Chapter Text
Fu knew that overstaying his welcome was inevitable with the cleaners. He wasn't sure if he could call it welcome in the first place as he was still only with them on a trial basis and not as an actual member. It had been inevitable for Zodyl to leave him behind but it had still stung. He had grown to enjoy the company of the raiders. Had foolishly gotten used to sitting next to Momoa as she taught him to read a new language. Had started to cautiously enjoy the company of even Jabber, though he never failed to scare Fu to death. Fear had never been an unusual emotion for him so it had been easy to warm up to the raiders strange ways.
To be frank, he did not remember much of what happend after he had realised that Zodyl had left him. He remembered sobbing in some tunnel, wailing about how he could've done something had he just been ordered to. He remembered feeling relieved when Master Hii had finally taken pity on him. But as usual, he did not remember much of his time alone in his head while Hii saved them. He remembered waking up bruised, crying again and then eventually being ordered to try and get the cleaners pity. The days after were a blur of anxiety, panic and short lived relief. Eventually he'd done it. Had attached to himself to Mister Enjin and the other cleaners like the leech he was, sucking in the warmth of their mercy as long as he still had it.
Fu knew that sooner or later, he'd be left behind. Knew that soon he'd be back on the road, scrambling to find a new host. So why had he dared to get so attached to this current home? Maybe it was because Corvus had accepted him kindly, or because Gris had taken the time to show him around once. Or maybe it was thanks to Amo, who had ordered him around so well, without question. Or maybe it was just the warm bed he was graciously lended.
Whatever the reason, he had to accept that he had almost gotten used to the kindness of these people and that he hoped that his time of departure wouldn't come soon. Which is why, when he one morning woke up with a horrible ache in his muscles and a head full of cotton, he did not dare to even consider falling behind. If he wanted to stay for longer he'd have to be the best minion he could, obidient and eager. After days of staying in his room and only daring to come out when he was asked to, It had been Gris to finally give him the order to be out of his room by 7:30 every morning. Fu felt a bit guilty about the frustration he must've caused in having to be picked up from his room. So he was even more glad to finally be able to take that weight off of the cleaners shoulders.
This morning he got dressed slower than he would've liked, relishing the lingering warmth of his borrowed pyjamas for just a bit too long. Of course, that did not stop him from exiting his room at exacly 7:30, just like every morning. He ignored how heavy his head felt or how his throat started stinging whenever he swallowed his saliva. He wanted to stay so he was to work for it.
He spent his morning as he usually would, taking orders and speaking when spoken to. A small, naive part of him had hoped for his body to settle at some point after breakfast, allowing him to continue without error. But alas, his symptoms had only worsened. Along with the muscle aches and sore throat, his nose had started running and he had spent breakfast trying his best to wipe at it whenever nobody was looking. Still, he had been asked two times about his well being, something that ashamed him. Still, he had no choice but to carry on. He had just finished helping Amo clean up her room when he recieved his next order by the man he hoped would accept him as his minion eventually.
"Hey Fu! You're got at carryin' junk right?"
Enjin asked absentmindedly as he passed him in the halls. He was nursing a cigarette and staring intensly at Fu, making him instinctivly cower away.
"Yes sir!"
He replied hastily, cringing at the rough edge his voice carried. To his relief, Enjin smiled at him.
"Great! I need to get some shopping done. I lost a bet against Riyo and now I'm forced to replace her shampoo amongst other shit. You can come along and help, right?"
Fu had quickly learned that orders formated as questions were still orders and he nodded intensly as he followed after Enjin.
He let himself feel a spark of regret as he stepped outside the cleaners base, shivering in the cold air. This part of the ground never got snow but nontheless, winter was approaching with a biting cold wind. He shivered, hugging his arms without thinking about it as he made his way to the car.
"You good?"
Fu flinched as Enjin adressed him and stared up at the mans suspicious expression. He had gotten careless.
"Yes, sir! Perfectly fine!"
He forced out through his aching throat and gave a shaky, insistant nod. Fortunatly, Enjin let it go. Fu could only hope that the man did not think of him as a burden. It certantly wouldn't help his prognosis when it came to staying with the cleaners. Afterall, who wanted a meek, sickly minion?
About ten minutes later, Fu let another sliver of regret pass through him as Enjin abruptly hit the brakes for the third time in a few moments. Fu was already not good with car rides, something he had promised himself long ago he'd never show. He liked spending car rides in the back, staring at the front seat without speaking to anybody. It was the only way he wouldn't have to spend the car ride nauseated and dizzy. That strategy didn't exacly work when he was sat in the passanger seat, staring at the road as his host treated the steering wheel like a pinata and played loud music.
Fu was not one to complain as he had no right to. He did not need much, just a host and their orders. He'd make do with what he could get otherwise. So why did he dare and wish to be back in his bed now? That was not his place, he was not one to have wishes like that.
"Because you're sick, dumbass"
A strangled voice in his head answered him. Master Hii had seemingly had enough of his mental whining. Fu cringed at the thought.
"No I'm not. I can't be!"
He half whined, half rasped out.
"What was that?"
Crap. He'd spoken outloud. He glanced at Enjin as the man curiously looked him over.
