#melvika fanfiction | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

roseamongroses · 1 month ago

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with strange tenderness ch: 6/7

Melvika - Timebomb [side] Alternate Universe - Modern Setting /Alternate Universe - Small Town /Artist Mel Medarda/ Muse! Sevika /Court Mandated Found Family/ Sevika Does Not Get Paid Enough (Arcane: League of Legends)/ Retired! Sevika/ Parental Death/ Past Traumatic Events/ Past Violence & Stalking/ Mild Sexual Content/ Dog/Cat Dynamic/ Canon-Typical Exploitation of the Working Class/Mentions of Police Brutality/ Microgression/ no beta we die like Silco/ Vitiligo! Mel/ repeated silco slander/ Hurt/Comfort/ Past Child Abuse/ Past Neglect/ Domestic Fluff

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ao3

1--2--3--4--Candles.

The fires lit up one by one, bursting from that chocolate cake and licking Ekko’s face with their glow. Wide eyed, he looked between the cake and Benzo, shaking in his chair with excitement , “Is it all for me--?” he asked, beaming up at the man.

Benzo placed a heavy hand the young boy’s shoulder, fond, “Of course, kid,” he said, letting out a rumbling laugh, “Now go on and make a wish--”

Ekko shut his eyes tight, taking in a deep breath.

Jinx exhaled.

That early morning, winter air—pierced like a knife. Her lungs burned as her sneakers slapped against the cracked and uneven pavement. Heart beating faster and faster.

She hit the corner, skidding to a halt, cheeks flushed. Against her neck, her headphones bumped rhythmically—the beat of drums, a mind-numbing rattling that filled the silence. Dropping her bag, she rummaged through the mess. Random sheets of stickers, scraps of colorful wrapping paper, broken drumsticks, packs of empty gum—shit her meds—before she found the canister.

Violet eyes danced across her canvas—hearing that little ball rattle as she shook the spray paint hard.

‘WELCOME TO THE HISTORIC CITY OF YAWN’

Chunky letters were blasted across the front doors of the High School. The colors were a nasty combination of vibrant blues and purples, biting into the muddy brown of those dingy doors.

A few students clustered in front of the doors, whispering and taking pictures of the graffiti. Every-so-often the teacher on Morning-Duty would poke their head out the doors to shoo them off to class, but they always came back after she left.

Ekko brushed past the group, nose down as he doodled in his notebook-- jelly falling on the lined pages as swallowed the last of his donut. He maneuvered his way through the crowded halls, dodging elbows and side-stepping the occasional group of meandering, six-foot tall jocks.

He heard the late-bell ring and he glanced up--then at his schedule.

He walked to his homeroom from last semester.

His class was on the other side of the school.

“Shit-” Ekko mumbled, turning on his heel and rushing to his homeroom. By the time he stepped through the doors, tardy slip in hand, most of the other students had already found their seats.

“Mornin’ rabbit,” Jinx drawled. She was propped up on top of her desk. Her uniform was strategically ripped below the knees, skirt rolled up at the waist, and sleeves decorated with safety pins. Her long braids sprouted wild from underneath her beanie, hanging over her eyes. She was next to the only empty seat left, “You’re late-- again.”

Looks like they were stuck together-- again.

Ekko closed his eyes, internally groaning. He resigned himself to his fate. Dropping his bag down, he slumped into the seat. Forehead to desk, eyes shut tight.

Jinx snickered to herself, paying him no mind as she loudly talked about her weekend with everyone else. She crowded into his space with little care. Braids tickling his arms, legs bumping into the side of the desk every-so-often making it shake, her fingers tapping absentmindedly on his desk to an unheard rhythm.

Sixteen years ago, somewhere in East Zaun Hospital, two babies were born seconds apart. And like most kids in Zaun--they grew up together, but they were closer than most.

They had the same birthday and lived in the same apartment building. Their last names listed one after the other on every roll-call, being deskmates every year without fail.

Both had parents who worked in the mine before it shut down. Both had parents. Both entered foster-care around the same time, except Ekko never left Zaun.

One day Powder was there--the next day she wasn’t.

Packed up and gone on some random Tuesday.

He hadn’t even known she’d left until he saw that her name-tag was taken off of the cubby next to his. He didn’t know the exact reasons why at the time, but he wasn’t stupid.

He remembers the flashing lights--blue, red, blue, red-- outside his windows before Benzo guided him back to bed. How Benzo hugged him, a little too tight, before saying goodnight.

It was a small town and he was a nosy kid. He heard the rumors-- Enforcers were killed. He remembers seeing the barriers and check-points on his way to school--more each day. The dark uniforms posted up on the corners, most of them outsourced from Piltover, the hungry pigs sniffing for blood.

Sleepy, small town Zaun wasn’t known for much. Its profitability burned up quickly, leaving its residents in the dust. But the year Powder disappeared was the year Zaun became known for something else entirely.

Zaun.

The Birthplace of Shimmer.

It was originally an old recipe miners used in place of expensive, traditional medicine to fight the aches, the pains, and all things rotten. But the recipe changed. Many hands passing over it until it became so potent even the rich and able-bodied wanted a piece.

Silco’s Shimmer operation outgrew the town quickly.

He wasn’t wealthy. He was wealth personified.

Most people in Zaun could make the original recipe themselves with a little elbow grease, spare change, and a healthy disregard for the legal system. So Silco’s operation expanded--other cities, overseas, until the man was shaking hands with wallets fatter than the oceans were wide.

Zaun had a love-hate relationship with the man.

Mostly hate.

