. “And you strike me as the kind of guy who thinks everyone likes him right away.”
He grinned, slow and easy. “Can’t help it if they usually do.”
“Mm.” She said, the smallest smirk ghosting across her lips. “Confidence looks good on you. Arrogance, not so much.”
Enjin laughed under his breath, a warm sound. “Guess I’ll try to keep it balanced then.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.” She said, tilting her head, eyes glinting in the low light.
For a second, neither spoke. The air between them tightened, humming with something neither of them seemed in a hurry to name. Enjin flicked the last of his cigarette away, the tiny spark dying in the dark.
“You’re actually trouble, aren’t you?” She said finally, the corner of his mouth curling up.
He smiled, slow, deliberate, teasing. “Takes one to know one.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “So that’s your tactic, huh?”
“Maybe.” He admitted, tilting the cigarette toward her just slightly. “Does it work?”
She feigned a moment of thought, then raised a brow. “I’ll have to see, depends on the person, I guess. But not a big fan of the smoking.”
“That so?” He leaned against the wall beside her, shoulders almost touching now. “Lucky for me, I’m more than just a smoker.”
Her eyes flicked to his face, then away, a faint blush warming her cheeks despite the chill of the night. “Oh, really? Do tell.”
“Not everything’s for telling.” He murmured, voice low and teasing. He exhaled slowly, letting the smoke drift over her hand that still clutched her cup. “Some things are better shown.”
She gave him a look, half challenge, half amusement. “I bet that line works on most of the girls you flirt with.”
Enjin’s smile was slow, confident, and just slightly dangerous. “You’re… different somehow.” His gaze lingered on her eyes, then down to her hands, the way she held herself, poised yet unyielding. “And I like that.”
She took another sip from her cup, pretending to be unconcerned, though her hand trembled slightly. “Careful.” She said lightly. “I might start thinking you actually mean that.”
“I’m counting on it.” He said, letting the words linger between them like a spark. The warmth of his jacket pressed subtly against her side, the smoke and cold mixing in the night air, creating an electric tension neither of them wanted to break.
She tilted her head back, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re a smooth talker, I’ll give you that.” She said, lips curving into a half-smile. “But my friends are probably wondering where I disappeared to.”
His gaze lingered, a flicker of surprise passing over his expression. “Already?”
“Yes, and unlike you, I don’t have the luxury of loitering outside.” She said lightly, stepping back, keeping the distance just enough to remind him of the unspoken boundary.
Enjin watched her for a moment, the cigarette burning down between his fingers. He didn’t move, didn’t reach out. Her feet crunched softly on the gravel as she headed back toward the door.
“You’ll be… back?” He asked, though the question was more teasing than hopeful.
She glanced over her shoulder, that half-smile still lingering, and disappeared inside, leaving the door slightly ajar, the hum of the party spilling into the night. Enjin exhaled, letting the last wisp of smoke escape between his lips before tapping the cigarette against the wall and crushing it under his boot.
The night seemed colder now, quieter, yet charged with the promise of something that had almost started, almost, but not quite. He straightened, shoulders squared, and pushed himself away from the wall, watching the door swing gently as she disappeared back into the chaos of the party.
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The Cleaner’s Headquarters was unusually quiet that afternoon, a rare lull after several days of non-stop noise and metal clatter. Riyo sat cross-legged on a table, cleaning her scissors with lazy precision, the smell of oil and smoke lingering in the air. Enjin leaned nearby, cigarette hanging loosely between his fingers, eyes half-lidded as he stared into nothing in particular.
She didn’t even have to look at him to notice something was off. He’d been quieter than usual, and Enjin quiet was never a good sign.
“So…” Riyo started, glancing at him with a smirk. “Are you gonna tell me what’s been eating you, or do I have to guess?”
Enjin exhaled a thin cloud of smoke. “You’re always guessing. Might as well keep the tradition.”
“Oh, don’t tempt me.” She drawled, assembling her weapon piece by piece. “Because I know it has something to do with a certain party. And about you, looking like you were ready to eat some poor girl alive.”
Enjin’s lips twitched into the faintest smirk. “Bull’s eye, huh.”
Riyo turned her head toward him, eyes gleaming. “So how did it go, you managed to meet her?.”
