#and I want to give Jayce the biggest hug

[bringthekaos]

It's been almost 2 years now, and I can't stop thinking about Jayce's situation in ep 3. Imagine working SO HARD your WHOLE LIFE trying to prove the impossible, to recreate the moment that saved your life, and then BOOM it all gets ripped off in a day. You lose your funding, your friends, disgrace your House, your mentor expells you from the place you worked so hard to get into and are basically declared insane (in front of everyone). You are about to end it all and then out if nowhere the man who arrested you 48 hours before stops you, gives you hope, solves the final piece of the puzzle and risks it all to bring it to fruition for you (and he barely knows you)

Imagine what was like to wake up the next morning

—TW suicide mention—

OHMYGOD same. Like it makes me emotional sometimes, thinking about all that Jayce went through that day just to be hated by the fandom. This poor guy was chasing a dream, something deeply personal. He almost watched his mother die in front of him, and then he was basically gaslit for the rest of his youth by people who doubted that it was magic that saved them, and that he could replicate it through science. But he never gave up, he worked toward it for his entire life, made it his passion, his goal, his meaning. And he was careful, that’s the thing!! He knew what he was doing had the potential to be dangerous, and he took the proper precautions—per Mylo, he locked his balcony! “Who does that?!” He wanted to be as safe as humanly possible as he chased this dream.

And then through no fault of his own, everything came crashing down. Someone with no idea of the volatility of the gemstones ended up handling them, and dropping them. His apartment, his research, and most of his supplies were damaged in the blast, and we’re led to believe that some people on the street below were injured.

He then had his life’s work stripped away, and he was imprisoned for something he didn’t do. Imagine that you had your car safely locked up in your garage and someone broke in and stole it, then used it to hurt people. And they blamed you and arrested you for it, and threatened to derail your entire life. When you did nothing wrong.

And THEN, after all of that, he was put on trial, where he was condescended to and repeatedly called “boy” in front of his peers. And the head of this governing body came to him before the trial and attempted to scare and manipulate him into admitting fault. And he was going to, too, but in a moment of passion he had an outburst, which led to his mother making a desperate bid to save him from exile by standing up and calling her son crazy. You could see how much this hurt Jayce by the way he spun around to look at her—“magic didn’t just save me, it saved you! You’re alive today because of that mage, and now you’re gunna stand here and say I’m not in my right mind?! My own mother, abandoning me in front of God and everyone.” (Personally, I see what she did a little different; she said what she had to in order to save her son, even if she didn’t believe it to be true. She knew it would hurt him, but the alternative was worse. So in the moment, she said the hurtful thing, the thing she thought had the only chance of convincing the council to save him).

But that doesn’t change how badly it hurt him, how it left him feeling truly alone. So alone that he saw no way out. He had no future. He wasn’t prepared to abandon his only dream, his only passion, something he’d literally dedicated every waking breath to from the time he was eight (?) to go work in his father’s factory. And no one else would stand up for him, not his mentor Heimerdinger or his patrons the Kirammans. And he couldn’t even go to his best friend for comfort because they’d been cut off. So he decided to end it.

And then when he was at his lowest, to have such deep trust and confidence shown to him by a complete stranger—a stranger who’s willing to risk his own life and stability to see Jayce’s dream succeed. Who believes in it so wholeheartedly that he’s willing to betray the man Yordle he works for (who also happens to run both the Council AND the University) to get it done. And then in the process, he’s shown another person who’s willing to see what he can do, who believes in him. It’s catching like wildfire, and all it needed was that first spark that Viktor gave it.

I think Jayce must have literally been in shock. What a whiplash of emotions. He probably pinched himself multiple times over those few days, trying to wake himself up. And I imagine Viktor probably caught him once, furrowing his brows down at the reddening mark on the back of Jayce’s hand, the unspoken question in his eyes.

And Jayce probably blushed, looking down at his shoes as he bashfully rubbed the back of his neck and said,

“Oh, uh… just… just making sure I’m not dreaming.”

And that’s probably the first time Viktor felt the butterflies. 🥰

[theoddest1]

Okay so, ima type in what I typed to my friend here.

"Yeah Ima be so dead ass. ||Mel and Ekko carried the final for me, ESPECIALLY Ekko."

Yeah, they should have just kept [Viktor] being Ryze. That made more sense to me than whatever this is. And I am all for mlm rep, but yeah, this felt WAY too, Jayvikky. I liked it better that they were brothers to parallel Vander and Silco, who also found each other and became bros, but it seemed like they went with how popular JayVik was and stuck with it. And Jayce being strung with Viktor for wherever they went felt...kinda nonsensical. I'd rather that Viktor was thwarted and too far gone to then just suddenly have a change of heart and go with Jayce. I imagined that he would have a contingency where he, incase his body was destroyed, would then later rise again to try and enact "Glorious Evolution". It would go well with the themes of his beliefs anyway because every time he dies, he comes back stronger in a new body. I feel like that would better set the ongoing conflict and fit well with the game and why he looks the way he does currently.

I also don't like how quick he and Mel's reunion was considering how much he favored her along with his odd and sudden dislike for her decisions-- Seriously, where did that even come from!?"

[Thought it over further. Him calling her out on her actions isn't the issue. It's the timing and how this transpires that confuses me. He just came from a post-apocalyptic world where Mel, Viktor, and everything else came to mind. The lack of time for them to truly talk made the scene felt out of nowhere and not at all fleshed out. He goes on to place part of the blame on her when literally it wasn't. She DID manipulate but only politically. Everything else was on he and Viktor. Then, when he DOES confront Viktor, the vibes are different. Viktor hurt and caused a chain of events that led to several lives being taken to ensure survival and his "Glorious Evolution", why is this essentially overlooked? Maybe when I review this again, it will make more sense, but as of now, the way Jayce treats both Mel and Viktor is VERY questionable.]

"I would have been pretty happy if He at least gave her a hug, a kiss, something to make their relationship seem consistent with what we were shown. I know that he's been gone for a while and a lot more cold, but this was a very odd direction to go with. I am super happy about Cait and Mel fighting side by side and that Mel may be the main character for a new Noxus related show! [Which I knew they'd set up!] but this series, after seeing it in its entirety, DID suffer too much from the pacing issues. I assumed at the First Act that it was quick paced to go with how they've all been shifted into places they didn't see coming, but the pacing issues continued to bring down the quality. 3 seasons would have made way more sense and would go well with the 3 ACT formula they had used. I hope they learn from this and refrain from making similar mistakes.

[I responded to my friend who posted these images above] I knew they'd make a callback to this line eventually, and I am genuinely surprised people are not catching this obvious set up to Jinx living. Also, I am betting that Heimer did "die" but only that alternate version of himself. [Though obviously I could be wrong, though a life of various lifetimes where he helps each version of the main cast sounds very Heimerdinger of him, especially since he didn't wanna leave.]

The biggest letdown for me has to be Jayce and Viktor's story. It just...doesn't make sense with what we have been shown. Also, if Viktor KNOWS bad shit would happen when bringing Hextech to life and all, why TF would he give it to Jayce then???? Or if he STILL wanted magic to be tampered with shy doesn't he comvince himself in a way HE KNOWS would prevent what happens next, surely NOT EVERY timeline has it where you continue on the path of destruction! You see what I mean!?!? Leave the time crap to Ekko, man. This new inclusion makes no sense! And he does this in VARIOUS timeliness for some reason. Man, I wish it was just a random ass mage or Ryze, this added stuff kinda kills the finale for me🫠

I feel that making Viktor time travel ruins a huge aspect of the story, ngl, especially when Jayce argues that people can "craft their own path." The story also shouldn't have ended with what I could only assume both of them "dying" or traversing time instead. Also, the way Sky was treated and essentially replaced with Jayce feels....very very weeeeird."

[I believe that the ending just didn't land that well. I feel, now thinking over every character, Ekko, Mel, and Jinx carried this season HEAVY. These 3 were the most interesting parts of the season, honorable mention being Singed cause he be doing what he MUST. Also, what was the point of introducing Loris if all he was gonna end up being was a random guy who reminded Vi of Vander? I guess nothing is wrong with this, but when you're already stringing for time, these inclusions make no sense... I liked him, though, RIP Loris🤧. Oh, and Caut barely facing consequences is KINDA CRAZY but it goes with the themes of forgiveness/ acceptance. The Cycle would never end, after all, but yeah Vi and Cait made up WAY too fast and just shows that this needed another season. Let me know your thoughts!]

[helplessavacado]

OKAY SO MADDIE WAS PLOT RELEVANT THANK GOD. Cait didn't just bang her for no reason SHE SUCKED FRFR. GIRLIE WHY DID YOU ALLY YOURSELF WITH THE WARMONGER UGH I AM SO GLAD SHE DIED.

Still wanted more detail on Caitlyn's turnaround because "cupcake" awakening the lesbian sleeper agent is funny but not as in-depth as I wanted it to be. The whole CaitVi arc felt like that tbh, but it was still amazing so I'm willing to ignore my small issues with their conflict and look at the amazing picture as a whole.

If I think about Ekko I am just gonna cry HE DESERVED THAT BEAUTIFUL ALTERNATE UNIVERSE BUT HES SUCH A GOOD PERSON I LOVE HIM. HOMEBOY LITERALLY SAVED THE DAY AND DEFIED THE LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE TO DO SO

Seeing Benzo and Mylo and Claggor all grown up was just??? The most beautiful thing I've ever seen????? Mylo being a cringefail flirter was so amazing Powder is the best wingwoman. Claggor my beloved I literally wanted to sob when I saw him. And BENZO. BENZO WHEN I CATCH YOU BENZO I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU THE BIGGEST HUG THAT WAS THE CUTEST SCENE EVER

Oh and Singed Win??? He gets his doll daughter O guess I'm happy for him???????

JAYCE MY BOY I KNEW YOU HAD A GOOD REASON!!!!!! I JUDGED YOU FOR A LIL BIT NGL BUT YES YOURE BACK TO BEING MY FAVORITE!!!!! He and Viktor started this story together and they ended this story together and I literally almost sobbed. They're my guys and I wouldn't trade them for the world I love them so much and now they'll go into the afterlife together and do whatever sciencey afterlife bullshit they want forever 💖💖💖

Anyway Machine Herald Final Form was fucking incredible I cannot BELIEVE they made the hex claw a halo the yelp that came out of me when that showed up. Literally in love with that design.