Silco’s teeth were as bloody as any Enforcer, but he never shied away from his roots. He maintained his properties in Zaun, paid his taxes, and casted his ballots. His hands dipping into the pockets of the indifferent city council members. That blood money kept the town afloat in more ways than one. He didn’t make the town that much better, but it didn’t get worse.

So when the ax finally fell, no one knew what to expect.

Ekko definitely didn’t expect her.

Heavy boots, a too big uniform, and a shiny new name.Those big violet eyes, seething from behind her bangs. A snarl on her lips as she sat down in the seat next to his own, kicking up her feet--like nothing ever changed.

And yet--everything was different.

You could always hear her coming.

From her loud-ass voice, to her even louder boots, but mostly you could hear the whispers that followed.

“Did you hear how she-”

“Last week she-”

“Why is she-”

“Damn, it's -”

Jinx stopped in front of him. Her braids swayed as she constantly shifted her weight from either leg. She was always in motion, a pendulum swinging and swinging until you had no choice but to follow.

Ekko sighed, “What?” he asked, eyes fixed on his presentation notes. It was bad enough he had to deal with her in every class, why was she still here after-school. An unnatural silence followed the question, pulling his attention away. He twirled the pen in his hand as he studied her face, how her eyes were fixed on the ceiling, mouth pinched, “You good?”

Jinx’s nose twitched, snapping out of it, “Never better--” then she tacked on, quick, “This is the Robotics Team interest meeting, right..?”

“...Yes,” Ekko said slowly, then he realized.

Did she actually want to…join?

Then again, the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Jinx was always good with her hands. They were always making shit when they were younger. Cobbling together dolls made of wire-hanger and old dresses, breaking apart and putting together anything they could get their hands on.

Imagination was a necessity to combat boredom. Most toys were far too expensive and most days were spent at home waiting for the adults to get back from work. The habit stuck with Ekko as he got older. It must have stuck with her too.

Ekko’s eyes dropped back to his notes, “I’ll start the meeting in a few minutes, pull up a chair--” he said, pen pointing idly off to the side.

“Cool,” Jinx said, smiling a bit as she passed.

- She was so… -

“1-2-1-2-3-4-” Ekko barked out, drumsticks moving with ease.

Steady wood shaped into the palm of his hands like a second skin. The steady snap of drums washing over his senses, mind focused entirely on the task at hand.

His eyes moved across the sheet music, but he didn’t need it. The repetitions were natural at this point, as easy as breathing. It was more so for the rest of the drumline's benefit. Apparently it was easier for them to make corrections if he knew the exact place in the notation.

He listened carefully, eyes drifting down that long line of snares. So far no fuck ups--

Ekko’s eyebrow twitched.

And for a second, he thought he misheard. It was so subtle anyone could have overlooked it, but--

It happened again.

He frowned, holding up a hand to cut them off.

Tucking his drumsticks away, he walked down that line studying the nervous faces carefully, before he sighed, “Everyone split into groups of two and review the piece--starting at measure 53, ” he said, noting the visible relief on their faces, “We’ll go over it again at the end of the hour.”

The group dispersed, a hush of whispers as everyone started to break down their setups and begin moving into the practice rooms.

Ekko looked up briefly, muttering to himself, before he called out, “Jinx, you’re with me.”

Jinx’s eyes crinkled as she sent him a cheeky, two finger salute.

Once everyone had filed out and her drum-sticks were readied, Ekko nodded at her, counting off again.

Jinx played like how she talked, how she walked, how she lived.

Loud--and with a careless, hyper-competency that would piss off anyone.

She didn’t bother glancing down at the notation, she wasn’t looking at anything at all. Her eyes closed, a blissful, yet mean look on her face as she rode the beat. Hands a blur, the drumsticks melting into her skin, the drums, and the beat. An untethered motion that never hesitated, not even for a second.

Ekko couldn’t help but lose himself in it all.

The motion, the rhythms, her-

There it was again.

“--Jinx? Jinx? Stop--” Ekko cut her off.

Jinx’s hands jerked to a stop, drumsticks going limp in her hands,“What-?” she bit out, annoyed.

“You’re playing it wrong,” Ekko said, paying the attitude no mind,

Jinx squinted at him, chin raising, defiant, “I’m playing it better.”

Ekko’s eyes narrowed, “You’re doing it on purpose?”

“Well-duh, “ Jinx scoffed, twirling a drumstick in her hand, “I don’t make mistakes.”

Which, infuriatingly enough--she wasn’t wrong.

“Play it how it's written,” Ekko said, pinching his nose, “It’s an ensemble, not a solo.”

Jinx rolled her eyes, blowing her bangs out of her face, “Does having a stick up your ass make you play better?” she said, pleasantly.

“Better than you, yes.”

“Is that a bet?” Jinx asked, readying her drumsticks.

“It’s a promise,” Ekko said, raising his own lips twitching at the challenge.

- Annoying. -

Jinx didn’t expect much from this shithole.

That old man was far too fucking sentimental thinking coming back to Zaun would do her any good. It had already killed the few good bits she had left.

So she definitely didn’t expect him.

He wasn’t with Benzo anymore, but the unlucky bastard was placed in one of the few group homes in the area.

Ekko was still alive and kicking-- unchanged-- like a ghost.

Old ass, raggedy ass-- pig-bitch.

“Heh,” Jinx chuckled under her breath, mouth sneering as she glared up at the teacher standing over her. She was a shiny, new lady shipped fresh from Piltover. She introduced herself by detailing her lengthy career working at Stillwater Prison while dropping stacks of papers on each desk.

