Puppy Love ֹ ₊ ao3
ㅤㅤflufftober : alt prompt 3 • pet-meet-cute • @flufftober
★ pairing : zanka x reader ★ wc : 1.2k , ngl i dont rlly like this.... but i like zanka and i like puppies so we ball! (barely proofread) ★ recommended listening : puppy love - Paul Anka "And they called it puppy love" ♡
★ summary : Zanka set on Rudo watch duty takes an unexpected (but pleasant) turn of events—a wandering puppy. Well, your wandering puppy.
“Just keep an eye on Rudo while he gets some snacks, I’ll be quick.” Enjin had informed Zanka with a pointed finger—leaving no room for arguments.
Rudo had stuck his tongue out at Zanka before running off to the nearby bakery, leaving him bored and miserable to bake alive in the summer heat. Although he’d found a shaded spot just in sight of Rudo—it wasn’t long before his brief peace was interrupted.
Because before he knew it—he’d hear barking. It started faint—enough so it lulled dully in the background of the busy town. But soon enough it was sharp yips—his eyes tracked the sound and the source was too close to him for comfort.
Before he knew it, there would be a dog. And lord knows, Zanka is more than a stranger to animals. Not unless you counted trash beasts.
He inches away slowly from the doe eyed puppy, his shoulders stiff and fingers clenching desperately onto Lovely Assastiff like it’ll save him from the situation. Nonetheless—the puppy continues pawing at his shoe ignoring his pleas.
“Just get on,” He grumbles, waving dismissively at the dog. “I don’t have any food, y’know.”
The brown haired puppy then circles his leg—plopping down next to him like he’d just claimed his new toy. No matter how slow,how little, or where he moved—Wherever Zanka moved—he followed. With a groan, Zanka rubs an irritated hand down his face, mind running rampant of how to get out of this situation. Rudo’s still in line for the bakery, and Enjin is nowhere to be found. It’d be a good 30 minutes before they leave.
So—he crouches down, meeting eye level with the fuzzy animal, hand hovering hesitantly before he dared to pet it. And just as the palm of his hand ghosted its fur—it bolted. His eyes trace the puppy, only for a shadow to stretch across him as it leaps into its owner's arms. Quickly, he rises, dusting his clothes (and Lovely Assastiff).
Unfamiliar hands swiftly swoop up the puppy, “Oh my goodness!” You nearly screamed, plastering kisses all over its fuzzy face, but quickly turning to a scold. "Never run away from me again!”
You continue scolding and smothering the puppy, but Zanka finds himself distracted by, well, you. Despite your hair being frizzed and windblown from running all over town for the dog for the past half hour, your forehead being slick with sweat, and getting several ‘that woman is crazy’ stares from bystanders, he just can’t help but look at you in awe.
He’s pulled from the unfamiliar feeling when you suddenly turn your attention towards him. “And you!” You grinned admiringly, reaching with your unoccupied hand for his, holding it with gratitude, “You totally found my dog! Thank you so much…” You trailed off, waiting for him to give you his name. At the sudden warmth of your touch he found his voice caught in his throat—heat rising to his cheeks. With a cough, “Z-Zanka. I’m Zanka.” His grip on Lovely Assastiff tightened. Probably causing blisters (he’ll deal with that later). “Thank you, Zanka.” You repeat his name with a deliberate warm smile—like you know the effect it’ll have on him. When you finally let go of his hand to readjust your grip on the puppy, the brief contact lingered, leaving him wanting more.
“You want anything?” Nodding your head towards the bakery across the street Rudo so happens to be at. “That’s my place,” you add with a grin, pride sneaking into your voice. “It’s the least I can do for your troubles.”
Trouble is an overstatement—the dog merely came to him. “Oh—no,no I couldn’t.” He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, not wanting to impose. “But thank you, I really ‘ppreciate it.”
“Oh,” You frown slightly, admittedly upset he wouldn’t allow you to repay his act of kindness. Then—like a lightbulb flickering over your head, you lean in.
The space between you closes softly. His head tilts slightly in confusion—but he doesn’t move. You place a soft and appreciative peck on his cheek—watching as his eyes widen and body tenses. Although you still don’t think it’s enough for him finding your dearest puppy, it’ll have to do for now.
You pull back with a shy smile as your puppy laps at your hand, involuntarily making his heart slam against his ribs—something so domestic about the scene leaves a warm and lingering buzz in his chest.
It’s a simple gesture—really. He shouldn’t be so worked up over it. But for a beat he just stares at you like his brain is still buffering. Awkwardly, he rubs the back of his neck with a shaky laugh trying to play it cool—and failing miserably. A giggle slips as you find yourself stifling a laugh at the sight of his ear tips burning crimson red.
Just as the silence begins to settle into something more—a tall blonde places a rough hand on Zanka’s shoulder, snapping him out of his trance.
“Ready to go?” He asks with a gruff voice accompanied by a knowing smile—obviously seeing the actions before-hand. His eyes dart between the two of you. Extending his hand to yours, he introduces himself. “I’m Enjin, and I hope he introduced himself—but this is Zanka.”
“He did,” You nod with a laugh, shaking Enjin’s hand. Zanka still stands there with flushed cheeks as Enjin ruffles his hair playfully “Imma go get Rudo. Meet up at the car soon, lovebird.” He drawled as he walked off, lazily twirling car keys around his finger.
“Just as I was getting to know you,” You offer a small, tender smile. “I really do hope to see you soon though.”
A younger boy with strawberry blonde hair—and seemingly quite the sweet tooth—walks from your bakery carrying much too many cupcakes, meeting Enjin's side—you assume that’s Rudo. His eyes flicker from them to you—clearly torn, like he wants to stay. “Seems like I will, with how many of ‘em cupcakes of yours Rudo bought.” He softly chuckles, emitting a laugh from you. “Well,” You drawl, “You guys are welcome anytime—and it’s on the house. I still owe you one.” If anything, he thinks he owes you with how kind you’ve been to him. Afterall, he’s just your average joe. Once again, his cheeks flare up. He gives you a small, sheepish smile, the kind that doesn’t know what to do with itself. “Guess I’ll take you up on that,” he says, voice softer now. You laugh a little nervously, puppy idly bouncing in your arm. “Guess you will.” For a moment, neither of you moves, just the quiet anticipation simmering. He glances back at Enjin and Rudo, sliding his hand in his pockets. “See you,” he finally says. “Yeah,” you breathe “See you.”
He gives a quick wave before trailing after Enjin, that same shy smile etched on his face.
Unable to help himself, he looks over his shoulder as he walks away, glimpsing you walking to your bakery coddling the puppy in your arms. An uncertain look lingers on his face like he’s torn between a goodbye and the hope of seeing you again. “Wait!” He blurts before he can stop it, turning back around fully. When you meet his eyes, he hesitates for a moment. “I never got your name—” Before he could finish, you say your name like it’s a promise. Despite the bustling crowd of people shifting around you, it flows smoothly and clearly off your tongue—landing between the two of you, and the two of you only. And he repeats it like it is a promise. Like he’s testing it—like it’s the first, but not the last time he’ll use it.
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