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The day started the way most days did at the Cleaners’ base: loud, chaotic, and smelling faintly of oil, rust, and whatever Rudo had accidentally broken before breakfast.
Zanka sat on the edge of a metal crate in the common area, one boot propped up while he rewrapped the bindings around his Lovely Assistaff. He looked tired, mission-tired, the kind that sank into your bones and refused to leave.
Riyo leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, watching him with narrowed eyes.
“…Zanka”
He hummed in response, teeth tugging at the end of the cloth to tighten the knot.
“Zanka”
“Hm?”
She stepped closer and crouched in front of him, squinting. “You know your lips look like you’ve been wandering the desert for three days, right?”
He blinked, confused “What?”
“They’re dry” she deadpanned.
“Cracked. Tragic”
Zanka frowned and rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand “They’re fine”
“They’re not” Riyo said, jabbing a finger toward his face "You need to take better care of yourself. Enjin’s gonna—”
“Don’t bring Enjin into this” Zanka snapped automatically, ears burning.
Riyo smirked “Oh? Why not?”
Zanka turned his head away “Just—don’t”
She sighed dramatically and reached into her pocket. “Here”
Zanka eyed the small tube she held out.
“What is that?”
“Cherry lip balm” she said “Take it”
“I don’t need—”
She shoved it into his hand “Use it or I’ll tell Rudo you tripped during yesterday’s mission”
Zanka stiffened. “…You wouldn’t”
Riyo’s grin widened. “Try me”
With a defeated groan, Zanka popped the cap and swiped the balm across his lips once.
Then paused.
“…Okay” he muttered. “That’s… actually nice”
Riyo watched as he applied another layer, the balm giving his lips a subtle sheen. The natural pink of his mouth deepened, softening his usual sharp expression.
Riyo tilted her head “…Huh”
“What?” Zanka asked.
She smiled slowly “Nothing. Just… keep it”
He looked suspicious but slipped the balm into his jacket pocket anyway.
Neither of them noticed the faint, sweet scent that lingered in the air long after Riyo walked away.
Enjin didn’t notice it at first.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
He was leaning back against the bench overlooking the training ground, arms folded, half-listening as Rudo rambled excitedly about some new weapon idea. His attention drifted, as it often did, to the familiar presence nearby.
Zanka stood below, talking with Riyo, hands moving animatedly as he complained about something, probably her teasing.
Then Enjin caught it.
A scent.
Not the usual clean, warm smell of Zanka’s pheromones, those were familiar, comforting, grounding.
This was different.
Sweet.
Fruity.
Enjin inhaled again, brows knitting.
Cherry?
His gaze snapped back to Zanka.
And that’s when he noticed it.
Zanka’s lips were… different.
Plumper.
Glossed.
Redder than usual.
Enjin swallowed.
Rudo was still talking “—and then if I attach it here, it could maybe—hey, Enjin, are you listening?”
“Mm” Enjin replied absently.
His eyes were still on Zanka’s mouth.
Zanka laughed at something Riyo said, lips curving upward, light catching on the balm.
Enjin’s tail—metaphorical, thankfully—might as well have been wagging.
“…Enjin”
“Hm?”
Rudo leaned closer, suspicious “You’re staring”
Enjin straightened instantly. “I am not”
Rudo followed his line of sight “…Why are Zanka’s lips so shiny?”
Enjin cleared his throat. “No reason”
But the scent lingered.
And it followed Enjin for the rest of the day.
It became a problem during training.
Zanka sparred with Enjin like he always did, fast, aggressive, confident. Their movements were a familiar dance, jinkis clashing, boots scraping against concrete.
But every time Zanka spoke, every time he smirked or breathed hard, Enjin’s focus slipped.
That shine.
That color.
That scent.
“Enjin” Zanka snapped, parrying a strike.
“You’re slow today”
“I’m not” Enjin said automatically, then nearly missed the next blow.
Zanka raised a brow. “You sure?”
Enjin growled under his breath and regained his footing.
“Don’t get cocky”
“Then stop staring at my face” Zanka shot back.
Enjin froze.
“…What?”
Zanka flushed “You keep—looking. It’s distracting”
The irony nearly made Enjin laugh.
He stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry. Just… you smell different”
Zanka blinked. “…I do?”
“Yeah” Enjin said.
“Sweet”
Zanka’s face went crimson with realization “Riyo gave me lip balm”
That explained everything.
Enjin’s throat went dry.
“Oh”
Zanka shifted awkwardly “Is it bad?”
“No” Enjin said too quickly. Then softer, “It’s… nice”
Zanka looked away, muttering, “It’s just cherry”
Enjin thought about how that simple word now meant danger.
The worst part?
Zanka reapplied it.
Often.
Every time Enjin caught that tiny motion, thumb brushing over plush, red lips, his mind short-circuited.
Riyo noticed.
Of course she did.
She cornered Enjin later that evening, leaning close with a wicked grin.
“You look like you’re in pain”
“I’m fine” Enjin replied flatly.
She sniffed the air exaggeratedly “Cherry, huh?”
He glared at her “You did this on purpose”
Riyo shrugged “Maybe. Or maybe Zanka deserves to feel pretty”
Enjin didn’t argue that.
She tapped his chest “You’re holding back”
He sighed “I’m not going to—”
“—stare respectfully while suffering?” she finished.
“Sure”
Enjin didn’t answer.
Riyo smirked “Just don’t let it drive you insane”
Too late.
The moment alone came unexpectedly.
A power outage plunged part of the base into darkness, forcing Enjin and Zanka to check the storage wing together. Emergency lights bathed the hallway in dim red.
Zanka walked ahead, humming softly, unaware of how every sound pulled at Enjin’s attention.
“Smells weird in here” Zanka said.
Enjin stopped.
The scent was stronger now, warm cherry mixed with omega sweetness.
“Zanka” he said quietly.
Zanka turned “Yeah?”
Up close, it was unbearable.
His lips were slightly parted, balm still fresh, breath warm.
Enjin stepped closer before he could stop himself.
“…Can I?” he asked, voice low.
Zanka’s eyes widened, but he didn’t step back.
“…Can you what?”
Enjin lifted a hand, brushing his thumb just under Zanka’s lip, barely touching.
“Check if it really tastes like it smells”
Zanka swallowed. “…Enjin”
“Is that a no?”
Zanka shook his head, breath shaky.
“That’s—just—don’t tease”
Enjin smiled softly.
Then leaned in.
The kiss was gentle.
Slow.
Cherry-sweet and warm, exactly like the scent promised.
Zanka melted into it with a quiet sound, hands fisting in Enjin’s jacket. Enjin kept it brief, respectful, but full of everything he’d been holding back all day.
When he pulled away, Zanka’s lips were redder than ever.
“…So?” Zanka asked softly.
Enjin rested his forehead against his.
“Dangerous.”
Zanka laughed, flushed and bright.
Riyo would never let them live it down.
But Enjin didn’t care.
Not when cherry now meant home.