MEL I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BADASSERY. The most amazing woman and she's gonna change the goddamn world. She's gonna dismantle the black rose brick by fucking brick I'm calling it right now

ANYWAY WHAT THE FUCK. WITH THE BLIMP AND THE AIR DUCTS IT KINDA IMPLIED THAT JINX MAY HAVE SURVIVED BUT W H A T THE FUCK

VANDER AND ISHA ARE GONE FRFR IM SO SAD😭😭😭😭😭😭

But at least Sevika lives and SHES A COUNSELOR NOW I YELLED SO LOUD

Arcane S2 Spoilers below the cut because I have some THOUGHTS

I apologize for the person I will become when this show ends because they are consuming my entire brain rn and I cannot imagine how crazy I'll be when the arcs are resolved

Calling Zaunites animals for attacking a memorial of Piltover's leaders/Caitlyn's mom... and then authorizing an attack on the Undercity's memorial for their leader/Vi's dad. A little bit of a double standard methinks. Just a tad of "it's fine when my people do it." Just a smidge. Caitlyn girl I love you as a character but the hypocrisy and privilege is POTENT and I cannot WAIT to see you get called out for it.

Also everyone was talking about how the JayVik divorce was rushed (which like, fair), but I don't see anybody talking about how Caitlyn's turnaround came out of nowhere. Like I know she wasn't on the best of terms with Ambessa in regards to continuing marshal law but that doesn't negate her quest for revenge and ending Jinx. I just??? I really hope we get a more in-depth explanation in arc 3 because that just felt too sudden. I trust the writers (rare in today's media) but that was very strange to me.

Also unless the orange-haired police officer is plot relevant in the next arc I see no point for her and Caitlyn hooking up other than to induce rage. The scream I scrumpt when that girl popped up on screen was primal because wow Caitlyn you really dumped Vi and decided to screw the Piltover version of Matilda. She wanted a yes-man with benefits and I really thought she was better than that. I am all for women's wrongs but damn.

Ekko. Where's my favorite character. YOU GAVE JAYCE BACK BUT WHERE IS EKKO???????? RIOT CAN YOU HEAR ME????? WHERE IS HE???????????? Heimerdinger is also there BUT WHERE IS EKKO

ANYWAY: JAYCE. JAYCE SHAVE THE BEARD ITS MAKING YOU EVIL. JAYCE. JAYCE WHAT DID YOU SEE IN THE ARCANE WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL WAS THAT. I CANT EVEN DEFEND YOU RIGHT NOW MY GUY. WHY DID YOU DO THAT. LET ME SEE THE VISIONS I N E E D TO UNDERSTAND.

Viktor I know you're gonna live because Duh the divorce arc isn't done yet but holy shit PLEASE backhand your ex-situationship for me

I S H A V A N D E R W H A T T H E F U C K. ISHA. WE HAD A HAPPY MOMENT WHY IS EVERYONE'S SOLUTION IN THIS FAMILY SELF-SACRIFICE VIA DEATH AND OR PERMANENT BODILY HARM???????? Sevika with her arm Jinx with the prison bust Vi with her everything Vander with his Also Everything HAVE YOU ALL PERHAPS CONSIDERED THAT A SACRIFICE COULD ALSO BE STRUGGLING THROUGH GRIEF TOGETHER?????

Ambessa. Ambessa when I catch you Ambessa. Singe what the hell my guy.

Mel honey you got this I believe in you. Kick some ass I NEED to see your badassery and new backstory because this is gonna be FUN.

[oloreaa]

I finished Arcane Ep7 and I have felt so many emotions but most of all I'm yelling

[sivyera]

Arcane characters as love stereotypes.

ft. vi, jinx, caitlyn, viktor, jayce, vander, silco, sevika, cassandra, ekko

WARNINGS: bad grammar, mentions of nsfw

CONTAINS: fluff

SONG: -

A/N: I put different song to each character.

Jinx - teenage love

She wants to be with you all the time. She is blindly in love. And she loves spending time with you. She likes to show you new weapons she made or what she draw. One day she asked you if she can draw you. Now the picture is over your bed.

She likes movie nights. She build pillow bunkers and she made popcorn. Which is little burnt. She often made little handmade gifts for you. Little surprises like picnic or favourite food/drinks. Being biggest cheerleader for each other.

You Stupid Bitch - girl in red

Sevika - rough love

Overprotective. Hickeys all over you. Teasing each other. When she's at bar and she sees you she always give you a small smile or smirk. After that she pull you into her lap. Passionate and dominant kisses. Seldom happens that you two can lay in bed and cuddle all day.

But when that day comes, you both are happier than ever. Most of you cuddle sessions becomes make out sessions. She likes when you lay on her chest or when you lay your head on her lap, so she can watch your cute face. She thinks you're a cutie, even though she seems tough she have her soft side. But that side is just for you.

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE - Måneskin

Silco - enemies to lovers

God how much he hated you at the first time. You were a shimmer dealer which makes you very important. Silco though that he's gonna send Sevika to kill you but than he realized that would be wrong. He had two reasons why he didn't kill you. First - he don't know how to make that good shimmer as you ( Singed's shimmer was nothing compared to yours). Second he start catching feelings.

After a while he decided to get to know more about you. That was the best thing he did in his life. When you two started dating you become the most powerful couple in Zaun. No one dare to even look the same way as you. Because they know, Silco would kill them if they did.

R U Mine? - Arctic Monkeys

Vi - soulmates

Protective as well. Know everything about each other. Workouts together. You two just meant to be. Hugs from behind while kissing your neck. Cuddles are very important in this relationship because Vi is touch starved. Having sex on public toilets.

She will tattoo your name on her arm. She will let you paint her nails. Also what she appreciates is that you care about her. You bandage her wounds, make her food, give her bed where she can sleep with you ofc, make her feel love. Her favourite part of the day is morning. She wakes up before you and just hold you close in her arms, kissing your face and admiring you.

All I Wanted - Paramore

Ekko - any universe love

Helping each other with everything. He would never let anything happened to you in any way. Jealous af. He hates when he sees older mens/womans who is trying to flirt with you. And he always gonna remind them that you are taken. Lots of PDA.

Watching horror or action movies together. Cooking together. His favourite activity with you is dancing around the kitchen. He loves when you braid his hair. Race on hoverboards. It's always 50/50. Both of you are very fast so it's always exciting who will win.

You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Caitlyn - best friend to lovers

You and Cait were childhood friends. And Caitlyn always had a big fat crush on you. You were pure perfection in her eyes. But she was shy and nervous if you feel the same way. She was always scared if you're into womans. But her feelings were that strong that she couldn't hold them anymore.

When you two started dating she couldn't believe it. She knows how lucky she is to have you, so she want to make you feel special. She spoils you a lot. Solving problems together. Always have each others back. Shower together. Supporting each other all the time. Doing skin care routine together. You make her smile every.single.day.

girls - girl in red

Viktor - ancient love

Taking care of him. Listening him mumbling about hextech. Help him with hextech. Even if you don't know much about it, your presence is enough for him. Common baths, which he loves the most. Rescue him that he is enough for you and that you don't want anyone else.

When you play with his hair he immediately relax. He believe you're a witch or something because you have magic touch. Bringing him lunch in his laboratory. Holding your hand 24/7. He loves when you kiss his forehead. He loves you so so much.

Like Real People Do - Hozier

Jayce - rich love

He makes you feel like a princess. Buys you everything that catches your eyes. Kissing your cheeks. Having sex at Grand Council Chamber (i'm sorry i forgot how they call it). He loves laying on your chest and he doesn't care if you have small or big tits. For him they're perfect. You are perfect for him.

Cinderella and prince Charming couple. Trying cook together. Give him massages to relax after tough day. Helping him with hextech as well. Reading him your favourite books.

Electric Love - BØRNS

Cassandra Kiramman - secret love

She knows that she is a married woman but she can't help herself. You are perfect and she wants to remind that to you every single day. When she's in public and she can't speak to you she inconspicuously give you little note. - I love you Y/N ♡ - Meet me at the toilets in 10♡ - You look beautiful today ♡ These kind of notes.

She always make sure that she have some time for you. She never cuddle in her time so when you come with that idea of cuddling she was little nervous. But when you snuggled into her neck and start giving her soft kisses on her neck. She melt under you. She is a dominant woman so she is a big spoon. But when she's angry on someone, kiss her forehead and play with her hair. It always calm her down.

Line Without a Hook - Ricky Montgomery

Vander - old love

He writes you love letters. And he brings you flowers everyday. Helping him cleaning at bar and take care of his kids. He likes reading you books while he's playing with your hair. Loves to hold you on his chest. Dancing on old songs together with Vi, Powder, Mylo and Claggor. Cooking together.

He will protect you no matter what. Teaching you how to protect yourself if you don't know how. Kissing you forehead, hand and head. Bone breaking hugs. Lots of jokes and warm smiles. You are his trophy so he shows you off a lot. Silco is jealous that Vander have such a beautiful woman as you.

