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Jabber and Zanka had been together for about two years now, and their relationship was definitely not a secret by any means…The cleaners were supportive. Concerned, but still supportive! Especially Riyo, who had grown pretty close with the raider over time. Zanka himself found his heart and body craving more with Jabber, more than just boyfriends even. But they were still too young for marriage…well not really, but in Zanka’s eyes that wasn't a good idea yet. He just had to wait.
The night before, in Zanka’s room, he sat at his desk working on a report given to him by Tomme, he heard a familiar knock on his window.
Here he is again…
Zanka sighed, slugging himself up from his workspace to mosey on over to the window to let in the crazy man he called his boyfriend. When he latched open the window, Jabber crawled in with no issue. He giggled, wrapping his arms around Zanka’s shoulders and giving him a fat kiss. Zanka fake gagged, but wrapped his arms around Jabber’s waist.
“Hey baby! Just comin’ t’see ya!” Jabber muses, pulling away slightly to look at Zanka’s eyes. The younger man sighed wistfully, swirling his hands around Jabber's waist. The raider’s face softened, placing another kiss to Zanka’s face but this time on his nose. Zanka cringed, but laughed softly. He's so cute. If only he wasnt fuckin’ crazy 90% of the time… Zanka thought.
“Hey, Zan…I'm sorry I haven't been here for two weeks or somethin’...” Jabber apologized, taking Zanka's hands in his own, “I've been busy gettin’ a present for my one n only!” He smiled beamingly, reaching one hand down to his pockets in his wide pants, pulling out a box. Zanka raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifted between the box and Jabber’s fuchsia eyes.
“Whatchu got there? Don't tell me it's a new poison or some shit-” Zanka laughs awkwardly, staring into his boyfriend's eyes. Jabber blinked a few times before laughing at his boyfriend, basically cackling at him. Zanka’s face burned, shoving his boyfriend’s shoulder in embarrassment.
“Hush! Can ya blame me for thinking that?!” Zanka whisper-yelled, crossing his arms. Soon enough, Jabber composed himself, clearing his throat with a cough. He straightens his body, pulling out the box again.
“So, you're probably like: ‘The hell did my sexy boyfriend get me?’ Well…” Jabber giggles, pulling the box to be in between them, slowly opening it. When it opened, Zanka’s eyes widened at the sight of an obsidian ring, polished to perfection. They widened further when he realized it wasn't just any ring, it was one of Jabber’s Mankira rings! Holy shit!
“Jabs, I can't take this…This is one of your rings, your vital instrument! I can't just-” Zanka stressed, pushing the box towards Jabber, who laughed, pulling the ring out of the box to place on Zanka’s left hand on his ring finger.
“Youre takin’ it. I want you to, please Zan.” he soothes, holding Zanka’s hand with both of his own. “This ain't a marriage proposal but…I wanted t’show you that I do truly love ya!” He smiles, placing a kiss on Zanka's cheek. Zanka sobs quietly from in front of Jabber, alarming the man. He drops the now empty box, wrapping his arms around Zanka.
“Hey, hey! Baby, why the tears? Did I do somethin’ wrong?” Jabber whispers, running his boney fingers through Zanka’s short hair. Zanka whimpers into Jabber's neck, pulling away just enough so he could hear him speak.
“No…No you didn't do anything wrong. I just…” he takes a deep breath, “I never thought someone could love me like how you do…Yer so kind, so sweet, so caring…Makes me overwhelmed…” he wraps his arms around Jabber’s shoulders at this, holding him in a deep embrace. Jabber’s heart melted, he squeezed his eyes shut, wrapping his arms around Zanka.
The two men made their way to Zanka’s double sized bed, turning off the light and curling up under the covers. The two of them stayed together all night, thriving in the other's embrace, holding onto each other so tight as if they were afraid they'd lose the other. Their limbs stayed tangled, Zanka’s normally chilling room feeling comfortably warm with their bodyheat. Before the two passed out, they exchanged sweet nothing, whispers of affection.
“Jabs?” Zanka mused, his face directly in front of Jabbers.
Jabber’s eyes were closed, but he hummed in response.
“I love you…” Zanka muttered, planting a kiss on Jabber's forehead.
