Chapter Text
The last bell of the day rang like a harsh reminder that Rudo was still at school, the sound forcing him to snap up violently. His head was swirling, a headache beginning to form as he caught consciousness.
“And the homework for tonight. It’s due tomorrow so I want it done.” Mr Typhon added as he passed out papers. “Rudo, I expect you after class.” He stopped at the boy’s desk, speaking quietly to him.
Still dazed, the younger just nodded and began to pack his stuff including the homework before throwing his bag over his shoulder and making his way to Mr. Typhon’s desk, the rest of the students shuffling out of the classroom.
The teacher organized a stack of papers before looking up at him, gaze meeting Rudo’s above his glasses.
“I understand you’re having trouble focusing in my class.” He started and Rudo could already feel himself holding back a groan. “Somehow, your grades are up from a regular C to a B but I’m more focused on your constant sleeping. Are there issues at home?”
Rudo knew that dreaded question was coming. As if he couldn’t sleep in a class without teachers asking if he had a troubled homelife.
“I’ve just been studying more. No time for sleep.” He chuckled a bit and forced a weak smile.
Mr. Typhon was not amused. “I appreciate your concern for your grades but I need you to start getting proper sleep so you can better understand the material I give out. Your sleeping in my class is unacceptable and you're lucky I’m not giving you detention right now.” Rudo could only nod as the teacher continued. “I’ll see you tomorrow, get a full night's rest, understand?”
“Yes Mr. Typhon.” Rudo answered and left the classroom.
Stupid Mr. Typhon, always asking him not to sleep in class. It was the last class of the day for Christ's sake, god forbid he gets tired and needs a little hour long nap. And if anything, the class was so boring almost everyone was sleeping. Not just him.
Rudo turned the corner and found himself outside the school in an instant, still grumbling to himself over the class before. He pulled from his thoughts as a yell came towards him.
“Rudo!” A monotone voice called from his right.
‘’Tutoring…’ He thought to himself before looking in the direction.
Standing in front of his car with the keys in his hand was Zanka, the junior class president and currently Rudo’s tutor. He wore a thick blue button-up sweater, dark baggy jeans, and a purple hairclip which looked oddly out of place. There were glasses on his face which almost managed to cover the annoyance.
“You coming or what?” The older spoke it in a tone that really meant ‘get your ass in here now’ rather than a question.
Rudo sighed and nodded, trudged towards the car and got in without a second thought.
Truth be told, he didn’t hate Zanka at all. He was a good tutor, somewhat funny and he actually kinda seemed to enjoy Rudo’s company despite the fact that he refused to smile at him, laugh at his jokes, or even spare him a glance in the hallways. He’s just shy. Underneath all that gruff and irritation was an almost nice guy which Rudo had grown to know over the course of 4 months.
The older one started the car and turned to Rudo. “We’re going somewhere new today, hope you’re okay with that.” He spoke as he pulled out of the school parking lot.
Rudo made himself comfortable in the passenger seat before responding. “Could’ve used some forewarning.” His voice came out as a mumble as he leaned against the window.
The older one just snorted and began driving. The world outside mixed into a blur of trees and grass, the occasional car or two passing by. A pleasant silence rolling over the car like a warm blanket. It was typical for them anyway, neither really talked much in general, there’s no reason to start now.
The quiet allowed for quick car drive and slowly, the car came to a stop in front of a shop
“HQ.” Rudo read the sign at the top of the building from the side window of the car.
Zanka, who was already exiting the car with his bag over his shoulder, turned to him, face neutral as always. “I work here. Bring your bag.” He ordered before turning and making his way to the shop.
Not willing to be left behind, Rudo hurriedly got his things together and followed, the car door locking behind them as they entered the building.
As he stepped into the shop, the smell of cold metal and ink met his nose, a mix of cheap air freshener mingling closer to the ground. There was a long hallway with booths that had curtains closing them off from the main area and reception. Said reception had two small sofas, a coffee table littered with magazines, and a small vase of flowers lay atop them. The entire shop was a mix of colors, the walls mixed with graffiti and odd posters. Definitely not the vibe of a place that Zanka would be working at.
From the right of them, a girl was sitting at the reception, hair bright red and bold green eyes, twirling a pen in her fingers with boredom.
She looked up and her face went bright. “Zanka, finally!” Then she looked at Rudo. “And you brought a friend.” Zanka greeted her with a wave but the latter shook her head, going around the counter and pulling him into a one-armed hug.
“This isn’t necessary.” He insisted while trying to squeeze himself out of the hug.
“It definitely is. You haven’t been in for like three weeks. Enjin was getting worried about his favorite child.” Riyo chided and Zanka’s face went slightly pink at the mention of the other person.
Rudo stood there confused with his bag hanging limply from his shoulder. They were definitely friends and most definitely close, but Rudo was yet to see the other with another person at school. Zanka was always alone, avoiding crowds, and completing schoolwork without a care for anyone or anything else.