He didn’t answer right away. He took another drag from his cigarette, eyes flicking up toward the dim light above. “Met? Sure, spoke to? Not much.”
Riyo blinked. “Wait, not much?” She stared at him like he’d grown a second head. “You’re telling me you saw a girl that got your attention, which, let’s be honest, almost never happens, and you just let her walk away?”
Enjin shrugged, the movement lazy, almost defensive. “Sometimes things don’t go the way you expect.”
Riyo groaned dramatically, leaning back on her hands. “You’ve got to be kidding me. What, did she turn you down?”
“Didn’t exactly give me the chance to find out.” He flicked ash off the end of his cigarette. “She said her friends were waiting and just left.”
For a second, Riyo just stared at him in disbelief before breaking into laughter. “Oh, that’s rich. The great Enjin, killer smile, sharp tongue, brought down by a girl who wanted nothing to do with him.”
He shot her a look that was half glare, half amusement. “You done?”
“Not even close.” She smirked, pointing the tip of her gun at him like she was scolding a child. “Let me get this straight, she walks away, you don’t go after her, and now you’re sulking about it instead of doing something?”
“I’m not sulking...” He said flatly, though the tone of his voice betrayed just enough irritation to make her grin wider.
“Sure...” She said. “Whatever you say.”
He sighed, rubbing his neck. “She… wasn’t like the usual ones, alright? Didn’t bite at the first line, kept her cool.”
Riyo leaned forward, interest piqued. “So she wasn’t impressed by your usual crap?”
He smirked faintly. “Didn’t slap me, at least. Which is saying something.”
Riyo laughed outright. “Oh, please. Knowing you and the nonsense you say half the time, that means she’s interested.”
He tilted his head, amused. “That’s your logic?”
“It’s called reading people, genius.” She shot back. “If she wasn’t into it, you’d be nursing a handprint on your face. The fact that she let you talk at all, hell, that she didn’t tell you to get lost, means she’s at least curious.”
Enjin raised a brow, flicking the butt of his cigarette into a nearby scrap pile. “You’re basing this on what, exactly?”
Riyo gave him a knowing grin. “On the fact that I’ve seen you flirt your way through more bars than I can count, and this is the first time you’ve looked like someone actually got under your skin.”
He huffed a laugh, trying to sound dismissive, but there was a flicker of honesty in his expression. “You’re overthinking it.”
“Am I?” She teased. “Because if I were you, I’d stop brooding here and go find her. You know she works in Sector Nine, right?”
Enjin frowned slightly. “Yeah, why?”
Riyo rolled her eyes, sliding her scissors into her holster and hopping off the table. “You just walk around thinking the world revolves around you. News flash, Enjin, if you actually like this one, maybe do something about it before someone else does.”
He smirked at that, but his tone softened slightly. He tilted his head, amusement flashing in his golden eyes. “You really think she wants to see me again?”
Riyo grinned. “Oh, I know she does. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
Enjin let out a low laugh, running a hand through his hair. “You make it sound so easy.”
“Because it is.” She said with a shrug, already turning toward the door. “Now quit wasting my time and go make a fool of yourself somewhere productive.”
He called after her, smirking. “You’re a real pain, you know that?”
Riyo shot him a grin over her shoulder. “And that’s why you like me so much.”
As she disappeared down the hallway, Enjin leaned back against the workbench, thinking. The faint trace of smoke still lingered on his jacket. Maybe Riyo was right. Maybe this was one of those rare chances that didn’t come twice.
He glanced toward the exit, toward the direction of the mechanics’ sector, and smiled to himself.
“Guess I’ve got some business to take care of.”
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The next day, the city hummed with the usual chaos, engines sputtering, metal clanging, sparks flying from welders in the mechanic zone. Enjin’s boots crunched over scattered scrap as he made his way toward the area where the tech crews worked. He wasn’t exactly supposed to be here, the excuse in his mind was flimsy at best.
She was there, crouched over a panel, sleeves rolled up, the soft glow of the overhead lamp catching the sharp angles of her face. Her uniform clung just enough to suggest form without giving too much away, smudged in places with grease and dust, a mess that somehow made her look more alive.
