Chapter Text
The howling wind surrounded the two, only the stars and the waning moon guiding them. In front, the restless raider couldn’t contain his giggles and quiet mutters. “Just you wait, man. We’re gonna have a whole new life set up for you.”
The latter could only listen, his head still a jumbled mess of incomprehensible thoughts as his grew vision hazy. “I sure hope you mean that..” He muttered out, his stomach tied in knots.
Jabber had a firm hold on the other’s wrist, practically dragging him through the dirt and dust of the ground below. Zanka didn’t pull away, however, he let himself be led. He was the one who asked for this anyway.
After what seemed like eons of running, that slowly turned into jogging, that eventually turned to just speedwalking… the two eventually wound up at a small town, its aesthetic dingy and run-down. (But then again that’s just how most of the ground was anyway.) Zanka took a moment to just examine their newfound surroundings, trying to keep his expression from turning displeased. “I thought the raiders would group together in a more…covert area?” At that, Jabber let out a cackle, giving a swift slap to the other's shoulder. “No shit, Z!! I didn’t say we was going to the lion’s den right away, I gotta get you all dolled up to meet the boss first!”
“??? So where exactly are you taking me!?”
“My place, duh.”
As the two walked along the littered road, Zanka felt a pang of uneasiness in his chest. This whole experience was just as exhilarating as it was nerve-wracking. Their steps were quiet, the world around them a series of hushed whispers and the occasional tumbleweed. Eventually, those steps led them to an apartment complex, it’s ivory colored walls littered with all kinds of graffiti and mysterious stains. Zanka glanced towards Jabber with hesitance, but reluctantly continued to follow along. The stone steps up to the second floor were sturdy, a bit eroded even. Thinking deeper, Zanka felt remorse for whoever had been living under Jabber’s apartment..he refused to believe Wonger of all people ever could be a good tenant.
“Yo.”
Zanka blinked towards the dreadhead, snapping back to reality. “Sorry.” Was all he could muster out before awkwardly speedwalking closer to him.
“All good, just keep your spacing out for when we’re actually inside.” Jabber huffed, fumbling with a ring of keys he apparently had on his person before settling on a small silver key and shifting to open the door.
The two walked inside, an immediate gust of foreign chemicals and what Zanka assumed was weed hit his nose. He unfortunately couldn’t act surprised, Jabber himself already had a kind of…musk, to say the least. His living environment probably wouldn’t have smelled any better, and damn it he was right. This was still however, his so called “savior’s” home, so he had to muster up some semblance of consideration and simply nod his thanks. Besides the garish smell that loomed over, the place wasn’t half-bad. Well-decorated, tidy (aside from a few strewn clothes on the floor), and definitely well lived-in. Plants put up on shelves, their leaves cascading down in a string of deep greens. Music records and CDs had decorated bookcases, a matching record player sitting right beside it on a small dresser. Where did he even get half of this stuff..?
“Oh yeah, if boss-man ends up actually like- letting you join us, you’ll prooobablyy have to crash here until you start making enough to rent ya own place.” Jabber drawled out, walking towards a closet and pulling out some blankets and a pillow. “Here, I sure hope the couch is fancy enough ya, Mr, Nijiku.”
“…wait. So you’re NOT taking me to see your boss tonight?” Zanka replied, his face inquisitive.
“Whaaat?? Hell no! You know how late it is right now??”
Zanka could only blink, soon letting out a heavy sigh. Jabber was right. (Gag, never thought he’d have to say that.) He reluctantly took the blankets from Jabber’s arms and walked towards the couch set up in the main living area. Jabber lingered back for a moment, watching him lay out the blankets with an indescribable look on his face. He immediately snapped back out of it.
“Sweet dreams princess, don’t let the trash beasts bite!!” Was all he spoke out, retreating to his room and shutting the door. Zanka didn’t reply back.