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“Yo, I’m home.” Jabber says as he walks through the door.
“Did you get it?” Momoa asks, raising her headphones off of her head for a moment.
“Yeah- catch!” Jabber said, throwing the bag at her and Momoa barely catching it.
“Thanks asshole.”
“No problem.”
“Jabber!” Amo pokes her head from the kitchen door, running to greet him.
“Hey, what got you in such a good mood?” He laughs as she practically bounces up and down in front of her brother out of pure energy.
“You have to take Amo to Coney Island Friday!”
Jabber raised a brow and turned to Momoa, “You know what's going on?”
Momoa shrugged. “Not a clue in the world.”
“Amo, serious, there's an event going on, a sale $60 for 5 hours straight plus a meal voucher going on!”
“Amo, that's just a marketing trick they use to scam you outta your $60.” Jabber said, taking off his shoes and dropping his bag on the floor next to Moma on the couch.
“No, it not! Plus, Cthoni said I could go as long as you go, please you have to do this for Amo!” She begs as she plops down next to him
“I feel like there's another reason why you're begging so hard to go.”
Amo blinks innocently. “What do you mean?”
Then Jabber hears little footsteps trying to avoid the scene currently happening on the couch.
Jabber instantly knew who it was.
“Yo Fu!” He says, turning around to see his younger brother trying to sneak away.
Fu lets out a tiny squeak, “Y-yes?”
“What's going on this Friday at Coney?”
“Uh-ummm.” Fu stutters as he glances away from Jabber and looks at Amo, who was holding a 'do not say shit stare.'
“Fu…”
“Uhhhh”
Amo glares harder.
“Fu don’t lie to me…”
“We’ll um.”
Amo gazes intensify.
“Come on man, just spill.”
“She-I’m-well-um.” The room gets tighter and tighter and darker so much darker.
He felt his heart pound deep within his chest with every shaken breath.
Jabber and Amo's gaze pries deeper within him no matter how much he tries to look away.
UGH HE CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.
“RUDO ASK AMO OUT!” He screams
“A-HA!” Jabber yells, Amo just groans, Momoa snickers, and Fu lets out a little whimper.
“I-I’m sorry!” He quickly apologizes to Amo.
“It's okay, Fu, Amo forgives you…” she said with a soft smile, then she turns her attention back to Jabber. “Sooo, can you drop Amo off now?”
Jabber puts his hand under his chin for a second pretending to think, then-
“No.”
“WHAT!” Amo yells!
Momoa just let out a loud snort and Fu sinks even deeper into himself.
“Why not!”
“Cause I don’t trust that sphereite.”
“Jabber!”
“Don’t call my name-you’re not getting anything out of me.”
“This is so unfair! You're being so unfair to Amo right now!”
“Don’t care, keep that $60 for something more useful.”
“Come on, Jab, it's just a little date.” Momoa said, defending Amo
“Thank you, Momoa!”
“You’re too young to go on a date anyway; you're only 14.”
“You went on dates when you were 13, tho.” Momoa said.
“You’re not helping.” Jabber groans
“Not trying to.” Momoa said with a teasing smirk as he took another bite of her chocolate.
“We’ll- I heard that Zanka might be going too.” Fu said.
Jabber froze for a second.
“A-HA!” Amo shouted, pointing at Jabber.
“That don’t mean you going.”
“Actually, it does. Remember what Amo said: ‘As long as you go, Amo can come along with you.”
“She got you there.” Momoa laughs.
Jabber just sighs, running a hand down his face. On one hand, he doesn’t want his sister hanging around that boy; something about him is just off…it rubs every part of him the wrong way.
But a date with Zanka tho…
Unfortunately, Jabber is human, and as a human being he couldn’t help but fall into temptation once again.
“Fine…I’ll see.” He mummers.
Amo squeals in delight, hugging Jabber, “THANK YOU!” She quickly gets up and grabs Fu's hand, pulling him upstairs, “Come on, Fu, you have to help Amo find an outfit!”
“O-okay…”
Excited footsteps followed all the way upstairs, then a bang of the door.
Hopefully he won’t regret this.
“You're regretting, aren’t you?” Momoa said to him rasing an amused eyebrow.
“Trying not to…the kid just weird.”
“He’s a cleaner; all of them are.”
Jabber snorts, putting out his hand as Momoa gives him a piece of chocolate.
“So, are you gonna ask him out?”
“Do you even have to ask that question?”
She smiles as they both turn to the TV, watching Vampire Diaries.
“Just wanted to see what you said.”
...
By the time Jabber got out of the shower, he put on some pajama pants and tucked his hair in his bonnet.
Then he went to check his phone.
8:00PM
Zanka should be up.
He opens his phone and immediately goes to his contact
'Nasty attitude 👀💚’
He immediately presses the call button and waits a few seconds until he picks up.
“Hello?”
