Chapter Text
Rudo Surebrec thought Tamsy was a cool dude. So when his trainer, Zanka, came up to him talking about his ‘weird behavior’ Rudo completely pushed him aside! He thought it was hypocritical, since everyone on the cleaners seemed way weirder than Tamsy Caines.
“I'm jus’ tellin’ ‘ya to watch it! You follow that dude around like a lost puppy, and he's not even in Akuta! Plus, he gives me the creeps. Always smilin’ like there's not a care in the freakin’ world.. Natural talent probably doesn't even know sweat.” Zanka yelled at Rudo as he stomped out of the common room. “Well I'M TELLING YOU that you sound like you're a jealous turd-face!”
“.. But what he did in Amo's tower-”
“If ya’ had a better idea on how to handle the ordeal, why didn't you say so, sloppy!”
“WHO ARE YOU CALLIN’ SLOPP-”
Slam!
Rudo shut the door and grumpily huffed his way down to the front desk, hoping maybe there was a job or something he could do to practice with 3R, since Zanka wasn't an option for training right now.
Rudo stepped down the stairs hastily, hardly watching where he was going. Consequently, he bumped into someone in his haste. “Ah! Watch it-” Rudo stepped back and hit the back of his foot against the step, causing him to trip and lose his balance. This is the worst day ever! Rudo rubbed his head as he looked up at the person. “Oh shit, uhm sorry Tamsy..” Rudo immediately felt his face Redden with shame as he realized who he had acted so crudely towards.
“Rudo, what a coincidence,” Tamsy's words flowed elegantly out his mouth, calming Rudo down just by hearing his soft voice. “I was actually just about to go look for you!” His eyes scrunched up with a smile as he stared down at the boy. “You see, after our last mission together, I simply couldn't shake you off my mind. I wanted to see 3R up close in the first place, but it seems my curiosity- or admiration? Has only grown!” Tamsy chuckled and Rudo felt his cheeks burning with overwhelming heat, and he feared he looked like a tomato.
Admiration? Someone as cool as Tamsy had admiration for him?!
“O-Oh.. Dude that's too far! Y-You're the one who I wanna learn more about, ‘ya know..” Rudo couldn't help but stutter as the praise left his lips, around Tamsy, he feared being too rash, and pushing him away. That would be AWFUL!
“Well, I'll take that as a yes to joining me in another mission?”
“Yeah!”
… Rudo may have agreed a little too excitedly, as Tamsy let out a small chuckle; practically seeing the tail wag between the small boy's legs. Tamsy wrapped his long sleeve gently around Rudo's shoulder, bringing a comforting warmth as they made it to reception.
…
Somehow, Tamsy was even cooler on this mission! Of course, they couldn't go alone alone: Gris coming along for extra support, but Rudo couldn't help but feel like he and Tamsy were perfectly combat oriented! Or maybe Tamsy just worked that great with everyone.
“Tamsy, you're such a great guy.” Rudo finally caved in to tell him. And Rudo firmly believed Tamsy wouldn't be like Enjin and tease him over it. “Rudo, you give me too much credit. What I did was selfish, dragging you out in the middle of nowhere to show off your skills.. Well, no matter, it's not a big deal if you enjoyed it, is it?” Tamsy hummed as he walked straight past Semiu and the reception, and Rudo felt inclined to follow.
“No shit, man..” Rudo eyed the surroundings as they moved into a less visited spot by the young boy; another sleeping quarter separate from his own.
“hmm..” Tamsy stopped abruptly in front of one of the doors, causing Rudo to almost run right into him again. “Rudo, this is my room. My, I'm afraid I accidentally dragged you here, didn't I..” Tamsy placed his finger on his chin as if contemplating something. “Well, since you're here, you can join me in tea If you'd wish.” Tamsy smiled softly down at the boy as he adjusted his large coat. “.. That is if you're not planning to head to sleep, of course.” Rudo immediately shook his head, sticking out a thumbs up without a word.
“Wonderful, come on in, then. And do make yourself at home.” Tamsy gestured for Rudo to come inside. He entered a little hesitantly, since he hadn't been in another cleaners room: even when everyone seemed to love breaking into his.
