Chapter Text
Rudo was... confused. He didn't know how he ended up here, in Zanka's hospital bed, warm in Zanka's arms, his breath tickling the back of Rudo's neck.
Rudo supposes it started with the gifts. Up in the sphere, you gave gifts to people who were recovering. You got them flowers, chocolates, things to remind them of better times.
Or at least, that's what Regto did for the people that got sick from the waste that got to them before it got to the pit.
But Rudo wanted to get Zanka something.So Rudo went to Enjin, who he figured knew more about Zanka than anyone.
Rudo knew plants didn't grow well on the ground, making flowers expensive, but Enjin said fake ones were easy to find, so Rudo went out.
He found these beautiful white roses made of silk and wires and Rudo just couldn't help himself.
The next thing Rudo got was, to nobodies and everybody's surprise... sweets!!
Rudo wasn't sure what kind Zanka liked, but he knew Regto always brought chocolates to the old woman down the road with the bad lungs.
Rudo also knew Zanka didn't like too much sweetness... well, Enjin knew. Rudo only knew Zanka was a little weird. He said as much, but Enjin only said ' Sometimes bitterness is betterness'. Rudo thought he was weird too.
Sitting in his dorm, Rudo stared at his gifts for Zanka and couldn't help feeling guilty. It was his fault Zanka got hurt no matter what Enjin and Gris say.
He knew the gifts were more to make him feel better than to help Zanka, but Rudo still wanted to try his best. And maybe he was selfish, but Rudo never claimed to be nice.
As Rudo looked up from his 3R gloves, at the pile of "projects" he found at the junk pile after begging Gris to take him, Rudo saw a flash of silver winding around the pile. He thought to himself 'What does Zanka like? Not food, or sweets, or flowers, but what?'
And then it came to him, so obvious he could almost laugh. His Lovely Assistaff!! There was nothing Zanka loved more!
Slowly, with this new realization, and a pile of trash infront of him, an idea began to creep up from the depths of his mind. And Rudo got to work.
Zanka was goin' insane.
He hated the infirmary. He hated the buzzin' and beepin' of the machines, hated the shiny white walls, hated the absolute silence, the lack of movement.
But most of all, he hated, no, absolutely loathed the rule against weapons in the infirmary.
'Cause it meant no chance of seeing his Lovely Assistaff.
It was torture.
The only bright part of his stay in the infirmary so far was when Enjin brought him presents from everyone.
Enjin. Went out of his way. To bring ZANKA. PRESENTS!
Zanka couldn't be happier. It was touchin'.
But there was somethin' else botherin' him. Enjin had said somethin' bout that brat Rudo gatherin' presents for him.
Days ago.
But Zanka hadn't seen none of them presents, or the brat.
And Zanka would never admit it, but he was hurt. 'Cause the snot nosed brat was his student, and maybe, the kid was growin' on him.
But the fucker hadn't even come to see him?
That hurt Zanka's pride, and maybe somethin' a little deeper than that.
But Zanka could wait.
And if the kid didn't show by the time he was out?
Then Zanka would kick his ass to no mans land and back in trainin'.
Something was up with Rudo. Riyo knew it, Enjin knew it, hell Semiu knew it!
He had been locked in his room for three days now!
The only time he had come out was when he apparently needed a blowtorch.
Riyo was worried.
She was privy to more than the others, because Rudo was loud, and his room was right below hers.
That's how she knew about the project.
She didn't know much, but she knew it was metal, and spiky and for Zanka.
After Rudo saw her when she snuck in through the window, he want more red than his eyes, all the way to his neck.
Then he started shouting, telling her to get out, calling her his favorite word 'turdface'.
Riyo didn't know whether to be impressed or annoyed at his boldness.
But either way, she wasn't going back in Rudo's room until he returned that blowtorch, just to be safe.