Jabber instantly smiles, “How is my favorite person with the stankest attitude doing this fine night?”
He could practically hear Zanka eye roll. “Jabber, isn't past your bedtime?”
Jabber laughs, pooping down on his bed, “Come on Zan, you know between us you're the one who most likely finna have a bedtime.”
“Shut da hell up!”
Jabber laughs even more, “If you call my phone just to sit there and troll me, then do me a favor and hang up now.” Zanka says, but despite the attitude, there was no real venom behind his words.
“Okay, okay, my fault. I actually called you to ask you something.”
“Oh?” Zanka says, genuinely curious, “And what would that be, tiger?”
Jabber felt his heart leap out of his chest at the nickname. “Are you doing anything this Friday?”
“Yeah, Rudo and Riyo wanted to stop by Coney; don’t know if I’ll go through. Probably just gonna drop them off and head home.”
“We don’t do than Xanny.”
“Why not?”
“Cause we got a date, that day.”
Zanka snorts, “We got a date?”
“Yup,” Jabber says, popping the ‘p’. “You and me if you're not too scared to back out.”
“If anything, I should be telling you that since you always like to run off every time we hang out together.” Zanka jokes.
But the joke struck a nerve harder than expected because it was so painfully true. Every time Jabber was able to score a ‘date’ or even just a hang out with Zanka, some dumbasses always seemed to interrupt their moment.
Which led Jabber to have to leave, suit up, and then come back to a moment that was practically ruined hours ago.
It honestly started to irritate Jabber to a whole new level that he didn’t think possible.
He likes Zanka; he really likes him, and it always annoys him that it felt like he could never really have a moment to show, or he’ll just tell Zanka that.
But he can’t let go of his responsibilities…he has to be Spider-Man when the time is needed.
“Jabber?”
Zanka's voice breaks Jabber out of his train of thought, “My fault, I was just thinking for a sec.”
“Thought I lost ya there, you good tiger?”
Jabber smiles, “Yeah, I am. Sooo I can expect you around…?”
Zanka lets out a soft huff, “3:00 PM.”
“Got it, this Friday 3:00 PM.”
“Oh, and Jabber!”
“Yeah.”
“You owe me a plushie.”
“Can never be satisfied. Huh, Bad attitude?”
“Not really.”
Jabber smiles and lies down on his bed. “You really are something.”
“Could say the same about you…I gotta go, I’ll see you Friday.”
“Yeah, see you…”
Then the call ended. Jabber just stares at Zanka's contact name for a minute, then shuts his phone.
He turns to the window and looks out at the view of the city.
‘This Friday, ’ he thought one last time before falling asleep.
...
“This is the Coney Island-bound F train; the last stop is Stillwell Avenue.”
Amo was practically radiating pure excitement next to Jabber on the train.
“Jabby, how does Amo's hair look?” She said, turning to Jabber, gently fixing her bangs.
“You're fine, quit tripping.” He said, helping her fix her bangs.
“Thank you for coming along; it means a lot to Amo.” She said to him with a soft smile.
Jabber smiles and pulls her into a side hug. “Don’t mention it.”
Once they got off the train, they stopped and headed upstairs to get out of the subway.
Jabber checked his watch: 2:50 PM.
“Come on! Let’s go!” Amo said, grabbing Jabber hand and pulling them along.
Once they hit the entrance, there Amo sees Rudo waiting for her, along with Riyo chatting with Enjin and Zanka checking his phone.
“Rudo!”
He instantly turns to her; an ugly smile appears on his face. Jabber grimaces at the sight.
“H-hey!” He awkwardly greets her as she runs up to him and pulls him into a hug.
“Y-you made it earlier than I expected.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Amo jokes
“N-no, not at all. I’m happy-I mean I’m- yeah, I am happy that you made it. It's just that I didn’t expect it, so um yeah…uh you look uh nice…by the way”
Rudo hears his friend snicker at his terrible attempt to charm.
Amo giggles, “I’m happy to see you too, Rudo. Amo thinks you look nice too.”
Rudo blushes and looks away. Amo just smiles and grabs his hand, pulling him along.
“I always get impressed how he always manages to fumble and score.” Enjin says
“Why 'cause you always manage to fumble?” Riyo joke.
“I do not!”
“Sure, ya don’t…” they said as they followed after Amo and Rudo, leaving only Zanka and Jabber behind.
“Hey~” Jabber greets with a smirk
“Hey.” Zanka says with a smile.
They make their way to each other. “Didn’t think I’d ever see the day you’d allow Rudo a second with Amo.”
“People mature, Zan.” Jabber said, shrugging.
Zanka raises an eyebrow, “Really?”
Jabber smirks and leans in. “100%.”
Zanka snorts softly, “You had to watch over her, didn’t cha'?”
Jabber blinks.
He was caught off guard; he didn’t expect Zanka to read him to filth that fast.