Young And Beautiful - Lana Del Rey

I hope you like it guys! ♡

[theprettyarachnid]

arcane characters and their love languages

a/n: thought this a cute idea

warning: nothing, just fluff :)

Jinx

🕷 She has a bit of a hard time explaining her feelings so many times she’ll resort to actions such as hugging or kissing

🕷 Jinx definitely bites you randomly as a form of affection

🕷 Whenever she sees you, she immediately goes in for a hug

🕷 Pouts if you don’t give her attention whether that’s playing with her hair or holding her hand

🕷 Loves holding hands in public and she’s not ashamed to show you off because no one is stupid enough to fuck with Jinx

🕷 everyone in Zaun is fucking terrified of her

Vi

🕷 Acts of service or physical touch

🕷 She also shares her food with you regularly

🕷 Vi helps you get dressed, either by helping you pick out an outfit or zipping anything up that needs to zipped

🕷 whoever thought i meant in a sexual way should be ashamed

🕷 IM JUST JOKing

🕷 I can see Vi randomly coming up behind you and smacking your ass, only at home/in private though

Caitlyn

🕷 Definitely acts of service

🕷 She gets kind of shy when verbally or physically showing affection and goes into gay panic mode when you do

🕷 I can also see her leaving notes beside your pillow when she goes to work early

Ekko

🕷 Words of affirmation, physical touch and he loves spending time with you

🕷 Anytime he has to run errands, he asks if you want to come along

🕷 For some reason I imagine Ekko to swing your arms back and forth when holding hands

🕷 Gives you quick kisses throughout the day, saying hello, goodbye, or when he’s running around

🕷 He also compliments you A LOT

🕷 It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or if you feel like you don’t look your best, he always thinks you look absolutely stunning and will say so

Viktor

🕷 Words of affirmation and acts of service

🕷 Viktor isn’t AGAINST pda but he prefers anything physical to be in private with just the two of you

🕷 Regularly makes you coffee/tea/etc without even thinking about it at this point

🕷 Throughout the day when you two are working, he’ll whisper how nice you look or that he loves you next to your ear

🕷 He then proceeds to walk away as if nothing happened while you just sit or stand there with a small blush on your face

Jayce

🕷 Gift giving, physical touch and quality time

🕷 i can see Jayce having separation anxiety lmao

🕷 You often find flowers with a note attached to them either in the living room or in your office at work

🕷 This man will literally snatch the check out of your hands when you two go out to eat, he refuses to let you pay

🕷 Jayce lowkey has to be always touching you, it doesn’t have to be extremely obvious but holding your hand or having his arm wrapped around your waist is very common

Silco

🕷 Silco is the biggest mobster in Zaun so he has lots of money

🕷 it’s blood money but it’s money <3

🕷 Buys you outfits, jewelry and whatever your heart desires

🕷 He definitely gets into a better mood whenever he sees you wearing earrings he bought you or rings

🕷 his gang members silently thank you

[twiflms]

Viktor and Jayce as Uncles | Arcane

Head Cannons

A Pregnant Reader and Two Awestruck Uncles

Warnings: Mentions of Pregnancy, and Fluff <3

it was just a normal day at the academy and these two were tinkering around in the lab with their hex tech as usual

when you walked into the lab, your presence has gone unnoticed, they devoted their attentions to their research as always

It took you everything you got to get their attention, from slightly knocking at the door, purposely coughing, clapping your hands but still no reaction from the both of them, as if you were mist. It took you to the point where to shout out their names

as soon as you were able to reach both of their attentions, you started to prepare for a lengthy speech as their eyes darted at you with shock and confusion

“for the longest time the three of us knew each other, the two of you have served as my brothers, my lab partners and my best friends. And now we have come so far, especially for me, and now I would like to announce that I am expecting”

As you finished your speech they didn’t say anything, they didn’t blink nor move, they just looked at you with no fucking clue what you just have told them

as soon as you realized they had no idea what you were blabbering on about, you had to pull out your pregnancy test just so they can have a better understanding what you meant

and when they finally understood what you meant by “you are expecting” they shouted in absolute glee

they gave you the biggest hug ever and congratulated you

and when you told them they we’re both going to be the uncles of your child, oh boy, the amount of joy plastered in their faces was one of the best things you have ever seen in your life

and not within a few months on telling them about your pregnancy, they have already been sending gifts for your future child.

every single day for months you had always been receiving extremely random things from the both of them

Jayce and Viktor were the ones who designed and built your child’s crib

Viktor made little trinkets and toys for your child and had them sent to your house all the time, always leaving notes with every trinket he sent.

your favorite trinket from him was a music box he specifically made for you, with a statue of a mother holding her newly born baby

While Viktor was sending trinkets and toys, Jayce Provided you with new copies of the books you have always wanted to read, saying that you shouldn’t bore yourself throughout your pregnancy.

During your first trimester, you still continued to work in the lab like you usually do, but given the fact you are pregnant you were always limited on doing certain things, Viktor and Jayce didn’t want you to overwork yourself, always sending you home earlier than usual so you can get as much rest as you can, since they were concerned for you and your health, because they didn’t want you doing something that can affect your pregnancy.

when you worked on the lab, there are certain times where you suddenly start craving for random food, such as cheese and crackers, carrots and ranch, and peanut butter sandwiches, Viktor would have always called it “Pregnancy Cravings” and once you say you are craving something, one of them will rush to get whatever you want and need

they would always talk and discuss to you about parenting, even if they had no experience of parenting at all, they would read books for you and give you tips and summary’s from what they have learn’t

they would always remind you to drink water and medicine, and viktor would always be precise on what time you need to take your medicines

when you were on the 2nd trimester, it was your 5th month and the bump on your belly has gotten bigger, jayce and viktor had to discuss with you on stopping your work and take a temporary leave till you gave birth

being the hard headed person you are, you refused their begging and plea asking you to take a break, you told them you were fine and still fully capable on helping them out, even if they barley even let you do anything at the lab ever since the moment you told them you were pregnant

it came to the point where the council members themselves had to be the one to dismiss you temporarily from the academy

during your maternity leave, Viktor and Jayce would have always dropped by at your house atleast once a week to check up on you, and see how you were doing

Viktor and Jayce created a bracelet specifically for you that sends a distress signal to them in case something happens when you least expect it, they value your safety that much.

it would just have been a rainy day and you were reading a book Jayce has sent you while drinking tea Viktor made for you when you heard loud knocking on your door

you open the door to see two of your best friends drenched in rain but in your doorstep, saying they walked all the way from the academy just to see you

The same day they appeared Infront of your doorstep, drenched from the rain, you felt a weird sensation and felt water seeping out from somewhere, realizing what it was, your water broke and you already knew what’s about to happen

when they realized what state you were in, they immediately rushed you to the hospital

as soon as you came out from the operation you, worry flooded both their eyes, you just realized they had been waiting for you the entire time, and it made your heart melt to know how much you really meant to them.

they had stayed by your side throughout your entire pregnancy, and it made you so happy to have such thoughtful friends like them

when you got to hold your baby, the joy from your eyes was reflected on the both of them, it made them so happy to see you happy with your new born child

when jayce and viktor got to hold the baby, they have never experienced much genuine happiness in their lives, the baby resembled you so much.

You had became the most luckiest parent in the world, knowing your child had the best uncles out there, them having sworn to protect you and your child

[aidemint]

Kneeling, The World Against Me | Like Real People Do: Part 1 | Silco

part one | part two | part three

summary: discovery brings about change. or, after a succession of soulmate-related events, you find your life suddenly balancing on a different axis.

word count: 4.7k+

pairing: Silco/GN!Reader, Silco x GN!Reader

warnings: canon-level violence

notes: a big, big, big thank you to @bokutoffee and @dicax-asina​ for so graciously helping me beta this fic! i love you both so, so much!! and the biggest hug to @whirlybirbs​ for inspiring me—your works never fail to turn on my waterworks and i’m so grateful for the motivation that you constantly supply me with :) much love!

my works are always dedicated to the amazing people that i’m insanely lucky to have known through writing! if i could give the three of you internet smooches i would slather you in them! xoxo

now, onto the fic! i love silco’s character and had a lot of fun writing for him, as nuanced as he is. hopefully you enjoy this as much as i did! ❤

Surely you’d have found your soulmate by now with this damn eye.

You grumble as you think about it, pacing down the road with a stack of papers clutched in your arms.

In all your years of networking, working for the Piltover Daily, where secrets are spilled and details are shared, never have you once encountered someone with a similar mark. It frustrated you.

But initially, even despite the pain of it all, you’d at least been excited about the scar. It meant distinction, it meant hope, it meant that whatever relationship you were going to have, it would be a good one. Easy way to find the love of your life, easy way to bond, easy, clear red string.

After all, who on the topside have you seen so far with the same scar?

When the question came up, you think that it was at that point you were supposed to take the hint.

No longer did it mean distinction in the best way, nor did it indicate the prospect of an easier life. Though you’d realized it too late, and by then, damage had already been done.

Like a target painted onto your face—there wasn’t anyone in Piltover with a scar like the one you had, and the citizens of topside made it clear. 

Your eyebrow twitches in the present when you spot a figure crossing the street just ahead before they can pass by you. Jerk.

You sigh, running your middle and ring finger between your eyes, sliding against the bridge of your nose to relieve tension. Not wanting to end the day on a bad note, you try to forget the look of disgust on their face and carry on.

A few more steps, a few more steps, then a couple of more steps. Now repeat. The low mumble comes about when more unwanted thought starts to trickle in, unforgetting of the way that the stranger’s lip curled upon shifting their gaze to your facial deformity. Perhaps it doesn’t faze you as much anymore, previous memories of the jeering and abuse being considerably worse—replayed too many times in your head during the darkest moments to draw a few more tears out.

But it all remains in your system and lingers for what seems like forever. You’ve just learned to shoulder the toll it takes on you, mitigating the mental bruise as much as possible.

After all, you’re familiar with what your scar means in Piltover. Perhaps too familiar.

Because Piltover meant progress, and progress meant doing things smarter, more effectively. Under the table dealings, illegal drug cartels swept underneath everybody’s noses, corruption disguised as lending a helping hand to the city on the cusp of making a breakthrough. You’d heard things about a certain Jayce Talis, passing by the Academy. Even someone like him, toiling away at a furnace all day, making hammers to sell, wrenches to fit into his pocket, had only calloused palms, forearm scars, large knuckles that cracked every hour or so—traits of an artisan.

The woman at the market who’s missing a finger and was found nearly dead after three weeks, stranded, has softened wrinkles, a face filled with freckles and sun-soaked skin. She has the traits of a laborer. 

But you? The worst anyone’s ever done is raise their voice at you. No slaps, no hitting, no spanking. You were well-mannered, tidy, responsible, punctual—the perfect model of a Piltover house child. Tended to your duties with a certain diligence that reflected the brilliant mind behind it all and never complained once. What praise you would receive from your teachers, your peers, your parents.

Once, the only internship opportunity under the Piltover Daily’s executive director had been scored by you, and suddenly you could see it—your life laid out in front of you. After the months-long journey, you’d joined a close associate in the broadcast room for a tour, and had been told that, in a week, you were ready to start as a fresh anchor.

Then, it happened.

And you know what it meant.

