Chapter Text
Rudo “awoke” like most days: sleepless and grumpy. His hands hadn’t been aching as much as usual thanks to the steady flow of pain medication Enjin had gotten him after he realized Rudo had a form of chronic pain he and Eishia could help with. It made Rudo more efficient when it came to repairing trinkets, so he obliged with taking them two or three times a week; not everyday like he was told to, but both of the older Cleaners counted it as a win as he was trying to help himself.
Swinging his legs over his bed, he noted grease stains from some project he was working on in the sheets and mused somewhere in his mind it was about time to clean them. His bare feet smacked against the hard floor, stretching out his body. Despite being awake for a majority of the night, he had been relatively still. He had really tried to get more sleep tonight, but Rudo was not fortunate.
Rudo knew that Zanka was likely the only member of Team Akuta up at the moment. Riyo or Enjin would be the next one to wake, which Rudo generally liked to wait for them, as Zanka would get on his nerves too early on in the day and ruin his mood. Rudo had gotten into a schedule by now; it’s been almost a year since Enjin had taken him under his wing. Rudo was pretty settled into the Cleaners, and it showed: trinkets he repaired littered the place. Everyone he knew at HQ had gotten at least one if not more, something that made Rudo think of them somehow. He wouldn’t always explain why, but the gift was still touching regardless, and it gave Rudo more of an excuse to go “trash shopping”. He had a few of his own that reminded him of his childhood, as bittersweet as it was to think of it.
Rudo had come to terms what had happened. Yes, he was still on a path for revenge, but his time here had taught him to take life slow. That the little things matter, that relationships matter, that he mattered.
He’d come to terms with being betrayed by those on the Sphere, for the ones on the Ground learned to value something he didn’t think could be. Well, almost everyone on the Sphere.
Regto hadn’t judged. Just simply loved his son.
A sour mood invoked Rudo at that moment, and his posture deflated on the bed. He missed his father dearly. More recently, he had been gonging about him, as he found the time to. He thought Regto would love it down here, mainly due to the people. They shared similar ideals and values when it came to objects and the correct usage of them.
Rudo let out another heavy sigh. He knew today would be particularly bad when it came to thoughts on the past, for he was turning sixteen today: July twentieth marked him turning another year old. He didn’t know if the others knew, and he didn’t know if he wanted them to. He didn’t want to feel swamped with that kind of attention today.
He pushed his weight onto his legs, padding over to his dresser and grabbing out his uniform. He especially wanted a job today to keep his mind off of everything and anything. He changed into it without wandering to the bathroom, though he did lock his door. He’s been getting better at that recently, much to some Cleaner’s (August’s) dislike.
His clothing squeaked as he rolled his shoulders, the fabric no longer as stiff as it once was but still more than average. It was to allow things to ricochet or repel off easier than with otter fabrics; nothing clung to it, which was necessary while working in the field Rudo did. He got his boots on next, running a brush through his hair as he knew Riyo or Enjin or someone would mess with it later. He didn’t want knots for whoever that someone was, as it was painful for him, and it paused the others from getting enjoyment out of messing with him.
Rudo stomped over to his door, unlocking it and stepping out. The dim hallways didn’t aggravate his sensitive eyes thankfully, and he made his way through the giant gray castle to their dining hall for conversation and food. He was hungry, as he was finally able to get enough food for someone his age. Zanka had made the argument that his skinny frame was just finally starting to catch up, or he was hitting a spike in puberty as Eishia liked to put it. Anyways, he was starving.
Pushing open the metal doors, he dragged his feet over to pancakes and eggs, scooping a good amount onto his plate to see who was at their team’s claimed table. No one, surprisingly. Some supporters meandered around along with Tamsy and Delmon of Team Eager, all of whom were up and sluggishly interacting with each other and their surroundings.
Rudo assumed Zanka to be out in the courtyard training. The teen was desperate to prove himself to someone Rudo couldn’t identify—maybe himself, maybe his family—but he had leaned to go easier on himself finally. It took quite a bit of arguing from majority of Team Akuta and some others at HQ, but Enjin, of course, knocked in the final bullet. He still wanted to improve of course, but was balancing it with enjoyment of other things. Him and Rudo had been getting along a bit more recently, too, as much as they clashed. Rudo welcomed the change warily.
Picking at his food, Rudo didn’t realize the heavy stomps heading for him until a large blonde-headed oaf draped a large amount of his six-foot something weight over him, groaning with exhaustion with a faux enthusiasm of the noise that only came to tease. Enjin pushed off of Rudo’s shoulders, rubbing his head before sitting next to the kid, stealing a piece of scrambled egg with his bare hands from his plate.
