โwhy do you make me feel ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐? "
warnings: jabber x zanka, sick zanka, stalking with reason, not as bad as it sounds.
authors note: lowk might make a part 2 if people ask.
Zankaโs hair whipped in the wind behind him as he navigated through the rainy streets of the protected city. Its golden lights shining up at him through the puddles. Water splashing below his feet as he jumped up to grip at a ledge, using it to lift his body and climb onto it.ย
The city streets were sparsely populated with an occasional passerby below him as he continued to climb different roofs, ignoring the way his body ached in protest. only stopping when he was able to see over the buildings of canvas city beneath him.
ย his grip loosened around his beloved vital instrument as he sat at the edge of the roof. his leg hanging off below as his gaze trailed down Lovely assistaffโs wooden frame, a faint smile found its way onto zankaโs lips as his fingers caressed her.
ย He had come out here for some air, feeling way to nauseous from the smell of food around him and the others at the motel, he decided it would be best to take a breather since they were off on a mission tomorrow, he jumped when he heard the sound of loud yelling beneath him. startled andย ย Nearly falling forward- managing to steady himself before he fell. His hands shook lightly, a consequence of his rough treatment of his ill body. He looked down, his eyes squinting to the figures below him Before they widened.ย
โOh shitโโ Zanka murmured, quickly scurrying further onto the building to hide himself from sight.
โAnd donโt ever come back! Filthy raiders like you arenโt welcome here!โ The man slammed the door shut in the dreadheadโs face.ย ย he clicked his tongue in annoyance at that.ย
โMan all I wanted was some good food for real, wouldnโt have been able ta get nโhere if I had bad intentions.โ The raider pouted outside the ramen shop.
Why the fuck is he here!? No- HOW the fuck is he here!? Zanka watched the raider. Slowly sitting up to get a better look. he had to make sure jabber wasnโt planning nuthinโ. After all, team Akuta was still here. He had left to get some fresh airโ so it could be a planned attack. But if so- then how did he manage to get in canvas town in the first place? The spell around it shouldโve stopped him-ย
unless he truly didnโt have bad intentions. Which is obviously wrong because uh, hello? Jabber wonger? Dat guy is like mad crazy.
Zanka snaps back into focus when jabber starts to wonder off, zanka quietly leaps down the roof into the street ally below, hissing quietly at the way his body ached in protest, landing in a puddle with impressively low sound. he stalked behind the dread head from afarโ he had to make sure jabber wasnโt planning on anything.ย
โฆhuh.
Zanka blinked as he watched jabber gawk at a passing cat, immediately trying to kidnap the poor thing. Surprisingly the feline didnโt seem to mind all that much, allowing jabber to run his ringed fingers through its fur.
ย โAww whoโs a good kitty witty? You are! What do they call this typa cat..uhh..a seimesa or sumthin..I donโt remember.โ Jabber murmured, grasping the cat in his hands, the cat hissed, its claws stretched out as its paw lifted and scrapped at jabbers face.ย
โOowchieโ!โ Jabberโs head instinctively retreated, his free hand coming up to feel at the base of his jaw. โSo feisty! And cute. Just like Mr. Bad attitude! Wait now that I think boutโ it..you kinda look like emโ too!โ Jabber grinned his hand retreating to play with the cats paws.ย
Zanka blinked, taken aback for a moment. Cute?ย ย CUTE? HE WASNโT CUTE? WHO THE HELL DOES THIS FUCKER THINK HE IS TALKINโย ย ABOUT HIM LIKE HES A WEAK FELINE?ย
Zankaโs nose wrinkled in anger, ignoring the way his heart skipped a beat.
โI wanna keep you lilโ man! Or girl..havenโt figured dat out yet. Wonder if the big boss man would let me keep a pet..โ jabber rubbed his chin for a moment, before that familiar grin spread across his face. his hand came up to his neck, clicking his choker. โHey big bossy man!โ Jabberโs head instinctively beamed up as he exclaimed with enough enthusiasm to make a mentally stable person kill themselves.
โWhat is it.โ A familiar musky voice replied, earning a small giggle from the fellow raider.
โCan I keep a caโโ
โNo.โ Zodyl interrupted, hanging up the call with an abrupt voice.
โโฆaw man..โ jabber frowned, his hand falling back down to the cat, staring at it as if lost in thought as it continued to scratch and bite at his skin.ย
โSorry boo gotta leave ya here.โ Jabber set the cat down and watched it scurry away. Staring off before blinking, he let out a loud annoyed groan and plopped down on the bench.ย
โCanโt believe Cthoni left me out there, bitch move for realsies.โ Jabber murmured to himself, using his hands to hold his chin as he crossed his legs.
SNAP.
