Chapter Text
For the longest time, you've always been alone. Whether it's always been that way, or maybe you just prefer it like that. Either way the result stayed the same.
Your Battle Jacket was the only thing that had any worth to you. You use your Giver power to be some sort of vigilante, protecting the city from Trash Beasts.
It was how you lived your life, in solitude. It was what was familiar. Until it wasn't.
-----
You inactivate Battle Jacket and it morphs back into its original form, in all its patched, sewed, and pinned up glory. You turn towards the crowd that watched you eradicate the Trash Beast, "It's gone. Continue on with your business."
You disappear into an alley as you feel the gazes of the crowd upon you, some chanting their thanks.
It didn't matter to you.
It's what I've always done.
As you were treading through the alley, a presence joined you.
"Hey there. Sick Vital Instrument!" You heard a man call out.
Don't bother.
Don't interact.
"What do you want?"
Dammit.
You turned back to see who was talking to you. A man with a brown fade, spiky blonde hair, and a lot of tattoos met your eyes. He was holding an umbrella.
"You're a Giver, aren't you? Names' Enjin, what about you?" He smirked.
You let a huff out before speaking, "It's none of your business."
Enjin's eyes widened slightly before his smirk turned into a smile.
"Chill out man, I'm not gonna jump you. I just want to make a proposition."
Your interest was piqued.
"About what?"
"Well, I'm a part of this band of weirdos, and I think your Giver powers can seriously help us."
You stared at the man, sifting through your options. What is this band of "weirdos" he's talking about? Now that you thought about it, you really didn't have any other option. You lived in a makeshift house, if you could even call it that. If they were able to provide you with housing and proper food, then maybe this could work-
"We fight Trash Beasts, we're your humble Cleaners!" Enjin interrupted your thoughts.
You paused before making your final decision,
I could just use them for clothing, food, and housing. The only catch being I have to fight Trash Beasts.
Fair enough.
You paused before making your final decision,
"Fine. Okay. Just stop bugging me about it."
You let out a breath.
Enjin's face broke into a wide smile.
"Great!"
----
That's how you ended up in the back of a Jeep, stuffed between a girl with long red hair and a boy with white hair that faded into black with a permanent scowl on his face.
In the drivers' seat sat Enjin, who hummed an unintelligible tune. Alongside him sat a boy who looked too upper crust to live somewhere like The Ground.
You sat silently until the red-head spoke up. "Hiya! I'm Riyo! Who are you? Oh, and by the way your jacket looks so cool!" You glanced over to the smaller girl with gleaming emerald eyes.
"I don't really tell people my name. Especially strangers."
At least she brought up Battle Jacket..
The angry looking boy shot you a dirty look, "Well I don't think you're supposed to act like an asshole when you first meet people either." He challenged.
Your face molded into a scowl as you looked at the brat.
"Rudo, leave him alone. You acted just like this when you first got here too." She smirked.
"But isn't that just proper manners or some shit like that?"
"Well, yeah, but still you really can't blame hi-"
"Will you two please shut up?" A voice broke in.
The meaningless banter stopped, you looked up to see the source of the voice.
The boy with two-toned hair spoke, "Just leave him alone for the drive. Save the questions until we're home."
He turned back in his seat and glared at them both.
"Okay tough guy!" Riyo smiled wide.
Enjin finally spoke, "Zanka is right. Rudo, play nice m'kay?"
Enjin eyed Rudo through the rear view mirror with a smirk.
Rudo frowned before going back to sulking and looking out the window.
The upper crust kid names' Zanka and the brat's name is Rudo? Seems like a steaming pile of bullcrap to me.
You sat back for the rest of the ride, immediately regretting your decision.
-----
Cleaner's HQ was huge. Your judgement wasn't wrong about them having proper housing.
Enjin hopped out of the car along with the trio. You followed behind them, not looking forward to this at all.
Walking through the threshold of the front door of the HQ, you didn't miss the atmosphere of the place. it was kinda messy but really homey at the same time. A woman with short white hair and round framed glasses sat at the front desk reading a magazine.
"Welcome back. I see you've brought a new friend with you." She shut her magazine.
