Chapter Text
12th grade AP Chemistry class, which might as well be hell for Zanka. He looked over to Jabber, who was sleeping while the teacher was handing the test back. His heart was in his stomach; his test had to be above an 80% for him to be in his family’s good graces. He took his test from Mr. Enjin, and just when he thought his luck was down, he discovered it was at rock bottom when he looked at the big red circle around an embarrassing 75%. He didn’t even get the bonus right. Mr. Enjin said, “As long as you get the process right, you get a point.” How did he mess up the process? He turned his head to see the teacher swatting Jabber on the head with his test. He snatched the test, looked at the score, and went back to bed. When Zanka peeked over, he was an astounding 102% on his paper. Every question and the extra credit is correct. It seemed almost unfair! Jabber barely studied, and he got an insane grade. Zanka had been studying since the day the teacher mentioned the test, and he got the average grade. How is that fair? He felt the hot tears welling in his eyes.
“Whatcha get, Mr. Bad Attitude?”
“Ya really think I wanna talk about it?”
“Just askin’ questions.”
The last bell rang, and Zanka hastily packed up. Shoving anything into any backpack pocket he could. He was desperately trying to get out of class before anyone could see him crying. Especially the teacher; he didn’t want Mr. Enjin to think he couldn’t handle the class material. Jabber sleeps through class, never studies, and wears pajama pants all day. Zanka always participates, studies every night, and wears elegant clothes. One has all A’s, and the other is trying to keep his C afloat. How is this possible? He’s a good student, right? His fists were shaking with pure, unbridled rage. He saw Jabber at the door, seemingly waiting for him. He slung his bag over his shoulder and marched up to the stellar student.
“Ya cheated, didn’ cha?!”
“Cheated? Zanka, come on. Ya know me better than that! It’s aaaall up in here.”
He pointed to his head and smiled at the boy next to him, who was not in the mood for Jabber’s playful antics. He picked up on this and gave a sort of softer smile and kept walking next to Zanka while he dreaded what his family would think. His mom and dad would infallibly be disappointed in him. It doesn’t matter how good he was at one subject. If he wasn’t good at all of them, he wasn’t good at any one of them.
“I can tutor ya if ya want.”
“Why would I wanna take lessons from you?”
“Cause I gotta A ‘n ya didn’.”
That left Zanka silent for a moment. He really did need help, huh? He pulled out his phone to text his parents, saying he would be late coming home today, and walked with Jabber to the library. They picked a table by the front desk and set up a station. Zanka pulled out his pencils, papers, and books, and Jabber pulled out nothing. He simply rests his head on his hand and smiles at Zanka, trying to look all professional. He looked adorable when he tried so hard. Zanka was flipping through the pages of his past worksheets to get to a missed question, and there were quite a few, so he picked one he didn’t understand at all.
“So I know the first part, but Ion know what ta do after this ta get Holmium.”
“Hm? Put it in the alpha decay equation.”
“I neva tried that.”
He listened to Jabber and got the right answer to his question. The pieces started clicking, and he finally understood how to get the answer to a few more questions. He found another question he didn’t understand and showed Jabber, who talked him through the problem. It was weird; Zanka thought he’d be the one tutoring him, but Jabber’s incredible at math and science. Literature and history fell no shorter, but he liked the other two subjects the best.
“Ya really good at this stuff.”
“Yeah, I wanna study it the best I can cause I’m gonna study to be a toxicologist.”
“Toxicologist? Why that?”
Jabber shrugs. “Seems like fun. Whatta ‘bout chu?”
Zanka’s shoulders slumped a little when he heard that question. “Ion really know yet. Senior year, and Ion have a clue on what Imma do when I graduate; it’s a damn shame.”
“What do ya like ta do?”
“Well… I like martial arts. I ain’t top of my class, but I think I’m ok, I guess.”
“Why not be a police officer or somthin’? Maybe even work in secret service?”
Zanka sat on that thought for a little. His family wanted him to do something impressive. Would that be good enough for them?
“Ion know if ma family would like something like that.”
“Well, ya can’t let ‘em dictate ya whole life. Ya gotta make some decisions you think are right for you, not what’ll wow everyone ‘round you.”
“Ya make it sound so easy. Whatta ‘bout chu? What does ya family think about your dream job?”
“Hm? Did I not tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
Jabber looked at Zanka and gave a soft, almost sad smile. “Imma foster kid ‘n I aged out few weeks ago. I’m crashin’ at a friend’s till I get on ma feet.”
Zanka’s face dropped immediately, and he gave him a look of pity. “I’m sorry.”
“Don sweat it; I’m used to it by now.”
He slipped his arms around Jabber's waist, pulling the man into a tight hug, trying to offer whatever condolences he can. Jabbers chuckled at this but ultimately hugged him back, stroking his hair tenderly.
“I just said I’m fine, ma man. Don worry about me. I’m ok now.”
After a little while longer, Zanka pulled away to look Jabber in his face. He smiled like he always did at him. He touched Zanka’s face, putting his hands on his cheeks, pulling him closer and closer until their lips came together into a gentle kiss.
“Ya know, you the first person to eva care ‘bout me like this.”
“Really?”
“Uh huh, ‘n I’m not the type ta fall for anyone who shows a little love ta me. I’ve liked ya for a while now, Zanka.”
He was stunned. What was he even supposed to say to that? He put both his hands on Jabber’s wrist to lean forward again and kiss him. This kiss went on for a little longer, but no one was complaining about that. After some time they pulled away and stared into each other’s eyes.
“We, um… I have an extra room at my house; you can- um- stay in. I-if you want, of course!”
“Thanks for the offer. Ion know if I’ll accept it just yet, but I’ll keep it in the back of ma mind. Shall we do sum actual chemistry now?”
“Y-Yeah, we should.”
The next unit came and went. Zanka flew through the test like the periodic table was second nature to him. Jabber finished and put his head down for a power nap, and then Zanka finished his test soon after. The tests were taken up to be graded as the bell rang. The following day, Mr. Enjin was handing back the test. Zanka’s leg was bouncing as he was anxious for his score. Mr. Enjin finally made it to his row and soon his desk.
“I’m glad to see such improvement from you, Zanka.”
He said while putting down his test with a 94% circled in red. Zanka has never been happier in his whole life than he was today; he couldn’t believe himself.
“Nice job. Maybe you can finally start being Mr. Good Attitude, huh?”
Zanka smiled at him. “Be quiet. Don’t spoil my good day.”
Jabber's test read 103%. He looked at the test, smiled, and rubbed his tired eyes.
“One step closer to my dream myself.”
In the hallway, they held hands as they both walked to the front door of the school. Their fingers were interlocked. Jabber was messing with the pocket of his hoodie, not maintaining any eye contact with his boyfriend right next to him. Zanka obviously picks up on his demeanor and starts to rub Jabber’s hand with his thumb.
“Somethin’ wrong?”
“Ya think I can move in? Ion have much but a few clothes.”
“Of course ya can. I told ma parents ‘n they understand, but my siblings’ll be a lil hard on you.”
“That’s fine. I’ll start packing’ up ‘n I’ll be there in a lil.”
Outside the school, Zanka lets go of Jabber’s hand and pulls him in for a kiss.
“See ya.”
“…See ya.”