At this point, his only option left was to surrender.
‘Damn you Nijiku.’
“…Yeah, pretty much.”
Zanka lets out a chuckle. God, did he love it when he laughs or smiles; his dimples are just too cute.
“Alright, come on, big bad-chaperoning you still owes me a plushie.” Zanka said, grabbing Jabber hands and pulling him along.
He knew all that was waiting was worth it.
...
An hour into their little date, they went on a couple of rides- well, it was mostly Jabber pulling Zanka along to the most extreme ones he could find, like a kid in a candy store.
They went mostly dollar coster: the Thunderbolt, Soarin’ Eagle, The Phoenix, tickler.
But Zanka managed to get some small rides in there too, like the teacups and the swings.
They even stopped by to play stupid carnival games.
"STEP RIGHT UP, FOLKS, TRY YOUR LUCK AND WIN A LUCKY PRIZE!"
Jabber caught Zanka eyeing a specific purple snake plushie.
He smirks, nudging Zanka to the stand, "Want me to get you that plushie, baby?"
Zanka raised an eyebrow, "Only if you can..I don't want yer feelings getting hurt if you lose."
Jabber starts to laugh. Oh come on, he literally have super human strength, agility, speed, not to mention a 6th sense. What the fuck is a diggy ass carnival game going to have on him?
"Just because of that attitude of yours, I'm winning you 2." He said as he pulled Zanka along to the stand.
"How you fokes doing! Two are y'all playing?"
"Nah, just one," Jabber said, taking out his wallet.
"Alright, $30 for 3 rounds," the worker said, pulling out 3 rings from underneath on the counter.
'30 DOLLAR?!' Jabber stops for a second.
Zanka noticed his reluctance. "Jabber, ya know it's okay, we can find a different one," Zanka whispered to him.
"Nah, Zan, chill, I got this." Jabber said, smirking, 'But my wallet don't...'
He paid the worker in cash. "Okay, all ya have to do is get the rings to land on the bottle. You ready?"
"Yeah, I got it."
Jabber gets into a throwing position, his eyes locked on the bottle.
He pulls his arm back and then-
*CLANK*
He misses- WAIT, HE MISSES!? FUCK!
He stopped for a second...
' Maybe I put too little force behind it...if I try too...'
He pulls his hand back again and this time throws harder, which ends up shattering a bottle.
"My fault..." he say aplogtitcally, as he hears Zanka stifling a laugh behind him.
'Okay, last chance...no more games, time to think...okay, fist off bottle neck, ring diameter, release angle, gravity... okay looks like distance about five feet. The release angle is somewhere around thirty degrees. Keep the ring level, don't flick my wrist, and let the arc carry it over the neck and..."
*CLINK*
It misses again.
"Oh, sorry, man. Better luck next time."
Jabber just hisses and turns to walk away, "Come on Zan, let's go that shit is rigged anyways..."
Zanka grabs him by his hand, stopping him. "Hold up, Jabber, I still didn't get to try."
Jabber stops in his tracks and turns to look back at Zanka. "That was my last Thirty."
"You don't have to worry 'bout that," Zanka smirks. He turns back to the worker, "Same as him," he says, putting down $30 bucks.
Jabber leans against the railing, staring at Zanka as he picked up his first ring.
Zanka angled his hand back slightly and...
*TING*
The ring struck the bottle's neck with a glassy chime before sliding perfectly into place.
Jabber mouth dropped.
Zanka picked up the second ring.
*TING*
Another perfect hit.
Finally, he picked up the third and last ring and threw it
The ring didn't hit the bottle precisely like the last few throws; time seemed to stop for a second as the ring bounced across a couple of bottles, going back and forth, jumping from bottle to bottle neck, and then at the last second...
*TING*
The ring stayed and landed, echoing a cleab crips sound.
'W-WE GOT A WINNER!" the worker yelled.
Jabber still stood there, eyes widened and mouth full agape.
Zanka asked for the purple snake plushie as his prize, as the carnival employee reached up, grabbed it handing it to Zanka.
Zanka smiled, turning to Jabber, his hand reaching up, shutting his jaw and handing him the plushie, "Stick me me tiger, and I'll teach ya how to beat the odds."
Jabber blushed, taking the plushie from Zanka's hands and bringing it up to his face to suppress a giggle, as they intertwined their finger walking along the boardwalk together.
After the whole ring fiasco. Currently, they were just sitting at a table waiting for the food they ordered a while back- well, a funnel cake to share, which isn’t really food, but atp anything edible there is considered food.
“Why don’t we go on the Cyclone, Zan?” Jabber whines.
“You can go; I ain’t stopping ya.”
“Zan, it's not the same if you're not coming with.”
“Jabber people literally died on that ride, plus it's like 100 years old.”
“But that's the appeal! Come on, Zan, one chance-“
“Didn’t you already go on enough coasters for the day already?”
