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IT WAS A normal afternoon for the Cleaners, who unexpected have matching time off in their schedules. There were no urgent missions, no emergency calls, no trash beasts threatening to explode, or fly, or gain sentience again. Just a free afternoon where they could spend time together as co-workers who lived under the same roof.
Which is totally not weird in the slightest.
They were gathered in the common area, doing absolutely nothing of importance.
RIyo was upside-down on the couch, braiding Guita's hair with bots of ribbons she definitely stole from somewhere (either Semiu's or Tamsy's). Zanka sat beside her, quietly cleaning Lovely Assistaff with a new rug and oils. Guita was sitting by the table, crayons doodling around a piece of paper, happily humming despite the fact that Riyo had already restarted three times and have yet to actually finish doing her hair. Dear Santa was drawing with Guita, sucking on his pacifier with irritation whenever the older girl stole one of his newly-bought crayons from Canvas Town.
Bro Santa and Enjin were at the "grown-up" table, playing UNO with Semiu and Gris. Apparently, they had an ongoing gamble: whoever lost first would treat the others to a night at the bar—no price limit on drinks. Every single one of them was hyped, eager to win and desperate not to lose. Semiu might have tried to cheat using her jinki, only to be immediately called out by Bro Santa.
"Your Eyes don't even work like that!"
"It was worth the shot!"
And Rudo sat with the Guita and Dear, hoarding a plate of sweets like his life depended on it. He had his arms wrapped around it like a guard dog protecting its territory, lightly growling when someone remotely got close while passing by. Dear was glaring daggers at the older boy, lips curving into a sneer after he failed to steal a piece of cookie.
"C'mon, Rudo, jus' give Dear a piece," Zanka sighed, deadpan, as he watched the two boys stare each other down like they were about to throw hands. "Ain't worth it to hog all 'em sweets."
"No," Rudo replied, immediately, pulling the plate closer to his chest.
Riyo glanced over, a small pout forming on her lips. "Wow. Not even hesitating today, huh?"
"They're mine."
Zanka raised a brow. "Ya didn't even make 'em."
"I fixed the plate," Rudo said defensively. "That counts!"
Zanka sighed, done with the conversation. Riyo chuckled, tying Guita's hair with a ribbon before sitting up from her position, plopping her legs on Zanka's lap with no care. The older boy groaned, used to the action as he adjusted in his seat, making sure that Riyo was comfortable and he can still clean his jinki with no worries.
"Rudo, don't be rude and share some with Team Child," Enjin piped up, intently focused on his stash of cards, putting down a +4 card on the table with a shit-eating grin. "Plus four to you again, Gris!"
Gris sighed, a visible vein bulging on his forehead as he took four cards. "I hope karma bite your ass later."
The scarred an barely finished speaking when Riyo's eyes lit up with mischief. "Oooh, karma?" she echoed, leaning back until her hair nearly brushed the floor. "You hear that, Rudo? If you keep that act up, you'll end on up Santa's naughty list."
Rudo paused mid-bite, arching a brow towards the redhead girl. "...What?"
Riyo blinked, tilting her head. "You know. Santa Claus' naughty list."
Rudo frowned, eyes flickering to Bro, who was currently groaning as his turn was skipped again. His frown deepened, thinking for a moment, then nodded as if he had just answered his own question. "Bro Santa already knows I'm not sharing."
The room froze.
Bro nearly dropped his entire hand of cards when his mind registered Rudo's words. Enjin slammed his hand on the table, wheezing his tears out. Semiu snorted, flipping down a red number 2 card. Gris openly chuckled, giving the reddening man a teasing smirk. Bro coughed, feeling a tint of redness on his nape as he stammered out, "N-No! Riyo didn't mean me. She meant Santa Claus."
Rudo's face contorted to even more confusion, darting around as if trying to find the person. "...Who the hell is Santa Claus?"
The noises in the room quieted down, all of them staring at Rudo like he had just grown a second head.
Zanka slowly lowered his rag, face etched with disbelief as he repeated the younger boy's question under his breath. Riyo san upright, her braids swaying with the motion. Enjin blinked, swiftly stealing a card from Bro's hands. Semiu's lips parted in confusion, stealthily adding a new card on Gris's hands.
Guita slammed her hands on the table, eyes bulging out of her sockets as she leaned forward towards Rudo. "WHATTTT?! YOU DON'T KNOW WHO SANTA CLAUS IS?!" she asked, blinking rapidly.
Rudo jerked back, perplexed by the sudden attention shifted onto him. "...Should I?"