"Oh yeah, he's gonna be a great help."
Enjin turned to you.
"This is our lovely receptionist Semiu! She can get a better look at you."
You hesitated before you walked up to the front desk, you were able to see the magazine she was reading. You grimaced at it.
That's dirty.
Semiu pressed her middle and pointer fingers to the temples of her glasses, closed her eyes, and then opened them suddenly, activating her Giver powers.
In a second the process was done, she looked at you for a second longer before speaking, "This one is okay, just a bit lonely. I think he'll fit right in."
Semiu smiled slightly.
You stood still as Enjin and Semiu discussed. Riyo, Rudo, and Zanka started going their own different ways.
Before they left, Riyo called out "Hey new guy! C'ya later!"
You shot her a quick wave goodbye.
They disappeared down the hallway.
Then something, no, someone caught your eye.
You looked to your left and sure enough a man with long blonde hair and orange googles was peeking around the corner, obviously studying you intently.
Okay, that's weird.
Enjin finally spoke to you. "You need to talk to the boss first before you officially become a Cleaner, but he's away on business right now. So you'll just have to hang tight for the time being."
Well, that sucks.
"Thanks, but I don't think I will be stayin-"
"I can give him a tour!"
You snapped your hair around and saw the same guy from earlier, although he was right behind you now. How'd he even get there without me noticing him?
"Ah, August! Please, show the new guy around!" Enjin smiled widely, Semiu shot him a knowing look.
"Wassup! I'm August. Let me show you around, quickly come on!"
He grabbed your hand roughly and started dragging you down the hallway
"Hey! wait-"
August didn't give you any time to argue.
-----
"This is the infirmary, this is the common room, oh and this is the mess hall.."
"Hey, August, or whatever your name was can you please let g-"
"And this is my room! Please have a seat!" He dragged you into the room and you were soon in another world.
There were multitudes of fabric everywhere, mannequins that had outfits on them, and sketches of designs taped to the walls. Overall it was a huge mess but somehow, some way, it made you experience a sense of.. comfort?
You were sat in a chair, August sat across from you.
"Your battle jacket is really cool. How long did it take to make it?"
You automatically softened at the mention of your battle jacket
"Oh, this took years. I make pins and patches from anything I can find."
"Sweeet! You're really cool looking, ya know? You'd make the perfect model for me."
"Excuse me, model?"
"I've been creating this second wave of Cleaner uniforms and I just can't find a suitable model! However, you'll work perfectly!" August talked fast and really loud at that.
"If it's fashion related, I'm no stranger-"
"REALLY? Well, I could see that from your style and fashion choices. You're very fashionable mhm!" August stood up and put his hands on his hips with a satisfied grin.
This guy was absolutely ridiculous but he seemed genuinely kind.
"Okay, what were you thinkin-"
"I'm glad you asked!" He grasped your hands with his and made you stand up.
What's this guy's deal?
He started rambling on and on about his current projects, his ideas, and showed you some of the sketches he made for upcoming projects.
If you were being honest with yourself, you found August to be very comforting, despite his obnoxious nature.
He didn't care what others thought about him, he just did what he loved all the time.
That resonated deeply within you.
-----
He was in the middle of making you compare two different fabrics that looked the exact same, when a light knock was heard.
"Auggie? It's 1:00 AM, I can hear you through the wall.." A light feminine voice rang
August immediately stood up and opened the door
"My dear little sister! Meet my new model!" August smiles and points at you.
"Oh uh.. Hello."
They're siblings?
"Auggie.. You need to get proper slee-"
"GOODNIGHT LITTLE SISTER! ME AND MY MODEL WERE JUST ABOUT TO HEAD TO BED!" August hugged her tightly.
"O-okay.." The girl stopped struggling.
You just stood there and stared at the interaction.
"That's my little sister Eishia, she's the best healer ever mhm mhm!" He kicked the door closed behind him.
I can see that.
"Anyway, are ya thinking about joining the Cleaners?" August asked with a smile
"Well, yeah, I have no other option really."
"THAT'S GREAT! Now we can keep hanging out together, my model!"
Something told you that this isn't going to be a complete waste.
Maybe this isn't too bad.