At first, Jinx thought it was a bit--it was not.

Ms. Piggy’s eyes narrowed cooly at the teenager, manicured nails tapping against the desk, “There’s nothing to laugh about, go ahead and read the passage or else you can take another trip to the office.”

Jinx inhaled--then exhaled, eyes darting to the other students around her, nails biting into her wrist, “I’m not reading out loud,” she gritted out, narrowing her eyes right back.

“And why not?” Ms. Piggy loftily asked.

“I…” Jinx looked down, then around, huffing, “I don’t want to s--” she bit out.

“Well, we don’t always get what we want--”

“Is that why your face looks like a--” Jinx stopped, feeling a steady hand on her shoulder.

“Excuse me, Ma’am-” Ekko interrupted, with a strained, but polite smile, “I can read the next passage. Maybe she just needs a sec-”

“I’m not talking to you, boy, ” Ms. Piggy snapped out, “Interrupt again and I’ll send you to the office too.”

Ekko’s smile faltered, eyes chilly, narrowing.

And yet, he closed his mouth, resigned.

A deathly silence followed, students watching, waiting, and-

That ever-dwindling fuse burned to its end.

Jinx abruptly stood, hands slamming on the desk and sending the papers flying. Ms. Piggy stepped back, startled. Jinx was close behind, “Yeah--Cunt-For-Brains,” she spat, jabbing a finger in her face, “You’re talking to me-- I told you I’m not fuckin’ doing it,”

“This behavior will not be--”

“Me-mem-eme-memem,” Jinx mocked, rolling her eyes.

“The office, Miss Pickett,” Ms. Piggy said, tersely. Face red, she somehow collected herself enough to get a word in, “Go or should I call your parents and--”

“Blah-blah-blah--” Jinx mimed with her hands. She strolled past her, waving a crooked finger behind, “Go ahead and call them, bitch--”

The classroom door slammed behind her as she left. She stopped at the office, pushing through the doors and flinging herself into one of the uncomfortable-ass chairs.

The secretary barely glanced up from her computer before reaching for the phone, resigned. She didn’t even bother to hand out the incident report paper-work,

A nap and some bells--later finally came.

Ms. Piggy stepped through the office doors, looking smug.

Sevika ducked into the office after her, weary. Before she followed the teacher into one of the conference rooms, she stopped in front of Jinx, raising an eyebrow, “What happened?”

“She’s a bitch.”

“...Anything else?”

Jinx looked off to the side, frowning, “...Public speaking and reading.”

Sevika’s eyes narrowed, “Did she provide an alternative assignment?”

“No.”

Sevika didn’t need to hear anything else. She disappeared into the conference room.

Jinx picked at the threads in her coat, humming as she waited. A door opened, a familiar set of boots--worn and paint splattered -- stopped in front of her. She looked up, a little confused, “...Don’t you have a bus to catch, rabbit?”

“I--” Ekko adjusted the straps of his bookbag, “Are you…good? That lady is a--- lot sometimes.”

Curious and curiouser.

“You're worried about me,” Jinx observed with an odd look, “She was ruder to you, honestly. Should’ve chewed her ass out.”

“That…” Ekko frowned, shoving his hands in his pockets, visibly uncomfortable, “Isn’t that overreacting? It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“People only react to overactions,” Jinx said with a shrug, “Otherwise they let any-shit fly.”

“I…can’t really afford to overreact right now,” Ekko admitted, eyebrows furrowing.

Jinx paused, considering his words for a moment, then, “I can do it then.”

“What?”

“If you can’t, I can,” Jinx repeated, like that made any fucking sense, “Call me up and I’ll do it. I don’t give a fuck--I can bite, cuss, fight--”

“No,” Ekko said, shaking his head, fighting back a laugh, “Absolutely not.”

Jinx frowned, crossing her arms as she slumped back, “You’re no fun.”

Ekko sighed, a little helpless, “You’re so--”

The door to the conference room opened.

Ms. Piggy rushed out, face looking snotty and wet.

The two teens craned their necks, eyes wide, mouths gaping a bit.

“Damn--” Ekko muttered.

“Is she crying--?” Jinx asked, a little giddy. She looked up as Sevika stepped out the room, “Did you make her cry? Wha’did you do?”

Sevika looked down, expression unmoved as Jinx peppered her with questions, “We talked” she vaguely said, rolling her shoulder out as she walked past, “You’re still getting detention for profanity, but the alternative assignment is due by Monday,” she added on as an afterthought.

Jinxed waved her off, “Boo--tell me. C’mon lefty, don’t hold out on me--” she hopped on her feet, snatching her bag up as she followed them, “Can I drive us home today?”

“Hell-fuckin’ no,” Sevika said, turning her head. Her eyes landed on Ekko standing awkwardly behind them, “Do you need a ride, kid?”

“Uh-” Ekko glanced down at his beat-up watch before scratching the back of his neck, “Maybe.”

Jinx beamed, doubling back to snatch his arm and drag him along before he could second guess himself, chatting as she went, “Hey, Granny--can we get ice cream? We should get ice-cream. I didn’t even bite the bitch-”

- And yet, he now was so… -

“Two cones with two scoops of mint-chocolate chip and--”

Isha thumped on the glass excitedly, face pressed against it, eyes wide.

Jinx nodded in agreement, “-- a scoop of blue-raspberry sorbet on top--with rainbow sprinkles, please,” she finished all in one, long breath.

Ekko stared at them, disgusted, as he spooned up his own ice cream--plain chocolate.