The younger girl nodded, her jinki bobbing with the movement. "DUHHH!!! HE'S DA MAN WHO ALWAYS GIVES ME LOTS OF GIFTS DIS CHRISMTAS!" she exclaimed, striking a dramatic pose with a foot on the table.
Dear sneered, swatting Guita's foot off the table as it nearly landed on his masterpiece of a drawing. He glared up, bringing the paper protectively to chest. He didn't have to utter a word, but his message was clear: "Watch it. You almost ruined my drawing!"
The older girl just stuck her tongue out at him.
Rudo watched the exchange in silence, brows furrowing as he looked back at Guita. "...He just brings you gifts?"
"YEAH!!!" she answered immediately, eyes sparkling as she pointed towards the decorated Christmas tree. "He goes to every kid's houses and brings them gifts every year if we're good!"
Enjin smacked two cards onto the table, leaving him with only three cards on hand. "And if you're a bad and selfish kid," he added, sending a shit-eating grin to his opponents. "You only get coal."
Rudo stiffened. "Coal?!"
"Or nothing," Riyo chimed, dramatically leaning against Zanka, who was sneering. "Which is, y'know, wayyy worse!"
Rudo looked like he just ate an entire plate of lemon, face scrunched up as he gathered every faces of his teammates. He then glanced down at the plate of sweets in his arms, tightening his grip around it as he snarled, "I don't believe you! No way a man like that exists."
Gris nodded solemnly, like he was sad that Rudo didn't believe them. "But he's real, though, Rudo. Just last year, Dear and Guita received an full stocking of toys and candies..." he said, subtly sending a challenging glare towards Semiu when he saw her raise her hand near him.
Rudo's brows shot to his forehead, the word candies seemingly activating a new switch in his brain. He snapped towards Zanka, who had returned back to minding his own business cleaning Lovely Assistaff. "Zanka, is it true...?" he asked, inching forward towards the older boy. "Does this... Santa Claus really give out free gifts...?
Zanka clicked his tongue, annoyed at being dragged into the conversation. He was about to subtly deny it in a way that only Rudo understands (he wasn't about to be the one who breaks it to Dear and Guita), until he felt a sharp twist on his back. He jumped, eyes discreetly seeing Riyo with a teasing, tight smile on her face that just screams trouble for him. He then turned towards Enjin, who just gave him a thumbs up and mouthed that he should play along like the good kid that he was.
"Yeah," he finally muttered out, staring down at a gaping Rudo. "He goes 'round the Ground givin' good kids presents during Christmas Eve. But if yer a bad kid, ya get a coal or nothin' like Riyo said."
Rudo shot up to his feet, eyes wide with shock and terror. If Zanka said that it was true, then it really is! The older boy wasn't someone who just goes along with the Cleaners' nonsense, right? He was all rigid and serious, even if the younger boy knows that he was had the same weirdo-energy every Cleaners seemed to have. "So he just... breaks into your house?" he asked slowly, grip loosening on the plate.
Riyo nodded, a Cheshire Cat grin on her lips. "Through the chimney, actually."
"We don't have a chimney."
"He adapts," Enjin replied, crackling as he swiftly plops down his remaining card. "UNO! HA! I WON—Y'ALL LOSERS! I'M 'BOUT TO HAVE THE BEST NIGHT IN THE BAR, LET'S GO!"
"YOU PISS REJECT! YOU TOTALLY CHEATED!" Semiu snarled, jabbing a manicured finger towards the tattooed man, who only widened his grin.
Bro buried his face in his hands, groaning. "Damn it..."
Guita leaned closer to Rudo, eyes sparkling as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "He knows everything, too! He has dis list with all the children's name on it that says whether they naughty or nice!" She pointed a finger towards her in pride. "I'ma be on dat nice list, y'know!"
Rudo's eyes widen a fraction more. He chewed on his lips, eyes darting around the room, before he sighed. Grumbling, he sat back down and slid the plate of sweets toward Dear. The younger boy's eyes sparkled with delight, sending a pleased look towards his adoptive father and taking out his pacifier to eat a piece of cookie.
Semiu chuckled under her breath. "Santa works fast, I see."
Bro nodded along, a small smile plastered on his lips as he watched Rudo staring at the pieces of dessert his son was eating. It was obvious the white-haired boy would rather not share the food, but willingly does so as to not get on Santa Claus's naughty list.
"This wasn't what I was expecting," Gris mumbled, cleaning up the UNO cards scattered on the table.
"Hey, at least he's effective," Enjin said, clearly enjoying both his win and the situation with the children. "If it helps Rudo have a better first Christmas here on the Ground, then why destroy the magic?"
Riyo pressed a hand to her chest, like she'd witnessed a mircale. "Oh my gosh, Zanka," she whispered, "we totally changed him."
