Archive of Our Own ^beta

There was an unnoticed molded dip in the bed next to Jabber as he woke up groggy and dazed. Drool covering his face and pillow. He made a loud noise of disgust as he leaned his head up, wiping the saliva clean off with his shirt.

Slowly bringing himself back to the world around him he patted the side of the bed, his face frowned as he realized Zanka wasn't there. The remnants of the fading heat and the dip was the only reminder that he had been there sleeping just as soundly as he was.

His body flopped back down in defeat, he pulled the blankets up to his chin. Debating on if he should drag him back to bed or not. Pros, more time to sleep and cuddle, cons, Zanka being upset he was convinced. Though, that wasn't really a con in his eyes, Zanka would probably yell at him maybe even drag him into a fight if he's luck enough.

A mischievous grin formed on his face, now he gets to convince Zanka to lay back down if hes up and busy.

He had cocooned himself in the giant blanket during his sleep, which was one of the best sleeps he has had in a while. The blankets had such a grip on him as he fumbled with the covers that he tangled himself in. Eventually, he managed to wiggle himself free with a surprising amount of struggle.

With a big stretch containing the pops and crackles of his joints, he proceeded to stand up. As he did so, he stood still for a moment staring at nothing in particular.

Something felt, off.

So very off.

As he ran through everything his head, gears turning in his head. He slowly closed and unclosed his hands. The realization set itself deep inside his bones. It had made him completely freeze, his eyebrows pinched together with pure concern.

There was no need to look down, he already knew, but– his head lowered, the beautiful silver rings that were always resting on his fingers were gone. The panic had begun set in, now hitting him at full force as his body set in motion. Where had they gone– he looked around frantically, trying to see if they had somehow, someway, slipped off.

He searched the bed aggressively, patting down every square inch he could of it before he moved to the floor. Then searching anything else in the room that Mankira could possibly have ran off to. There was zero sign of her anywhere.

The panic that was already set deep inside of him only furthered as he kept turning empty handed as he searched every single possible spot he could.

There– there was no sign of Mankira.

She wasn't anywhere. No, no, no,

No.

His mind was quickly racing with every possible posibility. His hands shook uncontrollably as he felt around every surface, every nook and cranny he could shove his hands in. It was just– nothing. There was absolutely nothing. The more he searched and turned up without Mankira, the more his chest started to hurt.

Eyes became blurry as he searched.

Trying to blink it away, he realized he was unable to. For whatever reason. It didn't matter, he needed to find her. He just had to.

The blur of his eyes kept coming back with a vengeance.

He shakily stood in the middle of the room, burring his hands in his hair, pulling tightly. It felt like the walls were slowly closing in on him. Everything was too much, so much. He can't– where is she– a noise of desperation was choked out of his throat.

Mankira.

She– he needs her.

The sight of an unrecognizable figure in the moment, brought him out of all his overwhelming feelings and thoughts. It was like a fresh wave washing over him, for some reason. He knows he doesn't have Mankira sitting comfortably on his fingers, but for some reason. It felt like it was going to be okay.

He was going to trust his gut. It was okay, it just had to be.

Taking a couple deep breaths, like he had been taught, he regained his composure. It wasn't like him to loose himself like that so quickly. He should've just assessed the situation first, then maybe freak out if nothing turned up.

He shakily sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck.

The bubble of anxiousness in his stomach was something he wasn't able to push away, it was likely the permanent and heavy reminder on his fingers that Mankira wasn't with him. She was something that he never takes off, ever.

After his quick little breather he walked up to the figure that he recognized as Zanka, and who was for some reason, sitting on the floor hunched over. It made him a little nervous, but the feeling quickly died down as he saw a little glint of silver between his fingers. Eyes widening with complete shock, Zanka was polishing Mankira.

He breathed out with a sigh of pure relief as he put his hand on his chest.

He has truly never felt more stressed in his life. And he was out here thinking that someone up and took Mankira, when in reality, she was just being taken care of by Zanka. He wasn't entirely sure what to expect when he found Mankira, but this definitely wasn't it.

He doesn't exactly enjoy that he just took her from him, but he's just glad that it was Zanka out of anyone else. He knows and trusts that he can take better care of her than anyone else.

Besides him of course. He knows her unlike anyone else could.

A doting smile was clear on Jabber's face, all of the negative and strong emotions that felt like were eating him alive were quickly fleeting as he put all his focus on Zanka. He even had all of the correct supplies for her, he really thought this through then. "Wha'cha got there?"

"Huh?" Zanka's eyes were half lidded, sleep still very prominent in his eyes as he looked up at Jabber, it was honestly quite adorable to see. He eventually processed the question and answered it quietly, head lowering again to Mankira.

"J'st polishin' her up."

He nodded his head, like he was agreeing to himself of what he had said, hands still moving meticulously as Zanka's entire focus was completely on him. At some point he had closed his eyes as he was softly smiling up at Jabber, like he was so content as he polished his precious rings. Though, it made him question.

Was he unknowingly cleaning Mankira..?

Resting to the side of Zanka was Lovely Assistaff, she looked like she had already had her morning routine of oil and fresh wrappings. He just started taking care of Mankira after he was done with Assistaff like it was second nature to him.

A soft and relieved smile planted itself on Jabbers face.