"Come on, Zan, even Janka Jr. wants us to go."
Zanka laughs, "Who da fuck is Janka Jr.?"
Jabber fakes a gasp, then he pulls up his snake plushie from the bench, shoving it in Zanka's face, "How could ya forget your own son, Zanka! Our son-you gotta say you're sorry now."
Zanka laughs even harder, trying to push the plushie out of his face, "Jabber, stop, people are looking!"
Jabber smirks evilly and pushes the plushie harder to Zanka's face as his boyfriend tries his best to swat the thing away, "Who cares!"
"I do, dumbass."
"Well, I don't, come on Zan look he trynna give you kisses." The Jabber started pressing the snake's head all over Zanka's face, making kissing sounds.
Zanka laughed and again tried to dodge the attack to no avail, "Yer so annoying!"
"You love it tho!"
Eventually Zanka managed to push the plushie back, and in retaliation he grabbed the plushie now attacking Jabber with it.
Jabber laughs as he raises his hands to shield his face from Zanka on going swat attack.
"Zan-chill-you're gonna kill our son!"
"And I'll kill you next."
Then a lovesick smile graces Jabber face, "Promise-OOF"
He gets smacked right in the face with the plushie, harder than expecting kncoking him back a little.
Zanka snorts as Jabber shakes his head to recover, "Ohh, Zanka- you're gonna get it now." He lunges at Zanka, pulling him into a tight hug, and annylongly pressing kisses all over his face.
"J-Jabber, Damint-stop!" Zanka struggled to say through his laughter
"Say your sorry."
"I'm not saying shit."
"Then I guess I gotta keep you here forever."
"Don't play with me, Wonger-"
But before Jabber could answer back, their order number was called. Making him loosen his grip from the hug.
“Hold that thought, tiger; I’ll be right back.” Zanka said as he walked to get their order.
Jabber could swear his heart jumped out of his chest. God, did Zanka know how to make him speechless. Which isn’t an easy feat, ask Cthoni.
Yet today felt like one of the freest days he had in a while. I mean, everything was going perfectly. Absolute no problem or interruptions. Which in Jabber case is a literal miracle.
For once in his life it felt like fate wasn’t kicking him in the ass.
And for once in his life…he’s not force to run away from Zanka.
“The guy almost forgot to put on da power, can you believe that?” Zanka snorts as he places the plate and the drinks down.
“It's a funnel cake; the whole thing is basically powder, how the hell did he almost forget that?” Jabber laughs, taking a fork and eating a piece of the cake.
“That's what I said!” Then Zanka glances back at the booth, “But to be fair, the poor guy looks like he’s being overworked; Coney isn’t the friendliest place…”
Jabber reached out to grab Zanka's hand, turning his attention back to him. “New York isn’t the friendliest place either…” he intertwined their fingers gently. “But when you got people like you, it feels a bit more welcoming.”
Zanka's eyes widen, then he smiles again, squeezing Jabber hand softly. “You’re the most sappy boy I've met, Wonger.”
“It's easy to be sappy with you.” Jabber says, leaning in.
Zanka follows, leaning in slowly, their breath ghosting over one another, as their lips are about to meet-
*SMASH*
Both of them break apart, turning their attention to the sound.
Dark smoke filled the air instantly.
Jabber Spidey senses went off like a buzzer.
'No, No, No!!'
' Please God, please not now!!'
'Just a little bit longer...just a few more seconds...'
*CRASH*
'DAMINT.' Jabber thinks as he angrily grits his fangs.
‘Looks like something, or rather, someone, is causing major trouble.’
‘So much for a perfect date.’
“Jabber? You okay?”
“Yeah, uh, I just forgot something...” Jabber said, quickly getting up.
“Forgot something?” Zanka followed after him.
“Yeah, my keys, I think I dropped them by the-uh-teacups, I’ll go check; just give me a sec, I’ll be back.”
“Okay, just be careful…”
Zanka tone stung hard; again did he have to leave him.
“I will.” He promised before he ran off, refusing to look back.
As people ran away and towards the commotion, Jabber found a small unoccupied area and charged into his costume.
*THWIP*
“Look, it's Spider-Man!” A civilian shouted.
Spider-Man makes his way towards the mess.
...
“Remember the plan, you mutt. Keep an eye out for that boy,” Doctor Octopus says as his mechanical tentacles push people away and break into booths, searching for that boy.
“GRRRR, don’t think just because of your fancy machinery you get to boss me around…I’m the animal here, after all,” Sabretooth growls.
“Tch, listen here, you-”
“HEADS UP!”
As Doctor Octopus looks up, a web hits him straight in the face, making him stumble back.
“Hey, Doc, forgot to take your meds again?” Spider-Man quips, landing in a superhero pose.