"Ya mean ya threatened him with a myth," Zanka whispered back, watching Rudo ration the plate of sweets into five. "Ya good there, Rudo?"
Rudo nodded stiffly. "...I don't want coal..."
Guita cheered, throwing her hands in the air. "SANTA IS REAL!!!"
Riyo laughed, hair tickling Zanka. "This is too cute! Rudo's being a goody-two-shoes to avoid being on Santa's naughty list."
Rudo's ears turned bright red, glaring at the laughing teens and adults. He jumped to his feet, pointing an accusatory finger towards Bro. "You all are messing with me, aren't ya?!" he yelled, jaw tightening with embarrassment. "This Santa guy ain't real!"
Bro froze, blinking rapidly as he pointed at himself, like he was shocked as to why he was being dragged through the mud when he wasn't even the person who started the Santa Claus conversation.
Riyo gasped loudly, gently covering Dear's ears like they'd been personally offended. "WHAT?!" she cried. "Rudo, how could you say that to the children?!"
Enjin blinked once. Then twice. Then leaned back in his chair with a whistle. He grinned, clearly enjoying the drama unfolding. "Wow, kid," he drawled out. "That's hella cold. Accusing us of lying? Thought we were family here."
"I'm not dumb!" Rudo snapped, fists clenched at his side. "I was just tryna eat some sweets, then you all started talking weird about this Santa guy—this is totally fake! You just want me to share."
Guita gasped like he'd just insulted her entire bloodline. "FAKE?!" she screeched. "No way Santa Claus is fake!"
Dear frowned, obviously hearing the conversation. He gazed toward Bro, eyes slowly glistening with unshed tears as he tried to digest the words "Santa Claus isn't real."
Bro let out a strangled noise, immediately darting towards his son's side with a reassuring pat. "Don't worry, Dear! Santa Claus is real. Remember, he gave you that giant slide last year?"
Rudo crossed his arms, scowling. "If Santa's real, then..." he faced Guita "have you seen him before?!"
Guita paused, thinking it through, before shaking her head. "Nope!" she answered, before her face crumpled and she face Gris with a wobblily lips. "Is... is Santa Claus not real?!"
"He's real, Guita," Gris said, sending a comforting smile towards the younger girl.
"Then why haven't I seen him?!"
Riyo snapped her fingers. "That 'cause Santa only comes when you're asleep."
Rudo paused. "...That's convenient."
"HEY!" Enjin protested. "Don't disrespect Santa logic."
Zanka sighed deeply. "Rudo, no one's forcin' ya to believe anything."
Rudo looked at him, searching his face. "...So you're saying he might not be real."
Riyo elbowed Zanka hard on his side.
"—He is real," Zanka corrected quickly, shooting a glare to the redhead girl. "Ain't the point of all these, though."
"The point is," Semiu cut in smoothly, crossing her legs, "that Christmas is 'bout bein' nice. Sharin'. Stuff like that, yeah?"
Rudo glanced at the sweets. At Dear, who was being consoled by Bro. At Guita, sniffing and being comforted by Gris. And then to Riyo, Enjin, and Zanka, who stared at him with anticipating eyes.
"...I'll found out if he's real himself!" Rudo declared, eyes shining with determination as he ran out of the room.
Riyo's grin spread slowly, chuckling as Enjin's eyes gleamed. They looked at each other with mutual understanding, already knowing what the other had planned in their head. Zanka sighed, used to their shenanigans so he prepared himself to be dragged along.
That night, Rudo dragged him mattress to the common area. It scraped against the floor, earning him a half-asleep groan from somewhere down the hall, but he didn't care. He positioned it carefully, just close enough to the Christmas tree to keep in sight, but far enough from the crouch so that no one could sneak up on him easily.
If this Santa Claus guy was really real, Rudo was going to see it himself.
He crossed his arms behind his head, and stared straight up at the ceiling, jaw set in stubborn determination. No blankets. No pillows. No excuses. He wasn't about to accidentally fall asleep because he was too comfortable.
Then, the door creaked open.
Rudo jolted, head snapping towards the entrance with vibrating heart. He watched it open inch by inch, anticipating a tall man with a bag filled with presents to enter... only to be greeted by Guita and Dear in mis-matched pajamas.
He frowned. "...What're you two doing here?"
Guita beamed, wasting no time before hopping onto his mattress. Dear followed more carefully, dragging his blanket with him and flopping down beside her, pacifier settling comfortably back between his lips.
"We wanna see Santa Claus too!" Guita finally answered, eyes darting around the room. "So, did he come already?! Where's my gifts?!"