Sevika didn’t bat an eye, pulling Isha away from the glass, “Add a pint of mango sorbet,” she said curtly to the employee.

The employee nodded, busying themselves with putting together the rest of the order. Once done, they handed the cones over to the girls and slid the bag with the pint across the counter.

“You don’t even like sorbet, though?” Jinx said, shoving ice cream down in her face.

“Mind your business, “ Sevika said, pulling out a wad of cash from her wallet. She thumbed through the stack before sliding a chunk of it across the counter. Then she handed a five to Isha and a twenty to Jinx.

“Business minded, “ Jinx chirped, tucking the cash away in her boot. She continued noisly licking at her ice cream, turning to Ekko, "You want some?” she asked.

“Ugh-no,” Ekko said, pulling a face.

“C’mon try it--try it” Jinx goaded, waving the cone around like a knife, ice cream dripping with each swing.

Ekko pointedly dodged her attempts to end his life--getting chased around the store with increasing fevour. Every left--every right--she wasn’t far behind. Jinx didn’t let up-- Isha on her heel, hyping her up as she cornered him in the chip aisle.

Ekko feigned right, before breaking free, skidding out the door towards the truck, heavy boots and cackling not far behind him.

- Boring. -

“Are we there yet?” Jinx asked for the fifty-billonth time. She sat in her seat, cross-legged-- mime punching into Ekko’s open palms.

The entire robotics team was crammed into the back of the van, rattingly about like spare change as it climbed those hilly, pot-hole peppered roads.

“Shut the fuck up before I crash the van,” Sherry gritted out, hands gripping the wheel tight. She was lovingly referred to as Mr. Clean, for obvious reasons. A scrawny little thing, her face pierced to hell-and-back with rainbow jewelry and always sporting that ratty Sumprats jersey.

Mili, her girlfriend, was curled up in the front seat. She giggled as she smoked out the window, dyed and fried sisterlocs flying wild in the air.

Jinx patted Ekko’s palms repeatedly, like tapping a drum. She tilted her head, “On purpose or on accident?”

“Keep yapping and you’ll find out--”

The rest of the group groaned as Sherry turned a sharp corner, bracing themselves as she finally went off road.

Terrell--Bug face, hit the front seats, glasses falling to the ground.

Beebee and Junebug--creepy-ass cousins, surprisingly not twins--gripped their seatbelts tightly. One muttering in Klingon while the other recited a Catholic prayer.

Jinx yelped as she slid out her seat. Ekko caught her around the shoulders, pulling her back up and holding her steady. Before she could protest, he reached around her, clicking her seatbelt back on.

“Aw, you do love me-” Jinx teased, fingers now using his shoulders as her new drum pads.

Ekko rolled his eyes, looking out the window without another word.

By the time the van skidded to a halt, the sun was long gone. They all tumbled out into the cold, pulling their coats around them a little tighter as they huddled together, trekking up that winding path of trees and wire fences--and more wire fences.

Mili began passing out beers--skipping over Jinx. Ekko declined. Seeing this, Jinx pulled out two of her own bottles from her bag, handing one to him.

“What's this?” Ekko said, squinting at the label.

“It's non-alcoholic,” Jinx promised, a strange glint in her eye as she cracked open her bottle and sipped it evenly. Seeing him hesitate, she added, “I can’t drink on my meds.”

Ekko scrutinized the bottle for a moment, mumbling, “Fuck it-” before he cracked it open, taking a sip and--he spat into the snow, groaning, “What the fuck Jinx?”

Jinx cackled, that devil liquid splashing everywhere as she clutched her stomach.

Wiping his mouth, Ekko slowly approached her, “I’m going to dump snow on you“ he explained, words short, methodical even, “And then I will laugh. And do it again.”

Jinx paid him no mind at first, hiccuping at this point--before the threat finally registered.

“Shit-” Jinx yelped, stumbling to the ground and dodging the obscenely large clump of snow thrown her way. It wasn’t even a snow-ball, it was more like he had scooped up as much as he could and flung it in her direction, “Shit-shit-shit-shit--Ekko it's cold--” she whined, gloved hands digging into the snow and half-heartedly flinging it as she sprinted away--his footsteps close behind.

Up the hill and through the crumbling fences, they chased each other up that snowy path, squeals and laughter echoing in the forest as the rest of the group joined the chase.

Jinx inhaled that crisp winter air--lungs on fire, braids fluttering behind her, before she stumbled to a halt.

There--where the sky met the plunging earth. Where the glass bottles shake and that old chain-fence rattled. There-- the stars, the lights, and the grime--those unlikely worlds came together.

Ekko exhaled, clutching his knees, relieved to finally get a chance to catch his breath.

“What...” Jinx’s eyes darted around the area, frantic, “Wait what happened? Where’s the tree?” she asked, thin voice easily caught in the wind.

“Oh….” Ekko’s brow furrowed, a little gutted at the remainder. He’d forgotten there used to be a tree here, “Some rich-fuck from Piltover tore it down awhile back,” he explained, “We can still make wishes here though…”

“I…wanted to climb it with you again,” Jinx admitted, hugging herself tight.

Again-- Chubby cheeks, bandaged knees, and sun-kissed faces. Scrambling up the sprawling branches of that old tree, hiding in the leaves from Mylo after they swiped his shoes. They knew the older boy would never find them because he was afraid of heights and they weren’t.

They weren’t afraid of much back then.

Some things do change.

Jinx looked lost. Growing quiet all at once, a pensive look on her face.

