#arcane season 2 spoilers

[meenawrites]

accurate

Sevika's first day as a counselor

My baby standing up to the snobs that treated her people horribly for years <3333

[bwat5-blog]

Ya know… they both broke Vi’s heart when she gave just about everything she could to be with them. But in the end when she needed them Jinx and Caitlyn laid down their hate help save Vi’s life. Because their love for her was greater than their hate for one another.

“Two sides of the same coin… inextricably bound..”

[local-crying-boy]

Hiii!! and would you write Silco x reader who’s really affectionate? I hope you have a wonderful day!!!

🅂🄸🄻🄲🄾

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𝙿𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐: 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝!𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚌𝚘/ 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝!𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚌𝚘 𝚇 𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝙽𝚎𝚞𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚕!𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚗𝚜 + 𝙾𝚗𝚎-𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝, 𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙

𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: 𝚗𝚘𝚗𝚎

𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 1.1k

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When Silco was younger, before Felicia and Connel's death and before he and Vander went their separate ways, he was more reciprocal towards your affections.

At this point of his life he was, mostly, spared from the true horrors of betreyal and loss so he, really, had no reason to deny your affections.

In public, he was less 'touchy-feely', he made it known that he wasn't one for PDA

However around your little group of friends he was more inclined to hold hands with you, put an arm around your shoulder, a hand on our thigh or knee.

Then there was how he acted behind closed doors, he matched your affectionate nature almost ten fold.

While you were known to be the affectionate one, there was the odd time where he would subtly go and initiate the affection. However, most times, it went unnoticed by the others and you were truly the only one who knew that he did, in fact, like the physical touch.

The faint sound of music echoed throughout the bar, a familiar night to all five of the adults. You and Silco were sitting by the bar, he was writing wordlessly in his journal while you listened into the conversation that Felicia, Connol and Vander were having. Vander was behind the bar, having just finished pouring drinks for the group, an arm leaning on the counter, while Felicia and Connol were a few seats away from you and Silco. The three of them were indulged in a conversation, one of which Silco was not that focused on. Your arms were leaning on the part of the counter that was in front of you, eyes taking in the cosy sight of your group talking and hanging out without, seemingly, a care in the world. It was a frequent sight, yes, but one that always made your brain spur with Dopamine. Your hand inched its way closer to Silco's, your pinkie just barely brushing against his. He didn't fully turn to look, but you could see how his eyes glanced over for a split second, even with the long, strand of his hair covered the side of his face. His hand moved a little closer to yours, allowing you to interlock both of your smaller fingers together. Your head soon found itself tilting to the side of you where Silco just so happened to be sitting, shifting your position once you felt it gently land on his shoulder. You heard the barely audible, amused breath that escaped his lips, but the man made no effort to move you off of him. "Comfortable there?" He asked, his voiced laced with a teasing tone. You hummed happily, watching as he continued scribbling in the book that you were beginning to see everyday. "Very." "You cannot last two minutes without coming up close to me," He scoffed faintly, but there was no true malice in his words. "Can you?" "Don't act like you don't enjoy it." You chuckled out, head moving ever so slightly to look up at him, even though you couldn't exactly see his face from where you laid your head. His eyes moved from his book to fixated on yours, a smirk pulling on his lips. "I never said I didn't." The two of you fell silent, the perfect time for you to lean up and plant a soft kiss upon his lips, which he happily returned once he felt it.

Although, all good things come to an end eventually, of course.

When Vander attempted (and almost succeeded) killing Silco, he started to become more closed off then he usually was, even behind closed doors.

Consumed by the thought that the people he trusted ended up betraying him, and by the fact that any last piece of innocence he was able to retain even from living in the Undercity was gone, he was cold. Distant. Alone, it seemed.

He would really only reciprocate your affection with a gentle touch that lasted too short.

However, it did not mean he didn't not like your affectionate nature. It was quite the opposite, actually.

Silco was oftentimes cooped up in his office, it was a normal occurrence, and one that you had come quickly acquainted with. He was a busy man, and you had your own business to attend to, regardless. The time the two of you were able to spend together only grew less and less over the years, however, that was just how things turned out and there was not much to be done about it. You made your way to his office, it was late, but you knew that he was still going to be there, he usually was after all. You gave a quick knock on the door, before opening it up and poking your head through. “What is it?” He asked, his tone harsh and cold, not lifting his head up to look at you when the door creeeeaked open. You put your hands up in a mock surrender, a little chuckle escaping your lips. “Only me.” He paused for a moment, the pen in his hand halting from its writing before he looked up at you. “It’s late, what are you doing here?” You gave him a small shrug, walking further into the room after you shut the door, making your way over to his desk. “I haven’t seen you all day.” "I've been busy." The seated man simply said, his eyes falling back down to what he was writing. You said nothing in reply, there wasn't much you could say in response to that - it was a fact that he was busy, and you knew there was little you could do to help said fact. Instead of speaking, you made your way over to his desk, then behind and beside where he sat. You looked over what he was doing, but did not bother to pretend to know exactly what he was doing. He had both his arms leaning on the desk in front of him, which allowed you to slowly move onto the arm rest on his chair, sitting on it. It was not all that comfortable, but you were only planning to stay there for a few moments. Like a hundred times before, you side leaned into his, head resting on the back of his chair. You expected little to none reciprocation of your affection since you noticed that frustrated furrow in his brow, one that was a clear sign to you that he was just trying to finish his work. However, with your eyes fixated on some random detail in his office, you felt one of his hands lightly touch your knee. One of the most forms of affection you found yourself getting these days.

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Masterlist

[cavipe]

Hii, I haven’t posted an actual drawing in a while, and since my current wip is taking longer than expected I decided to finish this :)

Alt colors

[smilingangel582]

They break me

Jinx there will always be a good version of you

Vi deserves all the happiness and Jinx want that for Vi!

ARCANE LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: 2x08 - “Killing is a Cycle” ↳ "You're never gonna give up on me, are you?"

[ostrichlady]

I've watched season 2 of arcane many times now, and that last scene of Viktor and Jayce never fails to amaze me. Once you know exactly what's going to happen after a few rewatches, you start noticing little clues and symbolism across the show which make the scene so much more delightful but that's not even what makes me feel so impacted at the end of it. With all the sincerity I hold in me, this is one of the most beautiful and purest depictions of love I've ever seen.

The scene sequence works so well. It's perfect. It's raw and tender and caring. Overflowing with all the abstraction of what love is.

The artistry is breathtaking. The colours of a ruined world contrasting with the lively shades of flowers against Jayce's stone figure. The clean blue from the sky, the polished and ancient figure of mage Viktor against the rough edges and vibrancy of defender Jayce.

The celestial colours of their bodies detached from any materialistic accessories, Jayce's face being so much warmer in contrast with Viktor's much paler complexion. The gold from the different souls, the thin strands of consciousness gathering at one moment. Galaxy in its most humane form if that's even possible.

Everything is beautifully harmonized to fulfill one goal, which is to frame the connection of Jayce and Viktor.

I can't get enough of looking at Jayce's face throughout this whole scene. His eyes speak for his heart louder than anyone could comprehend. Understandment, care, longing, affection. A need and a want to let Viktor have his love. He's telling Viktor that he's there and he won't leave again, wherever Viktor goes, he will too. And Jayce knows Viktor isn't like him. Viktor won't simply take love and gulp it down.

