Chapter Text
Jabber went against his own words. There was no way he couldn't, not when his mind went ahead and made one of Zanka's very own friends, a rival.
It all started on a random Tuesday, when Zanka had invited him to check out the club's (the very same one he broke into) garden after school. The other club members were present, and they were close with Zanka, Jabber could tell. But despite all of that, Zanka made sure that Jabber didn't feel left out at all, which the latter appreciated. He would drag the dread head everywhere he went, from the shed to the little cave area that the club had made a couple of years ago. He'd explain how certain equipment worked, and why they used it. It was a fun experience if you asked Jabber.
So how did his mind make one of those club members his 'rival'?
Well, towards the end of their little hangout, one of the club members, and Zanka's closest friends, Riyo Reaper, went ahead and wrapped her arm around Zanka. And proceeded to fucking lift herself onto his shoulder. Sure, it looked friendly and all, and Zanka did push her off after a while.. but Jabber couldn't help but feel... hurt? But if it was hurt, he should enjoy it, no? He's a masochist, that was well-known fact about him.
But why does this hurt so, so bad?
So guess what? He began touching Zanka like that aswell.
It started with small touches. Shaking hands when they met up for their study-tutor sessions. Deliberately, but lightly brushing shoulders when explaining something. Pushing his hair away from his face when the right moment arose. Brushing his fingers against Zanka's when handing over something. It was all little things that made Jabber's heart skip a beat, knowing that Zanka is allowing him to do these things, even if he wasn't aware of Jabber's intentions.
Before much time passed, the small touches would evolve into hugs here and there. And much to Jabber's happiness, Zanka seemed to enjoy these even more. So much so that he would hug back when possible. These hugs lingered for a period of time whenever they were around Riyo, and the dread head made sure that the hugs lasted longer than her's did. It made him feel a sense of accomplishment.
One day, as he was making his way home after a session with Zanka at the library, he ran into one of his older friends that studies at the local college. The man had vibrant red hair and dark brown eyes, Jabber didn't really know what kind of aesthetic the guy was going for when he dyed his hair that colour, but oh well, he wasn't judging per say.
"Hey! Jabber! Haven't seen you for a long time! How long has it been, a month? Normally you'd come around every two weeks!" Right, this was the same guy he gets his vapes and pills from.
Jabber lets out a chuckle. "Yeah.. Cthoni caught me last time I took one, so I've been tryna lay low for now."
"Hmm.. I don't think that's all there's to it.." He says, which made Jabber frown slightly.
"Hell you mean by that?"
The guy takes time to think. "I don't really know, but you seem a lot happier than the last time I saw ya. Care to tell ya buddy Rick what's up?"
So now, he finds himself in an alley, telling Rick all about his dearest: Zanka. How he feels around him, what he's done, everything. Rick was a trust worthy friend of his, so it wouldn't be that bad? Right?
"Damn bro!" Rick exclaims. "So you fell in love with that Nijiku kid? No wonder you dropped vaping 'n shit."
Now Jabber was confused. "Dropped vaping? I'm just not in the mood these days."
To which Rick just sighed and smirks. "Nah man.. you'd normally come back in two weeks even after that babysitter of yours catches you. You haven't come back for a hit in a month! You turnin' into a good boy for him, huh?"
Jabber feels like he just regained his consciousness after a really long time. Though he knows that Rick's words were teasing, he couldn't help but feel a bit... used. Did he straight up leave his awareness in Zanka's hands? Or did he leave his consciousness in another dimension? His ass really got jealous and started hugging Zanka for five minutes in front of others all because one of his friends, who he's known for a really long time, does it?
Just how low has he gotten? No wonder people looked at him weird.
"Uhh, Jabber? You with me?"
"Sorry, Rick. Gotta go, Cthoni's probably looking for me."
"Sure, stay safe!" He didn't respond to the other as he made his way back home and on to his bed.
He really embarrassed himself like that just to get Zanka's attention on him. But in return, he got weird looks from others.
Just what is he doing with his sad, pathetic life?