Jabberโs head turned faster then zanka expected, cursing himself for being so stupid as to step on a damn TWIG. even if jabber couldnโt see him he knew damn well jabber was aware someone was following him now.ย
Zankaโs head peered out of the ally to look at jabber, his eyes widening when he was met with an empty sightโ โah shit.โ Zankaโs first instinct was to run, but when he turned his head jabber plopped down from above him. Hanging off a ladder.
โBoo.โ
โJESUS FUCKIN CHRISTโโ zanka jumped so hard he nearly fell, causing the raider to snicker.
โMan whatchu doinโ all da way out here? Did ya follow me all the way ta canvas town just ta fight me?โ Jabber questioned, swinging his body back and forth lightly.ย ย Zanka clicked his tongue and turned his head.ย
โDonโt flatter yerself. โCourse not. saw ya walkinโ around and I thought ya might be tryna plan an attack.โ Zanka replied, his grip tightening on his wooden staff.
โBut I wouldnโt have been allowed in da city if I was planninโ on sumthin.โ Jabber jumped down, his feet landing with a heavy thud. โStill as sour as ever, still pissed I beatโre ass?โ jabber grinned, teasing the already ticked off zanka.
โOH YEAH? HOW ABOUT WE FUCKINโ GO THEN?!โ Zanka was about to activate His vital instrument, jabber grinned. Putting space between them.
โHEY!โ Both men froze at the sound of another voice.
Zanka turned his head and locked eyes with an older gentleman, with a pissed expression. โGO SCRAP SOMEWHERE ELSE! CANVAS TOWNย ย AINโT FOR THAT!โ The man yelled, his voice musky and tinted with annoyance.
Zanka flinched, half surprised and half guilty. โAh..yes sorry, weโll..go?โ Zanka sounded unsure of what he said himself, his accent he let slip out when he was angry suddenly disappeared, the old man scoffed and turned away, yapping about some โkids these daysโ while he left.
โKay get yer shit ta-gather weโre goin somewhere we can fight.โ Jabber blinked at what zanka said, but was already turning away by the time jabber registered it.
โDamn okay.โ Jabber shrugged and trailed behind, his body itching and ready for a fight incase zanka was using this to surprise attack him.ย
But he didnโt.
He insulted jabber..
But he didnโt try anything.
โMr. Bad attitude not attituding?โ Jabberโs voice cut through the silence, annoyingly dramatic. โScary.โย
โShut yer damn trap dreads.โ Zanka snapped, grabbing him by the neck and moving him to follow the same direction as him.
โOh damn thatโs kinda hoโโ jabber was interrupted when zanka shoved jabber away.
โFreak.โ zankaโs eyebrows furrowed in fake-disgust. stalking towards the opening faster. But not before he pausedโ his body shaking for a moment before he forced himself to continue.
Jabberโs eyes narrowed, his grin widening. He doesnโt say anything. Just follows the blue-eyed giver.
Zanka stops outside of canvas town, his eyes darting around, before those deep blue eyes turn to lock into jabbers figure, as if boring into Jabberโs very soul. โDis good.โ Zankaโs voice was shakier than usual, his other hand coming up to grip Lovely assistaffโs wooden frame where the other hand was already resting. putting space between the two givers, jabber grinned. His eyes glowing as he stepped back.
โDonโt hold back on me Mr. Bad attitude.โ Jabber teased the nickname, appreciating the scoff zanka let loose as he activated his jinki, jabber followed suit. His eyes glowing a bright pink that never ceased to steal zankaโs gaze for a moment to long.ย
One second theyโre standing 15 feet away, the next theyโre at each others throats.
The sound of metal scrapping against metal echoing through the landscape, a flock of birds scattering off a wire nearby.ย
__________________________________________
โEnjin have you seen zanka? Heโs been gone awhile.โ Riyo popped out through the door, questioning the older individual.
โZanka? Nah.. but to be fair heโs always out late.โ Enjin shrugged, crossing his feet on the motel bed. His fingers curled around a cigarette.
โYeah okay..Iโll try calling him if heโs not back soon.โ Riyo stretched, heading back into the main room of the motel, pausing when she saw zankaโs earrings sitting on the counter. โ..he never leaves without those..weird.โ
__________________________________________ย
Zanka panted, his hand covering his sweat-covered forehead as it ached. His deep blue eyes boring into Jabberโs. His brows furrowed in irritation at the older manโs grin.
โCโmon Mr. bad attitude why you so slow tโday?โ Jabber teased.
โShut. Up.โ Zanka panted out, he blinked and jabber was moving again.ย
Fast.
Too fast.
lunging above him, his fingers flexed wide. zanka flinched backwards, but he wasnโt fast enough. He snapped his eyes shut, preparing himself for the hit he knew would feel like hell.
But it didnโt come.