Ekko shifted nervously, looking between her face and the fence. He reached out, grasping her arm, tugging her gently to follow, “C’mon--”

“What?” Jinx stumbled behind, a little annoyed.

Ekko led her to the fence, letting go. His fingers hooked onto the fence, shaking it experimentally, “We can still climb the fence.”

“Why would we climb a stupid-fuckin’ fence?”

Ekko glanced back, giving the fence another shake, “If your too chicken-shit to do it, just say so--”

Jinx threw herself up the fence, flipping him off as she climbed. Boots slipping, wire shaking as he followed close behind.

Sneering faces, gangly legs, and frost-kissed faces. They reached the top in no time, breathing heavily as they tried to catch their breath.

Jinx hefted herself up and over--swinging her legs around to the otherside, balancing herself at the top of the world.

Ekko hooked his arms around the top of the fence, feet lodged into the mesh to keep balance. Mulling it over, he raised the bottle to his mouth, hesitating, before he took another sip. He gagged, trying it again, “This shit sucks ass--” he muttered.

Jinx emptied the last drops of hers on her tongue, letting out a burp--white air puffing from her lips.

“Gross.”

Jinx burped again for good measure, fanning it his way. The bottle hung loosely from her fingertips, fence swaying as she kicked her feet, “You know what really sucks ass--”

“Life?” Ekko guessed.

“--Life,” Jinx echoed, nodding her head sagely.

“When’s… Vi leaving?”

“Soon,” Jinx said, yawning as she rubbed her eyes, “She’s apartment hunting all the time--texting me details and shit, asking for my opinions. Y’know, because she hates me and wants to rub it in my face. ”

“...She doesn’t hate you,” Ekko said, automatically, sipping his bottle. All too familiar with this song and dance.

“....I know,” Jinx huffed, glaring at the sky.

“Y’know what doesn’t suck ass?” Ekko wondered out loud.

Jinx sent him a look.

“Really? Nothing?”

Jinx raised her eyebrow.

“...The competition? Remember? The whole reason we came up here-? Make a wish? Kick ass?”

“Ohh, right, right, “ Jinx nodded, “The nerd shit.”

“Our nerd shit,” Ekko corrected, raising his bottle.

Jinx snickered, clicking the bottles together, “Our nerd shit.” she agreed. Her swinging feet slowed, head lolling from side-to-side instead as she set her sights on that horizon. Eyes sweeping from the distant Zaun lights, from the stars, to somewhere else entirely. Forever in motion, her brain rattled so much it made her teeth shake and body ache from the pressure.

“Hey, Ekko?”

“Huh?”

“Y’know what I wish for?” Jinx asked, fighting back her giggles.

“Do I… wanna know?”

Jinx raised her free arm, finger gun pointing far past those rolling hills, to the unseen, gleaming, Piltover city-lights. Distantly she heard the rest of the group finally make their way up the path, the short, even breaths of the teenager next to her, and her own beating heart, beating faster and faster.

Eyes squinting--narrowing in on her target, then her hand jerked back as she mimed an explosion with her mouth. Cold air poured from her lips as she threw back her head and let out a wicked laugh.

“It's not funny,” Mel grumbled, holding the garish, red-black uniform up to her body as she squinted into the mirror. Her laptop was propped up on her vanity, her brother wheezing on the video call. The screen froze every-so often on his big-mouth.

“It's so…ugly,” Mel complained, with a thinly veiled sneer, “She clearly hates me.”

“She doesn’t--” Kino hit the table repeatedly, gasping for breath, “She doesn’t hate you--” he coughed out, shoulders shaking, words of comfort utterly unconvincing.

“It has a tie-- Kino--an ugly tie,” Mel drawled, throwing the blazer on her bed before picking up the skirt and holding it up to her waist with a scrutinizing look, “A tie so ugly and so big it makes me look like a Christmas tree set ablaze.”

“Okay, my ugly little shrub--” Kino says fondly, wiping his eyes, “Did you finish your stone yet?”

Mel stepped into the skirt, tugging it over her pajama pants, frowning a bit, “I need to get these tailored,” she mutters to herself, rolling up the waist a bit, turning in the mirror to get a better look at her a--

“The rock Mel. Melly? Melly belly? The stone--The stone--?

“Right--” Mel blinked out of her thoughts. She reached towards the vanity, picking up a palm-sized stone. It was white, smooth, and decorated with vibrant, overlapping flames, like fluttering sails. She presented it to the camera with a flourish.

Kino beamed, showing off his stone as well. The little blue hearts, painstaking etched into its curves, a dotting spiral that curled around two, small cursive initials that read--‘K+V’-- “What are you going to wish for?”

“What I always do,” Mel scoffed as she tucked her rock inside a vase of roses.

“--Sevika,” Mel whined, hugging her pillow tight. A calloused hand wrapped around her ankle completely, holding her firmly for a moment before slowly pulling her from under the covers, “Go away--”

“Not until I see your face,” Sevika insisted. If Mel was willing to speak, it was clearly a good time to intervene. They adjusted their hold, hand now latching onto her calf. Their prosthetic hand pushed back the blankets, searching, “It's been a week.”

“It's only been a week. I’ve eaten--I’ve walked Shug so I’m fine--”, Mel yelped, body sliding across the mattress into open air. She looked up, dazed, as the bed creaked. Sevika crawled on top, arms bracketing either side of her head, legs pinning her body with their weight.

“Happy now?” Mel grumbled, feeling a bit self-conscious.

Ashy. Arms uselessly flung across the mattress, locs falling out of a half-assed bun, her bonnet lost in the covers. Her body was swimming in that shirt she never managed to give back to them.