No, Jayce understands that he has to do it slowly, wrapped in tenderness but full of determination. It stands out to me just how, when reaching for Viktor's shoulder, Jayce's hand hoovers for a little bit before grabbing it. He's giving time to Viktor, but he's also assuring that he's there. For him. With him.

Viktor is confused, is scared, his eyes are desperately looking at what he has done, and what it could've become, how could it be that he had been so wrong? And why was Jayce talking to him about wanting his partner back when Viktor himself doesn't know if he could be anything remotely similar after everything? Why was this man overflowing with so much affection when Viktor was, until a few seconds ago, trying to get rid of it all? Viktor gets taken down from this polished, higher power mindset and is thrown right at the core of human emotions, barely able to hang on to it.

But it's okay because Jayce will hold Viktor until he can stand for himself. 

Jayce tells him it's okay. He does it by looking at him dearly. By holding his open hand carefully. By placing the gem in it securely. No matter what happens, it is okay. 

The gem is reactive and powerful and holds so much to it. Their lives, their projects, their dreams. Magic in raw form, full capacity.

When both of their hands are placed on what started everything, they both look at each other one final time. This is it. They know what's about to happen. But it's okay. It really is. Because there's nothing else they can do to fight their destiny this time. Because there's really no point fighting this time.

Jayce pulls Viktor, a call for him. I'm here. 

And Viktor responds to his call. I know.

They are together.  They've always been together, their connection preserved into a small gem stone. Into so many others, across so many other possibilities and timelines. Whether it failed or not, it has always been there. Raw and sincere.

This time, despite the circumstances, it did work. Not everything is perfect, but it doesn't have to be. That's the beauty of it all, as Jayce said himself. The world will keep moving even after they're gone. Broken as always, but never stopping.

Theirs souls are intertwined across what we call time and space. If forever has an ending, then it will be rewritten. Their love is bigger than any terms we might choose to describe it. Their bond is far greater than any anomaly or magic blast.

They're safe, embraced by the deepness and vastness of the universe. Nothing will separate them. It started with them and it finished with them. Always them, only them. Together as partners.

[radioactive-killjoy]

Ekko is, of course, underappreciated

I just finished watching Arcane at the behest of my father, but for the last few weeks I've been getting spoilers on Instagram and Twitter.

Despite this, I've seen little to no conversation about Ekko outside of his relationship to Powder. He's presented to us as an extremely intelligent and resourceful character from the very beginning, and at multiple turns he is doing things that no other character can do. Despite his connection to Benzo, I feel like he fills Vander's space more than Vi does (something I think the show fucked up in s2). With the Firelights, he's attempting to create a space of peace and normalcy.

But also the parallel between Ekko and Jayce; not a single soul that I've ended up seeing has mentioned it. Heimerdinger directly tells us that he sees a connection between the two - his students. But it is Ekko that opens Heimerdinger's eyes, Ekko that pushes him in the research. Ekko, Powder and Heimerdinger create something together that even Viktor at the end of s2 felt was impossible, and in a shorter amount of time. (This show was bad at not giving us detailed time skips, but we know for sure it wasn't years.)

Jayce would have failed at the end if not for Ekko! Everyone loves the relationship between Jayce and Viktor but it likely would have meant nothing if Ekko hadn't cracked the shell. So, I'm frustrated that he's being reduced to losing the potential love of Powder/Jinx.

That being said - I just finished it so I haven't spent much time in the fandom and if these discussions have been had, please point me in that direction, because this was the most interesting part of the whole show!

[funnyscienceman]

singed 🤝 seth twiright

1. a mad scientist who is one of the biggest instigators of the overarching plot

2. striking up a friendship with a lonely child via bonding moment with a sea creature

3. aids/enables the child in an ill-advised, if not entirely self-destructive, pursuit

4. driven by emotions caused, in some part, by a separation from said child's partner

5. that brings about the apocalypse and leaves the child as the last living human on the planet

[screechingsweets]

This show absolutely destroyed me.

I am falling apart

[callisto-cecilia]

Vi is the submissive one but she's the top and Caitlyn is the dominant one but she's the bottom. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

[writeournamesinthestars]

not mine but this was an insane shot

[bwat5-blog]

Caitlyn Kiramman: The Perfect Scapegoat

*Spoilers For Arcane*

Good morning all! So continuing my slow descent into insanity let us discuss Arcane once more. Last night trying to fall asleep I was scrolling Archive and came across another of what I think I have seen being called "aftermath" works, just meaning it is the particular author's spin on Cait and Vi's life fairly immediately following the end of season two.

I am not going to name the work or the author because fan-fiction is literally creative art for the author to do with as they please, and I certainly don't have to read anything I don't want to, so I have no desire to call this person out. But I have seen this sort of thing a lot and wanted to discuss it.

"Caitlyn has to face the consequences for her crimes"

Now I have read some truly abhorrent concepts of "justice" people have put Caitlyn through for her actions, and won't be going there. Some are downright inhuman and others just display a hilarious lack of understanding. But the reason this one stuck with me and really had me thinking is that even though it was not the author's intent based on their notes, I actually think they actually did a fantastic job sharing another side of how Caitlyn was utterly failed by almost everyone around her.

In this particular work, the surviving councilors and the prominent people of Piltover have Caitlyn arrested and conduct a tribunal. Including Mel and Shoola. She is called to answer for a host of charges such as allying with a foreign power against her own people, wrongful imprisonment and so on. You get the idea.

So why does this particular idea stick out to me? Because the audacity of the same people who practically fed Caitlyn to Ambessa, as well as surrendered Piltover while pounding their chests and cheering blaming Caitlyn is so nauseatingly realistic it hurts.

QUICK THING ON MEL:

Now let me clear. Mel would never. And had she been there she would have put a stop to that shit or at the very least nodded along while her mother called Caitlyn up then went to Caitlyn afterward in private and started fixing things. But, it is worth noting that Mel knew full and completely what her mother was planning in terms of starting a war to weaponize hex-tech. And as far as we are aware (I think we can assume she told Alora but we don't know for sure) didn't tell anyone. She was trying to stop her behind the scenes through her shadow games. And there are reasons and justifications for that certainly. In fact I think it's safe to assume Mel may have been afraid her mother would just outright attack if Mel was too aggressive in opposing her. Mel was a politician only at this time, and solved problems through more cerebral methods. Even when her magic manifests it is one primarily of protection and deflection, not head on aggression. Not to mention Mel's unavoidable conflicting emotions opposing her at all. But we will never how things could have been different if the rest of the council were aware of Ambessa's plan to begin with.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:

This is primarily about her actual time as commander but I wanted to touch on the task force. I recently was discussing the task force/use of The Grey with another user and they stated Caitlyn staged a coup to lead the task force. This of course is in no way true, but as my wife put it:

"She didn't stage a coup but not a single one of those spineless adults thought to look at the emotionally sandblasted college kid and say -No. You haven't even taken a beat since you were abducted and terrorized by your mother's killer and you have just survived another fight. We will figure this out but you don't need this right now. Go hug your incredibly hot girlfriend and take like a fifteen hour nap- instead they let themselves take the easy way out and pinned it all on Caitlyn."

The Commander:

I am not gonna do a whole recap or a break-down of how Ambessa plays these people like a fiddle again. If you are interested I'd love to hear your thoughts on the documents where I have covered those topics!

