Chapter Text
Chapter 1: I Love You
Enjin never thought he would fall in love. Sure, there was the occasional hookup but that was never more than a one night stand. He never really considered himself the type to be in a relationship... but then you came along. The pretty medic with curly hair, who was smarter than him, so forgiving and hotter than anyone he had ever seen. You were exactly his type. Unfortunately for him, you were oblivious.
He would come in to the clinic for any minor scratch or burn, which was unusual for him before you arrived. He complimented your hair, your eyes, even the color of your scrubs, but alas you showed no interest. It was mildly disheartening, but at least you weren't interested in anybody else. He flirted non-stop, yet you always seemed to think he was "just being nice". Enjin always volunteered to drive you into town to pick up more supplies, and would often buy you a sweet treat when you were there. He waited on you hand and foot, and never let you carry anything "too heavy" (anything over 20lbs) in case you got hurt. To you, this was him being a good friend. To him, this was practically screaming his love for you.
He would carry your bags while glaring at anyone who bothered to look at you. No matter how long it took for you to finish shopping, he didn't care. Enjin was just so content with hanging out, even if he wished for more. Young men were always offering you gifts, flowers and fancy dates, but you always turned them down. Enjin started to think that maybe you reciprocated his feelings with how often you rejected men, and how you never seemed to push him away. You were kind to Zanka and Rudo too, but in the 'I see you as a sibling' way and not a 'I am romantically interested in you'. You never seemed like you were looking for a relationship at Cleaners HQ. It only made him want you more.
The way you cared for everyone was evident, and he loved watching your eyes light up when your patients were healing. You always checked in on him, and never complained when he would come in for the smallest abrasion. Even when you were busy, you took your time with examining him. You were always so focused on your work as a doctor, and healing was your passion.
Your jinki was a stethoscope that could diagnose any disease or injury, and he was always so fascinated watching you work. The purple glow you emitted while healing made you look like an angel in his eyes. He had never seen someone so dedicated to their work. You often worked long hours in order to accommodate all the cleaners and supporters, but he never heard a complaint. Enjin often wondered if you were exhausted from everything, but he knew you would never answer that honestly.
The day he finally confessed started out like no other. He had a mission to complete; there was a nasty trash beast that needed to be neutralized a few towns over. Enjin wasn't expecting anything new or different to occur, but he also wasn't expecting to be going on a mission with a bunch of trainees. The beast shouldn't have been hard to defeat, but with the trainees it took longer than expected. By the time he had neutralized one beast, another popped up. He thought he had slain both, until one of them snuck up behind him. He barely had any time to react before he was thrown into a pile of broken concrete. Enjin felt the sickening crack in his ribs and immediately knew they were fractured. He knew that if it wasn't for Umbreaker, he wouldn't have a chance at victory with these injuries. It felt like he was being stabbed every time he breathed, and his vision was foggy. After a fierce fight, he eventually won, but fainted soon after.
When Enjin woke up, you were leaning over him calling his name. The halo of light behind you made you appear like an angel, and he couldn't help but say it aloud. You blushed at the compliment and told him he must've hit his head a little too hard.
"No, it's not head trauma. Really, you're an angel" Enjin murmured. In response, you brushed his hair back with your fingers. "You could've died, ya know? You have 3 fractures ribs, a pneumothorax, sprained trapezius and a giant laceration on the back of your head that required 14 stitches. Do you know how much I hate suturing?" You were lecturing him about all kinds of things, but he didn't care. All that mattered was you talking to him, and he would let you yell at him all day if it meant spending time together. You were pacing while talking when you suddenly stopped, "I'm not mad at you, but you really scared me. Enjin, you're human.. your body can only take so much..."
The look in your eyes was different, it seemed like you were finally understanding how he felt. Every time you went somewhere without him, he was always imagining the worst possible scenarios. What if somebody kidnapped you because you were a spherite? What if you went on a date with someone cooler than him? What ifs always clouded his mind until your returned safe .. and single. Enjin realized that it was now or never, and he couldn't help himself from blurting out, "I'minlovewithyou" so quickly you almost missed it. Your face initially looked shocked, but then you smiled softly at him.
"That's sweet Enjin, but you're injured and full of Morphine. You don't mean it," you looked sad when you replied, even though you were smiling. Before he could even respond, you kissed his forehead and walked away. The sinking feeling in his chest wouldn't go away, even when he tried to sleep.
You returned to his room a few hours later with a tray of food. You set it on a bedside table and handed him the utensils without saying a word. There was an unspoken tension now and Enjin couldn't help but feel like he ruined everything. He pushed the tray away and grabbed your hand before you could walk out again, "I meant it...every word". Your eyes softened, and you gave him a small smile. "We'll talk tomorrow when you're feeling better, okay? If you feel the same way tomorrow, then that's great! But if you don't, no hard feelings...mkay?" You responded. All Enjin could do was nod in response. You pushed the tray back and stood up, "now eat, Doctor's order". Before you left the room, you looked back at him one more time, as if you were making sure he listened.
The next morning, you were sitting in the chair beside his bed, writing something down in your worn notebook. He whispered your name, and you snapped your head to look at him. "Morning sleepy head, how do you feel?" You asked with a sweet smile. "A lot better thanks to you... sooo are we going to talk or what?" He was so blunt you couldn't help but laugh. "Well, do you still feel the same way you did yesterday? Or was it just the Morphine talking" you asked. "I meant it, the Morphine and near death experience just gave me the balls to tell you" Enjin admitted. The look on his face was so sincere, you couldn't help but believe him. "Do you feel the same?" he had never looked so vulnerable before. "Yes," you breathed out before kissing his knuckles. The smile that decorated both of your faces was so bright it could blind any bystander. Enjin's face started to hurt from smiling, and he couldn't help but tug you closer to him.
You slid in bed next to him and ruffled his hair with your fingers. He tried to kiss you, but you stopped him, and he felt like his chest was going to collapse. "I would love to kiss you, but you haven't brushed your teeth in 3 days. No offense, but I'd like to wait until you're no longer incapacitated," you said with a kiss to his cheek. Enjin started to pout like a child until you cuddled into him, careful not to brush against his injuries. He breathed in your scent and immediately felt calm. He would do anything you wanted him to do. It was weird, how you always seemed to know what he needed, even if it wasn't always what he wanted. Feeling your body curled up with his while you played with his hair was heaven, and if he died right then and there, he would die a happy man.
"So doc, when do I get my freedom again?" You rolled your eyes at his question, but when you told him it was going to be another 3 days of bed rest, he almost rioted. He immediately started to protest and try to convince you that he was fine but you disagreed. "Your left lung says otherwise. You can't confess your love to me and then die from a pulmonary embolism or something the next day," you chided. He attempted to protest, when you placed your index finger on his lips. "I love you, and because I love you, I will not let you out of this bed until Wednesday. Since you love and respect me, obviously you're going to listen, right?" Enjin couldn't argue with that logic, all he could do was nod. "Besides, you'll get to spend more time with me if you're admitted to the clinic" you added, as if trying to entice him. It worked, even if he would never admit it out loud.
The way you were laying with him was just like how he imagined it. You were soft and warm, and you always smelled like something floral. It was like you two were made for each other, with the way your bodies molded together perfectly. He didn't know if it was the medicine, or the pure content he felt, but he felt himself falling asleep. He tried to fight it, but when you cuddled closer and promised to stay until he woke up, he welcomed rest with open arms. You were true to your word, and took a much deserved nap next to him. When Rudo came to visit Enjin, he saw you two snuggled together and sleeping soundly. He closed the door softly and turned around with a devious smile. Now he knows something Zanka doesn't know.