It wasn’t something Sevika got to see often. Mel’s self proclaimed ‘moods’ were often neatly tucked away behind a locked door. It was usually Mel who gave them a heads up--rescheduling, apologizing, the works-- but this time was different.

That morning, Sevika woke up to a text from Lest. She asked them to check on Mel.

Sevika baited Mel with sorbet to get the bedroom door open-- it worked.

Sevika got her fill, eyes raking across Mel’s face--then body. She leaned in close, nosing at the delicate arch of her collar bone.

Then she sniffed.

“You stink,” Sevika said.

“Fuck you--” Mel groaned into her hands, mortified, as she kicked her away.

Sevika had reared back, catching both legs easily, “Not until New years,” she reminded with a crooked smile.

That got a giggle out of Mel--flustered at the thought. She lost focus enough that Sevika could close the distance again, scooping her up and tossing her over her shoulder.

Mel squirmed in her hold, quickly giving up once she realized they wouldn’t budge, “You’re a brute and a bully--” she said, hotly. She glared at the woman’s back, locs swinging as she was carried off upside down. At their feet, Shug popped up from her dog-bed, scampering to follow them. Cute, but no help seeing as she was being actively kidnapped

Sevika patted her ass, unphased, “You’re into it.”

Mel neither confirmed nor denied this.

Suds frothing, a bubbling, scalding heat.

Mel scrubbed her body raw, Sevika's dark eyes watching her every-so-often as they rummaged through her bathroom cabinets and picked out various different bottles and creams.

“Se--”

Mel gasped into the pillows, clawing at the linens.

A strong hand kneaded her body. The curve of her shoulders, the dip of her spine, the swell of her hips and between the meat of her thighs--methodically rubbing sweet oils and butters into her skin.

That hand--it worked. It worked into her hard, coaxing those tense muscles and unraveling her with a punishing persistence. That gruff voice--sweet in her ear--coaxing her through it all.

“-vi-”

“-ka,” Mel sighed, watching as they finished folding her laundry, setting the basket down beside the bed. She sucked the mango sorbet off her spoon, “You can go home if you need to--I’m fine…”

A thumb smoothed over her forehead, before a hand cupped her face. Sevika leaned down and kissed her on the nose lightly, “Are you kicking me out?” she asked, thumb stroking her cheek.

“...No,” Mel said, melting into the touch.

“Then I’m staying,” Sevika said, kissing between her wrinkled brows.

“You don’t need to…”

Sevika pressed their foreheads together, noses brushing, breaths intertwined.

“I know you’re tired…”

Sevika didn’t say anything, dark eyes unbearably tender, hands cradling her face like she was something precious--

“I-I know you need to…” Mel choked up, squeezing her eyes tight, “You can--”

Sevika caught her as she fell forward and let out a muffled sob into their shoulder.

The hushed whispers in the living-room died down as the front door opened, boots heavy.

The teenagers scrambled, tucking away their papers and hiding their bottles right as Sevika stepped through the door. Looking very casual, normal even. Mili was already knocked out, curled up under the coffee table. Sherry scrolled away at her phone--which had died an hour ago. Bug-eye, looked significantly less bug-eyed. And--well the not-twins were a lost cause, but they had the decency to at least turn on the T.V.

Jinx didn’t bother to move, hanging upside down on the couch, braids tumbling over Ekko’s shoulders, “You’re back early,” she says, gum popping loudly, “Did she kick you out again?”

“Mind your business,” Sevika said, shrugging off her coat, casting a skeptical glance over the room.

Before Jinx could request her shut-up fee, a honey-coated pitbull darted past Sevika towards the couch.

Jinx pepped up, falling to the ground, “Puppy-!” she excitedly beckoned the dog closer.

Ekko groaned, bony elbows digging into him. He tried to shove her off, “Dude, what the fu--” his expression softened, words lost all at once.

Flushed cheeks, upturned violet eyes, raspy voice cooing as she fussed over the pitbull.

The…dog was kinda-cute.

Shug--ever the diva-- drank up the attention eagerly as the other teenagers crowded around. The teens were so distracted, they didn’t notice the woman tucked at Sevika’s side, her footsteps quiet as they disappeared down the hall.

Majesty purred, paws kneading into the quilt as she settled into the bed, her little face pushing into Mel’s side. Mel hummed, stroking their fur gently, pleased to have finally won her over.

Cozied up and dozing off, she woke up at the sound of footsteps.

Sevika stepped back into the bedroom,“Isha had a nightmare,” she said, looking weary. The door clicked behind her, “She’s sleeping now--this always happens when she watches The Grinch,” she reassured, seeing her concern.

“She’s afraid of The Grinch?”

Sevika yanked off her shirt then bra, reaching for her belt, “No, the Whos,” she explained with a grave seriousness, “She says they look like hairless rats.”

“That’s…” Mel frowned a bit, brow scrunching, “She’s not wrong.”

“She’s not,” Sevika agreed--dropping her pants around her ankles and stepping out of them. She bent down, collecting the clothes and tossing them in the laundry bin

Mel briefly forgot herself, she always did when it came to them. She couldn’t help but indulge in the sight like it was the first time. Then she remembered what she had decided to ask, “...Sevika?” she called out, fingers itching to reach out and touch.

“Hm?”

Mel hesitated.

Sevika let her take her time. Straps unraveled--a heavy thump of her prosthetic arm being set aside. The bed creaked, a weight nestling into Mel’s other side, breath warm against the nape of her neck as an arm draped across her stomach, pulling her close.

