MK's girlfriend (Arfyy)

You didn't answer, but somehow, Enjin already knew. He just sighed. "My God."

★ Rudo was mesmerized the first time you ruffled his hair. His eyes widened, and he stood completely still for a moment, his stern expression slowly softening. Rudo closed his eyes and hugged you cautiously, still half-expecting rejection. When you didn't pull away, he stayed there, burying his face in your chest.

"Hey, love, have you seen—" Enjin's voice echoed through the room, but you quickly cut him off, raising a finger to your lips in a silent request. The blond stopped, a small smile forming as he saw Rudo nestled in your arms. "I'll come back later." he whispered before leaving the room.

★ The first time he called you "mom" was an accident. You were tucking him into bed, and he was already half-asleep. The word just slipped out. A heavy silence filled the room, followed by Rudo's deep embarrassment. But you just smiled, stroked his cheek, and said, "It's okay. You can call me that if you want."

He never said it again, and his cheeks still burned with shame whenever he remembered it.

★ Rudo became your "shadow." He didn't just watch you—he internalized a fierce instinct to protect you. On missions, he was always one step ahead, scanning the surroundings even though, as your apprentice, he should've stayed behind. If anyone dared raise their voice at you, Rudo would appear instantly at your side, hurling insults like a rabid dog. He didn't care what others thought of him; all that mattered was defending you.

"Say that about her again and I'll smash every one of your teeth, you bastard!" You held the boy back before he could lunge at the person, watching his arms and short feathers flail wildly. "Let me kill him!"

"Calm down, Rudo. It's alright." You then kissed the top of his head, and he stopped immediately. Rudo fell silent, drawing surprised glances from the others.

★ Rudo was still haunted by nightmares. Some nights, he'd appear silently at your bedroom door, wrapped in a teddy bear blanket, unable to sleep. You never said a word, just made space for him to lie down beside you. Enjin would grumble, cracking his eyes open as Rudo settled between the two of you. He'd raise a sleepy eyebrow, blinking slowly. You'd pull Rudo close, holding him snugly against your chest. Enjin said nothing and went back to sleep, too tired to fight his girlfriend for attention against that brat.

★ Rudo was used to having nothing, so when you gave him simple things—a warm meal, a clean shirt, or something old for him to restore—he'd freeze, unsure how to react. Little by little, you taught him that it was okay to accept kindness. He began treasuring those gifts with almost religious care, like priceless relics.

★ Rudo grew deeply worried whenever you got hurt. If you were attacked in front of him, he'd likely lose his mind and act completely irrationally. Later, in the infirmary, he'd sit in the chair beside your bed, his scarlet eyes filled with anguish and concern. He'd touch your hand, his face full of sorrow.

"Get better soon..." he'd murmur, small tears beginning to burn in the corners of his eyes.

★ Rudo misses you whenever you don't go on missions together. When he returns, he makes sure to tell you everything in detail, every little thing he experienced. He's still learning how to express himself, and for some reason, he finds it easier with you. Maybe it's your patience, or the fact that you never judge him, unlike some of the others. With you, he feels truly safe.

★ Rudo always smiles when you praise him. He gets all flustered, his cheeks tinted with a soft blush. One of his biggest goals was to make friends, and having you as his first friend felt like a huge achievement.

"Will we stay together forever?" he asked, his eyes shining with hope.

"Yes, forever," you replied, laughing softly as you tapped his hands.

Since he fell from the sky, he had never felt so whole. You made him feel welcomed, cherished. And deep in his heart, Rudo hoped to repay your kindness one day.

You hesitate, then speak again, softer this time. “Do you ever just… think too much at night?”

“Yeah.”

It comes out quieter than before. But also more vulnerable.

You turn your head slightly, even though you can’t really see him. “About what?”

He doesn’t answer right away. You almost think he won’t.

“Just… stuff.”

You snort. “That narrows it down.”

He shakes his head, his faint smile barely visible before it drops. “Some past things…”

Oh.

“…Same,” you admit.

The word hangs between you, heavier now.

You don’t know who starts it—maybe it’s you, maybe it’s him—but somehow the conversation shifts.

Slowly. Carefully.

Like neither of you wants to push too hard.

“…Did you ever… like someone?” you ask, a little unsure.

There’s a small pause.

“Back on the sphere? …Yeah.”

Your heart does something weird at how easily he says it.

“You?”

“Yup… long ago.”

You stare up at the ceiling again, fingers fidgeting with the edge of your blanket. A sigh escapes your lips as you decide to speak again. “There was this boy.”