Enjin stopped a few feet away, leaning casually against a support beam, letting his gaze wander just long enough for her to notice.
“Fancy seeing you here.” She said, straightening, wiping her hands on a rag. Her voice carried a mix of surprise and skepticism. “What are you doing in the middle of the mechanic zone?”
“Business.” He replied easily, shrugging. “I need to talk to one of the engineers about… maintenance. Some issue with the cleaners’ base.” He let the words trail off, letting the vagueness do the work for him.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she tilted her head, clearly not buying it. “Really? The cleaners’ base?” Her tone was skeptical, but there was a faint curve of amusement in her lips.
Enjin stepped a bit closer, just enough to close some of the distance without breaking her space. “Well, just following orders from the boss.” He said, low and smooth.
She crossed her arms, trying to look authoritative, but her posture betrayed the tension that twitched just under the surface. “Uh-huh. And I suppose you always show up where the workers are instead of talking to the head chief?”
“I was only passing by on my way...” He said, letting his gaze drift down her uniform before flicking back up to her eyes. “And I have to admit… the uniform suits you.”
Her eyes widened fractionally, but she quickly masked it with a laugh that was equal parts disbelieving and teasing. “Oh, really?”
Enjin smirked, letting a faint chuckle escape, his eyes sparkled in the dim glow of the workshop lights. “I’m a firm believer in pushing the limits… carefully.”
She exhaled softly, leaning slightly against the table beside her, arms uncrossing just enough to show she wasn’t entirely closed off. “So what now? You’re going to pretend you need to talk to someone while you’re really just… hanging around me?”
“Maybe...” He said, tilting his head again, letting the corner of his mouth twitch into a knowing smirk. “But maybe I have real business too. Who can say?”
Her eyes narrowed playfully. “Right… Bet you just looked for an excuse to come talk to me.”
Enjin let a low laugh rumble from his chest, leaning back against the beam, eyes never leaving hers. “You noticed. Good, it’s not often someone catches that.”
Her lips quirked into a half-smile, the amusement mingling with something sharper, a spark that made the tension between them almost tangible. “You’re starting to sound like you’re flirting.”
He grinned, eyes glinting gold in the harsh workshop light, voice smooth. “You just noticed?”
For a moment, the world shrank to the small space between them: the hum of machines, the faint smell of oil and smoke, the quiet pulse of unspoken interest. She looked at him, trying not to betray how her chest had tightened, how her gaze lingered on him longer than she intended.
Finally, she straightened fully, giving him a quick, measured smile. “I need to leave and check some machines in the underground tunnels.”
Enjin’s grin faltered just slightly, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his face. “So soon?”
“Yes.” She said lightly, picking up a small tool from the bench. “Don’t wait up. Better attend to your ‘business’.”
She turned back toward the main corridor, her footsteps echoing in the metal-framed workshop. Enjin watched her go, and then he straightened, muscles tensing just enough to remind himself that this game, teasing, circling, pushing boundaries, had only just begun.
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The city was restless, alive in its own strange rhythm. The air smelled faintly of oil, dust, and ozone, heavy with the echoes of machinery from the nearby workshops. The evening light bled through the metal slats of old buildings, casting stripes of gold and copper across the cracked streets.
She moved through the crowd with practiced ease, a canvas bag hanging from one arm, groceries, spare parts, and a few things she’d traded for earlier in the day. She’d just finished her errands and was turning toward home when a gentle tap landed on her shoulder.
She turned, cautious at first, until she saw that familiar grin.
“Well, if it isn’t fate giving me another chance.” Enjin said, voice smooth as ever.
He stood there with that usual air of lazy confidence, hands shoved in his pockets, the light caught his hair in shades of fire and gold, and his grin was unmistakably trouble.
“Fate, huh?” She said, arching a brow. “That’s one word for it. Don’t tell me you’ve got business on this side of town, too.”
He chuckled softly. “Actually yes, I was looking for some tools, the kind you can only find here. Quality stuff, if you know where to ask.”
“Right.” She said, unconvinced.
“Hey.” He replied with mock offense. “A man’s got to keep his hands busy somehow.”
She gave him a look, deadpan. “You really don’t hear yourself sometimes, do you?”