In Summary: Caitlyn has returned from her mission with the strike team ending in heartbreak and failure in terms of Jinx at least. Totally isolated and alone, not having healed from any of the trauma she has suffered since the beginning of S1 A2, she stands with the other Enforcers while Ambessa expertly manipulates the prominent families of Piltover, the two surviving councilors, and a large amount of Enforcers you would have to assume included leadership (given their presence here and that there clearly many more than this total) into not only agreeing to Martial Law, but to Caitlyn as their commander.

"Caitlyn could have said no"- This is certainly true. I don't think anyone is arguing that myself included. Bu it is extraordinarily important to factor in Caitlyn's mental state at this point which includes a completely mind-boggling amount of trauma. As well as the fact that her people are angry and afraid, and as a Kiramman even at her young age she is someone they look to. Now sprinkle in a healthy amount of mob mentality and manipulation by Ambessa, as she is standing in a crowd of people thumping their chests while the only speaking member of her team stands by her side smiling and encouraging her to go up and accept. And then just to seal the deal Ambessa promises what Caitlyn wants most "your mother will have justice". She absolutely had the choice to say no. I am not negating that. But I do think unless you are intentionally disregarding all of the other factors involved in order to demonize her it is quite clear that things were not so simple. She ultimately made the choice, but ignoring the context doesn't make you righteous. Only ignorant, unfeeling, or both.

And for all those who love rolling out the old "Caitlyn jumped at the first chance to take power and punish all of Zaun just because her mom died" speech, lets take a look at how Caitlyn is actually feeling:

I can only speak for me, but let me tell you what I see playing out in these images point by point:

Shock

Fear

Conflict

Reassurance

Nervousness

Stoic sadness

Acceptance of responsibility

A FUCKING FIFTY SOMETHING YEAR OLD CONQUERING WAR-MONGER SEEING HER DREAM COME TRUE

But! Stepping away from Caitlyn for a moment back to more of my original point. Caitlyn and Ambessa were not alone during this moment. Ambessa had instructed Salo to summon all people of prominence and power or something to that effect. Basically the people who had a say in how things go. These are the people she puppets into agreeing to Martial Law and Caitlyn as their commander. Let's take a look at these heroes:

*Salo was there but I couldn't get a great still of him and I will give him a pass at least in the moment because Rictus was threatening him*

There were more people than this but these were the ones that I could grab in decent quality. And these were the people to make the decision. Otherwise Ambessa would not have needed them all there and gone through her whole song and dance. And I understand the argument that some of them were probably afraid due to the Noxian's doing their stomp dance, but guess what? If the adult politicians and people in power get that grace so does the college kid who recently got emotionally and mentally nuked back to the stone age.

Every single one of them let this happen. They could have stepped during it, they could have taken action after. Salo and Shoola were on the council with Cassandra. They both watch her daughter get served up on a plate to Ambessa so everyone can go about their lives feeling safer and pretending its all handled. There were enforcers there more than twice Caitlyn's age. Someone there was a position of leadership at some level. Not a single damn one made a move? Questioned? An assembly of probably between 30-50 people made up of Piltover's elite all bury their heads in the sand and let the grieving, inexperienced, young, recently returned from violent conflict college kid take the heat so they can go back to easy street and blame someone else if things go wrong.

AWARD FOR SPECTACULAR FAILURE:

We of course cannot touch on the prominent people of Piltover who might as well have spartan kicked Caitlyn into Ambessa's open maw without talking about Tobias. Listen, Anyone who has been following me for any length of time has seen my relentless attempts to get people to recognize the importance of understanding how grief and loss hits people. This man lost his wife. His entire world got turned upside down. And I don't deny that at a point even if he had stepped in Caitlyn may have shut him down as she became the leader of house Kiramman anyway. But he does.... nothing... Part of this probably just comes down to the decision by the writers for him to kind of vanish but we see him defending her efforts to help early on and then when she has so clearly lost her way we get nothing from him.

Martial Law:

So as I said, I have been through all of this in detail. Not doing it again. But since we are talking about it what did Caitlyn actually do?

Establish Checkpoints and take martial control of Zaun.

Arrest people who violated the law.

.............

Piltover elite willingly agree to Martial Law

Piltover elite agree to Caitlyn being made leader

Zaun falls under Piltover jurisdiction regardless of Martial Law or not

Somewhere in Zaun is a dangerous terrorist guilty of multiple political assassinations, the deaths of several enforcers, tremendous destruction of property, multiple attempts to murder Caitlyn herself, and violent abduction of Caitlyn who at the time was a councilor's daughter from her own home.

Zaunite fighters conduct devastating attack on memorial service in what is supposed to be a secure location. Jinx would almost certainly be suspected of involvement but even if not once again the threat comes from Zaun.

The leader they chose, who is the leader because of the martial law they agreed to, places Zaun under occupation until this clear and unquestionable threat to public safety is located. She challenges unlawful arrests, unnecessary violence, bans the use of the worst cells in Stillwater she found Vi in, and has no part in Ambessa's secret experiments and brutality in the bowels of the prison.

None of this is to say that Caitlyn did not make mistakes, did not lose herself to her rage and hate, or does not share in the blame to a degree for the suffering Ambessa caused. I think it is fair to say that Caitlyn, much like those who failed her so spectacularly, looked away from the truth because it was easier to do so at first. And that is not even factoring the massive manipulation of Ambessa upon Caitlyn during this time to keep the occupation going while she continues to try and crack hex-tech, and attempting to control Caitlyn and bend her to her will.

But the idea of the people who all turned away while Caitlyn was made Ambessa's scapegoat so they could sleep peacefully at night condemning her from on high is both disgusting, and sadly all too believable. They have already proved their cowardice and stupidity. And it would be the final betrayal of someone who wanted above all else to protect her people to subject her to some sort of tribunal/punishment in the wake of surviving her cities complete abandonment of her. Especially considering her massive life-changing injuries sustained in the defense of humanity itself while setting things right.

Regarding Zaun:

The people of Zaun are for obvious reasons another matter. There is the larger picture ongoing oppression of Zaun by Piltover to consider, and even considering all the above factors the people of Zaun:

A- Would not have any way to know how much of part Ambessa played behind the scenes until someone made it all public

B- Were the ones who actually suffered during the occupation that Caitlyn did authorize regardless of reasoning.

And just like above, I am not saying Caitlyn does not share in the blame for what occurred. While everything she did was within her scope of authority, an authority lawfully granted to her, and in response to a very legitimate threat to Piltover's safety, it does not change the fact that people imprisoned during the occupation were potentially subjected to Ambessa's brutality. Never mind the day-to-day brutality enacted by Rictus and his men.

But again there are other factors that need to be considered before constructing the gallows:

Piltover's oppression of Zaun is unquestionable. But neither is Piltover's current legal jurisdiction over Zaun. Every action Caitlyn took and was knowledgeable of was completely legal, no matter how wrong you find the law.

The Grey- I am absolutely not doing my whole breakdown again. But through the use of the grey they helped take down Shimmer and the Chem-Barons, which were both enormous threats to the under city. And while it uncomfortable and clearly dangerous when exposed over long periods of time, there is absolutely no evidence of it being dangerous from short term exposure how Caitlyn used it.

And of course, the biggest factor: JINX.