The doctor rips the web off his face. “Spider-Man…should have known a pest like you would come crawling back…”
“Aww, don’t get too sentimental on me, Doc. Missed your crazy ass too.”
“Enough! I don’t have time for this!” The villain yells as one of his arms comes down to attack Spider-Man.
Spider-Man instantly catches it and pulls it toward him as he raises his fist, punching Doc Ock back.
*CRASH*
Doctor Octopus immediately falls back, crashing into and demolishing a nearby stand.
“HEY, DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME!”
Jabber’s Spider-Sense jumps up, but he moves too slowly. Sabertooth’s claws strike him in the back.
“Great, and who might you be? Ugly furry number one?”
“The name’s Sabretooth…” *sniff sniff* “Been a while since I had teenage flesh. Bet yours is going to be juicy!” The villain says, lunging at the superhero again.
This time, Spider-Man jumps up to avoid his attack.
*THWIP*
He shoots out a web and ties the villain up, then swings him around, making him crash into an abandoned ride.
“I know Imma fine ass-meal, but I’m definitely not finna be on your menu-”
*CLAMP*
But before he could finish, Doc Ock is up again. One of his arms grabs Spider-Man.
“Hope you didn't forget about me...spider,” the doctor says before raising Spider-Man into the air and crashing him down onto the pavement.
*SLAM*
Again and again and again.
"Let this be your lesson to never turn your back on the enemy. Honestly, I thought you were smarter than that."
*SLAM*
The doctor raises him up once more. At this point, Jabber is traveling in and out of consciousness.
“What a disappointment, say goodnight, Spider-”
*BAM*
Jabber falls to the ground.
He slowly gets up, holding his abdomen. What the hell…?
“WHA-WHO ARE YOU?!” The doctor yells as the arm that was once holding the hero is now completely broken off.
Jabber looks up…
He sees...a boy?
He’s wearing a gray and black suit, with a mask…and claws coming out of his knuckles?
What the actual fuck?
“Well, well, well, look who it is…” Sabretooth says, getting up from the wreckage.
The other boy growls. “Sabretooth…” he says dangerously.
“Okay, someone wants to explain to me what the fuck is going on?” Spider-Man asks. Then he points to the boy. “And who the hell are you?”
“Doesn’t matter. Stay out of this,” the boy says before lunging straight at the villain, his claws impaling Sabretooth.
“ENOUGH! I SAID I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!” Doctor Octopus says as another one of his arms comes in to attack the crazy clawed boy.
Jabber jumps in, grabbing the boy and swinging him away.
“GRRR, THEY’RE GETTING AWAY!” Sabretooth yells.
“Let them. They’re not the reason we’re here.”
“Speak for yourself,” Sabretooth growls.
Doctor Ock doesn’t even give him a response, using his arms to walk away and search further.
...
Back at the boardwalk, Zanka sat exactly where Jabber had left him.
He glanced at the funnel cake, which was now covered with a plate on top while he waited for his boyfriend to return. The soft ocean breeze, along with discarded napkins, flew over the table and the abandoned funnel cake.
He sighed softly, looking down at the plushie resting in his lap.
"YO! Zanka!"
Zanka raised his head, turning to the side to see Riyo and Enjin coming hurrying towards him.
"Oh thank God you're okay, kid; we saw the smoke and got worried." Enjin said, putting a hand on his shoulder, then he peeped at the funnel cake, "You gonna eat that?"
"Nah, you can have it," Zanka said as Enjin happily picked the plate up and started eating the cake.
Riyo glanced around for a second. "Wait, where Jabber?"
"He left."
"Again?" Riyo asked.
"Yeah..."
"This makes it like the 36th time he dipped out on y'all's dates." Riyo said, crossing her arms.
Zanka raised an eyebrow, "You still counting?"
"Someone gotta." She shrugs
Enjin scoffed, shaking his head, "What is it for this time?"
" He said he forgot his keys."
Which honestly isn't a bad excuse; he heard far worse ones from Jabber. But still it didn't help to relieve the situation.
"Kid, your honstly stronger than me. I would have long cut off that boy for his little disappearing act."
Zanka hums in acknowledgement.
*BANG*
The sound of another crash break there attention from each other to turn their heads to a cloud of debris falling over on the other side of the park.
Around them, people hurried toward the exits while others crowded together, running towards the battle scene phone in hand, ready to record the situation.
"Stay here-" Enjin said, putting down the now empty plate. "I'll be right back." Running off with the crowd of people heading towards the exit.
"Be careful!" Riyo shouts, then she turns to Zanka, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Zanka gives her a thankful smile and then looks back up at the cloud of smoke overshadowing the bright blue sky.
"...Oh, tiger..." he whispers
He gripped Janka Jr. closer to him.
"...please, just come back..."
...
“WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!” The boy grows, unleashing his claws as he swipes at Jabber.