”Go get your own, Turdface!” Rudo snapped, turning to face the man who was thirteen years older than him—well, twelve now. Enjin rolled his eyes playfully, not trying to put up a smirk on his face.
He looked exhausted. Bags that typically didn’t find their way onto Enjin’s face were burrowed not deeply, but prominently enough to warrant alarm. He’d gone at least a day without sleep, and Rudo suddenly felt bad for snapping, shoulders rising defensively. Enjin grumbled “but your plate is right there,” before chewing the egg and rubbing his eyes, “and I don’t wanna move…” he whined out with another groan, head flopping down dramatically. Rudo stared at the man who was obviously playing him for a moment, before also dramatically letting out a sigh, shoving his own plate over to Enjin who straightened up in victory as Rudo walked off to get another.
When he returned, he saw Enjin chewing slowly, eyes tracing the boy. Rudo settled down on the other side of him and began to eat quicker, not wanting his food stolen once more.
”…were you up all night or something?” Rudo eventually grumbled, and Enjin nodded.
”Friend of Corvus stopped by all injured and stuff. He was really aggravated and needed some restraining from your one and only. I think he was delirious; he had a nasty wound that didn’t seem treated well.” Enjin rattled off, before shrugging, that smirk that always found its way to his face returning, albeit with a little less fire. That scared Rudo, and he slunk back. The sly grin only rose.
”And happy birthday to you, twerp. If I was feeling better I’d sing for you.” Enjin smiled, a lazy hand burrowing its way into Rudo’s brushed hair. Rudo tried to pry his giant hand off, but it was stuck, so he accepted his fate with a slew of insults.
”Don’t.” He bit out, and Enjin’s eyes twinkled deviously.
”Later, brat. Later.” The older man promised, earning a groan from Rudo.
Zanka came in at that moment, a box in his hands as he sat down, Lovely Assistaff at his back. Rudo and Enjin both looked over, curious. Zanka raised an eyebrow, before sighing and tossing the box to Rudo, standing up once more. “Happy birthday, shithead. ‘M gettin’ breakfast. Don’t open it yet.” Zanka growled, a lightly blush tinging his cheeks as Rudo gaped at him in awe. Enjin leaned back with a grin. Rudo, much alike to his mentor, blushed at the thought Zanka got him something.
”Don’t worry Rudo. I have a gift for you in my room.” Enjin sighed happily, his hands locking behind his head as he continued to lean back. Rudo looked at him in shock, too.
”Wh—you didn’t need to do that.” Rudo blushed awkwardly, stammering. Zanka returned with some eggs and two pancakes. “Why would you get me a gift?!” Rudo snapped, and Zanka scoffed.
”You’re my apprentice. ‘N like… I dunno dumbass. Yer like a lil’ brother to me.” Zanka mumbled out, also looking away. Enjin made an “aww” noise, causing Zanka to whirl on his heel and bare his teeth at the man, cheeks red. “Shut up, man!” Zanka bit out, before slapping a hand over his mouth as he snapped at the Enjin. Enjin just laughed with his gut, a hand going to his forehead, the other hitting the table. Zanka huffed and looked away, Rudo blinking in shock yet.
”Well, if we’re giving out gifts, I’ll go retrieve mine.” Enjin sighed, swinging himself up with more momentum than necessary. He stalked off, leaving Rudo and Zanka awkwardly there to glance at each other.
”…thanks.” Rudo mumbled. Zanka grumbled something out, picking at his eggs angrily.
Enjin returned with Riyo, both carrying bags. Riyo waved excitedly, bounding over to her teammates who were finishing their food. She ran behind Rudo and gave him a hug where she wrapped her arms around his neck behind the chair he was sitting on, causing the boy to freeze.
”Aww! Your sweet sixteen! Happy birthday Rudo!” She chirped, swaying a little bit in the hug. Rudo’s blush was still prominent.
Riyo pulled away, setting her bag by Zanka’s gift and now Enjin’s that appeared somewhere when he was distracted.
”Hold on before you open them! I need to grab breakfast.” Riyo smiled warmly, walking off. Enjin settled back into his chair next to Rudo, Zanka across from them. Enjin continued to pick at Rudo’s old plate, Zanka finishing his own, and Rudo pouring excess syrup onto his untouched pancakes. Riyo returned, a smile still very present.
”Alright. Seems like you’re allowed to open them now.” Enjin said, looking at Rudo. He nudged the boy after a moment, who picked up Zanka’s box. It was unwrapped, but the box had no label on it, so it was still a surprise. It was a rather flat prism with a tab to pull out, so Rudo did with clumsy fingers due to his gloves. Inside the box was a clear plastic one, followed by a hand-sewing kit full needles and string of varying colors. He gaped at Zanka. He’s been needing a new one for a while now: his last one was ditched on the Sphere when Regto died. He must’ve said something about it to Zanka, as it was extremely thoughtful in his opinion. Zanka seemed to think so, too, as he looked away embarrassed.