“I need to run some errands out of town, ” Mel quietly admits, biting her lip, “I’ve been putting them off for awhile and Elora can’t go with me anymore. Is it possible if…”

“When?”

Mel exhaled, heart easing a bit, “Any day can work for me, it's mostly paperwork for my exhibition, but…There is a youth science competition in Piltover I’ve invested in--they’ve requested I attend. I made the arrangements and I was…working towards it with my therapist, but the event lasts several days so I don’t expect you to commit to that much.”

Sevika’s fingers drummed against her stomach, contemplative, before she asked, “Is it the Young Innovators Competition?”

“...You’ve heard of it?”

Past the rolling hills, where the sun touched gleaming sky-scrapers, the countryside was devoured by that bustling city--Piltover. That ratty, rental van squeezed between the endless stream of shiny cars--decidedly late.

If there was hell—this was it.

Sevika’s fingers itched for a blunt, instead she turned up the radio. She hoped that’d be enough to tune out whatever mess was going on in the back. She was volentold by the rest of the parents to drive the group here since she’d been dodging chaperone duty the whole year.

She’d thought there’d be more of an issue about Mel coming along, but a few calls and a background check and she was cleared. They were more than a little grateful for her presence--she always hated these trips. Dealing with other parent’s teenagers and their handsy Moms--ugh.

Before they reached the bridge, Sevika pulled over at a gas station. The teens and Isha filed out to do fuck-all.

Mel leaned across the aisle, kissing her cheek, “We’re almost there,” she reassured.

“That’s not much better,” Sevika said, eyes falling on those gleaming towers. At Mel’s confused look, she sighed, “A lot of miners from Zaun died on that bridge protesting. They blocked executives from leaving a conference and…” she sucked in her teeth, words failing for a moment, “I knew some of them--all of them, actually.”

Sevika wasn’t in Zaun at the time. She was long gone, a nose full of copper and tasting asphalt on the daily dealing with turf disputes. She never planned on returning---until she heard the news.

A bitter rain--the smell of smoke. Those little fires burned for weeks, lighting up each night. A quiet house that was too big for her to keep and an even quieter funeral. Some didn’t get headstones--others didn’t even get graves. Bodies far too gone to even recognize.

And when they finally wrapped up their affairs she hoped to never have to return again.

“It's funny…” Sevika says, fingers drumming against the wheel, eyes lost, “My old man was chasing the bottle his whole life, but it was the butt of a ugly-lookin’ gun that got him in the end.”

He was always a cynic, yet he was there. That protest—the one, unselfish thing he did-- was what finally shut him up for good.

It’s so fucking stupid.

Mel reached across the aisle, finding their hand and squeezing her tight, those bright eyes searching, soothing.

Sevika always wondered what she saw.

Approaching the bridge, the van was quiet.

Those big eyes lost-- seething as they all came to the same realization.

The murals, the candles, the flowers, the bottles, the bears--everything, gone.

The memorial--only a sliver of land nestled between the road and the start of the bridge--got cleared out. It was wiped pristine, white, and shiny.

Now a billboard stood in its place.

Some things do change.

‘WELCOME TO PILTOVER’ - ‘THE CITY OF PROGRESS’

“I’m not wearing that—” Sevika said, scowling at that little strip of shiny fabric hanging with her blazer, circling it like it was a snake.

Mel leaned into the mirror, eyeing them as she put in her other gold earring, “It's Black-Tie attire,“ she said, emphasising each word like that means shit, “They won’t let you in if you don’t fit the dress code. You’re wearing the tie.”

Sevika snorted, “Like hell I am—“

Mel’s eyes narrowed, turning around slowly, lips sharply drawn together. In a few quick strides, pony-tail swinging with each step, she planted herself in front of them,“You're wearing the tie.”

Sevika took a step forward, eyes narrowing right back.

Mel raised her chin, not budging an inch.

Sevika nostrils flared, but mirth was plain on her lips as she looked them over.

An open, sheer robe that fell a little past her thighs. Dark lingerie, dark brown nipples peeking through the lace, dark tights doing little to cover her shapely legs. Eyebrows furrowed, face done up, glowing. Fluttering lashes, makeup meticulously blended. Lips pursed, stained, and shiny with gloss.

“You gon’ make me?” Sevika said, but her look was asking something else entirely.

Mel raised an eyebrow. Stepping out of her irritation, she assessed the situation as well.

Broad shoulders, well tailored pants, and equally lovely thighs to match. The faint shadow of their nipple piercings under her tank top. That glimmer in their eye as they took another step forward-- stepping between her legs.

“Well?”

Mel smiled, squinting as she leaned in close— a breadth away from Sevika’s lips.

Sevika’s eyes darted down, hoping to catch that shine with her teeth, but--- a firm hand pushed a silk tie into her stomach, catching her off guard

“Wear the tie,” Mel said, voice low, soft— that deceptive sweetness lingering as her hand slid down Sevika’s abdomen, nails trailing behind, “We can use it later.” she promised

Not elaborating further, Mel turned on her heel, returning to the vanity in the blink of an eye.

Sevika put on the tie.

If Sevika had anything to say about it--later won’t be too long from now.

Mel was pressed against the vanity, a strong body pinning her in place with little effort. She squirmed, robe slipping as Sevika mouthed at her neck, hungry.

“Se-” Mel half-heartedly protested. She lost herself in the sensation--embarrassment fluttering in her chest every time she looked up, catching sight of herself in that mirror already looking utterly wrecked.