Jabber dodges it and throws some quills at him, making the boy stumble back.
“Really? That's what your ungrateful ass gotta say? How ‘bout a ‘thanks for saving my dumbass back there?’ for starters."
The boy growled, pulling off his mask and claws at his face, trying to relieve the sting of the quills. “GRRR, FUCK YOU!”
Then Spider-Man froze.
His face…it can’t be…how didn’t he recognize from the voice.
Rudo!
Damnit he knew something was off about that kid; he WAS right.
*BAM*
Jabber grabbed his costume and pushed him against the wall hard.
His mask narrowed, and his claws full of venom popped out, ready to attack.
“You better tell me what going on kid…now.” He speaks dangerously low.
The change of the hero attuned catches Rudo off guard, stunting him for a moment.
“You better back off…” Rudo warns.
Jabber pushed him harder, breaking the concrete of the wall and making Rudo wince in slight pain.
“Don’t try me.”
Rudo sucks his teeth and looks away.
A tense silence loomed over the two heroes for a minute.
Then Rudo turned his eyes to Jabber, finally speaking up.
“I’m Wolverine…a mutant, and I was a former member of a group called the X-Men…that 'guy' you just saw is Sabertooth. He’s my enemy…he was responsible for killing my dad, Regto...Trust me, he's not like anything you've faced before...he's a real animal, a beast." Rudo looks down to his feet, gripping his gloved hands into a tight fist. " And ever since my father's death, I've been hunting him down.”
Jabber looked over the kids face for a moment; he meet Rudo red eyes.
His thoughts turned back to Uncle Bundus, how he failed to protect him that night…the guilt…the hurt…the shame, and the thoughts. The deep animalistic thoughts of ripping the man who shot him to pieces.
His gaze softens a bit, then slowly he relaxes a bit and releases Rudo from his grip.
“…Do you have any idea why Sabertooth is helping Doc Oc right now?”
Rudo scoffs, pulling his mask back up. “As I said, the man’s an animal; he’ll do anything that involves violence and murder…” he pops open his claws, “that's why I'm the one to have to stop him permanently…”
Jabber froze, “You're gonna kill him?”
“It's only fair that way.” Rudo says, waking ahead.
*THWIP*
A web pulls him back to meet face to face with Spider-Man. “Listen, I understand your point, and I understand how you feel, but we ain’t killing anyone today. Especially not here. Understand.”
Rudo cut the web and backed off a bit, “Yeah, then what do you expect us to do? Talk no justu them hoping that they have a change of heart?”
“Hell no, I ain’t Batman. But, I do have a better plan.”
“And what might that be?”
“If I tell ya, you have to promise not to kill anyone.”
Rudo growls, “Fine. I promise.”
“Good, now listen up…”
...
“What's so special about this kid ‘Jabber’ anyway?” Sabertooth ask sinffing around the area.
“His intellect, far beyond any other student I have encountered… I saw the boy solve an equation in less than a second; that even my graduate students couldn't understand. His mind is exactly what my machine requires. Now focus!”
Sabertooth grumbles as he continues on, making his way farther from the doctor into one of those mirror mazes due to the chaos. He started to pick up a scent.
As he entered, he looked around, only to see stupid reflections from the mirrors seem to greet him back.
He looked back at his reflection, showing his k-Nines.
"Hehe, still got it."
*CREEK*
The sound instantly got Sabertooth's attention. He looked across the mirrors; still nothing but him.
But Sabertooth knows better than that.
He knew someone was there with him.
He instantly goes into a fighting stance, getting ready to attack, but as he looks around, no one’s there.
Again, only his reflection shows.
*THWIP*
Suddenly, a web shoots out and pulls him back, making him crash into some mirrors.
Before Sabertooth can recover, another shoots out, making him crash into another section.
Again, before Sabertooth can recover, another web pulls him and then-
*BAM* a sudden punch to the face.
Sabertooth snarls and gets up, unleashing his claws, swiping animalistically at everything.
*CRASH*
The sound of a broken mirror and his growl filled the maze as he stormed his way through the maze.
Once most of the mirrors had been destroyed, only a few remained standing. Stopping in front of one, the sabertooth stopped his rampage for a second to compose himself.
“GRRRRR! SHOW YA SELF.”
Then suddenly Spiderman was behind him.
“If you say so.”
Sabertooth instantly turns around, striking Spiderman.
*CRASH*
Only to hit another mirror instead.
Before he gets the chance to turn around, Spiderman grabs his shoulder, pulling him over his head, making him crash down hard into the pavement below.
“Bad boy, no treats for you.” Jabber jokes
Sabertooth instantly gets up with a roar, eyes locking completely on Spider-Man; he lunges to swipe him with his claws.
“Whoa, ever thought of getting a manicure, man? Them cuticles are begging for some attention.”
“Don’t worry with the fresh stain of your blood on my hands, I won’t have to worry about having a toy to sink my claw into!”