Riyo pried Rudo to open it further, exited words rambling off about how kind the gift was. Another thank you pried its way from Rudo’s lips, and Enjin just smiled as his team smothered their youngest in affection.
Riyo’s was next. It was clothing in his size, a sweatshirt and a few shirts. He liked the sweatshirts for lounging around on his spare days, the t-shirts for when he was out and about as he got warm quick. When he thanked Riyo, he got what sounded to him as squeals.
Enjin’s gift was… clearly from Enjin.
”What is that.” Zanka muttered as Rudo shook the bag, something rattling around. Enjin just continued to smirk, Riyo getting up to go behind Rudo’s shoulder to get a better look.
Rudo pulled out a broken microwave. Riyo snickered and Zanka face planted. Rudo looked to Enjin, a bit confused. From what he could gather, the gifts he’s received were… new. Not trash.
”Enjin, why?” Zanka asked for Rudo. Enjin scoffed.
”The kid likes to repair things. I thought he might like to repair my old microwave that Gris broke.” Enjin explained, hands waving. Riyo shook her head.
”You want him to repair a microwave for you for his birthday.” Riyo asked, astonished with giggles. Enjin scoffed.
”No. He can keep it. I thought it might be good for his heating pads for his hands so he doesn’t have to go far if they hurt.” Enjin scoffed, eyes closed as he rubbed his chin. “Plus, look in the door. I left a little something.” Enjin’s hand waved his hand dismissively, and Rudo pried open the broken door, spotting hard candies he immediately grabbed. Zanka just shook his head and Riyo patted Rudo’s back, still laughing.
~…~
After breakfast, Rudo headed back to his room, his gifts in tow. He placed them all down by his bedside, sitting down at his bed. He had asked Semiu if he could get a job today, but they were all taken. “A slow day” she had claimed it over his choker.
Rudo didn’t want a slow day. He wanted it to pass easily and with distractions, not moments spent alone in his room thinking about his father. His father who should be here, but isn’t. His father who wouldn’t get to see his little boy turn sixteen. His father, who would never see him become an adult.
Rudo slipped off of his bed, pacing while he thought. He looked over at the bags, pulling out the sewing kit and setting it on his desk, looking over the premium string. Zanka had spared no expense in getting him a nice set; he didn’t know how much experienced his mentor had with sewing, but he had clearly done some research to get him this. Riyo’s gifted clothes found their way onto him, as he expected he wasn’t finding a job today. The t-shirt she had gifted him had a band he didn’t recognize on it, but it was still comfortable nonetheless. He decided not to throw on the sweater, being it was summer in a large building and he was used to a cooler climate.
Enjin’s gift, as careless as it seemed, may have been his favorite.
It would give him something to do for a while, that being repairing it, while also being useful to him later on with the heating pads idea. Eishia had gifted him some on an errands run two months ago, and they tended to work wonders when he had the time to sit back and soak in the heat. Now, once the microwave was done, he could just pop them in while in his room whenever there was a flare-up without the long walk. And it let him reuse something instead of finding another thing to throw out.
He sat it down on his desk, grabbing some tools to unscrew it and screw it back together to see what was wrong. Something in it wasn’t turning on correctly as far as he could tell, and he was determined to figure it out. He popped one of his gifted hard candies into his mouth and got to working, searching for an issue that seemed invisible. He found it eventually, noting he didn’t have a part to replace it with. He checked the clock, noticing an hour had passed, and got up. He could probably go bother Enjin about going trash shopping to see if he could find said part. If anything, it’d be in a repair store; there was one an hour away, which wasn’t ideal but it was his birthday.
He opened the door to be met with Corvus who looked like he was about to knock.
The large dark-skinned man stared down at him with his gray eyes, a gentle smile creeping softly into his face. Rudo blinked, swallowing awkwardly but meeting his gaze. It wasn’t intense or unbearable, so he quit shifting.
”Happy birthday, Rudo.” Corvus began, that gentle heartwarming smile still there. Rudo once more blushed. He hates this feeling and all this attention as it made him awkward. He didn’t want to be seen as awkward.
”Ah… thank you.” Rudo nodded, once more swallowing salvia to coat his dry throat that felt grainy. Corvus hummed.