He really did need to have a conversation about not taking Mankira without his knowing, but for right now, it was okay. He does enjoy seeing Zanka clean the most thing precious to his heart with the upmost care.

He sat down next to Zanka, who was happy as ever as his hands kept working on each and every ring.

It made a smile form on his face seeing him so content.

Jabber sat there awkwardly for a moment before he scooted closer into Zanka's personal space, snaking a hand around his shoulder. He paid absolutely no mind to it. Its almost like he didn't even process the arm wrapped around his shoulder currently pulling him in.

It didn't bother Jabber one bit.

He just wanted to keep himself busy, so he leaned forward pressing his lips tenderly against Zanka's neck. It cause his hands to pause on the ring he was working on for a slight moment before he continued, there was a strong blush prominent on his face. He giggled at his work.

He continued to kiss up and down Zanka's neck practically showering him in kisses as a thanks for taking such good care of Mankira. Every now and then he'd leave little bite marks as he continued his barrage of kisses.

Every time he got a little too bored from the reactions he would do a little surprise lick, shocking Zanka out of his rhythm. Which he thought was just the most adorable thing, each time it didn't take long for him to get back into his little flow.

They were both very content as they kept themselves busy.

It was completely silent between the two of them, it was just a slow morning as Zanka worked and Jabber clinging to his side as he did so. It was a sweet morning filled with their own forms of their acts of love for each other.

When Jabber was satisfied from his work—Zanka's neck littered with bruises and bites—he draped his body over the other. Sleep was still so heavy in his bones, it was just only starting to catch up to him now. So he got himself real comfy. Zanka hummed with satisfaction from the warmth that Jabber was radiating.

Everything in Jabber's mind slipped away, just as quickly as he came back to his awareness.

There was a noise of discontent as Zanka frowned.

Jabber opened one of his eyes, peeping at the other with confusion, it was a little odd since Zanka was so happy a few moments ago.It made him silently worry as to what went awry, "Wha'cha upset for?" Zanka set the tenth ring down delicately next to the other nine. A smile of adoration made its way to his face as he saw how upset he was over something like that.

Zanka pulled his knees up to his chest, hugging his legs like his life depended on it.

Sleep still seemed like it was deeply rooted in Zanka's bones, he was acting in such a way that was so endearing to Jabber. A small want of seeing Zanka so sleepy like this more often bubbled up in his chest. It was so nice to be able to see him in such a state on venerability and continue to stay in said venerability as Jabber is sitting right next to him.

It made Jabber question why Zanka was so content around him like this, when he clearly shouldn't be, but that was a question to be answered for another day. Right now, he wanted to soak up every moment of this he could while it lasted.

He knows that Zanka is going to get embarrassed the moment he becomes aware and his brain finally wakes up from it's little daze.

Internally laughing, he knows that's going to be fun to watch play out.

He did feel a little bad, he didn't want to continue to see him so upset like this over something that can be so easily fixed. He truly didn't mind that he was polishing Mankira up, his only gripe was him not being let know, but that was also as easily fixable with an easy set boundary.

Leaning forward, he poked Zanka in the nose, causing him to flinch back.

"How 'bout this, ya can shine her up." Zanka's eyes lit up so brightly, it was one of the sweetest things hes seen. Seeing him so excited to take care of his Mankira, it made his stomach do a couple flips. He continued, "With permission." The glint in his eyes stayed strong as he nodded aggressively, rocking his entire body.

It was such an amusing sight, he really should be able to see a sleepy Zanka more often. It made everything so much more endearing. He loved being able to see him like this, it made him feel so special. He hopes that he is special to Zanka, just as much as Zanka is to him.

Zanka suddenly put his hand out, palm up. It forcefully dragged him back to reality.

He stared wide eyed at it for a moment before the hand reached out to him made a grabbing motion. He huffed with a soft smile, a deep blush taking form on his cheeks once again.

Putting one of his hands in Zanka's space, it was gently grabbed and one by one, each ring was slid onto his fingers with such delicacy and it made his face flush with a fiery shade of orange. It was oddly intimate the way he witnessed Zanka taking care of his soul in such a tender way he's never seen. Not even Jabber had received such tender care. He's definitely not complaining.

He'd prefer Mankira to get the special treatment over him, he absolutely eats up the roughness that comes with Zanka. It's like a sweet little treat.

As the last ring was placed back she was finally back home, he sighed with ease. His shoulders dropping all the tension they were unknowingly holding. The feeling of Mankira on his fingers was so comforting. He never realized how comforting her weight was to him until this moment, maybe this was ultimately a good thing.

It made him appreciate her more than he already does, and of course, Zanka was the person to be the cause.

He didn't mind.

Staring at Mankira for a little longer, he looked up at Zanka who was staring at him with those usual and adorable blank eyes of his. Sleep was still holding onto him tightly. Smiling with realization, Jabber opened his arms up to the other, he perked up with surprise. He looked a little hesitance for a moment before he leaned forward. Settling himself in Jabber's arms.

The hug quickly morphed into something more aggressive and tighter than gentle. The both of them hummed with approval, that was more suitable for them.

It felt more genuine to them and that's all that mattered.

They stayed there tightly holding onto each other like their life depended on it. Jabber knew this would be a nice moment to lift up Zanka and carry them back to bed, but for right now, he buried his face further into Zanka's hair. He wanted to stay in this embrace.

This was too nice of a moment to interrupt.