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A deceiving threat had managed to squirm past Semius top-notch defenses and wormed its horrifying claws into the heart of their headquarters. Its effects had been quiet but were proving to be absolute treacherous in the wake of its arrival. They hadn’t been attacked this greatly since the beginning of the existence of cleaners.
Enjin prided himself on being able to take down any enemy with such swiftness that having to deal with such a persistent threat was puzzling. His vital instrument could deal with anything on the ground execpt for stubborn kids who refused to listen to simple asks.
“RUDO!! If your ass isn’t in this chair in 0.05 seconds your candy privileges are good as gone!” A voice rang throughout the whole HQ, practically shaking its cemented infrastructure.
It wasn’t unheard of hearing Enjin yell, you had to do what you had to do when you had an abundance of kids under your care, but most still stuck to their own business incase the stern voice got turned of them.
Aforementioned kid ran down the hallway, looking back to only stick out his tongue like a petulant child, before rounding the corner with a harsh ‘skrrrt’.
Enjin pinched the bridge of his noise in frustration as Gris lightly squeezed his partners shoulder in understanding. “We’ll get him don’t worry too much”
“Kinda hard not to when we’ve been dealin’ with this shit forever” Enjin whined, moving to lean most of his weight onto Gris, knowing he’d be able to hold him and more. His partne gave an amused chuckle at the utter dramatics that he’d gotten used to years earlier.
It had been sickeningly hot outside that even fighting trash monsters was getting more irritating than normal. If they weren’t baking out in the open then they were lounging around the HQ in little clothing, blasting the pretty janky AC that should’ve been higher on their priority list. The heat increased not only their inventory of chilled sweets but Enjins blood sugar.
“I better go find that little brat before he infects the whole town…” Enjin huffed, about to leave his partners hold before he heard a familiar rough-housing from the same hallway Rudo ran down minutes ago.
He heard them before he saw them and could only guess the chaotic scene that was unfolding. It was still laughable once Zanka came into view. One pissed off Rudo floating high above the ground by the collar of his shirt that was held tightly in the oldest boys grasp. No matter how hard Rudo kicked and shouted, Zanka proved to be stronger.
Enjin could barely hold back his laughter as Rudo got unceremoniously dropped in the chair, the boisterous laugh finally broke free as Rudo and Zanka entered a nasty glaring contest only rivaled by two little kittens. What probably felt like throwing daggers at each other looked adorable to Enjin and Gris.
“Here’s your patient 0. Make sure you get every one before he gets up. This is beyond annoying” Zanka crossed his arms. The whole HQ had basically been on shut down which was making it incredibly difficult to actually live his life.
Gris gave him the same assuring smile as he did before missions, the one that meant it would all be dealt with. This whole ordeal put their life’s on pause and Gris was keen on getting it back on track so the kids didn’t have to suffer much longer. “Thank you Zanka! We’ll make sure he’s all good before he wrangles out of our grasp again”
Enjin pushed off Gris to move closer to the chair, holding the back of it with a devious smile in agreement. Rudo knew he was cooked right then and there but he didn’t have to go quietly.
“HEY i’m right here you know? You probably started it all with your stinky boyfriend who rarely showers!” Rudy threw out in anger. Sure sure the whole place was made of trash so it was fairly hard to stay clean and all flowery but logic didn’t mean anything!
Zanka rolled his eyes at his younger brothers antics. Jabber hadn’t been a fan favorite with Rudo but this was nonsense coming from a trapped animal with little left to use. He was yanking at any straw he could grasp onto with his grubby gloves.
“Puh-lease the only water you’re familiar with is the stuff you drink!” Zanka voiced with a shit-eating grin. He ran off before Rudo could get his last two cents in. This little tussle was obviously won by Zanka who leisurely walked back to his room and Rudo sat dejecting on the uncomfy wooden chair in the kitchen.
“Alrighty kiddo just sit still and this won’t hurt a bit” Enjin joked as he pulled his glasses from atop his head down to his eyes. Rudo screwed his eyes shut in preparation, not actually sure what ‘neutralizing the threat’ had to do with his hair.
Soon enough calloused hands were carding through his hair, seemingly searching the strands for a hidden something. His dad was officially going coocoo! He knew Enjins intelligence only rivaled a bag of rocks but this was insane.
A soft creak made Rudo peep one eye open curiously. His sight landed on Gris who had pulled up a seat, a large hand being offered to him. Rudo huffed in annoyance but snatched the offered comfort. He wasn’t a baby and Gris was still partners in crime with his torturer!! The one who admittedly was pretty gentle when he looked for whatever was in his hair.
“Remember those little bugs we talked about earlier? He’s just checkin’ to make sure they’re not calling your hair their new home” Gris comforted.
Gris could’ve read a recipe book and it would’ve calmed Rudo down, something about his tone and genuineness made everything okay. It reminded him of someone he held very dear to him not that long ago.
Rudo shuffled in the stiff chair. He pulled his legs up to his chest, almost about to rest his head on his knees before he heard a tsk from behind him. “Imma need to see ya head Rudo. No sleepin’ on me man”
If he was going to be here for an undetermined amount of time then he might as well try and make the most of it. Even though it was making him pretty sleepy he had to stay awake. This was so unfair! He didn’t even want to be here.
