Chapter Text
"I don’t like that guy, man!” Enjin screams out his frustration, slamming his drink on the table so hard that Gris flinches. The bartender screams at him to be more careful but it goes ignored, his frustration clouded in his thoughts. “It’s already bad enough he’s a Raider.”
Gris leans back on his chair. He already knew what Enjin was speaking of– it was the biggest gossip going around headquarters after their first trap against the Raiders. A certain someone keeps making an appearance to swoon the heart of a specific Cleaner, Zanka. And out of everyone in the entire world, that Raider had to be Jabber Wonger.
“I don’t think the situation is going to escalate to whatever is going on in your head,” Gris took a bite out of his food. Zanka was furious to find out the extent of Gris' injury and even blamed himself for not being faster to prevent such action. Enjin opened his mouth to speak but Gris cut him off. “Those are just silly dreams. I never thought you would take those seriously.”
“It’s not just a dream,” Enjin defended. “It’s an occurring dream that makes sure to destroy my whole mood. It has to be a sign for something.”
“Maybe you should stop hanging around Riyo,” Gris sighed. “How about we start leaving? We have a mission coming up soon and you know how annoyed Zanka gets when people are late.”
Enjin grumbled under his breath, but followed closely behind Gris. He has been on high alert after hearing his team fell into a trap in the hands of the Raiders. He’s especially been protective over Zanka after that heinous comment Jabber made over his teammate.
“You should've heard what that kid said about Zanka!” He complained throughout the way.
Enjin got there in time with the others. They’ve managed to get Rudo back from Jabber’s grasp, but there was no sight of the others. “Hey,” Enjin said, his eyes glaring into Jabber and the woman with the manhole. “Where’s the others?”
“I only remember one of them. The others were too boring to bother,” Jabber responded.
Rudo, despite being paralyzed on the ground, gathered his energy to speak once more. “G-Gris was injured badly… Zanka was poisoned."
“Well, there’s your answer! Mr. Bad Attitude will get up in no time… I should really upgrade the dose on him next time then.” Jabber grinned as he was nudged by Cthoni to enter the portal. She also gave a slight glare at him and muttered, “There’s no point in being here. Let’s go.”
Jabber sighs in disappointment, but doesn’t fight back. Instead, while he’s going through the portal, he gives one last comment about Zanka that irks Enjin to the core. “I can’t wait to see him next time. He’s totally my type, y’know that?” It felt like Jabber was testing Enjin. “Hm, for a Cleaner, I want to destroy him inside and out–”
“Jabber.”
“Alright, alright, I’m going,” Jabber mutters.
There was a heavy silence in the air. Riyo's eyes are wide as she turns to face Enjin. “You okay?”
“... Perfect.”
“There you two are. Are you ready?” Semiu closes her aroused magazines and shoves it inside an empty drawer. Enjin scanned the area– Follo was talking with Tomme and Rudo, Gris was next to him putting on his hat, and Riyo was too busy fixing her hair. Everyone seemed to be here except for– “Zanka is heading down here soon.”
“It’s strange to not see him here first,” Gris muttered before leaving his side to join the supporters.
Semiu already noticed the tension in his face from a mile away. It was obvious the interaction between Jabber and Zanka was stressing him out the most. Unbeknown to Enjin, he failed to see the held back snarky grin and said, “I would keep an eye on Zanka today.”
“Huh? Why–”
“Sorry for being late,” Zanka's voice pops out. He fixes the collar of his uniform and approaches to stand next to Enjin. “I didn’t miss anything, did I?”
“I haven’t gone through anything at all,” Semiu smiled, ignoring the side-eye she was receiving from Enjin. He wanted to ask more questions on what she meant, but instead he kept his lips sealed and paid attention to the mission directions– fair and simple, eliminate the trash beasts that are approaching close to a town’s border.
Fair and simple… it’s supposed to be fair and simple… so why–
“--did he have to appear?!” Enjin scowled at the Raider who was too busy chatting it up with Zanka, trying to tick off the young Cleaner into engaging in a fight. The rest stood in the distance watching the chaos unfold.
It was supposed to be a fair and simple mission, per Semiu words, Enjin wanted to treat everyone for dinner but was interrupted by Jabber who felt the need to disrupt Zanka’s peace. Who would’ve known that Jabber would be out at the same time and same location as them?
The Cleaners were ready to attack the Raider, but was caught off-guard when Jabber started talking to Zanka like a normal person. “I don’t want to fight you,” Zanka muttered, placing his staff away. “Shouldn’t you be somewhere?”
“Who said I was here to fight?” Jabber responded. “What if I was here to only see you?”
“At least he’s not starting a fight?” Riyo shrugged her shoulders, trying to lighten up the mood. Even though she was interested to see what would happen next, Riyo made sure to keep her guard up, her vital instrument in hand. “Never knew he was crushing this hard on Zanka.”
“Bleugh,” Rudo said in disgust.
“Don’t say that, please,” Gris sighed, also a bit on edge when Jabber would take a step towards Zanka. He watches as Jabber leaned close and whispered in Zanka’s ear. “I can handle this–”
“No,” Enjin stuck his arm out to prevent Gris from stepping closer. He took a deep breath and said, “I have a plan.”
Follo flinched when Enjin turned his way and grabbed him by the wrist. “Where are you taking me?!” He protested as he was dragged towards Zanka and Jabber.
“Zanka,” Enjin kept his face neutral and placed his hand on their shoulder. Jabber scowled at being interrupted which almost made Enjin smile… almost. “We’re leaving now. Your boyfriend is getting jealous.”
“Boyfriend?” Both Zanka and Jabber muttered.
Zanka looks at Follo who smiles back nervously. “I-I never knew you two were this close,” He found himself saying, sweating profusely at the way Jabber was staring at him.
Everyone carefully watched what happened next. Zanka’s eyes shined as he gracefully took Follo’s hand. “We aren’t close,” He said loud enough for Jabber to hear. “Let’s go. I’m hungry.”
Enjin grinned.
‘I’m so going to die, Follo accepted his fate that day.