#tehehhehehe

[summary] when you, the newest addition to the cleaners crew, prove to be much more of a challenge than enjin anticipated when he's assigned to show you the ropes

[content warnings] enjin being a bit of a cocky asshole (what's new)

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trainer!enjin who feels like he would rather take a bullet to the temple than be assigned to play teacher with what he's sure is some snotty overconfident brat.

he's old enough now to reminisce on the days when he first joined up with the cleaners, and to say he was a handful is a severe understatement; head so inflated with ego that it may as well be dragging behind him, attacks rushed, harsh and unpolished, topped off with a temper so short you'd never suspect he was one of the good guys if you hadn't seen him in action.

but the passing years have calmed him down for the better, so much so that they trust him enough to lead team akuta. but still, being a leader is much different than being a mentor. maybe he can pass them off to zanka? riyo? is this the kinda thing you can call in sick for? enjin thinks it wouldn't hurt to try.

"oh, come on! why's it gotta be me, man?" he grumbles beside arkha, a stubborn kick in his steps as he tags alongside, "i'm sure if you asked zanka, he'd take it on no problem. and i've got...things to do! y'know? important things!"

"is that so?" arkha hums blankly, "like what?"

"l-like...i've got that thing with the — those guys and —actually, i can't even tell you much about it, top secret shit and all that. but i swear — "

enjin's half-baked excuse is, unfortunately, cut short. "no."

"fuckin' hell, man."

he already has a cystal clear picture in his head; some rowdy, greasy kid sparking with unbridled excitement, probably powerful, but reckless and unpracticed. they're gonna drive him up a wall, no doubt about it. push his buttons, test what little patience he has, or worse, get themselves hurt — which he will have to end up taking responsibility for.

ugh.

but that vision is immediately shattered when he sees you walk into HQ, semiu standing firmly at your side.

woah.

you're way too fine to be from around here, that's for sure. there's an air about you that's so approachable, inviting. like a tempting sweet or a clear sky, if there ever was one. he already finds himself hoping that this shithole doesn't break you down like it has almost everyone else. you wield your instrument closely to your side; some kind of feather duster, but its fluffy end is sparkling clean, almost beaming with the power and pride you've poured into it.

you look strong. confident. resourceful.

and the fact that you're really fucking hot is a bonus, too.

soon after you're introduced to the crew and the crowd disperses, you're left alone with enjin. but not until semiu can get a much needed warning in.

"pst," she hisses sharply, aligned with enjin's broad shoulders, whispering a stern warning into his ear. "you do right by this girl, you hear me? no messing around. be a good influence for once."

"aren't i always?" enjin feigns a chest wound, clutching his hands over his heart while shooting you a playful wink. and he's buzzing with delight when he sees it gets a little giggle out of you.

oh, yeah. i definitely like that sound.

when semiu is finally out of earshot, he takes the chance to stride over to you, thick black boots stomping heavy with his weight. you look like the the type to appreciate a gentleman, so he stops at a safe, appropriate distance from you, holding his hand out.

"name's enjin," he smiles warmly, " pleasure to meet you. i've gotta say, i didn't really know what to expect when the boss told me we had a new one comin' in, but i'm excited to be working with — "

suddenly, the smile you've been so politely showcasing to everyone else drops away. if hell really is frozen over, he thinks this is what it would feel like.

"move," your words cut like daggers, slicing through him with aimed precision, "i don't want your help. i don't need your help. just stay out of my way. i heard that's what you wanted, right? so piss off."

enjin blinks, open hand slowly lowering back to his side like a wounded puppy tucking its tail between its legs. how much of that conversation with the boss did you hear? clearly enough to turn you sour.

"listen babe, it's not what you think. i didn't mean to hurt your feelings, honest," he tries his best to soothe the tension, but judging by the hard look firmly planted on your face, its not working very well. "i just don't think i'm a very good mentor, that's all. but seeing you now, i — "

suddenly, the tip of your feather duster is centimeters away from his nose, glowing with a vibrant fury. heat radiates off your instrument like a sun, already summoning a bead of sweat to pool along his forehead.

"don't babe me. like i said," your head tilts to the side in a menacing taunt, "piss. off."

he holds his hands up in surrender, slowly backing away until he's out of the immediate bubble of your power. you're definitely much stronger than he thought you were initially. enjin can read the room.

now is not the time for jokes.

— is what a sane person would say. unluckily for you, he's never been one to shy away from a challenge. and you are quickly proving yourself to be one of the most intriguing ones he's encountered yet.

his eyes take on a mischievous sparkle, lips curving into a smirk that has your skin crawling. the fucking nerve of this guy. first he talks shit to you to your new boss, moans like some child about having to show you the ropes of this place, but still has the audacity to give you googly eyes the second he sees you? insane.

the fact he isn't completely hideous looking, you think, is probably the only good thing he has going for him. but still. no amount of dark dreamy eyes and sandy blonde hair is gonna make up for the wretched cockiness that's basically dripping off of him.

"aw, we havin' our first fight, already? i thought for sure we could've made it through the night, at least." the sharp roll of your eyes at his words makes his heart quicken. god, you're cute.

you lower your tool, taking this moment to bump his shoulder as you walk past him.

"just stay out of my way."

"meh, kinda feel like doin' the opposite."

enjin catches your wrist, twisting you back around to face him. you're surprised to see a sincere, almost soft expression on his face.

"hear me out. i really am sorry," and if you didn't know any better, it actually sounds like he means it. "it's nothing personal. it's just...this kid joined us not too long ago, found him out in a polluted zone, almost got taken out by some trash beasts. and since then i've basically been responsible for 'im. makin' sure he stays alive and all that shit, but...despite how strong he is, he's still just a kid."

you stay silent as enjin releases you're wrist. he's half expecting you to walk away, leave him high and dry. yet you don't.

he rubs the back of his head, eyes shifting, "i feel like i'm fuckin' him up sometimes, is all. i'm not a great teacher, and with the way things have been going around here, that can be dangerous. i guess i just didn't wanna fuck up some other poor soul. so...yeah. i'll understand if you don't wanna be paired up with me anymore, i really don't blame you. i can talk to the boss about getting you set up with zanka, he's real — "

then, enjin stumbles back, words choking in his throat as you throw a clean punch to his shoulder.

"ow! aye, what the — "

"you coming?"

he stares back at you dumbly, "w-what, where?"

he loook