After a good twenty-five minutes of extreme focus there was a slight snore filling the kitchen. Enjins tongue slightly stuck out in focus as he combed through the hair at Rudos nape, looking for the small bugs that he was beginning to become too familiar with. If he had to do this once more all his kids were going bald without any ifs or buts.
“Wow did little Rudo stay up too late last night, hm?” Riyo laughed as she walked to the fridge. She swung both doors open, her eyes sparkling once they landed on the refreshing drinks Corvus had just bought. Or well the drinks bought from the money Corvus gave Enjin to go buy them with.
”Uht! You put that orange juice back, you know it has Zankas name on it” Gris spoke from his spot next to Rudo, not even having to look up.
Riyo huffed, putting the juice back, and choosing the can of soda beside it. She cracked it open with one hand as the doors shut. It was cold as she drank and was almost as refreshing as the juice would be. It would’ve been nicer to see Zanka storming around the HQ wondering who took the last juice. It wasn’t even bought with his own money so it was fair game!
“All that fuss just for him to fall asleep!” Riyo cooed, standing over Rudo sprawled out as best as he could in the chair. It was a sorta awkward position that was needed so Enjin could properly look for the little things and Gris to hold his hand.
“Couldn’t even keep his eyes open for ten minutes” Gris spoke, an adoring smile played out on his face.
For the first few minutes Rudo kept up the tough exterior, upset that he was chased down just for Enjin to dig his hands annoyingly through his hair. Slowly the gentle ministrations calmed him down and his eyes started getting heavier. Eventually he just let sleep take him but not after he viciously fought it.
They all watched over Rudo with warm smiles. The younger teen held too much anger for someone his age so to see him so peaceful was always nice. He deserved a quiet life that treated him with a love and care. His life was shaping up to be just like that.
Rudo was full of surprises and maybe a sixth sense was one of them? The white haired boy slowly opened his eyes, blinking through the sleep to see two pairs of eyes on him. “Eh?! Whatcha starin’ at ya creeps!”
Riyo smiled and waved. Rudos cheeks flushed as he looked away, he would’ve moved but frankly he didn’t want Enjins comb hitting his forehead once again.
Rudo walked down the hallway with a slight hop in his step, less in a rush than he was before, with a twirly colored lollipop that was to thank for. Once he stopped pouting(he never pouted!!) the treatment from Enjin was pretty relaxing.
He had a little bit of time before he had to train which he decided to spend in the main room. Most should be in their rooms or on the missions that they never ran out of. The main rooms couch would finally be free enough for him to spread out and even take a nap!! Today was looking up already!
The door creaked open harshly, the rusty hinges accompanying the sharp sound of Rudo’s heart breaking into many jagged pieces. Déjà vu hit him as hard as a train once he saw that EVERYONE and their mom decided to hangout in the room. Did trash beasts suddenly disappear? Was it too hot for the raiders to wanna fight?
Any chance at a peaceful afternoon flew straight out the window and dived head first into the cement. Why was the world against him today?!
“Yo! This you little man?” An aggravating voice spoke from the depths of the room, the source coming from HIS spot on the couch.
Rudo stomped over to furniture to see his two worst enemies! Jabber sat in the middle of the worn couch, his legs spread as he hunched over with a toothy smile. One hand rested on the legs over his lap, the very sweatpants only his brother would wear(Rudo would only admit they looked cool when he was able to steal them).
Zanka the horrible betrayer sat with his back to the arm of the couch, his old flip phone lit up with a grainy photo of Rudo himself sleeping!!! If his hatred couldn’t burn brighter. How did he even get that? How could Gris let that happen!
It only took seconds for Rudo to pounce onto the older boy, reaching for the phone and kicking him when he held it further away with a cynical laugh. Jabber moved away slightly to make room for the little tussle between the two, Rudo swore he could hear Jabber cheer on his boyfriend.
Zankas laugh was cut short when Rudo pinched the exposed skin on his side, that was definitely going to bruise later.
“Dammit you twerp!” he cursed as he tried to push Rudo off the couch. No matter how much Zanka swung his arm, Rudo held on like the floor was boiling lava.
Jabber laughed at the play fight, it wasn’t violent or bloody but maybe Zanka had softened him up. They’d have to get high later and beat each other to get his edge back. He itched his scalp absentmindedly. Something in the No Man’s Land must’ve traveled with him because it was getting itchy as hell. Oh well!
A darkness suddenly covered them, like a weird sort of eclipse that was conjured up inside the room. The fight abruptly ended and Jabber jumped like a disturbed cat, his eyes wide and curious as he looked towards the source of the shadow.
It would’ve made a normal person shit bricks but Jabber had faced worst. Zankas parents only made a close 2nd on his list of fears. The first was Zanka losing his fighting spirit that made him so interesting to interact with.
“Heyyyy what’s up with yall?” Jabber said clueless, noticing the glares focused on him, nothing unusual but this time they screamed a different kind of ‘i’ll kill you’.
“Jabber. Do you know how long i’ve spent getting rid of these? How many grueling hours i’ve spent in this HOT ass HQ picking lice out yalls hair? Washing all the blankets and towels? I didn’t even know we had this many brushes until I had to boil them all!”
Jabber opened his mouth to speak with a witty remark but was silenced by Enjin before it could escape his mouth.
“The answer is too fucking long. Now you’re going to go sit in that chair and everyone in this room is quarantining for the rest of our lives” Enjin spoke, a tone that made no room for question.
The whole room groaned in annoyance and glared at the Raider in the room.