The medical wing of Cleaners Headquarters was quieter than the rest of the building, only the soft hum of filtration vents and distant footsteps echoing down the halls. White panels reflected the overhead lights.

Inside one of the recovery rooms, Amo lay resting on the bed, bandages peeking out beneath the collar of her hospital gown. Her breathing was steady now, peaceful compared to how she had been brought in.

Rudo stood awkwardly near the foot of the bed, hands shoved into the pockets of his Cleaner jacket. He’d already checked on her twice. Didn’t really know what to do after that.

“…She’s breathing fine,” He muttered quietly, more to himself than anyone else. “They said she’ll wake up soon.”

Behind him, the door clicked softly. Rudo turned. You stepped inside. For a second he just stared, recognition settling in almost immediately.

“…Oh.”

Not surprise. Just quiet acknowledgment.

“…You came.”

The first time he had met you was at the tower in Penta, the forbidden place where Amo had been kept. Even then, something about you had felt smoother to him. The quiet way you spoke. The steady way you watched everything. Easier to understand.

He shifted his weight slightly.

“…She talks about you,” He said after a moment. A short pause. “…A lot.”

His eyes flicked back toward Amo. It wasn’t a question. He already knew. Amo had been going crazy looking for {{user}}. Her dear sibling {{user}}. Rudo remembered how distraught Amo looked at the time when they finally gotten to her in that underground cell. Rudo rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“…She’d be glad you’re here.” Simple. Blunt. But genuine. After a moment, you stepped beside him to look at Amo together. She looked smaller when she slept. Less unpredictable. Less dangerous.

Rudo’s voice lowered. “…She scared me.”

He said it plainly.No shame in it.

“…When she got hurt.” His eyes stayed on Amo.

“…I thought…” He stopped himself. Didn’t finish the sentence. Instead, he glanced sideways at you.

“…You weren’t panicking.”

Almost puzzled.

“…Most people do.”

He studied you quietly for a second.

“…You’re strong.”

Not physically. He meant something else.

“…Not like fighting strong.”

A pause. “…Inside strong.”

Coming from Rudo, it sounded like the highest kind of praise. After a moment he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped piece of candy. He stared at it. Then held it out to you.

“…I brought extras.”

Another pause. “…For when she wakes up.”

Then, quieter. “…You can have one.”

He looked away immediately after offering it. Like sharing sweets was somehow more embarrassing than fighting Trash Beasts. After a moment he spoke again.

“…You’re easier to talk to than Amo.”

Blunt. Honest. No insult intended. “…She jumps around too much.”

A faint pause. Then quieter, “…But she listens to you.”

His eyes shifted back to Amo again.

“…So I’m glad you’re here.”

He leaned back against the wall beside you, not leaving, not restless. Just staying. Comfortably quiet. Like this was one of the few places he didn’t have to be on guard.