Work Text:
The rain hadn't let up; on the contrary, it seemed heavier than before, and they didn't know when it would stop.
His clothes were still damp, clinging uncomfortably to his body. He picked up the canteen and took a swig. The water had helped soothe the pain in his throat a little after passing through the forbidden zone, but his lungs still ached with every breath.
Endoareily—no, Enjin. Now he had a name that was easy to remember and say; he had to get used to it. Enjin looked again at the one who had saved him.
He still wasn't sure what to think of that man. He doubted his intentions. Who saves someone without getting something in return? Who can guarantee he won't sell them out as soon as he gets the chance?
What was better? Being here or going back to the orphanage?
"It looks like the rain isn't going to stop. We'd better keep going. We can't stay here."
Securing his horse's lead, the man guided her to the cave entrance.
"Now, let's go," he said, climbing onto the animal. "There's a loudmouth but good doctor nearby.”
Enjin stood up, slowly approaching the man. Reluctantly, he climbed onto the umbrella behind him.
"My hands are full, here," the man said, handing him the umbrella. "Hold the umbrella, Enjin."
Enjin took the umbrella in his hands, shielding them both, though not completely, from the rain.
At a slow pace, the journey to the next town began.
With his hands gripping the umbrella handle, Enjin looked up at it. White, with stains of dirt that wouldn't wash away despite the rain, the ribs were a little rusty, but it was still in good condition.
This umbrella was the first thing he saw in the distance in that wasteland of garbage, as he fled from the beast. It was like a beacon of hope, a sign that perhaps he could live another day.
And he wasn't wrong.
This man saved him, with some kind of power. And not only that, but he also gave him a name, a name easy to say and easy to remember, just as he had always wanted.
Speaking of names…
"Hey, old man," Enjin began, after thinking for a minute.
"You know, I'm not that old, Enjin," the man replied with a small chuckle.
Enjin ignored that and asked, "What's your name?"
"My name?" Enjin nodded, but even though he hadn't seen it, the man seemed to sense it. "Well, how rude of me, after you told me yours." Looking over his shoulder, the crimson eyes met his gaze. “My name is Alto.”
"Alto…" Enjin whispered, testing the name.
"That's my name."
"You said—" he hesitated a moment before continuing. "You have a kid."
Alto sighed, but nodded. "That's right, a slobbery little thing, but cute."
Enjin knew babies were anything but cute. Tiny humans who did nothing but eat, cry, and poop—a real stress to deal with. But Alto seemed to ignore all that and had an affectionate look on his face when he thought about his son, just like when he mentioned he was still thinking of a name for him.
"You still haven't got a name for him?" He didn't know why he wanted to talk to Alto, maybe out of curiosity, or maybe because he didn't want to be silent the whole way. In the distance, the city was becoming clearer.
Alto sighed again, but this time a little more exasperated. "I have to admit I'm not very good at it. My wife says no to every suggestion."
Well, a name is important, Enjin thought. That's why he wanted to change his own, to have an identity people could remember, not his, which sounded like a tongue twister—that's why he hated it. Now, "Enjin" was easier, and he liked it, even though it was short for the old one.
The people who came to the institution didn't have extravagant names, unlike his and some of the other boys.
He didn't blame Alto for taking so long to find the right name for his son.
Suddenly, one of the stories one of his colleagues used to read to the younger children came to mind. A hero from a faraway land, destined to protect a village from great beasts.
"Rudo…"
"Huh? What was that?”
Enjin felt embarrassed when he realized he'd said it out loud, but what's done is done. "What do you think of Rudo?"
"Rudo, huh?" Alto hummed thoughtfully.
And the conversation ended there, as they entered the city, heading towards the doctor.
During Dr. Alice's examination, Alto didn't leave; he stayed seated at a safe distance so as not to get in the way, but still keeping an eye on him.
"God, a few more minutes in the contaminated zone and your lungs would have collapsed," Alice said, or rather shouted; the old woman didn't know her inner voice.
Enjin sat up from the examination table and accepted the medication the doctor gave him.
"I hope you thanked that good man for saving you.”
Alto, who looked like he was about to fall asleep in his chair, gave him a look that seemed mocking. "Right, I didn't hear a single thank you."
Son of a...
Enjin rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, "Thanks, old man." Then he turned to the doctor, "Thanks, Grandma, for helping me," he said sincerely.
Alice just huffed and told them to get lost.
Now, standing outside the clinic, Enjin didn't know what to do. He had no money and no home, only the clothes he was wearing, which weren't the best, not to mention the tattoos on his arms—people would know what they were.
He felt his chest tighten and hugged himself.
But a piece of fabric above his head pulled him out of his reverie before he could even enter it.
Unfolding the fabric, he realized it was a coat.
“Let’s go,” Alto said, stepping out of the alley.
Enjin stood for a moment before snapping out of his daze and putting on his coat. The sleeves were long, covering even his hands, which meant they also covered his tattoos.
With hurried steps, he followed Alto, who was already atop his beast.
As Enjin climbed aboard, Alto spoke. “I know a place where you could stay and maybe cover up those tattoos.”
Enjin just stared at him, speechless. Not only had Alto saved him, but he’d also gotten him medical help, and now he was helping him find a place to start over.
A simple thank you wouldn’t suffice.
But instead of saying it, he simply nodded. “Okay.”
With a sidelong glance, Alto gave him a small smile, handing him the umbrella back.
An umbrella that Enjin held, even though it was no longer raining.
God, did Alto undergo mitosis or why does this kid look like a mini-Alto?
He couldn't help but stare. Same hair color, same eye color, and… same gloves.
With his cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's, the boy looked around, carefully observing everything, from the people to the shops.
A spherite, huh?
He asked him several questions, but the one that mattered most to him right now was…
"Hey, tell me, what's your name?"
The boy swallowed his bite before answering.
"Rudo."
Enjin lit his cigarette to have something to keep his hands occupied. Avoiding reacting upon hearing that name again
"Rudo, eh?" Enjin took a drag before continuing, "That's a good name."
He definitely had a lot of questions.