The older man’s eyes opened at this, smiling softly at his boyfriend, leaving a chaste kiss on his lips.
“I love you more, Zan.”
…
“Are ya kiddin’?!” Riyo shouted in excitement, unaware of how loud her voice was. Zanka grabbed her shoulders and shushed her, putting his hand over her mouth.
“Shut UP!” he grunts, “Keep it down!” He looks back and forth between the hallway outside of the caf in Cleaner HQ, making sure nobody heard. Riyo just laughed at him, licking his hand so he’d let go. Zanka gagged at the woman's saliva on his palm, wiping it on her jacket.
“How did you want me to act, brochacho?!” she laughs, giving Zanka a nudge, “Your boyfriend basically just promised himself to you for life by giving ya part of his vital instrument!” Zanka’s face flushes at that, turning his head to the side, fidgeting with his lanky fingers. He hadn't thought that hard about this whole thing…Maybe it was a crazy big deal…
“I know…All I know is that I love ‘em, even if he's a little coo-coo…” Zanka laughs, swirling his finger next to his ear. At that moment, Rudo walked by, going towards the caf.
“Who's coo-coo? Jabber?” He asks innocently, staring at his ‘siblings’. Riyo laughed again, she's super giddy. Zanka sighs, nodding his head, going to explain to Rudo the situation in toddler terms, but is cut off by a gasp from the boy.
“HOLY SHIT, SHITFACE! IS THAT ONE OF JABBERS--!” Rudo exclaims but is cut off by Zanka punching him in the gut. Rudo groans, holding his stomach. “Asshole! What the hell was that for?!”
Zanka feels his eye twitch, “That was for shouting my personal business to the whole goddamn cleaner HQ!” Zanka says with a smile, but he grits his teeth in anger. Rudo grunts.
“What was that about yer’ personal life, Zan?” Enjin question, holding onto Umbreaker. He had just come around the corner behind Rudo. Zanka’s heart sank to his stomach. He started to sweat intensely, stuttering when trying to speak.
“W…well, you see…” He laughs, pulling at his collar to give him some air. He felt like he was choking.
“Do you want some help, Zan?” Riyo questions, her hand on his shoulder. Zanka nods his head enthusiastically.
“So, Enjin…Youll be so proud of our little Zan-Zan here…” she muses with fake tears in her eyes, tightening her grip on Zanka’s shoulder.
“Riyo--”
“Our little Zan-Zan…was given a promise ring! And not just any promise ring--” she shouts, grabbing Zanka’s left hand to show off one of Mankira’s rings, “Its part of Mankira!” Enjin’s jaw drops, and so does umbreaker. Rudo almost laughs, but he doesn't have enough brain cells to process.
“WHAT?!” Enjin shouts, grabbing Zanka by the shoulders and shaking him. Zanka swears he can hear Riyo snickering from beside him. He braces his stance, placing his hands on Enjin’s chest to stop him from shaking him.
“Please don't be mad…I love him, okay? He's actually really sweet.” Zanka mutters, avoiding eye contact. He hears a sniffle from the older man, causing him to look up, “Enjin..?”
“Man…I thought the two of ya were just fuckin’! I didn't know ya actually loved eachother!” He shouts, wrapping Zanka into a tight hug. Awkwardly, Zanka lets himself be hugged, laughing at Enjin.
“Why’d ya think that…” he laughs, returning Enjin’s hug.
“Well…Yknow…He's kinda crazy so I assumed that he'd be a bum ass boyfriend is all…”
Zanka laughed, "Couldn't be more wrong.”
{Meanwhile…Raider HQ}
“Yo! Bossman!” Jabber shouts, running into Zodyl’s typical office area. The man doesn't turn his head when he replies.
“What is it now, Jabber?”
“I gave one of my rings to Zan-Zan! He's mine for LIFE now!” He shouts in glee, hopping about the room.
“Can you still use your vital instrument without one of its rings?” Zodyl questions sternly, turning his head ever so slightly to the side.
Jabber raises an eyebrow, “Huh? Uh, yeah? See?” He says bluntly, showing the boss how his claws work the same. Zodyl hums, nodding.
“Hm. Good. Congratulations then, Jabber.”
{}