That earned her a laugh, low and genuine this time. He tilted his head toward a nearby vending machine humming quietly beside a shop entrance. “Tell you what. Let me buy you a drink and you can scold me all you want while we sit down. Fair trade, no?”
She hesitated for a second, then sighed softly, a smile tugging at her lips. “Fine. If you’re paying.”
“Of course, I’m a gentleman.” He said, slipping a few coins into the machine. He got two cans, one of some vaguely citrus soda that had seen better branding days, and handed one to her.
They sat on a bench nearby, a patch of quiet in the middle of the noisy street. The hum of the city filled the pauses, conversations, the distant hiss of welding torches, the occasional laughter echoing from somewhere behind them.
For a moment, neither spoke. It wasn’t an awkward silence, though, just… calm.
“So…” Enjin said finally, cracking his can open. “You always run your errands solo?”
She took a sip before answering. “Usually, it’s easier that way. People slow you down.”
He smirked. “I don’t know. I’ve been told I make great company.”
She shot him a dry look. “By who? Yourself?”
He chuckled, leaning back on the bench. “Sometimes I have to remind myself.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “You really don’t stop, do you?” He looked at her from the corner of his eye, smile fading just slightly into something quieter.
He shrugged. “There’s a lot of noise in what I do. Sometimes it’s easier to keep talking than to start thinking.”
She tilted her head. “You mean your work with the cleaners?”
“Yeah...” He swirled the can absently in his hand, eyes fixed on the street ahead. “People think it’s all chaos and adrenaline, but when you’re alone in the middle of the filth, you kinda miss someone to talk to.”
She studied him for a moment, catching a glimpse of something beneath the bravado. “Sounds lonely.” She said quietly.
He glanced at her, surprised by the honesty of her tone. “Only sometimes. It’s usually very lively though.” He said, then, after a pause continued. “What about you? Enjoying the work at the workshop?”
She exhaled slowly, looking at the can in her hands. “Honestly?”
“Always.” He said softly.
“I’m just… looking for a place to belong.” She admitted. “I’ve been through half the world, working, trading, fixing things, never staying long. I thought maybe this place would be different. Maybe I could build something here… something that lasts.”
He was silent for a long moment, watching her as the streetlights flickered on, one by one. The last rays of sunlight caught her face, and for once, she wasn’t guarded, just tired, maybe a little hopeful.
“Sounds like a hard thing to find.” He said.
“Yeah…” She murmured. “But worth the search.”
Enjin’s smile softened, and for once, there was no teasing behind it. “You know.” He said. “Sometimes it’s more about who you’re standing next to, rather than the place.”
She glanced sideways at him, eyes narrowing slightly but with a small smile tugging at her lips. “That supposed to be another one of your lines?”
He grinned. “Only if it worked.”
She laughed quietly, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“Persistent.” He corrected.
They sat like that for a while, not talking much, just watching the city breathe around them. The mechanical hums, the flicker of neon, the faint metallic tang in the air, it was strangely peaceful.
Eventually, she stood, brushing dust from her shorts. “I should get going, it’s getting late.”
Enjin stood too, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Want me to walk you home?”
She looked at him, eyes thoughtful. “If fate wants us to meet again, maybe next time.” She said with a soft smile.
And before he could reply, she turned and disappeared into the flow of the crowd, her jacket brushing against a passerby, her silhouette fading beneath the flickering lights.
Enjin watched her go, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He shook his head, chuckling under his breath.
“Guess fate’s got good taste.”
He tossed the empty can into a bin, hands in his pockets, and walked off in the opposite direction, but the smile never left his face.
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The base was quiet that afternoon, the hum of machinery and distant chatter echoing faintly through the halls. Enjin sat in a corner of the common area, arms crossed, jaw tight, staring blankly at the floor. Every so often, he let out a low, frustrated sigh that seemed louder than it should have been.
In the adjacent table, Gris and Riyo were talking softly, leaning against a workbench, the faint scent of oil and cleaning chemicals hanging in the air.
“That sigh again.” Gris said, raising an eyebrow. “What’s going on with him now?”
Riyo rolled her eyes, smirking. “He’s been like this for days. Haven’t heard from the girl he’s interested in. Yesterday you could practically see the frustration boiling over when he was cleaning the trade route of monsters.”