I'll make all of you a deal. Caitlyn gets a noose if Jinx hops up next to her. I love Jinx but it serves no purpose to pretend she's an angel. Jinx is the one who kicks all of this off to begin with. It is because of her that Piltover retaliation is guaranteed, because of her Caitlyn's entire life so violently and radically changes course. And let's be clear here, before you start with all that Jinx was striking out against the oppressors who had ruined her peoples lives in the name of justice and blah blah blah. Nope. Know how I know that? She hid during the entire occupation until Isha got taken. She wasn't speaking truth to power in the name of her people. She was a mentally ill child lashing out at a symbol of her rage in a moment of extraordinary grief and pain. And regarding her hiding by the way, I applauded her for it. Getting away from all of that shit is how she started to get better. As far as I'm concerned I would have cheered to see she and Isha leave that temple fight, board an airship, and head off for adventures far away from Piltover and Zaun forever (Same for Caitlyn and Vi but that's a different document).

So all that said, while Caitlyn certainly has a debt to the people of Zaun, we need to take care not to wrap that up with the debt Piltover owes to Zaun.

Caitlyn is not to blame for the entire history of the two cities. She only played a part in this series of events. And it would be dishonest not to admit that it was a Zaunite that started in the first place, the same Zaunite who changed Caitlyn's life forever through her violence and terrorism. And that the same woman who manipulated Zaunite warriors into attacking Piltover to help kick the war off manipulated Caitlyn herself.

If Silco's mad daughter can become their symbol of hope, and his most trusted lieutenant can become their first councilor, perhaps the people of Zaun can find mercy in their heart for a young woman who recently almost gave her life to make things right. Not to mention her families seat on the council.

Anyway. You have all heard most of this from me before in some form or fashion. So I apologize for that. And again I really am not coming for fan-fiction. I would be the ULTIMATE hypocrite given my recent small efforts. The particular story that got my attention just made me think about it, and then realize it would be sickeningly true to form for the Piltover elite to try and turn on Caitlyn when it was all said and done when they abandoned her the first time. And spawned into this. Thank you for reading.

Have a great day!

[bellsofthebooks]

My eyes literally teared up that’s how hot this was, and I really needed it to… since every edit and favorited video I had are now gone.

Arcane Imagines- Vander

It’s Quiet

⚠️WARNING🔞: SMUTTTT IF THERE WAS EVER SMUT

[arcane] [main page]

Prompt: it’s grown so quiet since the kids have grown… (not requested, did this at my own free will. Also happy universe WITH VI because I can do that.)

Containing: thigh riding, multiple orgasms, fem!receiving oral, male!receiving oral, hike position, voyeurism, exhibitionism, praise, slight degradation.

“And that’s the last drunk of the evening.” You wipe your hands together after slamming down your rag on one of the tables you had just finished cleaning, going over to the door to turn the open sign to closed. Vander chuckles, cheering as he washes the last few glasses. You go behind the counter to join him in wiping everything down since it gets pretty sticky especially behind the bar. 

“Gosh it’s been so busy these last few days.” You huff, putting your body into the scrubbing. Feeling all the sweat that drenched your back, neck and face. You felt disgusting to say the least. “Mm yeah but think about that early retirement.” He jokes causing you to laugh in response. “So true!” You perk up, glancing behind you, his eyes already locking with yours. 

He places his glass down and scrummages over to you. His hands snaked around your waist. “You’re so beautiful.” He kisses the back of your head. You would normally lean into his touch but the sweat that enveloped all over you. You swiftly move away from him by turning around and taking his arms off of you. “I feel gross, babe.” You shake your head at his intentions.

“How come? You look ravishing.” His eyes darken along with his voice that laced with lust. “I’m so sweaty.” You whine, walking out from the bar to sit on one of the stools. “I feel like I just got dragged through mud.” You muster out, finally getting to sit down for the first time in 12 hours that day. 

“You’d still be the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on covered in dirt head to toe.” He leans over the bar as you scoff, rolling your eyes at his cheesy choice of words. “It’s the truth.” He puts his hands up in defense. You sigh. “I would like a shower first.” You mumble. 

He observes you as your eyes wander around the building seeing if there was anything else for you to do before the both of you chose to go home. “It’s so quiet in here.” You suddenly mention the lack of noise. “Well it’s just the two of us in here.” He shrugs his shoulders. You give him a dirty look. “I mean the fact that there’s no little Powder running around here with Ekko. No Mylo antagonizing his siblings. Claggor just being along for the ride. Violet attempting to show Mylo how to flirt.” You explain with sadness traced in your tone of voice. 

“Hmph,” He snorted out a laugh remembering the children as young teenagers. “They were something.” He shakes his head. “I miss them living with us.” You pout, he groans at your words knowing what is going to be next. The both of you took the children in young. Felicia has Vi and Powder quite young. Being only 18 with little Violet and 23 with Powder. 

Vander’s the same age as Felicia as you were two years younger than the both of them. You didn’t meet them until after Violet was two years old. Now Vi is 23 and Powder is 18. You are now 39 and Vander is 41. 

“I’m just saying! I don’t have much time!” You exclaim, grasping at his hand, practically begging for a child. “Zaun is good, better than it ever has been. Let’s dooo ittttt.” You bounce your legs for extra effect in pleads. “Love, you’ve never wanted children of your own. Why now?” He raises his brows, now fully enclasping your hand with both of his. 

Your stomach flutters at the size difference between the both of you. You could never get over it, not even with the nearly 20 years of being with one another. “I just,” you frown before continuing. “With the children being older and like I mentioned it being quiet… I want someone to depend on me again. Those sweet little eyes as they ask me to help them.” Your face grows sour, tears stinging at the brim of your eyes. “This could be my last chance to have that. And you’ve never wondered what our baby would look like?” You ask him with puppy-dog eyes. “I miss the old times. Not just with the kids.” You mutter. 

“Of course I have, but if that’s how you feel, love… I’m sorry to tell you but I just can’t give you that. A baby with the way we work. And if you need someone to depend on you, I’ll be that for you. I’ll ask for more help, meaning like little things at home that I know you miss doing.” He massages your hand, kissing at it a few times. You purse out your lips, knowing he was right. 

“Are you okay?” He tilts his head, a few strands of hair falling in his face. You nod your head, not verbally responding though. He lets go of your hand and joins you on the stools. “I’m sorry you’re upset, my love. I never want to see your lips fall downwards.” He pulls you onto his lap and you look into his eyes. 

“I’ll be okay, I guess I’ll just have to be patient until we are blessed with grandchildren.” Your head falls against his chest, wrapping your arms around his large torso. “Hopefully that’s not anytime soon.” Vander smacks your thigh and you snicker. 

“Yeah, yeah.” You smile, you always loved how protective he was over your guys’ family. You feel your arousal thicken in your gut. Feeling needier. 

You have to remind yourself that you need to take a shower first. That’s what you told yourself. Even though your husband definitely does not care about you being sweaty. You care. 

“We could always… pretend like I’m going to give you children.” He whispers in your ear, your body tensing up. It’s like he felt your pussy flutter for him even though you both wore thick clothing and it wasn’t possible. “Mmm, that’s an idea.” You watch his thick, large hand sliding up and down the outside of your thigh. “Gonna let me do it right here, right now? Just like the old days?” He questions, he was breathing heavily down your neck causing the hairs there to stand up at the feeling. 