Zanka peered open an eye, only to see mankiraโs shining blades mere inches away from his neck.ย
โYer sick.โ Jabber stated, lowering mankira.
A vein popped in zankaโs forehead, his brows furrowing further, he grabbed jabber by the collar.ย
โAm not! So stop fuckinโ holding back on me!โ Zanka yelled, the effect ruined by zankaโs shaky voice. jabber wasnโt grinning, Wasnโt speaking either, Pissing off the already ticked off zanka. His grip tightened in the collar of Jabberโs shirt. His mouth opening to yell once more,ย
only to feel a sharp prick at his side.
โOh you motherfuโโ zankaโs eyes rolled back as his vision blacked out, his body slumping forward onto jabber. The last thing his brain registered was the older manโs voice. โAinโt havinโ a fight that ainโt fair.โ
__________________________________________
Zankaโs vision swam as he opened his eyes, squinting them at the familiar light emending from the lamp on the nightstand, his fingers twitched, instinctively looking for that familiar wooden frameโ
Zanka shot up in alarm, his eyes scanning the room for his jinki, finding her beside the nightstand. His eyes softened as he picked her up, a hollow ache in his head.
โWhat the hell happened?..โ Zanka murmured, his memory was always hazy in the morning, but especially now. his hand lifted, running a finger through his hair as he recalled what happened. โThat little shit..โ zankaโs nose wrinkled in irritation.
That doesnโt explain how he ended up back at the motel.
His train of thought interrupted as the door slid open, his head snapped to it. His gaze landing on the red-headed girl.
โGood, youโre awake.โ Riyo commented, stalking towards the bed and landing beside zanka with little ceremony. Crossing her legs. โMind telling me what the hell happened?โ
Zankaโs eyebrows furrowed, his mind caught between telling the truth and lying.. deciding to trust Riyo, he tells the truth. โJabber.. I found him in townโโย
โHUH? HOW DID HE GET Iโโย
โSHUDDUP IM GETTINโ TO THAT!โ Zanka interrupted, Riyo snickered but let him continue. โAnyways..he pissed me off and we decided ta fight, but then he got all weird on me..he refused to strike me and just nicked me. Said he didnโt wanna fight if it wasnโt fair. .thatโs the last thing I remember.โ Zanka crossed his arms. His head lowering as he relaxed.
โWell. We found ya unconscious against the door with medicine in a pack, along with your jinki.โ Riyo narrowed her eyes slightly. Observing zankaโs reaction to that information. โI know you two have had more fights then youโre telling us. I notice you sneaking out on particularly rough days.โ
Zanka froze. His eyes locking with riyoโs, he didnโt say anything. But the look in his eyes is all the confirmation she needed. โ..donโt tell enjin..โ
Riyo sighed but nodded, her hand found its way to rest on zankaโs shoulder. โI donโt like the guy. And I know you donโt love him or hate him..entirely. So Iโll keep my gun away from him..but if he tryโs sumthin you let me know.โ Riyo stood up, turning toward the door.ย
โOne last thing, youโre staying here. The mission is too dangerous when youโre sick.โ Zankaโs head shot up at that. He opened his mouth to protest, only for enjin to peer out from the door. โAh, good heโs awake! So do you know howโd he pass out against the door?โย
โYep, heโs sick.โ Riyo crossed her arms, she told the truth..well sort of..
โAh shit, then heโs staying here. Canโt have him getting seriously hurt.โ Enjin dragged the cigarette in, pressing his lips against the end of the bud. Taking a drag before exhaling.ย
โHeโll be fine. Just gotta wait until we get back to HQ!โ Riyo waved her hand, exiting the room and giving zanka one last worried look.
Zankaโs hands came up and he pinched the brink of his nose.
โYa good kid?โ Enjin asked, rubbing the cigarettes bud against the wall, effectively putting it out.
โ..what is love?โ Zanka questioned, his mind running at 60 miles per hour.
Enjin blinked.
โBaby donโt hurt meโโ Zanka groaned at the response.
โThat isnโt what I meant and ya know it!โ Zanka raised his voice. Before his hands came down from his face to side at his sides. โBut seriously..โ
Enjin sighed, scratching his head for a moment. โWell.. it depends on what love youโre feeling.. sometimes love seems like an illusion, sometimes it feels scary. Love is a complicated emotion to deal with, especially when your young. but if the love is real.โ Enjin paused for a moment. Approaching zanka to pat his head. โThen it wonโt break.โ
Zanka pushed back against the happiness exploding within him, smiling only slightly. โThanks enjin.โย
โCourse kid, whoever the girl is. Sheโs lucky.โ Enjinโs hand fell down. His hand returning to his pockets as he stepped out.
Zanka froze, his eyebrow twitched. โOh shit.โย
This was a whole new thing to worry about.