Riyo shoved Zanka aside once she finished talking to him, focusing her attention on Rudo. “And what’s your name? Wait, I’m sure I’ve seen you at school before. Rudo, right?” She asked with a hand on her hip.
His words caught in his throat as he replied. “Yeah, how’d you know?”
“Amo talks about you all the time, I’m beginning to think she has a little cru–” She paused as Zanka glared at her. “--anyway, Zanka never mentioned you two were friends.”
“We’re not friends, I just tutor him.” Zanka corrected and pushed his glasses up.
Riyo rolled her eyes. “Ignore him, he’ll swear you’re not friends but if you weren’t he wouldn’t have brought you here.” She barely whispered to Rudo.
Zanka turned away from them but it was clear he was blushing from embarrassment which made Rudo feel a little happy. At least he knew they were friends.
Riyo continued her barrage of questions, asking about freshman year, his friends(of which he had none), and his home life. She spoke fast and each question was phrased in a way that allowed for Rudo to answer shortly without missing information. He was almost beginning to enjoy the conversation before he was swiftly dragged away by Zanka who insisted it was time to begin tutoring.
They walked to a backroom, a sectioned off area with a black curtain closing it off from the actual working areas, which held the same aesthetic as the outside hallway and reception except it had typical waiting room amenities. A coffee maker, fridge, microwave, and three chairs surrounding a circular table.
“We’ll be working here.” Zanka gestured to the table and placed his bag near one of the chairs, making his way to the fridge and grabbing a drink.
Rudo didn’t say a word and took a seat at one of the chairs while getting his papers out. The smell of green tea wafted over the room and he felt at peace for just a few moments.
“Zanka!” A male voice called as the black curtain flew open.
The figure was tall, maybe in his mid-20s, with spiky golden blonde hair. He wore a loose red t-shirt and pants, the shirt hanging off in a way that exposed the black and red tattoos which lined his back and upper nape. He had a lip and nose ring as well as multiple ear piercings. Definitely not someone Rudo would expect Zanka to be friends with.
Zanka’s face softened as he looked at the older man who was approaching him. “Enjin.”
“Man, you haven’t been here in ages.” Enjin slapped a hand on the younger's shoulder enthusiastically.
“It’s been two weeks.” Another male voice said from the opening to the room.
Another tall man, early 30’s most likely, with gray-blonde hair was standing with a disapproving yet gentle look on his face in the direction of Enjin and Zanka. Like the other adult that had entered before, he wore loose clothing and had few piercings, mostly on his ears and none on his face.
“C’mon Gris, don’t say you didn’t miss him also.” Enjin chuckled and pulled Zanka into a side hug with one long arm.
Gris chuckled and approached, patting Zanka’s shoulder before grabbing a bottled water from the fridge. “Can’t say I didn’t. Welcome back.” He turned to the younger.
Zanka’s face was a pinkish hue as he shyly smiled and turned his gaze. A face Rudo didn't think he’d ever see.
“Who’s this?” Enjin looked towards Rudo.
The group of three turned to him, two of which with confused looks on their faces.
“This is Rudo.” Zanka soke before he could answer for himself. “I’m tutoring him, I brought him in ‘cause I couldn’t make it to my shift if we went to the usual place.” He continued and went to the table, taking a seat next to the younger.
“Is this why you’ve been missing so much work?” Enjin asked while pulling a glass bowl from a cabinet.
Zanka nodded and mumbled an apology.
“No worries,” Enjin began and made his way to the table with the bowl in his hands. “You two have some candy and enjoy yourselves. I’ll call you for your shift.” He called and left the room.
Gris followed and sent a kind smile Rudo’s way. “Nice to meet you. You two have a good time.” He said before leaving.
They sat in silence for a second before Rudo spoke. “They are so cool.”
**
The session blew by, Rudo staying focused mainly due to Zanka offering him candy for every question he got correctly. The motivation allowed for them to blow through 40 questions in only an hour and a half, sparing 30 minutes of the lesson for small talk.
“You work here?” Rudo asked while drinking out of a juice box.
Zanka nodded while putting his things away. “I’m interning here. I hope to start doing tattoos soon.”
“So you wanna be a tattoo artist?” Silence followed after that question.
Zanka thought before responding. “Yeah.” Was all he said before he left the room.
Rudo followed, even though he wasn’t asked, bringing along his school supplies and the juice box.
Many of the curtains leading into rooms were shut and the open ones led to empty studios where stencils lay cleanly on metal shelves.
“So what do you do while interning?” Rudo caught up to him and walked by his side.
“Interns clean up. We handle stencils, needles, and other stuff like that. Riyo runs the reception since she’s good with customers.” Zanka said and went behind the reception counter to grab a few items.