Your soulmate had to be from the undercity.

Initially you’d mulled over the possibility, denial creeping into every notion that included them. They couldn’t be from there, there was no possible way—a strong conviction that you hoped to be true.

You were the child of a respectable Piltover family with connections in nearly every single major industry; you were supposed to be the next big on-camera news anchor, with a resume your colleagues only dreamed of and a reputation that proceeded yourself; you were supposed to have the perfect Piltoverian soulmate—charming, beautiful, neat, worthy—and continue living the lifestyle for the rest of your mortal life.

It was supposed to be yours, all of it. From your background to your drive, everything proved it to be true until some cruel twist of fate linked you with some anonymous figure everybody hated. They hated them until they hated you and suddenly everything crumbled apart.

A stumble hauls you back to reality, feet tripping over a jutting pebble on the road. Your heels click together, sending you tumbling forwards with a lurch of your body. Cursing all the way down, until your head is level with your waist, you stomp forwards, unstable, a trail of loud footsteps amateurishly guiding you to balance once again.

A sigh of relief comes swiftly after you regain your composure, and continue walking.

Three blocks away from your destination, your mind begins to wander again. You grit your teeth when you remember a certain scornful look given to you by a chief-in-staff—how viciously his chestnut eyes narrowed. A quiet fuck slips out of your mouth when a soft throb makes a home inside your skull. With each silent thrum comes a new memory, a slight sear pressing at the front of your brain when it comes.

Every step you take is synchronized with the metronome.

Left, right, left, right.

Pulse, pulse, pulse, pulse.

You were so close to becoming the next cover of tomorrow’s newspaper with how much attention surrounded your situation. It started in the pocket of your office, but as masses weaved in and out, rumors inevitably spread and soon you’d heard that your name had graced the tongues of Piltover’s elite.

It’s how the industry worked—all big stories in the city were based on catty lies.

You think that you would have known.

News travels fast. You wrench your fingers over a hand, the pads of the digits pressing against the scarred backside. It always does. 

Another step and you’re suddenly pulled away from the office, yanked back into a shadow blurred at the edges.

Perhaps it wouldn’t have been so bad if you hadn’t fought this hard for your dream.

Blackness fades into a candle’s flickering light and a sense of dread threatens to swallow you whole—but you keep walking. Wobbly motion hardens into sharpened corners and you dare to look despite the fear that creeps up your throat.

The outskirts of town are rugged, unkempt and uncared for with plains of weeds and those who have lost their way. It’s sad, almost desolate, but the sky is navy blue and clearer than you’ve ever seen with its twinkling stars and shimmering moon. Though you know that’s not what you’re here for.

Your head dips once, twice, arms extended as you pay your respects to a headstone sat at the foot of the field. Incense burns beside you and you thank the soul kind enough to grace the evening.

You knew what happened to people like you—explains why you can still find ruined shoes at the bottoms of cliffs and at the bases of trees. Some self-induced, some not, but it mattered not, at least in Piltover, for all undercity “scum” and those associated with it were always thought of as lesser than.

One headstone. Only one headstone and over seventy pairs of shoes found, all of varying sizes and shapes. Working at a news station at least gave you some edge over sensitive information, though it wasn’t a good thing.

So many secrets to be thought of, yet you’d be dead if you spilled even one.

The pounding in your head stops at this, but the sickness lingers, and you continue walking.

A familiar light shines in the distance, the window of a third-floor apartment bright and littered with little sticky notes. You take it as a beacon, a welcoming ward that invites you to draw closer, to stay. As you approach a worn wooden door at the base of the building, frame etched with homey carvings of tiny foxes, your shoulders relax and you can feel the tension seep out of you.

It opens with a click, knob turned, and you push to get inside, a blast of warm air the first thing that greets you. Despite the longing to stay a little longer in the heated lobby, you’d rather be home, clean and wrapped in the cover of a wool blanket.

Your stomach growls, and the thought of a nice bowl of soup follows.

Hastily making your way up the stairs of the tower, you dig through a pocket to produce a key just as you come to your floor and turn a corner. Jiggling it in the lock for a moment, it eventually turns and the handle gives way, allowing for you to open the door to your home.

Home.

Something that you thought you’d never have again after the incident. Given that you were disgraced, perhaps fated to never find your way in Piltover again, it seemed probable. But, unexpectedly, you found some kindness within the unforgiving society of the topside.

“I’m back.” Your call rings out in an empty hallway leading to a dimly lit kitchen. “Got the papers, too.” A feminine voice answers back, her muffled response filtered through the wall.

“Perfect timing! I was just finishing up dinner.”

The comforting scent of gently boiled broth wafts into the lobby of the apartment, tugging the edges of your lips upwards. It’s enough to send a wave of warmth through your figure, bringing a tingle to the icy tips of your fingers as they set your stack of papers down shakily. 

Unburdening yourself from your coat, you shrug off the article and rush to the kitchen, curiously popping your head over to witness the majesty of supper. 

“Almost done, Tiana?” She turns to you, offering a ladleful of soup and a smile.

“Mmhm! Let me know if it needs more salt, though. Here.” You happily walk over and take the utensil from her hand to drink, pursing your lips in consideration after.

“Just a bit, but otherwise it’s perfect.”

“Gotcha!” Making the final adjustments, she hums, satisfied. Soon enough, the pot is lifted off the stove and sits on a wooden plaque to cool down as Tiana grabs two bowls from the cupboard above.

“So,” she says, “Anything new?” You shake your head and shrug at the question, eye following a small drop of broth when it escapes the ladle.

“Nah. Same old, same old. Some self-proclaimed pioneers of progress with too much gunk in their brains wanna make a difference.” The brunette giggles in response.

“I mean dreamers will be dreamers, won’t they?” She hands you your bowl of soup and gestures to a cut loaf of bread next to the pot. “It may seem dumb at times, but I think it’s rather endearing that they’re still able to hope.”

“Maybe.” You sit down and your spoon comes up to meet your mouth, hungrily overtaken by your teeth and tongue. A hum rumbles through your chest at the flavor, pearls of seasoning bursting inside a soup that balances it out.

“This soup is real nice, T,” you comment, shoveling another spoonful between your lips, a bite of bread following swiftly after, “What’s in it?”

“I went down to the farmer’s market and got some really nice stock. Some veg, too. Tried one of my mama’s recipes—got it from her old cookbook,” Tiana chirps, finished with pouring her own bowl and fetching two pieces of bread, “Haven’t been able to homemake a meal recently, so I thought I’d put aside some time this evening to. Long night ahead of me, though.”

“What’s on the agenda? Reviewing the papers I got?”

“Ah, well that, and prepping for a new course I gotta teach in spring.” She sighs through a mouthful of bread crust, crunching tiredly. “Heimerdinger’s assigned me to the newest biotech class—a joint course along with Viktor. It's fun, I think. Or at least it’s supposed to be. I’m excited to meet the new students, at least!”

“You’re working with Piltover’s brightest—I think it’ll be a good experience for you. And a little bit of extra money never hurts anyone.” You slurp soup contentedly as Tiana grins, laughing gently.

“I suppose it doesn’t.”

The rest of the evening is spent eating through the pot of soup, doing dishes, and reviewing files. You comment on some familiar faces on the roster, having met them in your time at the office. Some were nice, charitable people from rich families that deserved a place in high society. You assumed the commonplace individuals—those that hadn’t the opportunity to taste overwhelming wealth in their lifetime—were the same. There was no basis for you to judge them upon, but humility was a trait that frequently popped up in those masses.

However, your eye takes upon a squint as you lay a finger on a certain auburn-haired individual.

“I know that guy.” It comes from your mouth as a slow drawl, the realization making your lip curl. Tiana blinks at you, head tilted.

“You do? How?” she asks and you scowl.

“Avoided me when I was walking towards him. Bastard crossed the street just before we crossed paths” The brunette cringes at the mention, lip curled and nose scrunched.

“Oh… that’s disappointing,” she sighs, making a small note of it in her agenda, “I’ll keep tabs on him and report it if anything happens, maybe have a little chat. It’s a shame such brilliant minds waste away in hatred. It rots the brain, I tell you.” She pauses for a moment, thinking.

“Of course there is no shame in holding grudges, but when you cling onto hatred, it gives them power.” Tiana taps her pen on your head. “Because we know that deep within resentment resides fear. Just as sadness drives anger.”

“You’re really wise, T.” You lean on her shoulder, smiling. “You know that right?” She chuckles and rests her head on your own with a small huff.

“Yes, I do. I don’t think I would be if I denied it.” You giggle, wrapping your arms around her waist, gently squeezing. 

“God, I love you, T.”

“Mmm, love you too.”

Comfortable silence settles in the atmosphere when your laughter dies down, pulling you into quiet, introspective thought. It persists, undulating and calm, until you grow restless, lifting yourself off of Tiana and stretching, a quiet groan escaping your lips when you feel something click back into place.

“I think I’m gonna go to bed,” you yawn, eye watering at the sensation, “G’night. Don’t stay up too late. I know you scientist-types really love to do that.” She smiles and gets up to press a soft kiss on your cheek.

“I won’t, don’t worry. And sleep well, (Y/N).” You give her an appreciative nod, then whisk yourself away to the confines of your room to rest for what remains of the evening.

Hopefully, the hallway light will be out, and you’ll hear the sound of footsteps before you can make it to bed.

The next morning, you’re shaken awake by a soft jostle that comes from your right. A groan exits your chapped lips, broken and muddled by an unused throat as you stir, groggy.

“Sorry for the impromptu notice.” Through your bleary vision you recognize the outline of Tiana by your side. “But there’s been a last minute change to my schedule, so I’m afraid I need to leave early. Breakfast is on the counter and uhm, if you need juice, just ask Florence by the market when you’re off to work. He owes me one.”

“Mmf.” You extend a lazy thumbs-up and offer another groan as a response.

“Sounds like confirmation enough!” A quick smooch to the forehead comes swiftly after, then, the click of boots on hardwood. “Then I’ll be off. Don’t miss me too much!”

“Love you,” you call after her, to which she giggles, “Have fun with your research.”

“I will, don’t worry!”

