Chapter Text
Zanka wasn't someone important worth looking at. He was a normal guy at a somewhat normal college, attending normal classes. He starts his day with a cup of coffee in the morning, black for the bitterness to wake up, so he can make it to class.
He always chooses the seat near the front, closest to the window. Close enough to not be associated with the riffraff in the back, but not too close to be associated as a teacher's pet. He would take his notes, raise his hand or answer the professor's question just to show that he was paying attention, then leave once class was over.
In between classes, Zanka would work on his assignment outside if it was warm out, or in the library if it was cold. Always in a shade or a corner with a mildly sweet drink nearby and a pack lunch.
During the rest of Zanka's day, he would either be in the gym, hanging with the few friends he did have, or in his dorm room alone due to not having a roommate.
It was an ordinary routine, and yet...
Jabber couldn't keep his eyes off him. It was like a last piece of a puzzle was fitting into the perfect space, completing the picture. It was almost orgasmic. There was something about Zanka...
Something that made him so interesting.
And he was going to draw it out.
He started small by buying the same drinks since they shared morning class, going to the gym an hour after Zanka had left to use the same equipment, and going to the same events whenever Zanka's friends took him out of his comfort zone.
Zanka never knew, or at least, he wasn't interested in looking too deeply, since they live on the same campus. Both of them ending up at the same party wasn't worth the attention, but for Jabber, at least his presence was there.
Like a tiny smudge on a clean shirt that could be missed.
After a week, the stain grew.
It happened on a Tuesday. Jabber knew Zanka had nothing better to do today.
Zanka arrived at his usual seat near the front window, coffee in hand, only to find it occupied. He paused, a little thrown off his routine of the day. The seat beside him was still open. A little irritated, Zanka took the open seat, slightly glaring at the man, but it wasn't worth arguing.
Seats weren't assigned anyway.
Class went relatively smoothly
After class, Zanka packed up without thinking much of it, unaware of someone else trying to stay close to him. He moved over closer to the wall as he walked, checking his emails since his Professor in his next class mentioned he might have cancelled class, when he felt a touch on his lower back.
He didn't like being touched by anyone, and usually didn't have to deal with it, so he was about to cuss the person off, until he realized it was the same guy who took his seat.
"S'cuse me."
The guy only moved around him, eye contact lasting a few seconds longer than necessary, then walked away. The interaction jolted a memory Zanka forgotten. It was during their first day of class when they had to introduce themselves.
Jabber.
Zanka only remembered because of those unnaturally colored eyes and a lackadaisical smile he wore. It was weird and slightly creepy, but Zanka never thought much more about it since that incident.
He used to sit in the back. He wondered what made the boy move up to his seat of all seats.
It didn't matter. He continued on his day without much disturbance if he ignored Jabber's presence at his usual spots.
At the library, two tables away, seemingly studying.
At the Starbucks on campus, getting the same drinks.
At the gym, stretching nearby while Zanka was doing his usual sets.
It shouldn't matter because there was no reason for Jabber to try to get his attention. He was a nobody worth the attention. They lived on the same campus and took one or two classes together. Maybe he was just realizing Jabber was always around.
Unbeknownst to him, after a few days of toying with him, Jabber was finally receiving glances that lasted longer than milliseconds, slowly pushing his way into Zanka's private world.
Good, Jabber thought.
It was when Zanka changed his routine, just slightly, that Jabber decided to strike. Zanka arrived at his class earlier than usual to claim the seat he deems as his, chose to drink tea during his lunch, and instead of heading back to his dorm, Zanka headed toward the small track field to sit on the bleachers, enjoying the privacy it gave.
Naturally, Jabber followed.
"You movin' differently today," Jabber announced, rounding the corner. Zanka looked annoyed, which pleased Jabber that his prey didn't seem startled at his arrival. "Trying new spots?"
"Just wondering when the creep was gonna show himself," Zanka said, standing up. "You want to fight or something?"
Jabber put his hands up in mock surrender, but his smile said otherwise. "Nah, none of that." Zanka looked at the mass amount of rings on Jabber's fingers.
"So you're just going around, following people?"
Jabber shook his head. "Just you."
Zanka scoffed. "Then what do you want?"
"You don't owe me nothing. I just wanted your attention." Jabber put his hands down, then stepped onto the same bleacher as Zanka. "Seen ya walking around campus. I'm a little interested."
"If this is you asking me out, I'm not interested," Zanka told him while eyeing Jabber up and down. He wasn't bad looking, but with the vibe he was getting, Eijin would want him to stay away from.
Still, visually, Jabber was decently attractive. He was taller than Zanka first thought, now that Jabber was up close. With such a lean body, long arms, and the way he held himself spoke he had swag unlike any other Zanka has met. What Zanka was starting to hate was Jabber's face, specifically, the way Jabber was looking at him with those scheming eyes of his.
It felt like he was being stared at too damn deeply.
Jabber placed his hands in his coat pocket, his head tilting, the setting sun glinting off a couple of golden bands on Jabber's dreads. "Nah, man, I'm not into that lovey-dovey shit. I'm not asking you out. I just want to get to know ya."
"What for?"
"Why not? Do I scare you?" Jabber asked. Zanka rolled his eyes.
"Fuck no. What do I have to be scared of? Try me if you want to." Zanka told him, stepping off the bleachers. Alright, fuck it. If Jabber wants to 'get to know him,' then fine. There wasn't much to know anyway.
Jabber stepped off as well, following behind Zanka, more than intrigued.
He'll get bored with me soon, Zanka thought, unaware of Jabber's drive to see this through.