You don’t know why you say it. Maybe because it’s easier in the dark. Maybe it's because it was to him.

“He was… really kind. Quiet, but not in a bad way. Just… calm. He had soft hair, and he always smiled like he meant it.”

You let out a small breath. “He was nothing like you, actually.”

The words slip out before you can stop them.

Silence and not the soft kind this time.

You don’t see it, but Rudo’s expression shifts in the dark. His jaw tightens slightly.

“…I see.”

It’s short. Flat.

You blink, realizing what you just said. “I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine.”

But it doesn’t sound fine.

You turn onto your side, facing where he is, even if it’s just shadows. “Rudo—”

“Was he your type?”

The question comes out suddenly, catching you by surprise. “…I guess? Back then...”

“…Right.”

There’s something off in his voice now. Quieter. Duller.

And it hits you, all at once.

“…Why are you asking like that?”

“…Just wondering.”

You narrow your eyes slightly, even though he can’t see. “You sound… weird.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“…Drop it.”

You frown a little, but before you can push further, he speaks again.

“…There was a girl.”

The shift catches you off guard.

“…Oh?”

“…Her name was Chiwa.”

You listen carefully now.

“She was… bright. Loud, sometimes. Always knew what to say.” A pause. “She was kind of the opposite of you.”

Oh.

The words land the same way yours must have. Your chest tightens a little. “…Oh.”

“…Yeah.”

Silence settles again, but this time it’s different. It was heavier. Mirroring.

You pull the blanket up slightly. “…She sounds nice.”

“She was.”

“…Your type?”

“…I thought so.”

You let out a quiet breath, staring down at the space between you. “…I guess we both have a pattern, then.”

“Guess so.”

Neither of you says it out loud.

Then why does this feel different?

The thought lingers, unspoken, thick in the air.

“…Rudo?”

“…What.”

You hesitate.

“…Do you think people can like someone who isn’t their ‘type’?”

There’s a long pause. Long enough that you almost regret asking.

“…Yeah.”

Your heart skips. “…Yeah?”

“…Yeah.” He shifts again, closer this time. You can hear it. Feel it. “I think… that kind of thing doesn’t really matter.”

“…Then why did you sound like it did?”

Silence.

Then, quieter—

“…Because I thought… I wasn’t yours.”

Your breath catches.

“…What?”

“…You said he was nothing like me.” His voice is lower now. “So I figured… that’s not what you like.”

You sit up slightly without thinking. “That’s not—Rudo, that’s not what I meant.”

“…Then what did you mean?”

You swallow.

“I meant… he’s nothing like you.” You take a breath. “And that’s exactly why it’s different. Why it's… real.”

Another pause.

“…Different how?”

Your hands tighten slightly in the blanket. “…Because I don’t feel the same way about him anymore.”

Silence.

“And… when I’m with you…” Your voice softens. “It’s not calm, or easy, or simple.”

“…Then what is it?”

You hesitate.

“…It’s louder.”

You hear him shift.

“…Louder?”

“My heart,” you admit, a little embarrassed. “It doesn’t… stay steady around you.”

There’s a long, quiet stillness.

Then—

“…You’re saying…”

“I’m saying,” you interrupt softly, “that maybe you’re not my ‘type’…”

You lean just a little closer, barely able to see the outline of him now.

“…but you’re the one I like.”

For a second, nothing happens. Then suddenly—your wrist is caught.

You gasp softly as you’re pulled forward, balance tipping as you land closer to him than you expected.

“…Say that again.”

His voice is low and careful.

You swallow, your face warm. “…I like you.”

There’s a pause.

Then you feel it—his grip tightening slightly, like earlier, but not to stop you from leaving.

Just to keep you there.

“…Good,” he murmurs.

“…Good?”

“…Because I wasn’t planning on letting you go.”

Your breath hitches slightly.

“…Rudo—”

He doesn’t give you time to finish.

The kiss is a little clumsy, a little hesitant—like he’s not completely sure—but it’s warm.

And real. And close.

For a second, you freeze. Then you melt into it.

His hand shifts, softer now, holding you like something fragile instead of something he’s afraid to lose.

When he pulls back, he doesn’t go far.

“…So,” he mutters, barely a breath away, “still can’t sleep?”

You let out a quiet laugh. “…No.”

“…Good.”

“…Why?”

You can almost hear the smirk in his voice.

“…Now you have a reason to stay.”

And this time—

you don’t even think about leaving.

Thank you so much for reading! 🩷