Gris frowned. “So… he’s in a bad mood because of her?”
Riyo nodded knowingly. “Exactly. Classic Enjin.”
From his spot across the hall, Enjin finally spoke, voice sharp enough to cut through the hum of the base. “I am not frustrated.”
Riyo smirked, tilting her head. “Uh-huh. Sure. You know, maybe if you had actually made a move when you had the chance, you wouldn’t be sitting there like some sulking idiot right now. She could be halfway to another city by now.”
Enjin’s head snapped up, eyes narrowing. “Stop acting like you know everything.”
“Oh, come on.” Riyo shot back, arms crossed, smirk still in place. “You make it so obvious when you care about someone, and now you’re whining about it. I’m just pointing it out.”
“I’m not whining.” He snapped, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed him.
“You’re sulking.” She countered. “Face it.”
Enjin opened his mouth to reply, then paused, realizing Gris was watching them with a bemused expression. Gris decided to intervene, trying to diffuse the tension.
“So… guess you’re not going to the party tonight at the scrapyard complex?” Gris asked casually, leaning on the edge of the workbench.
Enjin let out a derisive laugh. “No, not interested.”
“Come on.” Riyo said, rolling her eyes. “You’ve been brooding all week. You need to get out of here for a bit. Who knows, you might even have fun.”
“I highly doubt that,” He muttered, though a corner of his mouth twitched.
“You might.” Riyo insisted, stepping closer. “Even you can’t resist a little distraction, better than staying here and looking at the ceiling while you whine.”
He groaned, running a hand through his hair, clearly torn between annoyance and curiosity. After a moment, he finally said, “Fine. I’ll go… but only because I have no other plan.”
Riyo grinned triumphantly. “That’s the spirit.”
Enjin shot them both a glare, but it lacked real venom. “Just… don’t expect me to enjoy myself too much.”
Riyo shrugged. “I won’t. Just try not to make a scene if she shows up.”
Enjin exhaled, leaning back in his chair, letting his frustration settle into a low hum of anticipation. Part of him was still irritated, yes, but another part couldn’t stop thinking about her. And maybe, just maybe, that was reason enough to go.
The party was in full swing when they arrived, a chaotic symphony of laughter, clinking glasses, and the metallic clang of scattered scrap being repurposed for impromptu decorations.
Lights strung from rafters and beams flickered irregularly, casting long, jittering shadows over the throng of people. Music vibrated through the floor, low bass rattling in Enjin’s chest as he leaned casually against the bar, speaking with Riyo and Gris.
But his attention wasn’t on them. His gaze swept the room, sliding over the clusters of dancers, the makeshift tables, the shifting sea of faces. For the past week, he had tried, with frustrating failure, to track her down. Tonight, though, something in the back of his mind whispered that he might actually find her.
And just like that, a sudden weight on his arm made him snap his head to the side. There she was.
Her hand was light, but firm, brushing against his coat sleeve as if claiming him for a moment. She stood there, radiant in the dim, uneven glow of the party lights. She wore high-waisted, ripped denim shorts paired with a cropped black top that left just enough skin showing, and a lightweight jacket slung casually over her shoulders.
It enhanced her curves without trying to be provocative, and the metallic threads in the fabric shimmered when she shifted. Hair pulled back loosely, a few strands escaping to frame her face, and a playful, confident smile tugged at her lips.
“May I borrow him for a moment?” She asked Riyo and Gris, voice light and teasing, with just a hint of authority. Her eyes sparkled, daring, magnetic.
Riyo raised a brow, smirking. “Please do.” She said, nudging Gris. “Just don’t break him.”
Before either of them could protest further, she tugged him gently by the arm, guiding him through the crowd toward a quieter corner of the hall. The noise of the party receded just slightly, leaving them in a dimly lit alcove, shadows stretching across the walls and floor.
Enjin’s instincts took over. He moved with her until his back was near the wall, subtly corralling her, one hand braced beside her head. The other slid casually to his side, brushing against the curve of her waist. His golden eyes locked with hers, unreadable, intense, and playful all at once.
“Where have you been?” He asked, voice low, rich, teasingly sharp. “I couldn’t find you at the workshops for the last week.”
