Chapter Text
The cold air luminated throughout the rink, metal gliding across the below-freezing icy surface.
Sweat dripped from his forehead while he rested his hands on his knees, steadying his breathing.
Without letting his body settle from his adrenaline, he’d push along across the ice, gaining back some momentum. Zanka’s demeanour remained calm, yet in deep mindless concentration his mind set on the minuscule goal he’d already hammered in his head for his next move.
The slight breeze felt like it gave him the go-ahead, his muscles tightened as he bent his left knee with arms behind him, the gestures came to him naturally. Bringing his arms forward, he lifted himself off the ice simultaneously into a graceful yet swift twirl in the air, landing with a slide with one leg lifted.
That axel felt good, but I could’ve done better.
But even though his thoughts ridiculed him, his muscles ached in protest with the lingering thought of redoing that for the 7th time. Right before he considered betraying his aching legs, the bang of the corridors broke his focus, grabbing his attention.
“Zanka! I knew you’d be here.” Riyo would yell out, her platformed boots dragging closer towards the half-door of the rink, gesturing Zanka to come forth.
He would do so immediately, only to be met with a stinging pain against his forehead when Riyo bounced her finger against it.
“What the fuck Riyo!” He’d yelp, bringing his gloved hand to the lingering sting.
The redhead folded her arms across her chest with an annoyed scowl on her face. “You didn’t answer any of my texts dickhead, I told you we’re gonna try that new sandwich joint!” She gleamed - practically drooling.
Zanka's face contorted with disgust at the mere thought of something as heavy as a wet sandwich right after a skating session, “Like right now? But I just-“
“Nono! We’re going and that’s final,” his complaint getting cut short. “C‘mon, it’s a walkable distance from here, I’ll be waiting outside!” She turned on her heel, already out the door, not letting Zanka utter another protest.
I literally cannot get a break around here.
With a huff, he slipped the colored guards over the blades of his skates and headed for the locker to retrieve his duffel bag. He grabbed his baggy hoodie and pulled it over his skating clothes, then did the same with a pair of loose-fitting sweatpants. After yanking off his skates, he replaced them with a pair of simple slides. If his father saw how he looked right now, he wouldn’t think twice about mistaking him for someone homeless.
The winter breeze immediately hit Zanka's face, already feeling his nose going red and leaky as he nudged Riyo, who was scrolling through her phone with a cigarette between her two fingers. “Finally, let’s go- it’s cold as fuck out here.” Already walking off, Zanka followed behind her, hands stuffed in his pockets seeking some sort of warmth.
When they finally arrived, they were welcomed with overhead heaters defrosting the winter's freezing temperatures off of them. Seating themselves at a booth, the two would finally settle down. Zanka sighed in relief, his sore lower half pleading for rest while his mind was already fighting to stay awake.
He’d rest his head on his hand, elbow propped on the table, looking ahead of him. Riyo giddily stared at her phone, then back at Zanka, looking ready to burst with information.
“What is it?” Zanka asked reluctantly, but still curious.
Riyo, hardly holding a smile back, “Okay, so you know that girl I was talking about last week?” She squealed while Zanka's mind raced back to recall the memory.
“Well, anyway! Today in my cosmology class, me and her got partnered together, can you even fucking believe that?” She’d giggle and squeal like a kid on Christmas morning, “This has to be fate, I swear, Zanka. I’m not joking when I feel our chemistry!”
His best friend's ridiculous rant helped keep the trivial thoughts to the back of his head. Zanka would let out a small snicker, “And I swear yer delusional. There's no way someone like her would like someone like you.” He’d eye her up and down to emphasise the joke.
“Oh shut up you dick.” She’d snort, kicking her shoe against Zanka's leg beneath the table.
“Ow! Fuck you,” responding with a kick back to her leg, his slides not doing half the effect compared to her platform shoes, only the opposite.
The two playing footsies were completely unaware of the waiter beside them, only catching their attention by clearing her throat. Zanka realized he hadn’t even looked at the menu.
Without putting much thought into it he’d pick the first thing he’d seen. Riyo already ordered what she wanted. The employee, writing down on the notepad already looking like she wanted to kill herself despite this joint only being open for a week, took the two orders back to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, the orders would come out, and the two would begin to eat. Zanka didn’t know if it was because he was privileged or if this sandwich was really this bad. Only two bites in, he’d set it back down on the plate, his stomach starting to swirl already, not agreeing with the dry bread and the mystery meat between it alongside the soggy veggies.
The bell from the shop's front door chimed behind him. Riyo looked up, raising her hand to wave to someone behind him, the heavy footsteps grew closer to their booth. Finishing chewing, she’d set the sandwich down.