Jabber doges each attack and switches, throwing clawing him with his venomous claws, hitting him, and webbing him up and throwing him around the room like a rag doll, making him crash into walls and the mirror debris.
Jabber not once let up, maintaining his speed, making it increasingly hard for Sabertooth to follow up.
Parts of Sabertooth's costume were now torn, his breath unsteady and muscles growing weak from exhaustion.
Sabertooth swiped his face, grazing his chin. But just as fast as the hit landed, just as fast spidery seemed to disappear.
“Wha-“
*BAM*
Spider-Man reappeared in a flash, punching Sabretooth with half of his strength square in the face, finally knocking the man unconscious.
“There you go, good boy. Stay down.” Spider-Man said, webbing Sabretooth up.
...
“Where is that mutt?” Doctor Oc numbered underneath his breath, as he and his arm broke apart and looked through the station set up through the boardwalk.
“Right here.”
Before Doc Oc can fully react, two of his arms were torn off, making him fall back straight into a roller coaster track.
“WHAT THE-“
“RAHHHHH”
Wolverine lunged at the villain, his claws instantly tearing apart each part of his armor, as Dock Oc struggled to get him off.
“YOU ABOMINATION GET OFF OF ME!” He yelled as one of his arms gripped Rudo and smashed him straight into the ground through the metal roller coaster track, making the roller coaster structure collapse on him.
The doctor didn’t let wolverine another chance to breathe as he pounded him deeper and deeper.
His hits became harder and harder, creating a bottomless crater as he smashed him down through the concrete.
Once debris and smoke filled the air, the doctor slowly removed his arm from the hero.
He huffs in exhaustion and relief that the hero is finally down.
“Finally-“
“GRAHHHHH”
*SHING*
Wolverine jumps up cut the last two arms off of Doc Oc leaving him completely defenseless.
Without the support of his arms holding him up, the villain fell straight onto the debris of the broken track.
“H-how-how did you-“
*BAM*
Rudo punched the doctor in the face so hard it shattered the doctor's jaw just on impact.
The villain fell to the ground coughing up blood, while holding his jaw.
Rudo unsheathed his claws once again, taking a closer step to doc Oc broken body.
“This.End.Now.”
“Wuait…pweas!” The doctor begged, holding up his hands in surrender.
Rudo raises his fist and swipes his claw down.
Doc Oc closes his eyes, bracing for impact.
*CLAP*
Doc Oc open his eyes slowly once he doesn’t feel the strike on the attack on his face. He was greeted with…Spider-Man holding back Wolverine's hand, protecting the villain.
"LET.GO." Rudo snarls, showing his fangs as a warning, still trying to push through the hero's grip.
Spider-Man's grip tightens, forcing him back. "You don't want to do this."
"YES I DO!"
"Is that really you talkin'? Or is it the anger you're feeling?"
Wolverine opened his mouth, but no words came out.
“Remember no killing… you're not an animal, don't let them make you feel like you are.” Jabber says softly.
Wolverine froze, but then sighed, retracting his claws and stepping back.
Then he gave Spider-Man a soft smile.
“Hahaha..."
Both heroes turned their attention back to the villain.
Doc Ock was laughing even through his broken jaw, like he had witnessed firsthand a donkey eating figs for the first time, "HAHAHAHA-Twar wus the mwost pathric twing I hawve ever-"
*THWIP*
A web hits him square in his mouth, shutting him up.
"Been feigning to do that all day, Doc." Spider-Man jokes.
The villain just sighs in defeat.
Spider-Man makes work quickly, webbing Doc Oc up next to Sabertooth, whom he drags back all the way here.
Once the villains were down and secure, both heroes finally take a breath of relief.
“…Thanks for helping me back there.” Wolverine says shyly.
Spider-Man blinks at him.
Then he smiles.
“No problem. I should honestly thank you for your help. You're not as bad as I thought; I appreciate it for real.”
This time Wolverine smirks.
Sirens start to come from the distance, along with a helicopter now arriving.
“Looks like that's our cue.” Spider-Man says
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Wolverine murmurs.
Both heroes went in separate directions, slipping away from the scene.
...
“RUDO!” Amo yells as she comes and pulls him into a tight hug. “God, Amo was so worried when you disappeared!”
Rudo hugs her back just as tight. “I-I’m fine, promise… I’m sorry that left…”
Amo pulls back and cups Rudo's cheek gently, “Amo just happy that you're alright.”
Rudo ugly smiles and leans into her touch, “Me too.”
“Well, this is probably the last time we’re going to be at Coney for a while.” Riyo says, leaning on Zanka's shoulder.
Zanka snorts, “They’ll be up and running within a month; it's New York.”
“True, true…”
The sound of a phone call breaks their moment.