”Eishia and I have… well, a surprise. It’s more so a coincidence that it’s happening in your birthday, but alas.” The older man continued, looking down at the white-haired boy who he was confident was an established Cleaner at this point. Rudo’s eyes sparkled with interest. “I’ll lead the way.” He continued, stepping back to give Rudo space to exit. Rudo followed, in his line of sight but slightly behind him. Corvus seemed to be leading him to the infirmary.
”What’s… why are we heading to Eishia’s? I get she helped but…” Rudo questioned, and Arkha merely hummed gently, not really answering. The ruby-eyed teen grumbled, continuing to trail after the impressive man until they reached the infirmary door. Corvus looked over at him with concern.
”Take a deep breath if you need. This may be a shock.” The man said, before opening the door and stepping inside. Rudo felt a shiver of fear crawl up his spine, the hairs on the back of his neck snapping up with the chill. What kind of a fucking birthday gift was this?
Truly, the best one.
Rudo paused at the doorway, watching as Corvus moved forwards, blocking whoever was on the bed’s view from Rudo. But the person on the bed was chatting with Eishia, and Rudo knew that voice. Maybe he had been struggling to remember it recently, but he definitely recognized it. Corvus moved, the man with inky-blue hair following him, his familiar voice chasing at the new person in the room, his kind navy-blue eyes flickering from Eishia to Rudo’s boss, a warming smile on his rather pale face.
Rudo still couldn’t move, his mind blanking as he struggled to process who was there.
Something snapped in Rudo as the man turned his face towards him, his own deep ocean orbs raising in shock, mouth opening with a sharp raspy gasp.
Regto.
Rudo finally cried out in a little yet sharp choke, barreling towards his father who also scrambled the best he could out of bed to catch Rudo, which ultimately ended up him sitting on it, feet planted at the ground. The boy sobbed as he hit the chest he knew so well, burying himself in his father’s—his father’s—neck, tightly hugging him. Regto clung to his boy, a hand grasping at his white hair, the other at his back as he rested his head on Rudo’s shoulder.
He nuzzled into the man’s neck, trying to make out words to talk to him, but it came out garbled as saliva dripped as he cried. Tears streamed down both of their faces with pure relief. Rudo’s legs shakily gave out at some point, but Regto had a grip on him, readjusting to ensure he didn’t fall.
”Oh, Rudo… it’s okay kid…” Regto murmured into his ear, which made Rudo sob harder. It’s ok? Was it? He couldn’t tell because, no, it wasn’t—he thought Regto was dead but he’s alive—
He’s alive he’s alive he’s alive—
Another cry choked out of Rudo’s frame as he coughed, wheezing for breath. Eishia wanted to step in, trying to make a step in to help Rudo get into a more comfortable position, but Corvus held her back, knowing Rudo just needed his father at this moment.
Relief crowded into his frame, making little room for the ever-present anger or thoughts of anything but that he could feel his father’s beat as it tried to rip out of its cage, almost like it was trying to tell Rudo “I’m right here; don’t worry”. He felt fuzzy in a way he normally hated but more than tolerated now because his father was here and holding him in his arms.
His father, the man who had a sword sticking out of his chest.
His father, who somehow made his way to the Ground. Who came after him.
His very alive father.
He could feel Regto’s shaking, too. He likely didn’t know what had happened to his son when he had hit the Ground, either, Rudo mused somewhere in his mind. But he was here now. Regto was here now.
His dad was here. Everything was okay.
Rudo eventually stopped crying so harshly, able to lean back as Regto grabbed his face, framing it with his calloused hands and rubbing his cheekbones with the tips of his fingers. Regto pulled him into another hug, before shuffling him into the bed as Rudo struggled to get back onto his feet in a daze.
”How… how’re you… how are you alive?” He mumbled, tears rushing slower than before but still prominent, eyes red. Corvus guided Eishia by the shoulder and led her out, but the two didn’t notice. Regto just shook his head, slinging and arm over Rudo who curled further into him.
”That’s… that’s a long story, kid. Simply, some folk found me and got the bleeding to stop and I made my way back down here.” Regto said, rubbing his shoulder. “I hope you didn’t assume I was a Spherite. I mean, I’m assuming you know the different now but—“
“I know—“ Rudo cut in, sniffling.
”Okay.” Regto said, rubbing under Rudo’s eyes with his spare thumb to catch extra tears. “Okay.” He, too tried to keep his nose from flowing with a sharp inhale of air, laughing, their previous conversation expiring as they just took each other in once more.
”Happy birthday, huh, Rudo?” Regto whispered with a shaky smile, which got Rudo to laugh in his quiet manner, forehead falling into Regto’s shoulder once more. Regto rubbed his son’s arm, resting his head on the white nest Rudo called his hair, just breathing in the fact his son was alive. Alive.
They were both alive.