"You don't look so good."
He observed. Fu didn't dare panic.
"Do I need to pull over?"
Enjin continued, tone tired and curious.
"No, Sir! I apologize for causing trouble, please forgive me!"
"Kid I'm not saying you're in trouble, I'm asking if you're about to throw up all over my seat."
"I am not!"
"Alright, good."
Fu shakily exhaled, relieved that the conversation had come to an end. He should not bite the hand that feeds him, meaning he should man up.
—
An hour or so later Fu was walking through the narrow streets of a small town, following after Enjin as he carried the mans bags. He did not dare ask what was in them besides the shampoo for Riyo, it was not his place to. Besides, he was much more occupied with the horrible chills wrecking his body every few moments. He was glad that Enjin wasn't paying much attention to him, busy with his choker conversation with who Fu could only assume was Semiu. His normally strong arms felt like jelly as he pressed the two bags against his chest. They weren't heavy by any means and yet it seemed that his body had launched its ultimate betrayal.
"Do I need to take over?"
Master Hii's voice sounded in his head. Normally Fu would be able to tell the tone in which the cursed doll spoke to him, but his brain was too focused on staying concious and being a decent minion to really process it.
"I have no orders for that."
Fu answered back quietly. He just kept on stumbling after Enjin, who was now arguing with Semiu about his wherabouts. Suddendly, Fu stumbled slightly, shoe getting caught on some rubble on the street. He tried to stay upright, but his weakened body did not comply as he dropped both bags and fell right on them and onto the street.
For a moment he just laid there, chills wrecking his body as he stared at the mess he had caused. He had messed up. He had really messed up now.
Enjin was saying something. Fu couldn't hear him over the screaming in his head. He had messed up his orders and that meant that he had dissapointed his host. He'd be out on the street in a heartbeat, alone and so unbearably cold. He had wanted to stay with the cleaners for a bit longer. Why hadn't he tried harder.
He could barely feel the hands on his shoulders, let alone hear the words of his host. He'd get thrown out. There were hands on his shoulders and they were going to choose his punishment before leaving him behind to fend for himself. Fu couldn't fend for himself. Couldn't live on his own orders, not again. He was something to be used now, all autonomy having been forcefully clawed from him the day he had made the mistake.
He should be used to this by now. Over the years since the mistake, he'd served all kinds of hosts who'd had all kinds of punishments for him. So why was he still so scared? Somewhere in the distance he could feel himself moving, though he couldn't be sure if it was really him or if Master Hii had graciously taken over. Was he able to take over without Fu's permission? He hoped so. He didn't want to make a descision like that. Or any one for that matter.
Somehere in the distance, he could hear an engine turning on. Was he sitting? In a car maybe? What car? Where was he again? Fu had always had the tendency to forget things if they stressed him too much. He knew that he was stressed. Stressed and fearful of being punished and left. But where was he now? What had happend? He was lost in his head as he tended to be, sitting in a cold, uncomfortable darkness as his brain refused to let in any stimuli. Where was Hii? He needed Hii. He needed someone to tell him what to do.
"Hey, kid!"
Fu blinked, and he was back in the present. Suddendly, everything came crashing in at once and his eyes filled with big, fat tears.
"I'm so sorry mister Enjin!"
He wailed patheticly. It came out strangled and hoarse.
"Oh thank god. Thought I'd lost you there."
Enjin sighed a sigh of what could be both annoyance and relief. Fu panicked.
"I'm so sorry!" He cried, tears and snot flowing freely over his face and onto his lap as his body shook.
"I didn't mean to drop them! Please, I accept any punishment! And I know that it isn't my place to ask-" He let out another sob, catching his breath. "But please! Just give me another chance to prove my worth to you!"
His sobs wrecked his whole body as he curled into himself on the passanger seat of Enjins car. The parasite had been discovered at last. It was only a matter of time now before it was removed.
"Calm down."
Enjins words suprised him, and Fu choked on his own snot and broke off into a coughing fit. When he was done, Enjin continued.
"You're genuently burning up, any longer and I could fry an egg on your head. You should've said something kid, but you're not getting kicked out. You're just going home. I was finished with the shopping anyway."
Fu's overheated brain struggled to process the words that had been said. It was like he could feel the gears in his head turning, and he wished for Hii to explain to him what he had just heard. But Hii was quiet. Fu was alone in his cloudy mind.
He continued taking shaky breaths as remaining tears and snot dripped onto his lap. He sniffled, but it didn't help.
"What?"
He croaked out eventually.
"I said we're going home."
Home. That didn't make sense. Not at all. He was supposed to beg for mercy and take whatever punishment his host had prepared for him.
"I'm confused."
He whined.
"I didn't think that was so hard to grasp."
Enjin sounded annoyed. That made sense. A lot more sense than what had been said before.
"What will be my punishment then?"
Fu sobbed, not daring to look at Enjin. The man was quiet for a moment and Fu gathered the courage to glance up. Enjin wasn't focused on the road but on him instead, looking at him with an expression Fu couldn't place.
"Fu." Enjin started, tone serious, and Fu found himself curling inwards into his seat.