The next day in school, he didn't get physical with Zanka at all. Not even the small touches he would initiate before. Which seemed to surprise Zanka a bit, but Jabber didn't pay attention to it. That guy was the reason he was changing, and moving away from the coping mechanisms the developed all the way back in middle school. All for some guy that made his hart skip a beat? Hell no.
Sure, he did talk with the blond just as they did before, but the touches needed to stop. Even if Zanka was someone special to him. Even if it was continuous for the past two weeks.
Even if it did hurt him to pull back from the connection he made those weeks ago.
People stopped giving him weird looks, that was expected. What was not expected, was for the Riyo Reaper to come up to him after school.
"Whatchu want? Gotta head home, y'know?" Jabber huffed, wanting to go home immediately after this hell of a day.
Riyo hummed. "You mad at Zanka?"
"Says who?" Jabber attempted to walk away from the conversation as subtly as possible, but Riyo caught him red-handed.
"It just seems like you are. Listen, I know just how close you and Zanka got this past two weeks, what is going on?" She says as she blocks his path.
Jabber let out an annoyed sigh. "Just wasn't in the mood. Now, if you'll just—"
"You like him, don't you?" Whatever smile Jabber had on his face disappeared. "I've seen the way you look at him. The way you look at me. I don't care about you, but it's hurting Zanka, okay? So just quit it would you?"
Jabber turned to face the girl. "You don't know jackshit about me, okay? So stop acting like you do, and let me leave. We both have places to be." With that, he forcibly took his leave, pushing the girl out of his way, not caring that she ended up falling on the concrete ground. Until he heard the worried call of Zanka's voice, he called out her name, oh how he knew he messed up so bad..
"Jabber!" Noerde's worried call echoed as he began to run the other way, yet he just ran away to who knows where. Running until he reached a park located of the peak of a small hill, with no one around.
He sat on the swing, the sun already beginning to set as hues of red, yellow, and other warm colours filled the sky. Jabber watched as families began retreating back into their homes, the street lights switching on, and darkness overwhelm the city road. His eyes blinked as he looked up, the sky turning from vibrant warm colours to shades of purple and blue. It all felt bizarre, running away from the people that took him in, pushing away the girl that pointed out his own emotions and insecurities that he refused to acknowledge. Now, he was left all alone, underneath the dark twilight. Waiting for something not even he knows.
The rain came soon after, and so did the regret.
Why did he begin to deliberately hurt himself, and Zanka in the process?
Why did he push the one person that was brave enough to tell him how he was feeling?
Why did he run away from the very people that took him in?
The now familiar feeling of the heavy rain stopped. He looked around, still raining, but there's someone in front of me now..
"Zanka?" He asked, blinking away the droplets and tears from his eyelashes.
"Hm?" The Nijiku carried a dark umbrella, that was now shielding Jabber from the rain, making the blond get wet.
Jabber chuckled. "You'll get wet if you do that.."
To his surprise, Zanka put the umbrella itself down and closed it. "You weren't paying attention when I said your name, and I'm as dry as you right now."
It made Jabber chuckle once more. "You have an umbrella. How the hell did you get wet?"
"Grabbed it and ran off without opening it." He shrugged.
Zanka then sat on the swing next to his, then turned to face him with a serious expression. "Your family's worried sick, they couldn't find you.."
"Then how'd you find me?" The question came out too quick, but alas, it was said.
"You mentioned this place in your little talks, told me how much you loved how it was secluded from the rest of the park but you could still see the road, and how many times you've been here." He sighed. "And we've been searching for you.. for about an hour now.. I've called Cthoni, told her I found ya and she said to talk to you..."
"Of course she did.. she worries like a mother hen sometimes.." Jabber chuckles, recalling all the different times that she showcased her worry.
Zanka chuckles along. "My siblings too, though those two can't show it that well."
A comfortable silence spreads, though it only lasted a few minutes.
"Cthoni told me everything." Zanka sighs.
"Everything?"
"Everything."
"..fuck..."
Jabber's breath suddenly hitched when he felt a cold hand touch his cheek.
"Your hands are cold as fuck.." He breathed out, making Zanka chuckle, but pull away.