A trail of steps follow her receding figure, your eye following her until she disappears around the corner, hand lingering for a moment longer than her head to close your door. The path continues all the way down the hallway until it’s cut off by the sound of the apartment door closing, and a small click of a lock.

You manage another grumble before you haul yourself up from bed, rubbing at your temples. The room feels oddly empty without Tiana and her liveliness, the normal hustle and bustle of the atmosphere replaced with an unfamiliar peace. A feeling of distaste seizes you, but there isn’t really much that can be done, so you leave it to go get ready.

Minutes later, you’re dressed and in the living room with breakfast in one hand and a book in the other. You get through two chapters of The Storm and the Sabre by the time you’re finished with your eggs. You’re closing in on a turning point, where Katarina begins to realize her feelings, when you down your glass of water.

If only it were that easy.

Your hand unconsciously drifts to your scar, fingers running lightly against the rough ridges of the deformity. Running the digits over the dips and curves you’d known for so long, your lips come to press together in a tight line. It’s been a long time since you’ve actually thought about doing something about your situation, still turned off from the idea of visiting, not to even mention living, in the undercity.

Though you had no personal vendetta against citizens in the underground, you were realistic enough to recognize that under the protection of Tiana you were well-off. Forgoing something that you knew you probably were never going to obtain remains the best option, even if it means loneliness.

You scoff at the thought of a “Piltie” in the undercity while grabbing your coat from its hanger. What a reaction that would bring to the city of progress, one of their own (albeit a generous term in your case) abandoning ship for a life seemingly incomparable to the glory of the topside.

When you click open the lock and exit the apartment, the thought is left at the door, to be ignored for the day, then perhaps picked back up again upon your return. Pulling your hood up over your head, the door locks again with a twist of your key, and you’re soon descending the stairs, feet traveling swiftly to meet each step.

Breezing past the foyer and taking to the sidewalk, your pace is quick, tailored to the air of hurriedness that fogs up Piltover’s mornings. Maybe you would fit in more if you pretended to be busy, acted as if you needed to be somewhere, and had a purpose. It at least spares you from nasty looks thrown your way in the most sensitive hours of day, anyway.

Your foot crosses the last stone tile on fifteenth street, just a glance away from its corner bakery, the breaking point between the market and the Academy, when you realize that you’re missing your bag. You stifle a string of curses daring to erupt from your throat with a pinch to your arm, and take a deep breath.

It’s a five minute brisk walk, you reassure yourself, It’ll be fine. It’s fine. You’re going to get your juice after and everything will be okay.

Just as you turn on your heel, you hear a soft, split-second rumble in the distance and notice how the ground shakes for a moment. You barely have enough time to register the movement until the murmur of noise grows—

—and a loud bang explodes through the city.

Immediately, you crumble to your knees, hands clutched over your ears as your body tremors violently from the impact. Sweat beads the sides of your face, nerve endings completely shaken, vision displaced. Your jaw unhinges and you realize you can’t feel it anymore.

The world sounds like static.

High-pitched ringing, fuzzy, unclear, muffled. Voices fail to break through the veil of discord and it’s the sound of pure terror. 

You try to reason with yourself, to take a few to calm down, but only buzzes come through instead of coherent words inside your head and you feel panicked.

Trying to claw at your throat with your elbows as the vessel closes in on itself, your breaths grow short and labored, busied with the thought of what just happened instead of performing as they had mere moments ago.

Your eye comes back before your ears and you take the opportunity to look around desperately at the crowd, thralls of people flooding down the streets away from the explosion. Seeing the crowd, something prompts you to stand, hold yourself upright enough so your spine doesn’t wobble, and gravitate towards the emptying space in front of the blown-out building. A maddened shuffle that your system can’t process until you’ve reached the face of the catastrophe.

Rubble litters the ground, pieces of concrete scattered across the cobbled road. Your eye traces the mess back to the origin of the chaos—an apartment, a study of some kind, torn and sinking outwards, oozing ruin. Broken wreckage unfolds from a large room, spilling from the building two floors above as it continues to crumble. Shrapnel hangs loosely to a desk half-eaten by blue fire and you think you can see what remains of a map of Piltover until your vision drifts down.

Your vision drifts down. To the wreckage it goes, to the pieces of the broken space left behind by a cruel twist of fate, down to the ground. To the ground, to the cracks in the wall shattered by destruction.

Then to a hand, buried underneath. Limp. Grey. Cold. Reaching towards the sky in a silent plea.

Then a pair of eyes. Deep sea green with flecks of silver but matte, lifeless.

You almost don’t recognize it. Her. Almost, but you wish you hadn’t.

A thought breaks through the static.

Tiana?

The name hauls your figure, stiff, into a pause in order to feel the shock you should be feeling. Gears in your mind turn slowly—too slowly—but your heart, impatient and wild, impulsive, catches up with the moment.

It screams at you when it begins to pound louder, faster, deeper—the thrumming beat sending quakes through your chest.

Run. Go. Leave.

Yet you just stand there. You stand, idiotically, unable to tear your eye away from the dead sea irises that stare right back, unblinking. Your knees buckle and bile shoots up your throat until it threatens to spill, hauling your movement, but you persist.

You persist and it burns until it all falls apart.

Something clicks inside your head and the world comes down on your shoulders. 

When was the last time you’d felt this kind of pain?

Perhaps then, you think, when the vision of a darkened room flashes before you.

It was a quiet night.

Prickles of starlight dotted the clear sky, a soft, restless wind pushing the stagnant Piltover to move with the rest of the world. The streets were laid barren, devoid of presence in the high district. Neatly paved pathways drowned in moonlight, shadows carefully kept off the walkway, secluded in the alleys, cracks, and crevices that littered places unseen.

But the universe never recognized peace, or hope in darkness. It looked upon your resting figure, tucked away in warm blankets, snug, overcome with satisfying slumber. In Piltover you stayed, in Piltover you lived, in Piltover you thrived.

And then it looked upon the river, watching blood seep into its waters.

You felt your left eye tear itself out of its socket the moment the first ripple came.

There was no time to scream, nor to react. No thought, no rationale, no logic, just the sickeningly metallic scent of blood—the crimson pool that stained your cotton covers. Kerosene fueled the flames that licked at your nerves, striking toxins against the mark, seeping into your flesh.

Your throat tore with the silent screams drawn out of your lungs as you clawed at your shriveling skin, the surface rotting and peeling with every passing second. What was left of your vision blurred in hot tears as you gazed, horrified, at the bloodied eyeball sitting on your lap, unmoving, unblinking, staring at you as if it hadn’t been a part of your body mere seconds before. 

The looming shadow of death cascaded over your being as blood poured from your face.

Death.

The idea that swallowed you. Left you cold and haunted within its stomach. Before this, you had no reason to know it.

Now, everything depended on it.

You considered, in that moment, the karmic retribution your family was in for as a probable cause for the curse. Flashbacks set your mind into overdrive when you recall a flurry of incidents unintended for you to witness. The smell of crime, drugs and money in the same room, wide-blown pupils, illicit dealings struck with the shake of a hand, your father’s “wine room,” your mother’s vanity. A child, innocent and curious, with their grip on a gun and a hole in the floor.

Maybe there was a reason for everything after all.

The thought came, washing over you like a wave to a polyp of coral, and then there was peace. Peace unlike anything you had ever known. Submerged in the water, unnamed, unknown toxins eating away at your flesh, but senses muted enough so that only small twinges nipped your nerves.

It led to immediate acceptance, your missing eye evidence enough that all your speculation in the past had been in fact correct. There was no more fighting anymore. No more half-hazard excuses as to why your hip was bruised one day and your arm was fractured the other.

High-class citizens knew better than to be that careless.

You’d never fallen faster, a week after your wound had mostly healed and the police had found no evidence of a break-in. That only left one dreaded conclusion (you frown in distaste as the image of your father’s face flashes across your vision), and you were promptly cast out from the elite society of the topside.

You thought you knew better.

It was at this point that you stopped calling the future “destiny”—

—and instead deemed it hopeless.

But, despite its quality, it led you to Tiana. It led you to momentary happiness. Mornings and afternoons at the fish market, as a laborer. Simple sandwiches and canned goods, free juice and favors exchanged, warm soup on especially cold days.

Perhaps it could lead you to someplace else.

Just not Piltover.

The notion is kinder than you expected. 

The buzz of static fades away and you regain a bit of strength in your limbs, enough to push you towards where you need to be. In knowing that there is truly nothing left for you, you take Tiana’s apartment, readying yourself to pack your bags and rush out of the city at dusk.

Hope, you think, There is hope.

A half-sun peeks out from behind the horizon, streaks of red and orange pulled towards the descending star, painting the evening sky with furious passion. In the distance, the outline of the undercity is clear, blackened buildings sharpened with the light’s eminence.

The sight of your new home doesn’t sit right with you, though there isn’t much room to complain. Your hand tightens around your bag and a finger fidgets with the clasp of the mask you have in the other, a last burst of uncertainty daring to make way in your resolve.

It takes a minute for it to dissipate, and when it does, a sense of liberation washes over you.

You take a breath, lungs filling themselves with what may very well be the last of Piltoverian air.

Tiana.

You cross the River Pilt with a hand on the clasp of your mask—

I miss you.

—and step into Zaun, reborn.

part two >

[goddessofroyalty]

Sorry I hope this hasnt been answered, but what was Vander and Silco’s (the family’s) reaction Viktor announcing he was pregnant? Did Vander and Silco cry?

Also did Silco want to be in the delivery room with Viktor, like a doula or midwife?

Silco's somewhat unfairly angry at Jayce when he first finds out despite the fact that it's been well over a year since the two formalised their matehood/marriage (and they've been acting like it since they first met) that's still like underlying concern about a Piltover alpha taking advantage of Viktor to get a child. But I feel like Viktor knew it was coming so probably told Silco first and in private to let him burn through that anger. I still don't think Silco cries after he does calm down but he is clearly excited (in his own way).

Vander however cries. Happy tears of course. But his little boy who has worked so hard for so much of his life is going to have a baby! How can he not? Also gives Viktor the biggest bear hug at it.

Vi, Claggor and Mylo are just excited about it. They kind of knew it was coming in the... well the two have been mates/married for nearly two years kind of way but still it's exciting that it's actually happening. Powder/Jinx wildly switches between excitement (she's getting a nibbling!) to angry (Viktor's dumb Piltite mate got him pregnant).