“Enjin?” Zanka ask
“Yeah, stopped by Nathan demanding and waiting for his order when the shit went down. Looks like he finally got his hot dog.” Riyo laughs as he gets up. “You wanna come with to pick it up?”
“Nah, I’ll wait here a little longer for him.”
“Kay, text me when you're on your way.” Riyo said, giving Zanka a wave and picking up the call.
Zanka smiled as he watched her go off.
Then he suddenly felt a tickling sensation behind his ear.
*BAM*
“DIABLO, ZANNY!” Jabber wheezes, holding his jaw in his hand.
“JABBER! WHAT THA HELL IS WRONG WITH YA-YA BRUTE!” Zanka yells as he carefully brings a hand up to check his face.
Jabber laughs, “I couldn’t help it, you're too easy to sneak up on.” Then he leans in closer to Zanka's ear and whispers: “Y además, a veces se me olvida que esa carita tan linda también sabe repartir golpes.”
Zanka blushes and pushes Jabber back playfully. “I swear your mouth is gonna get you in trouble someday.”
“Yeah but it not today…” Jabber said with a teasing smirk.
Zanak smiles slightly, but it falters into a frown too quickly for Jabber liking.
"Hey... what's wrong, Zan?"
"...can...can I be honest with you for a second?"
"You can be honest with me anytime," Jabber said, putting his hand on Zanka's shoulder.
"It jus'..I understand if you have to leave, Jabber. I know you have a lot going on, especially with you having to track down Spider-Man sometimes for your job and whatnot." His hands grip each other slightly. "But every time you disappear to do your thing, I just cant help but worry if you're ever gonna come back."
Guilt struck Jaber right in the heart at his words, "Zanka..."
"I hate feelin' like that, Jabber, I really do. 'Cause despite how annoying yer ass may be, it really makes me happy when you're here with me, even if it's for just a second."
Jabber quietly snorts at his diss.
Zanka turns his head to the side, "But honestly, when you do leave in such a hurry, it really makes me wonder and feel like that maybe I did somethin' or said somethin' wrong to make you leave..."
Jabber gently grabbed Zanka's face, pulling him softly to meet his eyes, "Zan, you know that ain't true."
Zanka sighed, "I know...but still, I jus' can't help but feel like I'm always havin' to compete with somethin' I cant even see."
That hit Jabber harder than expected since Zanka was not entirely wrong.
Jabber knew the risk and consequences when he picked up the mask; he knew the danger he was willing to put himself in for the sake of others.
But Zanka doesn't.
For all Zanka may really know is that Jabber was competing with a colleague or a peer to get the scoop on Spider-Man, another person.
But not himself-not with Spider-Man.
Now he's making Zanka feel like he has to compete with the mask, something Jabber would choose him over in a 100 lifetimes.
Jabber pulls Zanka into a tight hug; Zanka easily melts into the touch.
"I'm sorry... I never wanted to make you feel that way."
"I know..."
He pulls back and looks straight into Zanka's eyes. " Listen, Zan, I know I don't take things as seriously as I should, joking around and playing stupid. But believe me when I say this, Zanka: You're one of the most important people in my life, no matter what job, school assignment, or problem comes up. I'll always think back to you."
Zanka's eyes widened, and a furious blush ran over his face. He covered and looked away from Jabber bright magenta eyes from embarrassment, "God, yer so mushy,"
Jabber smiled brightly, "If it gets a reaction like that outta you, I don't mind losing a few aura points."
"S-Shut up," Zanka says afftenonly as Jabber laugh.
"But for real." His voice turned serious again, "I can't always promise you that I won't leave again."
Zanka's smile faltered a bit at his words.
"But I can promise you when I do come back, I'll come back to you."
Then his smile instantly rose back up, letting out a relieved breath.
He cups Jabber cheecks and pulls him into a sweet kiss.
When they separate, Zanka laughs over his lip, "Yer lucky I like ya."
"I thought you already liked me?"
"Don't make me reconsider."
Jabber laughed, stealing one last kiss from Zanka, as he softly caressed his cheeks.
“So, did ya find it?” Zanka ask rasing a eyebrow.
Jabber froze.
Then blinks.
“Found what?”
“Yer keys, the one where you left them by the teacup?”
[Computer rebooting noises]
💡
“Oh, yeah, my fault, I left them in my pocket..I just seemed to forget.”
Zanka smiled and let out an assumed snort, “Yeah, sure ya did, tiger.”
Jabber smiled.
“Zanka! Enjin said that the food is ready.” Rudo yelled.
“Y’all go on ahead; we’ll catch up.”
Jabber raised an eyebrow. “We’ll catch up?” He questioned, as Zanka intertwine there hands, pulling him along.
“Yeah, you still owe me a plushie.”
Jabber giggles as he is pulled along, “You and your bad attitude…”
Maybe the fates were nice to him after all…for giving him a guy like Zanka.
The End.