“Remember how we’d pretend there were people still. Go behind that counter and I’d fuck you from behind as you ‘took someone’s order.’ huh?” He knows all the right buttons to push when it comes to you. He knew what you couldn’t resist. He knew how to get you riled up like no one else. 

Your face was flushed as he reminded you of those moments you had before you even took the children in. That was such a long time ago you were surprised he remembered. “How ‘bout we try that out again?” He nibbles at the tip of your ear causing you to whine. 

“Van- shower first. I told you.” You rub yourself against him, spite of what you were saying. “You were just saying how you miss old times… Let me help you relive a few things.” His fingers now dipping in between your legs. The seam of the jeans you wore were sitting in the right place too. It was too much. 

“Please~” You moan, gripping onto his forearm that held your form. “Please what?” He asks.

“I-I need you.” You moved yourself so you were now sitting on one of his thighs. Looking right into his grey orbs. “What about that shower though?” He teases you, watching you ride against him. Only to pleasure yourself. How selfish. “Fuck the shower.” You grab him by the back of his neck, forcing him into a deep kiss. 

He laughs into the kiss, amused by how turned on you got just by his words. He knew you too well. 

You go to stop your hips so you could get up but he stops you. “Uh-uh, ride my leg until you cum, love.” He holds your hips down. You give him a pout. “Do it or I'll have the night end right here and we can just go to that shower and right to bed.” It was an empty threat. You knew that but listened to him nonetheless. Your pelvis planting down on him. You roll back and forth on him. 

“Fuck, love. You’re so gorgeous.” He coos, getting your hair out of your face. You pant as you focus on reaching your high, hearing his words only drenching your already soaked cunt. Going right through those jeans of yours and onto his black slacks. 

Your hands were grabbing onto the top of his thigh, close to his cock that twitched as it was trapped underneath his now tight pants. Just begging to be free. “I- hah!” You grunted, squeezing your thighs against his. “What is it? What do you have to say?” He inquires with a hint of mocking you. 

“Mmngg, I want to kiss you!” You breathe out, eyes squeezed shut due to how determined you were to release on your husband's enormous muscled thigh. 

“What’s the magic word?” His hand goes to your neck, pressing lightly. “Mean, ‘s mean,” you whimper. “Not the answer.” He tsks, bouncing his knee a little bit to throw you off. You cry out, hands flailing to his shirt. Clutching it tightly in between your fingers. 

“Please let me kiss you, please! I just want to kiss my husband.” You sob, opening your eyes for him to see how much you needed it. He thinks for a moment but decides to give you what you want. 

The hold on your neck only gets tighter as his lips embrace yours. He bites at your lip producing a gasp out of you so he can roughly stick his tongue in your mouth. His tongue battling against yours. You didn’t even try as he had already invaded your muzzle, exploring it like it was his home. 

As you feel yourself get closer you weigh down further onto him, your hips at a lively, unyielding pace. You pull away as your attention needs to go back to your own core. His hand on your throat now gripping, helping you even more. The tension in your chest and head growing. “Fuck.” It was almost inaudible exiting past your lips. 

“Mhm, you can do it. My wife is so persistent. Such a hell-bent little thing.” He purrs in your ear. “Hah! Mmm.” You groan out, holding his wrist that clutched at your pretty open neck. 

And then that explosion of fireworks in your tummy at last comes. Your hole creaming, joining your arousal juices. Only wetting yours and your husbands pants 

His hand breaks free from your airway, allowing you to breathe once more. You pant heavily against him. “Shit.” Your legs shake underneath you. “You have fun there?” He pokes at you, you glare up at him. “Shut up.” You spit, weakly standing up. 

“Where do you think you’re going?” Vander raises a brow, grabbing your waist, stopping you from crouching down. “I-I’m going to give you a blow job?” You said in more of a inquisitive tone, confused on how it’s not obvious. “I never said I was done with you.” He stands up from the stool, lifting you up with ease. You yelp from the sudden move. 

He places you on the counter. “I’d like dinner first.” Even being on a tall bar counter he was still wavering over you. “Where people drink?!” You utter out, reminding him what people do on this very countertop. “I’ll clean it up. No one will ever know.” He rolls his eyes. 

Before you could even argue with him his hands are back on you. You subconsciously lift your hips up helping him undress you. “Never get over the sight of this cute girl.” He compliments your pussy. Your thighs squish together, hiding yourself only to be pried back open. 

Your hands were behind you to keep yourself fully propped up. “This position isn’t really comfortable, Vannie.” You mewl, the top of your tailbone was slightly hurting. “I’ll have to make this fast then won’t I?” He asks, not even looking up at your face as he sits back down. Sliding your butt as close to the edge of the counter as possible. 

He adjusted the chair so he was at face level with that pretty little pussy. 

His face diving in but not doing anything so he can take in your scent. Feeling like a feral animal. You would’ve been embarrassed by this if he hadn’t done it almost every day for the past 20 years. You rest your legs over his shoulders, ankles crossed over one another, trapping his head at your core. 

“Stop teasing, Vander.” You sternly tell him, glaring down at him since he decided he was going to take his time. His dilated pupils lift upwards, mouth hovering over your clit. “Is that any way to talk to your dear partner who only wants to take care of you?” He asks, his facial hair tickling you down there. 

You lay your back down on the cold wood. Ignoring him. 

He snickers, now kitten licking at your clit. Toying with it until he hears the squelch after a few more. His tongue swirls around the nub, kissing it every now and then. His strategy was purely for his own enjoyment. Your moans filled the building, echoing and bouncing off the walls. 

“Imagine we didn’t lock the door.” He comments. “Imagine someone walks in thinking we’re open. And you’re getting eaten out right in front of them.” His mouth reattaching to your cunny. 

Ambushing every nerve with pleasure. 

“Fuck! I ho-pe someone doesss!” Your hands go down to his hair, pulling out the bun. “Yeah, you’d like the attention.” He mumbles into you, the vibration shooting through you. 

“Mhm… mhm!” Your chest jolts upwards as his tongue swipes over your sensitive spot. “I n-need your fiiingers!” You wail, playing with his hair so you have something to pull on. Not having anything else around you. 

Your head was upside down off the other side of the counter. “Need ‘em where, love?” He irritatingly asks you. “I-inside! Inside!’ You squeal out, toes scrunching and your calves stretching out at the same time.

His right hand joins his mouth, entering a single digit into that drenching, achy hole. 

His cock screaming to be let free now. His pre-cum drooling onto his boxers. 

You clench around the single but large finger. He enters another before pumping them in and out. Curling every so often to hit that perfect spot inside. Your moans and whines keeping him going. His jaw was certainly going to be locked after this. 

He says random compliments you can’t even understand against your pussy. You didn’t even care enough to hear anyways. Feeling his mouth along with his fingers abusing you. 

“I- how? Fuck!” You scratch as his scalp, bringing one of your hands to your shirt, ripping the buttons off to open it.  You had a few others. 

You own hand kneads at your breasts. “C’mon, make me cum, make me cum!” You pant, chest heaving rapidly. “Almost there?” He watches you grope yourself. He leers gleefully. “Fuck yes!” You nod your head only to let it fall back down off the counter. 

His fingers fucking your skillfully, your cunt splashing liquid on him along with the floor. 

“Close ‘s close!” You grit through your teeth, rolling your hips on his face, bringing him closer to you with the back of your calf. Shoving his head onto you. 

