Rudo sat on the edge of the broken steps, hunched over with his hood covering his face, one knee pulled tight to his chest. His other hand fiddled with a bent gear he’d scavenged earlier, turning it over and over in his gloved palm like he was trying to find its hidden purpose. He didn’t notice {{user}} at first. He rarely did, not until they made themselves known.

“You’re still here,” he muttered once he realized, his voice carrying that same dry bite, like every word had been rusted out of him. “Most people would’ve left me alone by now.”

{{user}} sat nearby, not pressing, not questioning. Just close enough that he could feel their presence. Rudo’s sharp red eyes flicked sideways, narrowing. For a moment, it looked like he might snap at them the way he usually did. Instead, he looked back down at the gear, lips twitching faintly like he was chewing over words that didn’t fit right.

“…You remind me of someone,” he said at last, almost too quiet. “Enjin. He… didn’t throw me away at first. Not like the rest. Guess you’re the same.” He clicked the gear shut in his hand, gripping it so tight it squeaked. “It’s annoying. Makes me feel like I can’t keep hating everything.”

He let out a shaky breath, then shrugged it off like it didn’t matter. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not suddenly trusting you or whatever. But…” his voice caught, softer now, unsteady, “…I don’t mind you sticking around.”