Rudo scowled. “He—” He stopped himself, before continuing in a hushed tone. “He hasn’t come yet,” Rudo said firmly. “That’s why I’m stayin awake.”
Guita gasped dramatically. “OHHH. Dat's smart! We'll wait alongside you!"
Five minutes later, she was snoring loudly, spread on the bed like a starfish. Dear lasted a little longer, blanket tucked up to his chin. His eyes slowly drooped, head titling until he was slumped against Rudo's side.
The white-haired boy froze, then he sneered, ears turning red at his supposed companions. "...Hey," he whispered. "Don't fall asleep now...!"
Dear didn't answer.
Rudo sighed, gently laying the younger boy beside a sleeping Guita, making sure that the blanket covered both kids as best as it could. He stared up at the ceiling, irritation mixing with something quieter in his chest. He shifted carefully to be closer to the two, unconsciously yearning for the comfortable warmth from the sleeping children.
The candles blinked softly.
The room stayed quiet.
Rudo kept his eyes open. He swore he did.
But sleep took him anyway.
Rudo fell onto the mattress, bouncing lightly on the springs as he turned toward Dear and Guita. His eyelids drooped despite his stubborn efforts, head landing uncomfortably on the corner of the mattress.
Guita murmured in her sleep, curling closer to him, while Dear nuzzled against his arm, pacifier bobbing with each soft breath.
The white-haired boy groaned softly, glaring at the ceiling with half-lidded eyes. “…I’m not asleep,” he whispered, though his voice came out small and muffled. His fingers twitched as if to hold himself up, but gravity had other plans.
One slow, heavy blink. Another. His mind wavered, teetering on the edge between alertness and surrender.
The adults moved in immediately.
Soft footsteps pattered across the floor, a quiet jingle of bells accompanying it. Enjin nearly tripped over the rug and had to be physically grabbed by Gris. Bro crept into the common area, a sack filled with presents slung over his shoulder. His gaze landed on the three sleeping children, and he felt his heart softened.
Semiu was on the look out with Zanka and Riyo. She grinned at the redhead girl, nodding approvingly as she stole a glance at the candles inside the room.
"Lavender candles," she stated, "Good call."
Riyo grinned. "I know, right?"
Zanka sighed. "Y'all are makin' this way too dramatic."
Semiu softly chuckled, messing up Zanka's hair. "Hey, it has to be convincing. Remember, we tryna give him a good first Christmas here on the Ground."
Riyo nodded enthusiastically, eyes sparkling. "Exactly! If Rudo wakes up to see no gift, then he'll be bummed out. We have to show him the Ground's Christmas' magic!"
Gris distributed the cookies, making sure that everyone involved had a piece. Enjin, acting like a starving man in Penta, drank the glass of milk in one shot, almost choking him. The scarred man shot him a glare, mouthing to be more careful or else the kids might wake up.
Bro, moving like a shadow, tiptoed toward the tree. The sack creaked slightly, making him freeze and hold his breath until moments passed with no awake kid in sight. Slowly, he began to place each gift under the tree—small boxes wrapped in shiny paper, ribbons curled neatly on top, and a few slightly larger packages that made soft thuds against the carpeted floor. Each and every present were brought by the adults and Crovus himself, a silent pact they all agreed back when Bro formally adopted Dear into the Cleaners.
Gris crouched down behind him, whispering, "Perfect placement. Looks natural, like Santa Claus actually delivered them."
Enjin nodded vigorously, his hands clasped on his buddies' shoulders. "Yep! They're gonna lose it when they wake up, ha!"
Riyo and Zanka peeked inside, the redhead girl shushing the tattooed man. "C'mon already if you're done! We gotta go back before they wake up."
Bro stepped back to admire their work. Everything was in place—the gifts he knew the kids had wished for, the crumbs of cookies, the soft footprint left by him on the carpet, and the three kids cuddled together on the mattress, softly snoring without a care in the world. He allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
"Alright," he whispered, straightening. "Let's get out of here before Enjin blows our cover."
"You mean Gris, right?" Enjin snickered, eyeing the man beside him.
Gris just rolled his eyes. "Let's just go already. We still need to sleep before Guita wakes all of us up with her yelling later."
They all hummed in agreement, slowly tiptoeing their way out of the room. They didn't bother to shut the door—it wasn't closed to begin with.
Enjin stole one last glance at Rudo, a soft smile on his lips. He knew the boy was still carrying the weight of his past, still haunted by losses he hadn’t fully come to terms with. Tonight, though, with the tree glowing on their bodies and the gifts waiting beneath it, he hoped this small Christmas magic of theirs could bring a little light and colour into Rudo's quiet world.
"Merry Christmas, kid," he mumbled, making his way back to his bedroom.