Work Text:
Zanka was the Ground definition of a rebellious rich boy. Rebellious in the terms that he doesn’t talk to his family, is mid in all aspects, and managed to pull a smoking hot, masochistic Raider.
He’s gay, he’s weak and he’s a sadist. What more could he say? But there was one itty bitty issue. No one knew about his relationship with Jabber. And he intended it to stay that way because, let’s be for real, Zanka thought this was going to be a fling. A hit and run. A quick tap in which after he goes off to find himself an actual man.
But somehow, he and Jabber managed to evolve this surprisingly non-toxic situationship, into a fully fledged relationship. One that had lasted for a few months now. Which also meant that he had to come clean and tell his family that he was dating a mentally unstable Giver who handed his ass to him thrice.
So here he was, on his way to Canvas town to tell Jabber that he was meeting the fam for dinner. Zanka strolled through the streets, eyes wandering from building to building until he spotted a certain dark skinned beauty scratching Z+J’s into the wall with Mankira.
Jabber turned around the moment Zanka’s eyes laid on him, as though he had a 6th sense, and broke into a wide, toothy grin, his magenta eyes flashing.
“Zan-Zan, babyyyyy, sugar plum, pookie wookie, my chocolate chip cookie!” He purred, turning off his vital instrument as he came bounding over to Zanka. The latter rolled his eyes but accepted the sloppy wet kiss that Jabber had slabbered onto his cheeks with a groan.
“That’s disgusting Jabber.” He mumbled, wiping away the spit. “And no I’m not here for a fight.” He added before Jabber could speak.
“This is serious business, no jokes, no games.” His tone wasn’t playful anymore, his eyebrows scrunched. Jabber stopped his teasing and nodded, thumb reaching between his brows to smooth out the wrinkles.
“Wassup hun’?” He cooed. Zanka hesitated for a moment, wondering how he could bring this up.
“Y’know how we’ve been datin’ for a while?” He started, tone careful.
“3 months and 18 days but continue,” Jabber corrected.
“Right, well. I think you should come with me to meet Enjin and the others.” Zanka quickly spat out, wincing. Jabber blinked twice before nodding.
“Alright. ‘S that it?” He asked, hand snaking over to grab Zanka by the waist and pulling him closer. The latter sputtered, “‘S that it?! Jabber you’re a Raider, aren’t ya worried?”
His boyfriend of 3 months and 18 days scoffed, “Aren’t you gonna be protecting lil’ ol’ me? If so, what would I be afraid of?” Jabber sighs, nuzzling into a blushing Zanka.
“You little-! Whatever, if you get killed, I’m cremating you and taking Mankira.” He huffed, totally not melting into Jabber’s touch.
This was one of their sweeter moments. Usually there would be a lot of choking and a little less cuddling. But both were fine.
<><><><><><><>
The clock struck 10 as Zanka returned with bags full of party decorations. He wasn’t sure why Amo needed black and orange balloons for her welcome party. Rudo’s had food and that was it. Plus, it’s not like this was her first time on the Ground. But whatever, it wasn’t his money anyways.
Semiu had given him a knowing look when he walked in holding a shit tonne of pre-blown balloons, a smiley Jabber in tow. He wasn’t that surprised to know that she found out about Jabber sneaking into HQ at night. If she knew then Corvus probably knew and he wasn’t called out about it so…
Anyways, Riyo let out a whoop when he entered, removing herself from Eishia’s side to help him with the balloons.
“Wait, is this it? Zanka, you brought like ten balloons. I told you to grab at least twenty.” She scolded, taking them from him. Enjin snorted, “At least he had the brains to inflate them beforehand or else you would’ve given him a new haircut.”
Zanka shifted from his spot at the door, Enjin and Riyo noticed it immediately.
“What’s up?” Gris asked, coming up from the drinks table, handing Enjin a beverage in a red plastic cup. Jabber poked his head in, pushing past Zanka.
“Yo, I know these are balloons but this is getting annoying, anyone gonna take these?” He said, passing Zanka his bags full of balloons.
The party went silent, then, Zanka pulled Jabber back behind him as a bang resounded, a bullet hole formed where Jabber’s torso was two seconds ago.
Riyo stood a few meters away, gun in her hands. Enjin shot up from his seat, Umbreaker in his hands as he stood in front of Riyo.
“Zanka.” He said, “Why is Jabber behind you?” Rudo pulled Amo behind him, a snarl in his throat as he glared at the Raider. Everyone in the room seemed to be on their toes, vital instruments or makeshift weapons in hand.
“Wait! Don’t shoot.” Zanka stuttered out, eyeing Riyo’s gun. Jabber rested his head on Zanka’s shoulders.
“Damn, what a group. I thought they knew before you brought me here Zan-Zan.” He muttered, snickering at how tense they were. He wrapped his arms around Zanka’s waist mockingly, Mankira summoned, her sharp nails ghosting the material of his shirt.