“O-ooohh… mmmm….” It hits you softer than the first time surprisingly, but your cunny still spurts into Vander’s mouth. Your thighs shake against his head, your feet dropping tiredly. “That was so good, love. So proud of you.” He kisses your soft skin, lifting your thighs off of him letting your legs fall on either side of him. 

You breathe heavily, now feeling all the blood that rushed to your head from it being upside down. You sit yourself up, using your husband's shoulders to keep you from slipping forward. He undoes his belt, unbuttoning his pants to take his cock out. Still keeping his clothes up though. 

“C’mere.” He huffs out a laugh, standing up so you can wrap your legs around his waist. His hands are squeezing at the plush skin of your ass. 

He takes you to the inside of the bar, his cockhead poked at your entrance with each step. “Tired girl?” He hums out a question. You shake your head, disagreeing. “No, want more.” You rasp out. Humping your hips downwards against his dick. 

“Need you to help me first, prove how much you want me to fuck you.” He ambushes your neck with his licked lips. “I’ll do anything.” You whisper. 

“Good, here comes the guy who brings our stock.” Vander smirks, your eyes widen and you drop to the ground, hiding under the counter even though he already couldn’t see you by being down there. Vander steps as close as possible to you, his chest against the wood. 

His cock was free game to you. “Heyy Mick!” Vander cheerfully grins, not feeling you touch him just yet. He also knew that your pants and little panties were laid out on the ground, available for Mick to see. 

“Hey, hey, hey!” Mick comes into the bar with a dollie of alcohol boxes. “Where’s the wife?” He asks, coming over to the counter. “Oh, she’s a little bit under… the weather tonight.” Vander lies. 

Your heart was raising at the fact that there was now another person in the bar after you had just came twice. Your view trapped in darkness besides the little bit of light that snuck past your husband's legs. His dick still sprung out for you to play with. 

Your pussy clenches around nothing, another realization that your pants were where you two once were moments ago. You silently prayed that Mick didn’t notice it. Your husband’s and your guys’ stocker’s conversation was tuned out. You couldn't focus on anything that was happening. 

Besides the fact that you were going to now get revenge on the person in front of you. Your hands go around his thick member. Dry rubbing him at first. You hear his hiss and you smile mischievously. Your thumb swiping across the slit covered in Vander’s own goo. 

Your hands let him go, as Vander talks his shoulders dropped disappointed only momentarily before your mouth replaces where your hands once were. He bites his lip trying not to show his expressions. 

Your muzzle takes him in all the way, nose almost touching his pelvic zone. You let him go before you gag, sucking on his tip. Your hand massages the base of his cock. 

You hear his voice falter just a tiny bit. “Where do you want them tonight, boss?” Mick asks, talking about the boxes of glass bottles filled with booze. “Just on the counter, Claggor and Mylo are opening in the morning. Gonna have them stock up.” Vander chuckles. Doing his best not to let his voice waver in the slightest. You tried your damnedest too. 

“Arighty.” Mick lifts the boxes up, continuing to talk to the owner of the bar, not knowing he was getting his dick sucked so good his knees were about to give out. 

Your other hand began to fondle his balls, now all three stimulates attacking him at once. Vander lets out a low grunt that luckily wasn’t heard from either of the people in the building. 

“I gotta get going, now. Good seeing ya! Hope to see [Name] next week!” Mick kicks out his dollie, rolling it out as Vander waves him goodbye. 

And as that door shuts, his mouth opens, letting out all the noises he couldn’t before. “Fuck, I almost had to shout at him to leave.” Vander groans, taking a fist full of your hair to fuck himself into your mouth. You moved your hand out of the way, grabbing onto his thigh for support. 

“Shit, such a doll for me.” He drags your mouth down his member before pulling you away by your hair. He steps back. “Stand up.” He motions. You crawl out from your spot, standing up before him. 

“Turn around.” He spins his pointer finger. 

He watches your ass jiggle with each step, his hands roughly bend you over. Your hands hitting the floor. “Need this.” He puffs out, shoving his dick inside your hole without warning. 

“So perfect for me, after all these years. It’s like the first time all over again.” He ruts into you forcefully. Your fingernails claw at the ground as he fucks into you at an unfathomable pace. 

“Take it like the fucking champ you are.” He smacks your ass causing you to scream out a moan. “Fucking you stupid, ain’t I?” He laughs, holding your hips. Each time you try to lift your torso up he rams into you, watching you fall back down each time. It was amusing. He enjoyed it every single time. 

“I asked you a question.” He slaps your ass again. 

“Y-yes! ‘Stupid, ‘s ‘stupid!” You cry out, your head shaking side to side as tears brim your eyelids. “Gonna cum again!” You shrill. 

“Yeah you are.” He pants, finally helping you up by bending down to grab you by your neck. Your back up against his stomach. “Who’s making you cum for the third time?” He asks, your ass bouncing back on his black slacks. There were white splatters all over his pants from tonight. “Y-you a-re!” You seeth, sucking in your own drool. 

“What’s my name?” He tightens his grip on your throat, you gasp out for air. Not able to answer as fast as he wants you to. His cock pistoning in and out of you. 

“What’d I ask?” His other hand holds your lower stomach, the pressure now pressing on his cock through your tummy. “I- u-um! V-vander!” You choke out. “That’s right, doll.” He lets go of your neck but still keeping you close as he continues to fuck you. 

“Gonna fuck my seed into you, maybe there’s a chance you’ll get that baby.” He snorts out a laugh, thrusting into you. Your eyes roll back into your head. “Cummingggnghah!!” You shriek, your hands behind you, gripping onto his shirt. 

“H-huh- same.” He breathes heavily, getting a little slower and sloppier. His tip oozing out inside of you. Your walls spasm around him leading a domino effect, Vander fully plunged inside of you as he lets his semen shoot inside you. Your jaw slacks open at the feeling.

You wiggle yourself against him, trying to get as much of him as possible. He pushes the both of you forward, you lean over the wooden counter. A box hiding your face from the door. 

“Holy shit…” You quietly whined, your legs were shaking and very weak. Barely keeping yourself standing. His slips out of you, letting the mixture of yours and his cum drop to the ground from your cunny. 

“You took me so well. So good every time.” He praises you, rubbing your back. 

Afterwards he takes you to your shower, water already running. You sat on the floor waiting for him in the hot water as he cleaned up your guys’ mess the two of you made.

[astroeti]

Do you believe the difference in the alternate universe was in some significant part correlated to the fact Jayce more than likely died?

if you're talking about the alternate universe where ekko and heimerdinger were sent to, i think the difference isn't nearly as black and white as his absence – but i do think his absence played a heavy part.

forgive me for this – it's going to be a ramble.

so, what are the visible differences between the two univeses? jinx is powder, enforcers and the people of zaun aren't at odds, silco and vander are on very good terms, claggor and mylo are alive, vi is dead, and hextech doesn't exist.

their paths diverge on the very first heist we see vi, powder, claggor, and mylo take – wherein vi dies due to the additional gemstones that spark up a harsher explosion. in the original timeline, jayce is put on trial for this (alongside his life's work being, yk, not exactly legal) – in this one there's a level of uncertainty.

did jayce survive the explosion on the other side of the door? did he die by the impact?

when we see ekko enter jayce's home/lab, we see the remnants of the explosion, and yet everything of value has been stripped from the place (except the chalkboard) – meaning the order to take his possessions and dispose of them can be assumed to have gone through. now, we can presume one of three things: jayce was killed in the explosion, he was banished from piltover, or he survived all of this but had no one to stop him from committing self-deletion.

hextech plays a very significant role in this show, as do jayce and viktor – but another significant role is played by silco and vander.

of all the changes in this universe I think the most impactful are those two.