(The extended-extended family (so cousins on Silco's side) do the "we were starting to suspect you didn't know how to" snarky comment which Viktor probably snaps back something like "yes all this time he was sticking it in my bellybutton silly us.")

I do tend to go with Silco wanting to be in the delivery room but more as just as support person than midwife/doula (he will happily pay people for that). He's been through it three times and therefore (by his mind at least) be able to support Viktor through it without getting overwhelmed himself.

[aaronhart93-archive]

lunch ll jaycee & aaron

Discord thread featuring: Aaron & @jayceelynd

Mentions: @romanbeckett @alison-haynes @davieslandon

When: Monday, July 6, 2020

Description: Aaron and Jaycee make up

Trigger Warnings: none

Aaron.

Aaron literally could not believe that Jaycee that had asked him to meet for lunch, but he certainly wasn't going to say no. Jaycee had been his friend for so long, and not being able to take her everyday really fucking sucked. He knew that it was his fault though. He nearly stopped caring about what he was doing to Jaycee by getting together with Roman. He knew it was wrong and he was determined to make up for it. He didn't know how, but he knew he needed to. Seeing Jaycee's face again, prompted Aaron to grin so wide and pulled her in for one of the biggest hugs he'd ever given. And Aaron was a great hugger. "Thank you so much for suggesting this." He said before Destiny hopped from her chair to give her Auntie Jaycee a big hug around her long legs. "as you can see you've been missed by all." he said with a chuckle.

Jaycee.

It had truly broken her heart what Roman and Aaron had done, the way it was done. It was as if her feelings didn’t even matter. As if her side by Roman all that time was easily replaced. So fast, and so quick. When she saw him, her eyes lit up with a smile, tears filling ready to spill as she snuggled her face into his neck. Jaycee held onto him tightly, and laughed as she silently cried when Des hugged her legs. “I missed you both too, so much.” She choked out. Jaycee never wished how alone she felt on anyone. Not even her worst possible enemy, she was just that kind of person. Levi hid behind Jaycee as he watched Des with a crooked little smirk like his dad. Her breath hiccuping as she laughed at both of the kids joining the hug. Truthfully she didn’t want to pull away but they did need to feed the kids at least. Allowing herself to melt into his hug before she pulled back, patting at her eyes. Mouthing sorry about choking up. “I really am thankful you agreed to lunch.” Kissing his cheek before she bent down and picked up Des and spun her, both of them laughing. “Destiny this is Levi, Levi say Hi to Destiny.” She pronounces Destinys name slowly and he simply just said Hi. Looking up from the kids she laughed scrunching her nose. Jaycee loved her niece more than words could form. She had always looked at her as if she was truly her blood, and would hurt anyone that hurt her.

Aaron.

Aaron had been extremely lonely since him and Roman had broken up. It wasn't until he stopped spending everyday with Roman that he realized how many people he had lost when he got together with Roman. It made him think that maybe the choice that they had made to take a break might have been a good idea. Between Jaycee, Landon, and Alison he had fought and lost too many people. Aaron watched her with pleading eyes as she started tearing up. "Jayc.." he began as they hugged. God, he missed her hugs. He could stay like that all day. He hated seeing her cry, but he was a little happy that she was so glad to see him. Aaron's eyes drifted down to the toddler hiding behind the model. "Hi, Levi. I'm Aaron. Destiny's dad." he grinned, waving down to him. Aaron missed seeing her so much; he really had taken her friendship for granted. He especially missed see her with Destiny. He knew that Jaycee loved Destiny just as much as if she were her blood niece. He pulled his friend in for one more quick hug before he told her daughter to sit down next to him.

Jaycee.

Levi did this little backwards wave, waving at himself as he waved at Aaron the locked his big blue eyes back to Jaycee, reaching for her. Hugging him back one last time, she picked Levi up and sat him in the booster seat and fastened him in, handing him his sippy cup. “I kinda want potato soup, like a loaded backed potato soup, with Cajun chicken salad.” She hummed as she looked over at Des and made a silly face at her, laughing at Des’ silly face. “She always wins at these faces..” she sighed dramatically, bringing laughter from the two little ones. “He looks like his daddy, doesn’t he?” She asked Aaron with a smile, and shine to her hazel eyes. Looking over at him she gave him an assuring smile as she placed her pointer finger to her dimple in her chin, winking. Their own little friendship shake so to speak. It was her throwing a white flag at being mad at him or Roman. “I know you’re going to say I don’t owe you an apology but I do for the way I acted. I’m not saying it wasn’t deserved, or that I shouldn’t be hurt or mad. But I am sorry for how I made anyone feel. I can never take back anything I’ve said. I’m sorry.” She said softly as she finished her speech she caught Levi’s flying cup, only to laugh. “Keeping us on our toes.” She nuzzled her nose to the little boys, causing him to grab her face. Looking over the kid menu she decided on getting him a grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup with dinosaur shaped noodles. “What are you two gonna get?” She asked as she closed her menu, taking a drink of her iced water.July 7, 2020

Aaron.

Aaron's kid was continuously standing on the booth and putting practically her entire torso over the table to color, and Aaron was continuously reminding her to sit down and that that was fine behavior at home, but in public he was asking her to sit down. She would listen to him for about 2 minutes before standing back up on her feet again to hover over the table. Aaron tempted her to sit down the promise of a cookie for dessert which finally may have worked. "She's the best at them isn't she?" he mused, giving his daughter a tiny poke in the stomach as he laughed along with them. The businessman brought his attention over to the little boy sitting across from them. His eyes traced over the toddler's facial features, placing which ones looked like his father's. "Yeah." he nodded. Although he hadn't seen Lane in a while, the resemblance was obvious. The corners of his lips turned up into a little smile when he felt her finger on his chin. He reached out pressed down on her dimple lightly. A wave of relief rushed over him. He had had all of this stressed built up about how he made Jaycee feel and how mad she was it him. It was nice to feel forgiven; especially since it seemed like the whole world hated him. "Thank you." he grabbed her hand and gave it a light squeeze. "I totally deserved it, and I'm so so sorry Jaycee. I wish this was different." He really had just put Jaycee on the back burner after they had gotten back from Europe. He had nearly given up on their friendship, and that wasn't fair. He needed to fight for her. His eyes widened as he jumped up a little bit when the toddler dropped his cup. "Those things never end, except when they're older they insisted on having a big kid cup which make even bigger spills." he said with a tiny laugh. "I dunno...What do you want, baby?" he turned to his daughter to show her the options she had for lunch. "Chicken fingers." she demanded, without even looking at the menu. "That was easy." he laughed. "This shrimp bisque sounds amazing for me. And a chicken caeser salad sounds good too because I'm basic." he mused.

Jaycee.

Squeezing his hand back, holding onto it longer than needed. She really missed her best friend. She was definitely in her loneliest state for the past few weeks. If it wasn’t for Lane, she probably would have done something dangerously stupid. Holding onto hope all can be okay again, someone to have movie nights with. Playing games with Destiny and just getting shit faced while picking on one another. “Oh I just can’t wait for the bigger messes.” She snorted out in laughter. Looking over at Levi, her eyes shined with love for the boy she’s barely known for long. But she knew off him and watched from a car as Lane raised him. Playing with his curls. “Yeah it’ll be stressful, but.” She looked over at Aaron. “When they’re grown we’ll miss it.” Smiling softly as she blushed, feeling like an idiot. “Oh, now I want a chicken with bacon, almonds and lots of avocado.” She hummed. “Should I get him chicken nuggets or a grilled cheese..” her brows furrowed. She was so new at this and needed help from her friend. Giving Aaron a pleading look of if she was doing this kid thing right. He knew she had a fear of being a shitty mom, because of her monster of a mother.

Aaron.

Aaron returned the squeeze. Ha hated not being there for her when she needed him most, and he especially hated that he was apart of her hurt. He wanted to put all of that behind them and he wised so desperately that she could. He was so thankful that he had Jaycee in his life; that she loved his daughter with all of her heart. Having a friend love you is one things, but having one that loves your kid just as much as their own is something very unique. He couldn't let go of that. "I can't even think about Destiny growing up. It makes me dizzy just thinking about it." he shook his head. "I mean, it feels like yesterday that Ali was telling me she was pregnant. I was so scared and now I can't imagine my life without her." It was true that Destiny made him really fucking soft. Aaron smiled when she asked him for advice. "Just ask him." he told her, knowing how important it was to make sure that kids knew about personal choice and autonomy. "He's 2 so I think he's older enough to know what he likes and what he doesn't." He lowered his voice. "If not, just get both and I'll eat the rest." he mused.

Jaycee.

Jaycee was helping Levi color on his picture, writing his name down and smiled down at him. “I don’t want him to grow too fast either. It’s crazy.” She looked up at Aaron with a smile. “She’s not allowed to grow up, we’ve had these conversations on our tea time dates. And she said I can’t help it! I tried to stop growing..” she laughed softly as blew a kiss at Destiny. “Levi do you want grilled cheese or chicken nuggets?” She asked him pointing at the pictures of the food as she named them. “Ticken” she yelled all proud of himself causing her to scrunch her nose at his cuteness. “Inside voices remember” she said softly. “Listen I know you had your heart set on helping him eat what he didn’t but the boy has spoken.” She teased Aaron, thinking of throwing her paper straw wrapper at him but didn’t cause what kind of aunt would teach her niece bad behavior. The waitress came and Levi wanted out of his booster seat to be in Jaycee’s arms. Of course she held him as his little head rested on her shoulder. “Is he falling asleep?” She asked Aaron because all the sudden the boy got warm and she’s figured out with time that he gets warm as he’s drifting off. “Levi, you wanna eat?” She asked soothingly and nothing. Making a silly face at Des and Aaron. “Well looks like daddy is gonna eat chicken nuggets after all” she joked as she put Levi in the stroller, Aaron had brought for them. Jaycee was thankful that she had the strength to put everything aside, and move on with their lives. Hopefully as if it never happened one day. There was so much she wanted to share with him, but was scared with everything that’s happened. Gently she swooped one of the curls out of the little boys face as he napped. “I think I’d be lost if his dad wasn’t here.. Ya know?” Looking up at Aaron with a soft smirk. “It’s crazy and scary all in one right now. But I’m taking each day as it comes. That’s all I can do, right”.