...
"How much did she tell you?"
"Apparently, I'm special to ya.."
Jabber groaned. "Please tell me that's it.."
"Sadly.." Zanka pouted.
"FUCK YOU MEAN SADLY?!"
Zanka's laugh almost made the dread head forgive him for his cruel actions. Almost.
"Okay, but in all seriousness, we're gonna get sick if we don't head back sooner or later." Zanka's voice shifted.
"Alright.."
They stood up from the now wet swings, the rain still going down on them hard as ever. Jabber felt Zanka's cold, yet soft hands as the two of them began their decent down the hill. Jabber saw how the soft yellow of the street lights illuminated Zanka's skin, making him so, so beautiful.
The walk back was anything other than peaceful. Well, first and foremost, Jabber was moving into at Zanka's place, as per Cthoni's accepted request??? Some renovations were being made to Jabber's home, which was estimated to take atleast a month or two, and he guesses that they thought that that was the best idea? Secondly, Jabber's mind decided to be emotional over Riyo once more and he cried on the curb until Zanka ultimately called the red-head and they talked it out. (Zanka was not allowed to listen in)
"This is your house?" Jabber asks the other as he nods. They were standing in front of a fancy-looking home, Jabber could've guessed that there was a backyard that he'll get to see later. He walked in, and was immediately introduced to a worried-looking mama Nijiku. She proceeded to ask if him if it was okay that he stayed in Zanka's room, how he was, and all that stuff. His clothes were brought by Zodyl a while ago, which were present in a suitcase that was currently resting in Zanka's room.
Before he knew it, he was all cleaned up and in Zanka's room playing fucking Ace Attorney on his PS5. Well, that was before it turned off due to 'over heating'. "It's not even fucking hot?!" Zanka yelled after feeling the PlayStation. It all made Jabber think, hey, maybe it's not that bad..
It wasn't long before Jabber met Zanka's siblings, who looked cool as hell. His elder sister, Kyouka, with short red hair and blue eyes, had a very composed personality. It was similar to his brother, Goka, who had blond hair and brown eyes. His mother, who said a brief hello, now sat at the dinner table with them. She talked about how Cthoni and her were close friends since their college days, and then proceeded to tell Jabber their most memorable moments spent together. He was genuinely curious, as the blue-haired woman wouldn't speak about her past days if she could avoid it.
Night came soon after, he and Zanka had to share the blond's bed as it had enough space. The night light was on, the room was dark, it was a cozy environment, yet Jabber couldn't sleep. He didn't move in fear of waking the other up, so he stayed put and took in his surroundings.
"Can't sleep?" Zanka's voice suddenly said, making Jabber jump a little.
"Yah.. " Jabber chuckled when the other turned around.
"Y'know…" Zanka began. "Cthoni is a college friend of my mom's…"
Jabber's mouth fell open. "What."
"Don't worry…" The blond chuckled softly, seeing Jabber's expression in the dim light of the room. "I was also surprised, didn't know until the she asked if we could take you in for some time.."
That was the most unexpected news Jabber's heard about his guardian, she wasn't one to disclose information about her life if not necessarily, but this was still unexpected.
They stared at each other, a comfortable silence filling the room as they did so. Jabber wondered what the other was thinking about, while he himself was thinking about how fucking beautiful Zanka was.
That somehow made him feel the tire of the day crash onto him, as he fell into deep sleep. He missed the light kiss placed on his temple, given by non other than the person laying beside him. And the soft smile before he fell asleep himself.
The next morning, Jabber woke up to softness and warmth engulfing all his senses. So much so, that he nuzzled further into the comfort. That was before he felt his comfort pillow.. giggling?
He sat up, just to be met with Zanka's big fucking smile. "Had good sleep?"
That was when he realised the embarrassing truth, he was practically cuddling the guy! Memories of last night's stolen moment at the park also filled his mind, as he fell back into the bed as groaned in embarrassment. Zanka proceeded to laugh in his fucking face. That damn sadist..
When the laughter died down, they looked at each other once more. "Feelin' better?" Asked Zanka, to which Jabber just nodded.