I have about a thousand more thoughts about the parallel universe, jayce, viktor (who would have guessed), vander, silco, and everyone. I almost wrote down a much longer note but this was long enough tbh

thank you for the ask :D (i add more tidbits in notes bc I can't contain myself)

[jinxsleftmiddlefinger]

timebomb highschool au

(part 11)

(masterlist) (read on ao3)

description: timebomb highschool au pretty much sums it up lol. there’s also canon storylines (vander death, vi conflict etc.) but translated into a modern context

note: sorry this one took a little longer ur girl is struggling 💔💔 thank you to anyone still reading this ilyyy!!!! I think I might try to wrap it up in the next two chapters but we’ll see where it goes lmao (not edited so bare with me here)

Jinx is scared. Her heart is hammering in her chest and her face feels red hot. She shouldn’t be scared; it’s not even that big of a deal.

It’s just, Ekko isn’t even technically her boyfriend yet, maybe he doesn’t even really like her. And she’s scared for him to meet Silco and Sevika, for them to meet him. To meet her non-boyfriend.

The voices are loud today, and it’s only making her feel worse and worse. She can’t let him see how fucked up in the head she is on top of everything else.

She’s been getting ready for much too long now, staring at the mirror like her appearance is going to change. Silco keeps calling for her to come downstairs, but she’s frozen, studying every aspect of her face, of her hair. Like it’s going to get any better.

It doesn’t matter. It’s just dinner. She’s looked worse, right?

Jinx smiles at herself in the mirror and immediately drops it when she realizes how much she looks like a maniac. She is not going to make it through the night.

“Jinx!” Silco calls again. “Do you want to be late?”

She ignores him in favour of running her hands through her again.

“Jinx!” 

“That’s me.” She whispers to herself before standing, grabbing her small purse and making the walk downstairs.

The restaurant is fancy; Silco will only ever eat out if it’s at a fancy restaurant. A run down diner would have been just peachy, but no, she instead must dress up for some high end place downtown. She spent way too much time pondering what was too causal and what was too fancy. An embarrassing amount of time.

Silco and Sevika are already in the car by the time she’s on the first floor, and Sevika’s revving the engine by the time she makes it outside, still sliding her boot on. 

“I’m going, I’m going!” Jinx speed walks towards the car. “Impatient ogre.” She grumbles.

Jinx slides into the backseat, Silco in the passenger seat in front of her angrily gripping the wheel.

“There.” Silco says, sitting in a weirdly proper position. “We are all ready now.”

“Took her long enough.” Sevika steps on the gas pedal.

“This dinner was kind of on short notice.” The blue haired girl in the back seat crosses her arms.

“And whose fault is that?” 

“It’s Silco’s, not mine!”

“Jinx,” Her adoptive father warns her for what seems like the millionth time today. “This dinner is going to be fine. And it will be good for you. Both you and the boy.”

“Are you planning something? I swear to god-“ Jinx huffs. “Listen, I appreciate the notion, but I just don’t trust that this gonna work out. Like I’ve already told you, me and him are not dating!”

“You were swapping spit behind the school like you were about to take your pants off.” Sevika comments, not even acknowledging the glare that Jinx gives her.

Silco simply nods in the drivers direction, a silent agreement.

“Ach! Come on, guys! I was not gonna have sex with him or something at the back of the school-“ Her arms flail around wildly.

“That does bring up the conversation, Jinx, that-“ Her adoptive father starts, turning to look at her from the passenger seat.

“Nope!” Jinx slaps her hands over her ears. “We are not doing this. Not again.”

“You are getting to the age-“ He tries again.

“Stop! Stop stop stop! Sevika, stop him!”

“Leave me out of this.” The driver rolls her eyes.

“You need to be safe, Jinx, and-“ 

“Crash the car! Sevika, crash the fucking car!” Jinx sticks her fingers in her ears.

“Oh really, Jinx,” Silco clicks his tongue, resigning from his mission defeatedly. “Be mature, please.”

She shakes her head, silently looking out the window. “Do not try to give Ekko the talk at dinner, please.” She shivers just imagining it. “If you love me at all, do not bring anything of the sort up.”

Sevika laughs dryly and the car goes quiet.

When they arrive at the restaurant, Jinx can see Ekko’s car already waiting in the parking lot. She can only recognize it slightly, considering Ekko usually took his skateboard to school. Seeing his car was a rare occurrence, but she had memorized the look of it enough to know it’s his.

She hops out of the car, smoothing out her skirt beneath her hands and shoving her phone into her pocket. Ekko gets out of his car at the same time. She almost wants to laugh at how he looks.

He looks terrified, and on top of it all, he’s wearing some dorky suit. She wanted to say that a suit at dinner was like a gaping wound in shark infested waters; Silco could smell weakness like a damn animal. She wanted to tell him he didn’t need to do all that, not for her. At the same time, she wants to grab him by the silly tie and kiss him stupid.

Alas, Sevika and Silco are third wheeling this not-date with her not-boyfriend. But a girl can dream, right?

“Hey.” Ekko says, and she smiles tightly.

“Hey.” 

The 4 walk towards the restaurant in silence, Jinx standing beside Ekko, and Silco and Sevika walking in front of them.

“Are you nervous?” Jinx whispers to the boy beside her.

“Yeah.” He laughs anxiously. “Really nervous.”

“Can I let you in on a secret?” She looks at the ground. “I’m nervous too.”

He looks at her through the corner of his eye. “At least we’re in the same boat, huh?”

She trails here eyes from his brown ones to his lips and then back up again. Focus, Jinx. Focus.

“Yeah.” She shoves his shoulder lightly. “Except, I’d be more worried if I was you. Don’t fuck it up.” Her voice is light.

“I’ll try.” He shoves her back and she giggles. He gives her an odd look, one she can’t quite decipher. Adoration? Confusion? Want?

Jinx shakes her head to clear herself off all the thoughts. Her mind is whirring with desire and confusion and worry faster than she can even keep up.

The restaurant is exactly how she expected it to be; unbearably neat and clean and full of snobby people. It smells like cleaner and polished floors, and the classical music playing softly in the background makes her long for her headphones on max or the car speaker vibrating through her body.

“And so the fun begins.” Jinx mutters to herself as they walk towards their reserved table, her shoes clicking on the stupid fancy floors.

Of course Silco would choose a place like this to eat at. Of course.

Jinx slides into her seat and Ekko stiffly sits down beside her, putting his hands in his lap and holding his shoulders back like he’s made of ice. She tries to not show her amusement at his effort to impress Silco and Sevika.

“So, Ekko.” Silco says, folding his hands on the table like how he does at his principals desk. “How are you?” 

“I’m good, thank you, sir.”

Jinx almost laughs at that one. She can see Sevika’s lips curling up at the stupidity of the interaction.

The waiter interrupts with a pitcher of water, pouring some in each of their glasses. Jinx chugs all her water while Sevika asks for wine and Silco stares at Ekko, who looks close to a breakdown.

After the waiter refills her cup and walks away, Jinx chugs the water again, whilst the lady across the table watches her with mild disgust.