"What do you think will happen?"
Fu blinked. Was Enjin making him choose his own punishment? Before he could think about it longer, Enjin continued.
"You're not getting punished. Or thrown out, or even scolded as I don't have the energy for that. Why do you think that? Who made you think that?"
They parked and Enjin turned off the car, sitting quietly in his seat for a few moments and looking at Fu.
Fu couldn't process the words. They didn't make sense at all. Tears were still rolling over his cheeks and he swallowed, wincing at the pain in his throat.
"Well If I make a mistake I should be punished, shouldn't I?"
He said, suddendly unsure. Was Enjin testing him? Making sure that he knew his place?
"Not nesecerily no."
Enjin shrugged.
"If you mess up real bad you could get a scolding from somebody who gives a shit but I don't see how punishment would be beneficial here. You're not a naughty child, ya know?"
He did not know. Not really. He'd been punished for the mistake, not just scolded. It's why he had vowed to never have to take responsibility for anything again.
"Fu."
Enjin spoke again. Fu turned his tear stained face to the man.
"Who punished you for trivial shit like that?"
"Well…" Fu hesitated. "Everyone?"
"The raiders?"
"Master Zodyl was a bit more merciful than some of my other hosts, but them too, yes."
Fu answered honestly, seeing Enjins question as orders to speak. So why did Enjin look so displeased with his answer? Had it been the wrong one? Had he been meant to lie?
"Shit, kid."
Enjin sighed. He didn't look suprised, just dissapointed.
"Cmon." The man continued. "Let's go inside, yeah?"
He stepped out of the car and made his way to the back to grab the two bags that Fu had dropped. Fu shivered and followed after him, more confused than ever. Enjin didn't order him to carry the bags again.
Fu quietly followed Enjin through the halls, wiping at his tear and snot stained face and stiffling a few painful coughs that seemed to make the older man cringe. They arrived in the common room and Fu took his usual position in the corner, watching as Enjin unpacked the bags and talked to Gris.
The headache that had been pestering him for a few hours now was starting to act up and Fu repressed a wince, closing his eyes and trying to stand up as well as he could.
"Fu?"
A new voice called out. Fu blinked up into the painful light, up at Gris who had made his way over to him.
"Enjin told me you weren't feeling well. Why don't we go to the infirmary and get you some meds?"
"I'm okay!" Fu said hastily. "You do not need to waste medicine on me, I promise you I can keep working!"
"I don't doubt that!" Gris smiled. "But theres no need for you to work when you are sick. And we want to make sure you're comfortable, even if you're not working."
Fu was growing more confused by the second. Suddendly, the coughs he'd been holding back bubbled out of his chest, making him bend over and have a painful coughing fit. It took him a few moments to recover and when he did, Gris laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Cmon Fu. Let's get you feeling better. Unfortunatly our dear Eishia can't heal illness, but she can give you stuff to help your body fight."
Fu complied. He couldn't refuse an order, directly worded or not. Gris's hand stayed on his shoulder on their short walk to the infirmary. Fu felt dizzy and tired, his head buzzing painfully. When they reached the open door, Gris's hand moved to wrap around Fu's shoulders and he found himself leaning into the warmth.
"Eishia."
Gris called out and the girl lurked out from behind a closet.
"Yes?"
She asked, tone similarly nervous as that of Fu.
"Fu is sick. I was wondering if you maybe had some medicine to make him feel better?"
Eishia nodded quickly.
"Uhm." She turned to Fu shyly. "What are your symptoms?"
When Fu didn't immideatly reply, Gris took over.
"Fever and cough as far as I know. Is there more, Fu? Runny nose, chills?"
Fu hesitantly nodded at both.
"Any body aches? Headache?"
He meekly nodded again, ashamed of how much trouble he was causing. If Eishia minded she didn't show it, dissapearing behind a shelf and returning mere moments later with a few pills.
"These should help! But please, do monitor your symptoms and tell someone if anything gets worse, yes?"
She smiled quickly, handing him a handful of pills and dissapearing before Fu had the chance to thank her.
"Thank you Eishia!"
Gris called after the girl before turning back to him.
"Now, go back to your room and I'll make sure to bring you a glass of water, alright?"
Fu nodded, scrambling to follow the order and hurrying off, conflicted on what he was feeling. He hadn't realised just how exhausted he was until he had reached his room. He quietly closed the door and sat down on the bed he had left just a few hours ago, laying the pills onto the bedside table. Everything was spinning now and the unbearable cold from earlier had turned into a sweltering heat. He'd take off the hoodie that Enjin had lended him but he still had nothing beneath it. He decided to just lay back for the moment. His head hit the blanket and his half lidded eyes darted around the ceiling as the world spun. He softly touched Hii's doll. Hii had been so quiet. Maybe he had left him too. He stroked the coarse fur of the doll and his eyes refused to stay open. What had been his order again?
At some point he remembered swallowing pills, a warm hand on his shoulder and his head being propped onto a pillow. He didn't know who had taken mercy on him but it had been quite nice to lay so comfortably. He could only hope that he would be able to enjoy that comfort for just a little longer before being kicked out.