“Zanka!” Enjin shouted, eyes narrowing with worry and confusion. That seemed to snap the boy out of it. He seemed to realise what shit Jabber had stirred and frowned.
“Stop it, put her away.” He scowled before turning to the others. Jabber rolled his eyes, mumbling about not being allowed to have fun as the claws turned back into silver rings.
Riyo seemed to realise what was going on and lowered her gun with a startled scoff. Enjin spared her a glance before shooting his eyes back at the duo.
“I thought you were joking Zanka.” She murmured, cocking the safety latch on her gun. Zanka gave her an awkward smile.
“What? What’s going on?” Enjin sputtered, Umbreaker still raised.
Zanka cleared his throat, “Jabber is my-“ “-I’m his lover, his boyfriend, his favourite Raider, the love of his life.” Jabber cut in, impatient from the silence. He stuck a childish tongue out at Enjin. And gave Riyo a playful smirk.
“You I like. Those gunshot wounds? Hah! Zan-Zan took care of me like a baby for days.” He smiled wistfully, nuzzling into Zanka’s neck and biting down. His boyfriend let out a yelp, pushing him off.
“We’re in public you hornball!” He gasped, hand shooting to the mark. Enjin let out a verbally distressed sound, Umbreaker still raised.
Gris, ever the peacemaker, butt in.
“How about we have a chat.”
<><><><><><><>
After a pretty long and very awkward talk about safety and protection, Enjin finally relented, albeit reluctantly, to temporarily trust Jabber with his son-I mean with Zanka. Gris and Riyo had managed to coerce him into allowing Zanka some freedom with this relationship of his.
Now, Zanka and Jabber sat on one couch, the latter wrapped like a koala around his lover, the former leaning back into the Raider’s touch with an unusual calmness. Amo had peered at the couple from behind Rudo and said, loudly, “Amo smells true love.” prompting Zanka to blush furiously and Jabber was left cackling at his Cleaner’s flustered face.
Gris had managed to hold Enjin back (somehow) went Jabber leaned turned Zanka’s face to the side to give him a passionate kiss, the latter melting into the touch with a hum before realising where he was and pulling away. Riyo was pouting from where she was in Eishia’s arms, Enjin having told her off for immediately reaching for her gun during an emergency. Amo didn’t want to be anywhere near Jabber, still slightly salty after he stole her boots. But she couldn’t deny that she was intrigued by the dynamic of the two.
While they were obviously in love, they treated each other like shit, hitting, biting and swearing eachother out, yet still having a smile on their faces. Amo couldn’t understand that and asked Rudo, who also didn’t know if love was supposed to look like that who then asked Follo. Follo got embarrassed and just told the duo to ask the couple themselves. Rudo said that he wouldn’t but Amo was now more curious than ever.
“Zanka,” She said, appearing right next to the two, “Why do you and Wonger hit eachother if you’re in love?” Enjin burst out in cackles, making Amo shiver with disgust, turning her back to the blonde man. Jabber gave her a smirk, indicating for her to come closer. Zanka immediately rebutted against that idea, pushing Jabber’s face away.
“It’s just how we roll.” Zanka muttered, focused on covering his boyfriend’s mouth, before something wet and slimy ran down his palm, making him screech.
“You dog, did you just lick me.?!”
“It’s ‘cause Zanka’s a sadist and he takes out his anger issues on me,” Jabber mock-whispered.
“You like it!”
They began arguing (or rather Jabber teases and Zanka fumes) about random stuff, the audience watching with varying levels of interest. While most people still didn’t trust Jabber, some found their little banter endearing. Or as endearing as it is when Jabber starts blushing and fake-moaning whenever Zanka hits him.
<><><><><><><>
Jabber and Riyo were having a chat, probably talking about Zanka, when Enjin approached Zanka, hand on his shoulders.
“Hey bud, what’d Riyo talk about before? Y’know when she lowered her gun and said something about how she thought you were joking?” He asked, randomly remembering about that moment.
Zanka winced, “We were out drinking after a mission,” He mumbled, “I was drunk and called Jabber hot and that I felt some weird things in my stomach when we fought.”
“Riyo thought I was joking, obviously,” Zanka gestured to his boyfriend who was admiring Riyo’s gun, “I wasn’t.” Enjin nodded at that, his eyes narrowing.
“Good job.” He sighed, walking away without saying anything else. Zanka felt his eyes go wide, did Enjin just approve of him, wait, for what?
“Wait-! Wait, why?” He called out to the figure of the man walking away. Enjin just turned around and winked at him, which didn’t really help clear the understanding. Later he got his answer when Gris walked up to him.
“Good job man, good on you for topping,” He said, smiling, “Enjin told me.”
It took Zanka a few minutes before he realised what happened and turned tomato red.
“ENJIN!!”