“What?” She says, wiping off her mouth.

Sevika just raises an eyebrow.

“Ekko,” Silco starts. “I was looking at your grades, and-“

Jinx groans. “Don’t be weird. Why would you do that?” 

“Jinx.” He says slowly.

“Sil-co.” She mocks. Her dad has never scared her.

The waiter returns with Sevika’s wine, and Jinx can feel the itch to grab it and chug that to. She could really use a drink right about know.

She glances over at Ekko, then back at the two adults at the the table. She doesn’t think she should leave him stranded here with them, but she also really needs to pee.

“Going to the washroom.” She informs the table, standing up.

Ekko looks at her with those beautiful big brown eyes, full of desperation. ‘Sorry.’ She mouths at him. She can already picture the interrogation Silco is going to perform in her absence.

The people sitting at the tables remind her of Vi’s annoying girlfriend; preppy and stuck up. Then she thinks of Vi, and her mind starts to scribble over any coherent thought. Jinx really hopes she’s not going it have an episode in the middle of this disgustingly shiny restaurant.

The bathroom is empty when she walks in. 5 stalls, wooden doors, high ceilings. A lot nicer than the school bathrooms, that’s for sure.

Once she’s left the stall, which has a toilet nicer than she knew a toilet could be, she goes over to the sinks to wash her hands. The soap smells like some kind of flowery perfume and the water even feels nicer than normal. She wonders if this is what someone like Caitlyn’s house would be like, what they would live in all the time. She can’t even imagine Vi living somewhere that looks this nice.

Jinx turns to leave, hurrying to be Ekko’s salvation from her slightly intimidating father. She almost walks right into someone coming into the bathroom door, grunting and stumbling back. 

“Sorry.” She mutters, looking only at the heels of the woman in front of her. 

“It’s okay, I should have been watching where I was going.” The woman replies, holding the door open for her.

Jinx freezes. Fuck. She recognizes that stupid accent, that annoyingly smug voice.

She locks eyes with her and can see the exact moment she recognizes her too. 

“Jinx?” Caitlyn says, looking scared and angry at the same time.

“Caitlyn.” Jinx huffs, pushing past her, out the door. “Can’t you just-“ She stops, squeezing her eyes shut as her chest burns with anger. 

Jinx walks away, farther and farther into the restaurant. She doesn’t have the energy to blow up at Caitlyn right now, the mental fortitude. She needs to be alone with the screams and scribbles behind her eyes; she can’t let other people see the crumbling stability her mind holds.

“Can’t you just fucking leave me alone?” She says to no one in particular. She’s alone in this part of the restaurant, the people at the tables sparse in this area. The bathroom is still too close, Caitlyn’s still too close.

And if Caitlyn’s close, that means Vi is…

Right there. Fuck. Pink hair is sitting at a table, facing away from her.

“Why did they have to be here?” She groans to herself, burying her hands in her hair and hiding behind a wall. Jinx is starting to feel grateful the restaurant is so big; there’s more walls to hide behind, more spaces to slip into.

She’ll need those hiding places now. Her mind is slipping away from her by the second.

The panic is seeping in, chipping away at the fragile peace she was holding. She knew today wasn’t going to be a good day, she just didn’t know it would be this bad. She never should have come here. 

The bathroom door opens, and she turns to look from behind the wall. Caitlyn walks out, looking scared.

Seeing Caitlyn again only sets Jinx off more. She pulls her knees to her chest and buries her face, trying to breathe through it. She was never good at dealing with panic attacks, which was unfortunate, considering how often she would have them.

Jinx’s mind is too loud, too quiet, too much, too colourful. She can’t think. Every voice in her head is screaming on full volume, louder than even her speaker could drown out. She can’t think, she can’t see, she can’t feel.

And then suddenly, she can. A warm hand on her arm. A voice, one outside of her brain, one that’s not screeching; it’s warm like summer and soft like a plush carpet.

“Jinx?” It says. The hand shakes rouses her lightly. “Jinx, are you okay? Talk to me, please.” Even filled with desperation, the voice calms her.

Her vision clears, just a bit, of the colourful scribbles, of the mess. She can see who’s in front of her, who’s talking to her. Ekko.

Jinx almost wants to cry from relief.

“Jinx?” He says again. He’s kneeling beside. “Are you okay? Do you want me to get someone? Silco?”

“No,” She manages to gasp out, leaning into his feather light grip on her shoulder. “Just you.” 

Her muddled mind and eyes clear more, and she can see his shining eyes, his furrowed brow. She wants to wipe the worried expression of his face.

She starts to breathe easier, staring at Ekko. Caitlyn and Vi don’t matter, not right now. She doesn’t have to worry about how she fucked up with her sister when she can just sit here, with this wonderful boy who she somehow hasn’t managed to jinx. At least not yet.

“Sorry.” Jinx’s voice sounds raspy and rough, even more than usual. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Ekko tilts his head. “Jinx, you haven’t done anything wrong.” 

She breaths deeply, trying to balance herself out more. “I did…I’ve messed everything up, with everyone.” She hates how her voice breaks.

“No you haven’t.” He sits down beside her, leaning on the wall sheltering them from the outside world. “You haven’t messed it up with me, Jinx. And it’s not your fault, whatever happened.”

“But you barely know me.” She puts her head back on the wall. “I make everyone leave, run away…if you stay any longer, I’ll jinx you too. That’s how I got the stupid name, and I…I can’t do that to you.”

She can hear him breathe. She can feel his confusion, his worry.

“I…wasn’t born with the name Jinx.” She starts to explain. “I mean, that’d be stupid, but my old name isn’t much better. I used to be called Powder, way back when. And then…sweet ol’ Powder fucked up, and she started calling herself what she always had been, always will be; Jinx.”

Ekko tentatively moves his hand down from Jinx’s shoulder, putting his hand in hers. “You’re not a jinx. Everyone makes mistakes. And even if I haven’t known you very long…I know you’re a good person. You deserve good things. I promise.”

He looks at her so sincerely she can feel another piece of her battered, rotten heart break off. 

“Oh.” Is all she can say. 

His wide brown eyes stare into her blue ones. It almost feels like he’s looking into her soul.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Ekko.” Jinx bites her lip, desperately trying to find the will to look away.

“I don’t think you will.” His fingers curl tighter around hers. “And even if you do, I’d let you.” He laughs. 

Jinx wants to kiss him so bad it hurts.

Their faces get closer and closer, noses almost touching. She pauses, resisting for a moment. “How’d you even get away from Silco and Sevika?”

“I came to look for you. You were gone for a while.” Ekko’s eyes flash from her lips back up to her eyes. “Are you good now?”

“Yeah.” She breathes. “Thanks.”

She moves forward, holding the back of his head with her hands, and locking his lips with hers. She really hopes this wall gives them enough privacy from the others in the restaurant, or else they’ll have to eat with a view of two teenagers passionately making out.

And even though Jinx’s rotten heart starts to feel fuller, her mind starts to feel clearer, there’s still a piece missing. Still something…not there. She wants to be with Ekko, but she doesn’t want to hurt him. She can’t. Despite what he says, she knows it’s inevitable.

So she savours this kiss like it’s the last. Kisses him as hard as she can, kisses him like it’s goodbye. She doesn’t think he notices that it is. 

I’m sorry, Ekko. She thinks. 

Once a jinx, always a jinx…