Aaron.

Aaron looked at the boy, then at Jaycee. It was clear that she already had love for him. That was Jaycee though. She had so much love for other people around her. It was something Aaron admired about her. "I keep telling her being an adult is no fun, but she doesn't want to believe me." he shrugged. "She gets everything handed to her on a silver platter and still continues to grow on me."he mused, poking her in the stomach gently causing her to go into a fit of laughter. Aaron chuckled. "Hey, the little man's got to eat." he joked. The way that kid said "chicken" was too damn cute. Aaron ordered for himself and his daughter before peering over at the little man across from him, heavy eye lids falling. "Yep. Kid's knocked. That was fast." he laughed. Aaron was happy that he and Jaycee were talking like they normally would again. He missed this. He missed Jaycee in his life. "Listen, I thought that the first time Ali went on tour after we had Des. She was still so young and I didn't think I could do it alone. But I did it, and it was so empowering knowing that I could take care of a whole other tiny human being like that. I mean... I had to have been 22...23 maybe. I grew up really fast when I had her. But honestly, you have that paternal bone. I didn't and had to learn it as I went. It comes naturally for you though." he told her. "Honest."July 10, 2020

Jaycee.

”Did we listen to our parents?” Tilting her head with a shit eating grin on her face, followed by the look of come on now, we’re not that old! “She gets her stubbornness from you and Ali. You more so!” She teased him, not able to not laugh. Looking down at Levi sleeping peacefully and hummed, wishing she was holding him still. Jaycee loved holding sleeping babies so much, she missed the snuggles of Destiny as a tiny baby. “I feel like she’s grown in a blink, man.” She shook her head, playing with her glass of water. Jaycee truly missed this normalcy with her best friend, they had been through too much to not be in one another’s lives. “I think you did awesome, you hardly needed my help. I observed trust me!” She chuckled softly. “Thank you, I wish I was in his life sooner. Like I missed so much, but I don’t know.. He just. I love him.” She shrugged with a soft smile. “Like with my princess..” she made a silly face at Destiny to play with her. “I would never not treat her as my blood, I loved her the second you introduced us. I feel that for him too.” She nodded her head, as if agreeing with herself in some way. “I can’t wait to be a mom now, and that scares me. I have always been so scared to be like my mom if I had a daughter. I refused to even think of being a mom. Now as time has passed and I’ve watched this angel grow and how happy she makes you. I want that, and I believe I can be better than my mom, ya know?”July 11, 2020

Aaron.

Oh, god. They never listened to their parents. Always sneaking off and getting into some kind of trouble when they were kids. "If Des is gonna take after her father, then she won't listen to me at all." she said, looking over at his blonde-haired kid who was more interested in her drawing than the conversation. "Yeah we're both pretty hard headed, but hopefully that'll make her a little badass." he mused. He truly hoped that one day his daughter would grow up to be able to control a room like her parents. "I know, you better cherish these terrible twos," he said as he pointed to the sleeping toddler, "because they honestly aren't so bad coming out of it." he told her. "Thanks, I think I did pretty good too." he sang. Aaron smiled lightly at Jaycee when she told him that she loved that toddler. Jaycee was so full of love; people should consider themselves lucky to be loved by her because she loved so hard. The businessman shook his head. "You're nothing like your mom, J." he promised her. "You're going to be a great mom." he gave her a reassuring smile. "By the way, I brought you your birthday present." He said, as he grabbed the gift bag from under the double stroller and slid it across the table to her. "It's that bag you wanted in Paris and another thing I just bought for you recently." With he breakup, he had been doing a little too much retail therapy.July 18, 2020

Jaycee.

”See what these two don’t realize is we have technology on our side.” She laughed as she took a drink. God they would have been dead if their parents had use of technology like they do now. Jaycee knew her niece was destined to do amazing things with her life. She has so many people that love her and want to see her thrive. And if Levi is like his daddy, she knows he’ll be okay too. “I mean if I get stressed over tantrums. I end up laughing about it later. So far, he hasn’t had that many. Thank god. And you should feel like you have, because you definitely have, Aaron.” Knocking on the wood as to not jinx herself. “In the end I just want them to happy, safe and healthy.” Jaycee ran the back of her fingers over the sleeping boys chubby cheeks. “I want to be a mom so bad, always have..” she said almost absent mindedly, clearing her throat as she looked at the gift back. “Aaron..” she closed her eyes remembering what she told him to do with the bag.. “I don’t deserve anything. I was really rude.. This.” Waving at their table. “Is enough, for me.” Opening the present she smiled at the purse and tried it on, it was so pretty and just what she envisioned. Noticing something else in the gift back she grabbed it and looked up at him while opening it slowly. “Aaron..” she said slowly, laughing faintly. Her jaw dropping, then closing. “It’s beautiful..” she got up and hugged him tightly. “Thank you both for the gifts..” After their hug she sat back down just in time for their food to be brought out, and like clock work Levi woke up, reaching for her. “Her, little buddy” she cooed as she got him settled in her lap and helped him eat, while trying to eat her food as well.July 19, 2020

Aaron.

Aaron snorted. "God, it's like that Black Mirror episode when the mom puts a chip in daughter so that she can see and hear everything she does." He joked. "I'm pretty sure the daughter ended up killing her mom at the end of that show. In all honesty, I can't blame her; that was wack." He chuckled to himself, then shook his head. "Yeah, they are really annoying at the time but when it's all over and done with and you have some time to yourself or when they start being cute again, you forgive them quickly and try to be understanding." He nodded, then glanced briefly over at his kid. He blue eyes fell to Jaycee and the toddler as she mused about having a baby. He knew she wanted one, and she knew chances of having one of her own were slim. Which broke his heart because he knew it broke hers. He still had faith she was going to find someway to be a mom. "No, you deserve it. But I'm happy that you're happy with this." He gave her a comforting smile. "You're welcome. I'm glad you like them." He grinned to himself, then stood up to hug her tightly. Aaron thanked the server when they brought out the food and started cutting up his kid's food for her and told her several times that she needed to wait for her food to cool down for a couple more seconds before she put a hot fry in her mouth.

Jaycee.

Jaycees head fell back as she laughed at his statements of how whack that situation is. “I can’t with you..!” She continued to giggle, sighing as she finally stopped laughing. A few short chuckles here and there. “Oh, I can’t stay mad at them. Neither of these two could ever make me not love them. Even if someone gets sassy and adult like.” She looked over at her niece who was still in her own world, smirking. “This one, is gonna have so many after him too and ugh. I have stressed over Des, and now Levi. Lord, imma need Xanax or something.” She joked easily, but it was the truth. She hated the idea of Des growing older, but loved watching her grow.  Oh the confusion of loving a child. And now add in Lanes boy. “How could I not love him, he’s beautiful, and so sweet.” She did have a bit of sadness behind her eyes with the cards she’d been dealt, but he dulled the ache. Letting the food cool she put Levi in his seat and opened the box again and took it out trying to get it on. Jaycee chewed on her tongue while having a struggle. Sighing, she laughed and smiled at her friend sweetly. “Will you help me?” She asked as she held her tiny wrist out with the bracelet dangling.July 21, 2020

Aaron.

Just the sound of his friend's laugh made his grin even wider. He shook his head when they finally stopped laughing. "Listen, she likes to think she's grown, and had no idea that she's gonna want to be a kid again when she actually is grown." He mused. Aaron shook his head once again. "You won't need Xanax, Jayc. You're gonna do just fine, promise." He reassured his friend. Aaron smiled, pleased that she wanted to put the piece of jewelry on now. He put the bracelet around her wrist and clasped the chain together, thick fingers fumbling to get the hook through the tiny hole. "There. Beautiful." He mused when he finally was able to get it around her slim wrist. He picked his fork back up and continued with his food, checking in with Des to make sure that she was doing okay and encouraging her to take a few more bites of food when she insisted that she was done. "Thanks for suggesting this." He smiled.July 22, 2020

Jaycee.

”I know if I could go back I would at certain times of course..” she smiled and helped Levi with his drink, while Aaron struggled to get her bracelet on. “It’s really pretty, thank you..” she said softly, with a soft smile as she looked at it. Grabbing her fork she took a small bite, and chewed really slow. “I just missed my best friend.. And even if I can’t ever forgive you for what you did, I’m gonna try..” she looked into his blue eyes. Of course she was still hurt and hated what they both selfishly did. It was bad enough certain people that were her friends encouraged if. Clearing her throat, finding herself giggling at how this little guy was ogling over Destiny. “Someone so has a crush, he keeps trying to wink.” She looked at Destiny with a soft wink, leading Levi to try to wink, only for him to close both eyes. “This is so good, there’s almonds in this salad, and the flavors with the avocado and dressing.. Wanna try a bite.” She totally wasn’t offering so she could try some of Aaron’s, I mean that’d be rude right. But, if he offered she’d gladly oblige. “You know those fried onions you put on like green bean casserole? I accidentally put those in my salad the other day, but oh my god! It was so full of flavor. Gotta try it.!” She stayed as she pointed her fork at him, giggling.

Aaron.

"I missed you too, Jaycee." Jaycee was such a forgiving and loving person; even if she never fully forgave him he knew that their friendship wouldn't be over. Aaron was fucking happy to have his best friend back too. He was really struggling without her. Aaron looked at the five year old who tried and failed to wink back at the woman. The bar owner let out a short cackle. His attention turned to her salad, and he stabbed several pieces her food with her fork. "Everything is better with almonds and onions." He mused. "Here..." He said, pushing his salad towards the petite woman, giving her the go ahead to try some of his food. This was like old times. Plus an extra kid this time. Things were changing though. Aaron never thought he'd be in this position before with anyone, much less Jaycee; his best friend since as long as he could remember. Aaron was a parent, and now Jaycee was nearly a parent to Levi. He thought about when they were kids themselves; how simpler things were back then and how he never imagined the pair would end up here. This was a good start though, and the weight he had on his shoulders about how he treated Jaycee was starting to come off his shoulder. He just hoped she would forgive him eventually and he was willing to give her as much time as she possibly needed.