Tamsy's room was more bare than Rudo's, even when Rudo only got there somewhat recently. It was mostly the default, only with some paintings and a music player sat on the table by his bedside. “Tamsy, do you listen to music a lot?” Rudo asked as he glanced around the room.
“Yes, I'm quite the music connoisseur. I like classical,” expected. “But my guilty pleasure is engaging in hard metal. Really, that's my favorite. Classical hardly even compares.” he waved his hand dismissively as he walked to the counter to prepare the tea. “Metal?” Rudo couldn't help but stare in bewilderment. “Especially the screaming kind.” Tamsy added in, popping the tea bags into their respective cups. “Oh, I forgot to ask.. I do hope Carmamele is okay?” Tamsy raised a brow as he stirred the tea with such grace that Rudo had to think for a moment before replying. “Huh? Oh, yeah that's good..? Sorry, truth is, I haven't had tea before..” Rudo's shoulders slumped and his head dropped, afraid to disappoint the man.
“Is tea a luxury up on the sphere? Well, if so, then doesn't that make the ground a better place?” Tamsy effortlessly continued the conversation. Rudo couldn't help but think of the royalty up on the sphere with the way he carried himself with such grace. Tamsy was way better than them, though. “Well, I think people have tea up there. Only rich people though.” Tamsy hummed, handing the tea carefully over to Rudo.
“Tell me if it's to your taste. I can always add more sugar.” Tamsy nodded his head over to the cabinet where he presumably stored the sugar. “And, Rudo..” He continued without letting Tamsy quip in a quick thanks, man! “I have a question for you. Which do you prefer? Here, or up on the sphere?” Tamsy sat down on his bed, gesturing for Rudo to sit next to him.
“What's this about?”
“Just curious, is all.”
“Well.. The ground is probably the better choice. I mean, there's no apostles to raise their noses at me or anything, but there's the raiders and stuff.. And the trash storms. And pollution— Okay, I guess the ground is worse by the technical term stuff. But I'd rather be down here, since now that I know just how wasteful the sphere is.. I don't wanna be a part of that, even if I was tryna to prevent it.”
He paused.
“But…”
“But?”
“Regto… Regto was up in the sphere. I know you weren't askin’ for which people I liked better or anything, I just can't help but hook Regto and the sphere in the same boat.” Rudo took a sip of his tea. He didn't notice the tremble in Tamsy's perfect gaze. “You really cared a lot about him, didn't you? I'm sure he was a great man.” Rudo's hand trembled, a small amount of tea slipping down onto the plate underneath. “..But what's done is done, and unfortunately there's no bringing him back.” Wow. Rudo wasn't expecting such a harsh answer. But he supposed Tamsy didn't mean it to sound so harsh, since it would contradict everything he knew about the guy.
“You're right, I guess. I just can't let go until avenge his death, at the very least.” He shouldn't get mad. Rudo took another sip of tea. “Of course. Your feelings aren't invalid at all, Rudo, dear.” See? He meant the best, just worded it wrong. Or something. Or maybe Rudo was getting sensitive? “Rudo, stop overthinking every little word. I can practically see the gears turning in your head, and it's not a good look for the public eye.” Tamsy gently touched Rudo's shoulder, placing his own empty tea cup on the bedside counter. “.. Right.”
… …
Rudo couldn't help but go back to Tamsy's room the next night, and the night after. The man was just so kind, Rudo could hardly believe he didn't want anything in return for Rudo spilling all his messy feelings out each night for Tamsy to skillfully place back together in a neater, and fixed condition.
All things had to turn sour eventually, though. Whether by one inside this ordeal or…
“Rudo.” Rudo turned around to face Zanka, he was just heading for Tamsy's room at their normal time, but was stopped mid way. “Yeah? Didn't I do good in training today? Whaddya want now, shitface?” Rudo pouted, impatiently stomping his foot on the ground like a spoiled child. Zanka sighed. “Listen, it's not ‘bout the training. I know ‘ya don't wanna hear it, but..” He trailed off. “Is this about—”
“Man, I'm being serious, here! Rudo, can ‘ya just listen calmly for a sec?” Rudo squinted his eyes at the taller teen. “... Okay.” Zanka sighed in relief, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Alright. Then what are ya doing out past ‘eleven goin’ to Caines’ room?” Rudo dramatically sighed as he saw Zanka's stern expression: looking and acting way too old for his age.