Her smile widened slightly, confident and teasing. “A field trip.” She replied, tilting her head. “Some generators in Canvas Town needed repairs. You’ve been around the workshops often lately, though. Looking for something?”
He smirked, letting the corner of his mouth twitch. “Maybe it’s time we stop this little game.” He murmured, leaning just enough to close a fraction of the space between them, the heat of their bodies subtly mingling.
“Really? But I thought you were having fun.” She said, voice soft, but eyes sharp. “Didn’t wanna interrupt.”
He let out a low laugh, chest vibrating against the quiet. “Fun’s overrated. I think I’d rather do something else right now.”
Without another word, he closed the distance, lips brushing hers with careful, deliberate force. Her hands gripped the lapels of his jacket, pulling him closer, while his own hands explored the curve of her waist and the nape of her neck. The sounds of the party faded behind the walls of their secluded corner, leaving only the rhythmic press and pull of their movements.
Breaths came fast, shallow, punctuated by small breaks to catch air before the next collision of lips. His fingers slid lightly across her back, tracing the seam of her clothes, eliciting the faintest shiver from her. She responded with soft, teasing movements, tilting her head to deepen the kiss, letting a playful sigh escape between her lips.
Enjin pressed closer, his hand firm against the wall beside her, closing off the rest of the world. The heat of his body contrasted with the cool night air that slipped through the gaps in the wall brushing her skin, a friction that made her pulse quicken. She could feel the faint tremor of anticipation in her chest as their eyes locked, each daring the other to make the next move.
A soft brush of lips, testing, tasting, a question and an answer in one. She leaned into him instinctively, and the tension tightened like a coil ready to spring. Each kiss was slower than the last, deeper, as if they were memorizing the feel of each other before daring to go further.
“Careful.” She whispered, her voice trembling slightly, though the teasing edge never left her tone.
Enjin smiled against her lips, pulling back just enough to catch his breath, but not so much as to break the connection. “Careful?” He repeated, a low chuckle vibrating against her jaw. “I think it’s too late for that.”
One hand slid up to the nape of her neck, fingers threading into her hair, drawing her closer, while the other stayed anchored at her waist, holding her steady against him. She tilted her head, pressing her lips into his with renewed force, letting the world shrink down to nothing but this contact, this moment.
When they finally separated, lips swollen, breathing uneven, their foreheads rested together for a brief second, sharing the warmth, the heat, the unspoken question lingering between them, both catching their breath in the dim corner.
“So…” He began, voice low and rough, eyes glinting gold in the shadows. “Maybe I’m a little late to ask but… what’s your name?”
She met his gaze, playful but soft, letting a small smile tug at her lips. “Y/n.” She said, almost a whisper, as if sharing a secret.
“Y/n…” He repeated, letting the syllable roll off his tongue like it belonged to him. “That suits you.”
“And you?” She asked, teasing lightly, one brow raised.
He chuckled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, fingers lingering on her cheek. “Enjin.” He said, letting the name slip naturally, the thrill of the moment evident in his voice. “And… if you want, maybe just tonight, I can be your guide home.”
Her eyes flicked to his curiosity mingling with amusement. “Guide me home?” She asked, voice playful.
“Yeah…” He murmured, tilting his head closer. “I don’t see why we should part just yet. And you kinda promised me the last time we met.”
She hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded, letting a small, approving smile curl her lips. “Alright… lead the way outside.”
As they stepped into the cool night air, he brushed his fingers lightly along hers, then slid one arm around her waist, drawing her close. She leaned into him naturally, their bodies brushing with each step.
He took her hand gently, and they stepped out of the crowded party together, moving toward the cool night air. Before they even reached the street, he dipped his head and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. She responded almost instinctively, tilting her head and letting a hand graze the back of his neck. The world around them faded into the background, leaving only the warmth and pressure of their connection.
Enjin kept his arm snug around her waist as they walked, occasionally letting it slide slightly lower, protective yet teasing, fingers brushing gently against her side. She laughed softly, a sound caught between breath and amusement. “You really don’t waste any time, do you?”
“Why wait?” He murmured, leaning his head close enough that his breath brushed her ear. “Tonight’s ours, isn’t it? I think I’ve waited enough.”