[mckenzierossistory]

Solo -

Ibiza Spain

Part Three

I start walking upstairs, hearing music in the girl's room l peeked in. Ashley Lynn has a brush in her hand singing “Body Moves, DMCE” I stood there watching while Ashley Lynn is having fun. Ashley Lynn giggles at me. “Mama,” I step in, picking up. “Yes,” She takes a deep breath. “Sing that song when you found out that me was comings” I smiled at her; Angel Savannah is playing on the floor with her dolls. “I will always sing to you, but you can’t tell everyone what l do. The deal” She nodes at me, Ashley Lynn whisper to me. “Are Matteo goods Mama” I didn't want to scare her, but there is a reason that l came to Matteo Amante's house. “Yes, he is good, Ashley Lynn. But do you know, remember what l taught you” She nods? “Me take Angel Savannah to hiding spots with phone calls, Daddy's phone, and 911.”

I smiled, kissing her face, whispers to her. “Uncle Trooper and Master Gunnery Sergeant Nick Carboni” She nods. “I'm going to get dress. Will you play with your sister for a little bit, and l will sing to you.” Ashley Lynn follows me to my room; I put on the music I start to sing her “Hell of Night, Dustin Lynch” I went to take a shower, and l make sure that l will get all Matteo attention with no problems at all, then l make sure l had my 9.mm placing in my purse, along with my badge from the FBI. I didn't tell anyone that I'm back with them. They need a sniper that was taught by the best they knew that Jayce is the “Legend” l took a deep breath looking at pictures of Jayce, Ashley Lynn comes over gives me the biggest hug. “ME Love you, Mama.” I smiled at her, lifting her chin. “Te Amo, My Sweet Girl, protect your sister.” Alice comes in. “You look beautiful McKenzie, Mr. Amante is waiting for you at the bottle of the stairs,” I kissed both girls; I text Trooper that I'm leaving with Matteo to be close to the girls. I walked toward the steps l see that Matteo is standing there with a button-down shirt with a pair of black linen pants and Italian shoes that cost more than the jeep l have in Miami.”

I slowly walking down in the pale blue dress with a pair of beautiful sandals that he makes sure l had; I finally reach Matteo, he lifts my hand toward his mouth, kissing it’s, you see the hunger in his eyes that I’m going to be Matteo’s prey. He has no idea who he is dealing with playing this game. One thing my Daddy taught, along with my brothers, never trust a man that has a plan that your body will be his. I lean toward Matteo, kissing his cheek very softly. I notice that he shave his face that college l know very well. “Blue from Polo” I smirk at him; I felt his touch on my arm very slowly; I stare into his eyes, his bodyguard steps into the house. “Boss, your ready” Matteo nods at him. We kept eye contact; I knew what he was asking, but I stood there watching his facial expressions. As we walked out, I slide into the car. My legs are showing off. The matter is gawking #TBC

[jay-bizzleimagines]

Same Mistakes // Chapter Twenty Eight

The inside of Justin's house had changed as opposed to the outside. He had gotten new furniture and completely remodeled the basement. The biggest change, though, was that he had one of the rooms remodeled for Jayce. It had a Jurassic World theme that Jayce loved and a countless amount of toys. Being in Justin's house, but not in his room was weird for me. Everything in the guest room was foreign. There wasn't a walk in closet or lounge chair to read in. Nothing was personal in this room, it was very much a generic guest room. I sighed and turned to the light knock on the door, "Come in." Justin's head peered around the door, "Hey." "Hey, did you get Jayce settled in?" He nodded in response and made his way to the bed, taking a seat on the end. He was freshly showered and the smelled filled my nostrils, he must not have changed his body wash since I'd been gone because it was the same intoxicating smell. I pulled my attention back to his presence. Despite the shower there was still clear exhaustion in his eyes, that like Hailey's was the type that couldn't be cured by sleep. I slowly unpacked my bags and placed my clothes into the drawers. I didn't start a conversation with Justin because there wasn't much for the two of us to talk about, despite having a kid together, and he was the one that came to my room. "So, um, do you like the room? Is it good enough?" I nodded and folded a shirt, "Yeah, I mean this is definitely temporary, but it works for now." He nodded, looking away from me, "That's good, so uh whenever you get everything settled is it cool if we talk?" Pushing my hair back, I paused my unpacking, "Does now not work?" "Um," Before he could say anything the theme of interruption continued with Ryan coming into the room, "Jayce just fell asleep playing with those dinosaurs we got for him. Little dude's exhausted from all the healing he's been doing. Such a strong kid." I smiled at Ryan, meeting his eyes that showed how much he cared about Jayce as he spoke about him. "Yeah he is. I love him so much it's crazy," I shook my head at my overwhelming feelings of love for my strong little boy, "Justin what were you saying?" "I'll let you unpack, it's not urgent so you're good." He shook his head and ran his hand through his growing hair. I hadn't paid much attention to Justin's looks lately but his platinum blonde hair was growing into a more golden blonde and the sides were longer than normal. Everything about him shouted that he was just tired. I felt sorry for him as he left and I gave him a him a little wave. I quickly unpacked all of my clothes and then Ryan and I headed to the living room where everyone was drapped on the large sectional.  I began to put my clothes into drawers, Ryan sat on the bed and smiled at me. I internally, rolled my eyes and smirked, "What?" "Nothing." I groaned loudly and threw a sweatshirt at him, "You're a pain in my ass, you know that?" Ryan shrugged, stretching out across the bed, "I wouldn't wanna be a pain in anyone else's ass." I shook my head and took my sweatshirt back to hang it up. I knew there were things I needed to say to Ryan, questions I needed to ask but my nerves were getting the best of me. I silently bit my lip, debating how I would even start this conversation, but Ryan made it to where I didn't have to. "So, how big is the part of you that wants our relationship to be real?" Turning to face him I could see that his cool and calm demeanor had changed to nervous and anxious. These past few weeks Ryan had made me feel something that I hadn't felt towards anyone besides my son for awhile, since Justin really, and that was brief - love. To deny that I loved Ryan would be stupid on my part, because it wasn't true. I had found that he meant more to me than should be allowed considering he was Justin's best friend, childhood at that. I met his eyes again, "I'd say about eighty-eight percent of me." "And what about the other twelve percent?" I sighed, "Nervous and guilty." He slowly got off the bed and made his way to me, standing only about an inch from me, but not touching me, "Why?" I looked at my hands, fiddling with each other, "Justin. He's your best friend. Jayce's dad." "He already thinks we're dating, Nadia." But that was different, at least for me because there is a difference between real and fake. This relationship was built to push Justin away from me and for it to be real, pushes him further away for me. "I know, but it just feels wrong and as far as I know he's hasn't been taking drugs since he found out about Jayce but what if-." Ryan brought his hands to mine, rubbing the back of mine, "Justin is something we can figure out later, plus he has Jayce now and he's not going to ruin that. He weaned himself off the drugs. But if you aren't sure about us, then that's different and that's fine. Also, though, just know that this past month or so you have been so strong and I've fallen so this women that has shown me what it is like to have unwavering strength, Nadia. You and Jayce have changed me, and I just want to say thank you." Tears suddenly came to my eyes and Ryan began to step back before I reached for him and rushed to kiss him before I could be stopped. Pulling away, Ryan chuckled, "Fuck, you're so confusing." "And you make me angry when you're... you." ------- I sat on Justin's large sectional with Jayce in my lap, pushing back his overgrown hair while he watched Spongebob intently. Ryan sat next to me with his arm draped over the back if the couch behind me. Nothing about this living situation was ideal, but it wouldn't be terrible as long as I was never left alone. Everyone else sat sprawled out across the living room and talked about the next few weeks and what was to come. Kylie had so much that needed to be done that it scared even me. As everyone discussed work, though, I watched Tessa determinedly text on her phone. Eventually getting up from the couch and heading down a hallway, that I believe led to the side door of the house if i remembered correctly. "You know where Tessa's going?" Ryan shrugged and watched her as she left as well. I discreetly moved Jayce from my lap to Ryan's without disturbing him or anyone else in the room and followed Tessa. Something about her demeanor gave off shifty vibes, so I lingered behind her as she waited at the door. After a few moments she opened it and shook her head at whoever stood of the other side, out of my range of sight. "You're an idiot, you know that? You could have waited until tonight." A voice answered, "You've been gone for fuck knows how long, Tessa. I came in through the back door, it ain't that deep." "Whatever. Just go up those stairs." She aimlessly waved to a staircase behind her that led to the rooms upstairs, saved for friends and family when they are over. The face to the voice made its way inside, stopping in front of Tessa to give her a hug. I couldn't see their face, but whoever it was looked familiar. After they greeted each other, the stranger's face briefly turned my way, revealing itself to be Martin Garrix. My mind wandered to what he could possibly be doing here, sneaking around with Tessa but it quickly clicked just before he gave her a brief kiss. My mouth moved before my thoughts could, "Because of fucking course." But what I thought was a whisper, clearly wasn't as the two made eye contact with me. Tessa's face flashed a look of panic as she pulled away from the one person I couldn't stand in this world. I shook my head, anticipating Tessa's apology, "Honestly, Tessa, no reason could be good enough." I quickly, but quietly made my way back into the living room, careful not to make eye contact with anyone and listening for any footsteps from Tessa to follow me. They didn't, which in this moment I didn't know if I was thankful for or resentful for. Making it to my temporary room at Justin's, I closed and locked the door. My thoughts wandered to Jayce, remembering that he was with Ryan and Justin, and I silently broke. Everything in these past few weeks was too much and I couldn't take too much more. I wanted to give Tessa the benefit of the doubt, but she knew the pain that Martin caused me. I might never know what to do about what happened with Martin that night, but drunk or not, what he did that night caused me unfixable pain and so was this. I sat against my door and clutched my knees to myself, crying everything that had happened recently out. ------- Let me actually explain: I know that I have probably lost most of you and that is understandable. But for those of you that I didn't lose, if any, I'm so sorry. The past few years I have been in college and when I started this story I thought I could balance everything in my life. Turns out I couldn't and somethings had to be put on the back burner. I take responsibility for that, but the good news is that I have graduated (yay!) and still very much enjoy writing this story so if you will let me I would like to continue. 💜