He returned with latex gloves and a rubberband, sliding the gloves on and putting his hair up as he went past Rudo towards the rooms. Curiously, the younger one followed.
They entered the first room together and Zanka got to work, steadily cleaning needles and wiping down chairs while Rudo watched from the doorway.
“Can I help?” Rudo asked without thinking.
Zanka finished wiping down a chair before turning to him. “Are you that bored?”
Rudo nodded and Zanka sighed, going past him to retrieve something.
He didn’t return for a few minutes and Rudo hoped he hadn’t ditched him there, seeing as it looked awfully suspicious for some kid to be standing idly near tattooing equipment.
“Here,” Zanka said upon his return. “Put these on and follow my lead.” He held out gloves and with Rudo’s permission, put the younger’s hair into a high ponytail.
He followed and watched closely as Zanka wiped off different objects and swiftly followed suit, only avoiding the piercing needles as told by Zanka that those were specialty only. They blew through 20 rooms in under an hour and soon, the sun was beginning to set outside, casting an orange light into the reception area where Zanka and Rudo were lounging.
Rudo’s hair was still in a high ponytail as he sipped on his 4th juice box of the hour, crumpled candy wrappers sitting in his hand as he rolled them between his fingers. The smell of air freshener was gone now, replaced with the tingle of disinfectant from all the cleaning the two of them had done.
Across from the area where they were sitting, was Riyo talking with a short ashy blonde haired girl. The girl, which Zanka had pointed out as Eishia, was explaining something in worried detail while Riyo listened, snickering at her distress.
“How many employees are there?” Rudo broke the silence and he could hear the other merely sigh before answering.
“Not too many.”Then silence ensued.
After a few moments Rudo opened his mouth to speak but Zanka shushed him.
“No more questions.” He quieted the other.
“But my last one wasn’t work related.” Rudo whined.
Zanka huffed. “What is it?”
“..can I have the rest of the candy?” His voice was barely below a whisper.
With an exasperated sigh, Zanka got up and left Rudo in the lobby, heading to the backroom where the candy bowl lay untouched. Rudo thought he’d pushed him over the edge for a second but then the latter returned and with a person on his heel.
Hair down and dripping wet, came Enjin, who was holding the bowl of candy with one hand and pushing his hair out of the way with the other.
“Candy delivery for Rudo.” He set the bowl down on the mini table in front of the boy, giving a wink as he did so. :”Your payment, for helping out.”
Rudo stared at the bowl for a second before taking it with both hands, a small smile hinting on his lips. “All of it?”
Enjin nodded.
“Thank you!” Rudo replied graciously, eyes still glued to the candy in the bowl rather than the man who offered it to him.
“Of course, anytime.” He smiled and nodded with enthusiasm.
Quiet chatter fell over the group, Rudo stuffing candy into his backpack while the others mingled among themselves. Orange light still shone into the room, this time the setting sun being almost visible from behind the buildings in front of the shop. The entire setting felt homey, and Rudo felt oddly in place.
The sun finally disappeared behind the buildings and darkness ensued, meaning Rudo was long past the expected time he should’ve been home. Zanka, acknowledging the same thing, grabbed his bag, saying his goodbyes and leaving the store.
Rudo lagged behind and just as he was leaving, a voice called him back.
“Hey Rudo.” Enjin called from behind and the younger one turned to face him. “Your help is much appreciated, here’s an extra reward.” He tossed the last piece of candy towards him.
Rudo caught it in both hands and nodded graciously. Slowly, he turned and went out through the front door, the bell above jingling as it came open.
“You’re welcome anytime kid! See you later.” Enjin called out as the boy left. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Riyo waving excitedly.
The whole interaction made Rudo’s chest warm a little.
The care ride home was quiet and comfortable like usual. Zanka, the everfocused driver he was, kept his eyes on the road with no music playing in the background. Per the others request, Rudo was the same, quiet and still so the older could focus.
Ink, metal, and lavender lingered in the vehicle as the road disappeared into mindless blurs through the window. Though Rudo’s day had initially sucked, the visit to the tattoo shop had significantly affected his mood.
“Zanka?” Rudo spoke quietly as they turned down his street.
“Hm?” Hummed Zanka.
Rudo pulled his bag over his shoulder as the car stopped at his house. “Could we go back there? To the tattoo shop I mean, for tutoring.”
The older boy turned to face him, pausing before responding. “I don’t see why not.”
Rudo didn’t even try to hide his smile, saying a quick thank you before getting inside, kicking off his shoes, and dashing up to his bedroom. He hurriedly pulled candy out of his bag, rolling the wrappers between his fingers rather than eating them. Joy pulled at his heart strings as he thought back to previous events.
The candy wrappers crunched on his bed as he readjusted to stare at the ceiling, glow in the dark stars above catching his eye. He let his thoughts wash off him as he lay there, chest still warm with delight.
This could give him something to look forward to.