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—That’s a wrap for today! —the director yelled, loud and clear. Applauses broke out across the set, scattered and tired. Zanka felt his shoulders stiffening, exhaling like he’d been holding his breath for hours. That caught Jabber’s attention.
Jabber waited until all the cameras were shut off before leaning closer to the guy who was sitting down on a nearby bench.
—Yah busy tonight, Zanka? —Jabber asked, he hoped and prayed that Zanka wasn’t gonna be busy tonight…because he had prepared a special gift for Zanka, just for him.
—I’m not, why’re you asking? —Zanka replied, sounding exhausted enough just to make Jabber’s smile tug upward.
Fuck yeah it did.
Jabber felt a spark of excitement he absolutely shouldn’t have.
—Nah… no, absolutely no reason at all.
The words came out fast, too fast, and Jabber loved how the excitement refused to settle down, even a little—he rubbed his inner thighs together—he shifted his weight, fingers fidgeting around the hem of his baggy dark purple-blackish pants.
—Say, Zan-kaa… —Jabber dragged the name out, a little teasing, just a bit careful. —Yah wanna go out? It is your birthday, after all…
Zanka blinked. Once. Then twice.
Then his eyes widened, mouth parting into a soundless oh. —W–what..? —he managed, staring at Jabber like he’d misheard his cue.
—H–how’d you even… — he stopped, staring at Jabber like he’d just gone crazy. —How’d you know it was my birthday?
The question tumbled out rushed and breathless, disbelief written all over his face. Why would he, Jabber Wonger, remember something like that?
—It’s… in that stupid ‘birthdays this month’ thing right there.
Jabber pointed toward the decorated wall, already half-turned back to Zanka—just in time to see his expression suddenly change.
The warmth drained from Zanka’s face as his eyes landed on the paper cutouts and taped-up names. His shoulder pulled inward, jaw tightening like he’d brace for something he should’ve seen coming.
—Ohh… —he muttered.
Jabber frowned, —Hey–
—I mean–yeah. Right. That makes sense… —Zanka rushed, words tripping over each other as he laughed under his breath, sharp and awkward. —You didn't like–remember or anything. It was just there. Anyone could've seen it.
He gestured vaguely at the wall, then dropped his hand, gaze fixed on the floor. His cheeks burned—not with happiness, but with the kind of embarrassment that settled heavy in his chest.
—Sorry. —he added quickly, too quickly. —I just– thought for a second.. Nevermind. That’s on me.
Jabber stared at him, quiet now, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes.
Jabber didn’t answer right away.
The set noise blurred into the background—crews moving, someone laughing too loud across the room yet his focus stayed locked onto Zanka, onto his eyes. On the way his shoulders were still tense, like he was bracing for a line that hadn’t been spoken yet.
—That’s not on you —Jabber said finally. Breaking the quietness.
Zanka blinked, surprised enough to shyly look up. —It’s.. not?
Jabber shook his head, slow. —No. You didn’t imagine it, I think. —he hesitated, jaw tightening for just a second before he continued. —I remembered. The wall just made it easier… easier to bring it up.
The words came out, carefully and slow, like Jabber was setting something fragile down between them.
Zanka opened his mouth, then stopped. His thoughts scrambled, colliding all at once, —...Oh.
Heat crept back into his face, but this time it felt different—lighter—You– wait, so you actually did-
—Yeah —Jabber said, softer now. —I did.
For a moment, Zanka forgot where they were. Forgot the cameras, the crew, the stupid decorated wall in front of them. He stared at Jabber, caught somewhere between disbelief and something dangerously close to hope..maybe even love.
—I–
—You still haven’t answered me yet, Zan-zan. —Jabber cut in, tone light but deliberate, like he knew exactly what he was doing, and what he was gonna do. —You busy? Or nah?
Zanka froze.
The nickname alone was enough to catch him off guard from whatever sentence he’d been trying to form. His mouth opened then closed again, words evaporating as his brain scrambled to catch up.
—Uhm.. —he started, uselessly. He cleared his throat, eyes darting anywhere but to Jabber’s face. —I mean–no. I don’t think so. Not–busy, I mean…
Smooth, real smooth Zanka..
He winced, rubbing the back of his neck like a dumb nurd. —I was just…gonna go home. That’s not really–being busy.. I think.
Zanka risked a glance up, only to find Jabber already watching him, expression unreadable in that maddening way that made Zanka’s pulse pick up.
—So —Zanka added, quieter now, —I guess that’s a… “nah”.
There was a beat of silence.
Zanka realized what he’d just said.
—...Wait- —he blurted, heat flooding his face all over again. —I mean- yeah. I mean-no, I mean—
He stopped, embarrassed.
—Sorry.. —he muttered, —words aren’t working today…not for me, at least.
Jabber’s lip twitched.
Jabber watched him fumble over his words, the way Zanka’s ears had gone red and his gaze kept scrolling around like he was afraid to look too long.
—...Yeah. —Jabber said quietly, a decision settling in his chest all at once.
Before Zanka could even ask yeah to what, Jabber stepped in—close enough that Zanka had barely time to register it. A hand brushed his sleeve, gently.
Jabber gave Zanka all the time in the world to step back, but he didn’t.
Then Jabber leaned down and pressed a slow kiss to the corner of Zanka’s mouth.
It barely lasted a moment.
Jabber pulled back fast, like he’d surprised himself as much as anyone else. —Sorry —he said, not sounding sorry at all, actually. —Just felt right.
Zanka sat there, completely still. His brain stopped functioning for a moment.
—You- —he started, then stopped. His fingers lifted, hovering near his lips like he needed proof it had actually happened. —Did you just– like-
—Yeah —Jabber tilted his head, watching him closely now.
Zanka swallowed hard, face lighting up all over again.
For once, he didn't overthink out loud.
—Well, tell me yah weren’t busy, right? So then… let’s go! —Jabber’s smile widened slightly before grabbing Zanka’s pale wrist to pull him up from the bench and start running to the exit door like a maniac.
And Zanka?
He followed. With a blush and a smile on his face.