“Hey! You trying this new diner too?” Riyo questioned, looking up at the man standing beside their table now. He didn't bother looking up at the guy - Zanka had grown used to Riyo saying hi to at least 20 times to different people whenever they were hanging out.
“Uh huh, I was feeling hungry as hell and this just happened to be close,” The loud and deep voice spoke. Suddenly, Zanka felt a gaze on him while bringing his straw to his mouth.
“And who’s this? A boyfriend?” The man cackled, based on his tone he was close enough with Riyo to know she’s a raging lesbian, but it's not like she hides it anyways.
“This is Zanka, my bestfriend.” She bragged the same friendly smile on her face, Zanka is grateful for the title but still hates her for introducing him knowing he hates it with a passion. “And Zanka, this is Jabber, one of my friends from my classes.” She’d introduced the two to each other.
Zanka would look up, meeting eyes with the man’s captivating magenta hues in contrast to his own blues. Not to mention the wide shit eating grin that played along his pierced lips.
“Hi.” Zanka wanted to slam his head into a wall. Riyo knew introductions weren’t his forte, especially when he already forgot the man’s name not even a second after being told.
Jabber's lips curled into a single dimple smile,
“Nice to meet you, pretty boy.” Jabber replied almost naturally, Zanka's eyes widened.
What the hell did he just call me?
Although he felt the tip of his ears grow warm, Zanka's eyebrows furrowed as an audible ‘huh?’ escaped from his mouth a little too loud for his own comfort.
“What did you call me?” Zanka didn’t know whether to feel offended or complimented. Either way, he didn’t like the way that made his stomach churn.
“Pretty boy?” Jabber repeated, tilting his head to the side, seeming almost mocking to Zanka.
Hearing it again made Zanka feel off again, his lips pulling into a tight line. “Yeah, that. Don’t call me that.” Zanka directed sternly, his unique brows furrowing further.
“Well why not? You are what you are.” Jabber argued back, Zanka shut it down immediately.
“Because I don’t fuckin’ know you?” Zanka reminded, all the built-up exhaustion started to bite his basic manners in the ass.
Jabber raised an eyebrow at Zanka's blunt, tactless attitude - part of it in disbelief and slight irritation and something else he couldn’t put a name on.
“Woah woah okay that’s enough! Jabber, it was nice seeing you but it’s getting late so we’d better go.” The escalated introduction was put to a halt as Riyo slammed some cash on the table, grabbing and pulling Zanka out of the diner, his eyes still glaring daggers at Jabber - the other man did the same, yet still that same smirk were still present.
Making it outside, they’d stand in the alleyway next to the diner, waiting for Zanka's driver to arrive. Riyo let a deep sigh, breaking the silence, smoke emitting from her mouth as her cigarette dangled between her fingers.
“So you gonna tell me what that was all about?” She questioned, looking over at Zanka leaning against the opposite wall ahead of her.
“All about what?” Zanka quipped back, looking to the side, attempting to pretend not to know what she was asking.
Riyo would let out an exaggerated sigh, “Jeez, Zanka, you always manage to bark up the wrong tree.” Taking a small drag of the cigarette, “Y’know Jabber isn’t someone you should be picking a fight with.”
“But I wasn’t pickin' a fight with him, I was just statin' the obvious.” He’d shrug.
A hum of disapproval sounded from Riyo, “You were though.”
“I wasn’t!” Zanka objected, receiving an even more disagreeing hum from his bestfriend.
The blonde would scoff, retrieving his phone from his pocket and checking the eta of his driver. “Even if I was, m’ not scared of him.”
“Well, you should be, cause he could beat your ass.” She’d huff.
Zanka's eyes widened. Still holding his ground, the Nijiku pride took hold as he crossed his arms.
“Yeah right, He ain’t gonna do jack.” He grumbled.
“Your funeral.” Riyo would lean off the wall, flicking the bud to the floor, stuffing her hands back into her pockets. “I’m gonna head home, don’t forget to put me in your will!” Riyo would throw her head back into a loud cackle, only getting the finger from Zanka.
__________
Making it back to his apartment and finally trying to settle down for the night, the steaming hot water poured over his body, helping to ease some of his muscle aches. His mind drifted back to what Riyo said—did he really just curse at some kind of deviant?
Zanka brushed his hair back thoughtfully. I mean, he figured he wouldn’t see him again, right? He hopped out of the shower, wrapped a fresh compression bandage around his ankle, slipped into his pajamas, and finally lay in bed, his body aching for rest.
Exhaustion was hitting him like a truck. Zanka fell asleep in no time.