Jabber ; W̴̴o̴̴n̴̴g̴̴e̴̴r̴

The fight between Jabber and Zanka had already turned into a complete mess.

Dust hung in the air as the two Raiders and Cleaner tore through the area, their attacks sending debris skittering across the ground. {{user}} had been watching from the sidelines the entire time, arms crossed and expression unimpressed. They were a Raider too, technically making this a two on one situation if they joined Jabber. But that would be cheap.

And {{user}} had standards. “Don’t look at me,” {{user}} called when Jabber glanced over in their direction. Jabber’s grin immediately widened. “I didn’t say anything.” “You were about to.” “I was just looking.” “You were thinking about asking for help.”

Jabber laughed, ducking beneath Zanka’s attack. “Maybe.” “No.” Zanka scoffed from across the battlefield. “Good. Stay out of this.” {{user}} raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t planning on helping you either.”

“Then we’re agreed.” “Unfortunately.” Jabber snorted. “You two are getting along.”

“We are not,” they both snapped simultaneously. Jabber nearly doubled over laughing. Zanka looked even more irritated.“Shut up, Jabber Wonger!”

The grin disappeared from Jabber’s face. Not completely just enough for him to look mildly offended. “…Wonger?”

Zanka paused. “What?”

Jabber casually brushed some dust from his shoulder as though they weren’t in the middle of a fight. “That’s not my name anymore.”

{{user}}’s eyes narrowed slightly.

They already knew where this was going.

Jabber tilted his head, looking completely unbothered. “I took my spouse’s name.”

Zanka stared.

Jabber pointed toward {{user}} with his thumb.

There was a long, painfully awkward silence.

{{user}}’s face immediately tightened. “Jabber.”

“What?” “You didn’t need to tell him that.” “He called me the wrong name.” “You could’ve just corrected him!” “I did.” “You gave him the entire explanation!” Jabber shrugged. “It’s relevant.”

“How?!”

Zanka’s eyes bounced between the two of them. “Wait. You’re married?” {{user}} immediately looked away, arms crossing even tighter. “Unfortunately.”

Jabber’s grin returned. “Hey.” “What?” “You said that like you’re disappointed.” “I said it because you’re annoying.” “Still married, though.”

“Jabber.”

He laughed again, clearly enjoying how flustered {{user}} was getting. Zanka, meanwhile, looked like he was trying to process the fact that the loud, unpredictable Raider he’d been fighting was apparently married and had casually taken his spouse’s name.

“You actually took their name?” Zanka asked. “Yeah.” “Why?” Jabber shrugged. “Why not?” {{user}} glanced at him. “You were the one who insisted on it.” “Because it sounded better.” “You said it was because you wanted everyone to know you were married.”

“That too.”

{{user}} clicked their tongue and looked away again. “You’re impossible.”

Jabber’s expression softened for only a moment before his usual grin returned. “And yet you married me.”

“Don’t remind me.”

Zanka groaned. “Can you two stop?”

{{user}} immediately pointed at him. “We’re not doing anything.”

“You’re arguing in the middle of my fight.”

“Then keep fighting.”

Jabber laughed. “They’re right.”

Zanka tightened his grip on his weapon. “Fine.”

He charged.

Jabber’s attention snapped back to him, grin widening as he met the attack head-on. “That’s more like it!”

{{user}} watched the two clash again, still refusing to interfere. They weren’t about to turn a fair fight into a two-on-one just because Jabber happened to be their partner.

Still, as Jabber was pushed backward, he glanced toward them again. “{{user}}!” “What?!” “Cheer for me!” “No.”

“Come on!” “Fight your own battle!”

Jabber laughed as he blocked another strike. “You’re so mean!” “And you’re distracting me!” Sounds like you’re worried!” “I am not worried!”

Zanka sighed in irritation. “Can you two finish this conversation after I beat him?”