“I Think you and Enjin's ages are swapped..” Rudo grumbled and adjusted his posture. “Tamsy's like, a craptastically good guy. He listens to whatever B.S. I gotta spout, and listens and gives super great advice. He's like a real life angel! So I talk to him about my stuff! Is that what you wanted to hear?!” Rudo felt his face grow red as he spoke. Saying it out loud, he couldn't help but sound like some sensitive baby that needs constant help or it'll trip and start crying.
“...Why so late at night?”
“Huh?”
“Like, you have the morning, don’tcha? Why d'ya gotta go in the middle of the night?”
“‘Cuz it's easier that way. I don't know man.. It feels like you're interrogating me, though. I don't like it. I already told you, ‘k? So I'm gonna go now—”
“Ugh, Rudo!”
“Nope!” Rudo raced off with a bit more speed than a brisk walk. He was already late after all.
Knock, knock, knock!
The door swung open to reveal the gorgeous man that is Tamsy, standing in the doorway. Rudo couldn't help but feel endless pools of admiration fill his gut whenever he saw him. He's gentle like Regto. Rudo thought to himself countless times.
“Rudo, I was thinking.. Would you like to come out to the market with me tomorrow?” Tamsy's lips curled up slightly more than usual, his golden eyes boring into Rudo's red ones. “Yeah! I don't know if I have a mission or anything, though..” Rudo's gaze shifted to the floor. “Mm,” Tamsy hummed, “why not take the day off, then?” Take the day off? Tamsy seemed to read his thoughts, as he let out a laugh and ushered Rudo inside. “Don't tell me you haven't even considered taking a day off, Rudo, dear?” No, he hadn't.
“Well.. I haven't been here that long, so—”
“Really, no need to take this so seriously. It's not as if everything will collapse if you take one measly day to cleanse those little desires, hm? All the cleaners have lives outside of being a cleaner, after all. It's really just a job.” Rudo hadn't really thought of it so un-personally. “I guess you had the impression that everyone who joined the cleaners were homeless mutts without a place to go?”
“W-well mutts is a bit far!”
“It's quite alright, dear. Especially since all of Akuta is that way.”
“You're talking like you're different, then? What do you do outside of work?” Rudo only felt it fair to learn some information about the private man after such a good opportunity had shown itself. “Ah, so greedy, hm? Well, I like music, as you know. I play electric guitar, too! I actually also have a sweet tooth, although pastries are much more enjoyable to me than candy. I also love spicy food, oh! Now that I think about it.. Rudo, have you had spicy food before?” Rudo was bewildered.
“... You like sweets, too?!” The boy stared wide eyed at the man, as if it was the most unexpected occurrence. “hah, are you still only catching up to what I said?” Tamsy giggled into his sleeve.
Rudo realized Tamsy really did have a plethora hidden up his sleeves. He always found it endearing whenever he would seemingly break character to laugh a bit like Remlin in his tactics. He didn't mind though, as it brought him even closer to how Regto would act.
He sort of felt like an older brother in a way.
“I guess it's only fair I share some background information to you after all this time you've shared your heart out, too. ”
Oh!
“I come from somewhere far away,” Tamsy gazed out the window at the night sky. “It's fascinating how different this world is in different areas, because where I come from, I was like royalty. But, I didn't enjoy it like how I should have. It was boring. Everyone stuck to their rules, and if you acted out of line, they'd punish you or sneer at you. So I left! Sometimes I go back, though.” He added the last part a bit hesitantly. Rudo was staring at him with such round eyes. It made sense, really. Royalty did seem to be a title fitting of Tamsy Caines.
“Thanks for telling me, Tamsy. This might sound insensitive, but that really reminds me of the rich folk up in the sphere. In the far distance, you could see this castle like buildin’, and it looked like royalty to me. I never got to get close, though.”
“Oh, really?” Tamsy chuckled, flicking his gaze back to Rudo's for just a moment before returning to the clouds.