The two made their way down for breakfast after freshening up, and to their surprise, they were met with Cthoni's presence.
"Just come with me when I come to pick you up later today. We have a lot to talk about." She said before taking her leave.
Jabber knew he was so utterly fucked just by looking at her, let alone the tone of her voice. She didn't sound mad, rather just tired and disappointed. Which was two of the worst things to happen with his mother figure in Jabber's book.
"Fuckkkk...." Jabber sighed to himself when they retreated back to Zanka's room.
Zanka chuckled at that. "What is it?"
"Well," Jabber sighed to himself once more. "I'm gonna have to talk with my family soon! And after the shit I pulled last night, I'm kinda terrified you can say…" He looked away, slightly embarrassed.
The blond next to him hummed for a while, before taking his hand and dragging him downstairs. "I told ya I'll show you around the house, didn't I?" He chuckled as he showed Jabber around the place he called home. The place was well-decorated, with dark green walls and lace-like fabric decorating the couches in the living room, giving the home a vintage vibe.
"There's a pool in the backyard!" Zanka exclaimed before dragging Jabber out to the grassy backyard. The pool took about 1/3rd of the backyard, being huge as it is. Zanka's sister, Kyouka, and another man were currently having their sweet time in it. Curious, Jabber whispered into Zanka's ear.
"Who's that guy?"
Zanka chuckled before whispering back into Jabber's ear. "That's my sister's boyfriend, Arkha Corvus, they've been dating for a year now. He's nice.. He's also my sister's business partner."
"Ohh…" Jabber awed, the guy was so well-built, and the two did look like they were in love, judging by the way his hand was placed on Kyouka's waist. It was a lovely sight to witness.
The garden consisted of many beautiful flowers. There was also an artificial lake full of koi fish swimming and having fun. The lake had a wooden bridge over it, allowing Jabber and Zanka to cross while admiring the view. The last part of the garden had a enclosed space made of certain vine-type plants, when the two entered the area, Jabber felt as if the rest of the world didn't exist. The two stared at eachother, seemingly feeling the same way about the lack of people.
Before Jabber knew it, Zanka was closing the space between them. He only stopped when their bodies were flush against one another. He was gripping Jabber's waist while Jabber's hands rested on his chest.
"..you said I was special to ya… may I know just how special I am…?" Zanka whispered, the dread head could feel the air shifting as he spoke. "…you're so special that I fucking performed for ya… it should explain that…" Jabber chuckled when he saw the other's eyes widen slightly.
Zanka sighed once more. "…Is it bad that I want you to perform for me, and me alone…?" Jabber could feel Zanka begun to pull away, so he gripped Zanka's hands, silently encouraging him to keep his hands where there were. "I'd love that… saves me the embarrassment…"
The two of them let out a breath as they gripped eachother's bodies harder, not wanting to let go. And before anyone knew it, Zanka's face inches closer until there was only a couple of centimeters away from the other's lips, which he was staring intensely at. Jabber put their foreheads together, holding his breath for what was to come.
"Zanka!" Kyouka's voice called out, making the two startle. "Mom's calling you for brunch! And Cthoni's here to pick Jabber up!"
Zanka smiled sheepishly as he held Jabber's hand, dragging the two of them out of the tent-like area. Just before Jabber left, Zanka discreetly held his hand near the door. "Good luck with your family…"
Jabber let out a huff. "Thanks…" He thought of something, his eyes wandering around the room.
"What are ya thinking about?" Zanka asked, before Jabber pressed his lips against Zanka's cheek and ran out the door, somewhat finishing what they couldn't do back in the tent-like vines. Because of that, Jabber missed how Zanka's face lit up in a bright hue of red, and the big smile that was plastered on his face throughout brunch.
"Ya like him that much?" Goka asked, his face showing an unimpressed look.
Zanka's blush disappeared that instant. "I hate you so much."
Goka just shrugged. "I hate you as well."
To which Zanka looked at his mother. "Mom, big brother's being mean."
"Don't be mean to your brother, Goka." Their mother, who hadn't listened to the conversation responded.