A rough hand slipped under her bra--

“-vika-- we have to finish--”

--easily covering her breast and squeezing, teasing her relentlessly.

“You want me to stop?” Sevika murmured into her skin, kisses peppering down her throat.

“...No,” Mel admitted with a whine, hips pressing back a little desperate.

Sevika chuckled, the sound going straight between Mel's thighs as she--

Mel’s phone rang.

A French lullaby--not one Sevika recognized.

Mel patted Sevika’s hand. They stepped away, letting her reach for it.

“It's Jinx, “ Mel explained, pressing the phone to her ear, stepping away as she listened to the other end. Once she was done quietly talking on the phone, she sat it down with a sigh, “She needs help with her makeup. I told her I’ll be there in a few.”

Sevika raised an eyebrow, “Does she call you often?”

“Only from time to time,” Mel said, picking up and stepping into Sevika’s discarded sweatpants. She pulled the strings taunt around her waist, tying them in a bow, before searching for a shirt, “Usually she’s checking on you. Apparently calling you is like talking through a toilet--” she snatched Sevika’s sweatshirt from the bed, pulling it over her head, careful to avoid her face, “Do you need a new phone?”

“No,” Sevika said, already guessing where this was headed.

“You still need to tell me what you want for Christmas,” Mel complained, mulling over the mask before setting it aside, “You promised you’d think about it.”

Sevika sat back on the bed, reaching for the remote. She entertained the thought for a second, before quickly deciding, “I want what you want for New Years.”

Silence then--

“You…you already get to--”

“I know what I like.”

“...Shut up,” Mel mumbled, fighting back a grin as she grabbed the key card before ducking through the doors connecting the hotel rooms.

The Young Innovator’s Competition was bright--cheery, a gleaming spectacle of minds gushing over each other’s creations across generations. Kids of all ages gathering at each stall lining the banquet hall while others rushed to grab a seat before the awards were presented.

Mel leaned against the railing of her private balcony, observing the hall. A brief reprieve from the private meetings, paperwork, and one too many hands to shake.

Mel pulled up her mask, seeing a sight that left her terribly nostalgic.

Tucked away in some odd corner, Ekko grumbled to himself, doodling on a napkin--not noticing the click of heels getting closer.

“Are you hiding?” Mel asked, head tilting just so--as if the answer wasn’t obvious. Sevika wasn’t that far behind, a sleeping Isha thrown over her shoulder.

Ekko tensed, raising his eyes, annoyed, “No ma’am, I’m not.” he lied, tucking the napkin under his sleeve, pen twirling in hand.

Sevika’s partner was as glossy as the Piltover skyline. Even behind that mask, you couldn’t hide the shine, the refined speech, and the ease she moved with about the room. You could tell she was in her element--and that element sucked ass.

Gold halls, marbled floors, food spilling from every table—that no one fucking touched. So-called-investors either ignored him or talked at him-- like a fucking dog they could bribe into doing tricks.

It was pissing him off.

Mel raised an eyebrow, eyes subtly glancing at the napkin, “This is the only networking event before the awards, are you sure you want to waste the opportunity?”

“Not everyone wants to shuck and jive for cash—“ Ekko muttered, before shutting his mouth abruptly, looking a bit guilty.

Mel let out a quiet laugh, “I suppose not…” she said, folding her arms, pony-tail tossing to the side, “But, investors aren’t the only people here,” she pointed out, eyes straying past him.

Ekko followed her gaze.

Jinx.

She was eagerly chatting with a group of people around their age, shoveling food down her mouth without a care in the world. A little further, he could see the rest of his team--all talking with the other teams.

Thinking about it--Zaun was rather… small.

They didn’t get a chance to talk about their work outside of their club.

It looked—

“You should go have fun,” Mel gently suggested, “When things get hard you’ll need connections that’ll stick around…There’s nothing investors love more then a lone genius.”

It was that stupid test fault.

Mel crawled underneath her Mother’s desk, sniffling as she buried her face into her knees.

“Mel--?--Melly?” Her Mother called out, heavy footsteps passing by, echoing down the halls.

Mel balled up tighter, covering her ears.

She hates her--she hates her--she hates her--

She froze hearing footsteps, much lighter enter the room. She covered her mouth, eyes screwed tight--waiting.

“Melly?” Kino crouched down, pushing back the office-chair.

Mel cracked open one misty eye, “How’d you find me--” she complained, glaring hard.

Kino got on the floor, crawling under the desk with her, cramming into the tight space with his big-ol knobby knees, “You always come here,” he said, arms folding around the previously mentioned, big-ol knobby knees.

“No I don’t,” Mel muttered, sniffling.

“Sure you don’t,” Kino easily agreed, not making any moves to leave.

“...Why does Mama hate me?” Mel eventually asked, voice small.

“Mel…” Kino’s eyes softened, “She doesn’t hate you she just--”

Mel scowled, “Then why is she sending me away?” she snapped, “You get to stay here for school. It’s not fair. ”

Kino sighed, raising a hand to rub her forehead, “I’m not half as smart as you--” he said, with a thoughtful look, “She thinks I'm better suited to the…family business. She wants something different for you.”

“...That's stupid.”

“Maybe it is,” Kino mumbled with a furrowed brow before pepping up again, “You wanna do something cool? It’ll make you feel better--promise. ”

And in the quieter parts of their evening—when they were filled with food, wine, and far more lighter memories--they retired to the hotel-room before the 'Man of Progress' made his speech for the night. Mel whispered into the dark and quiet. She traced those long, winding scars on Sevika’s side, careful not to press into the raised skin.

“It’s strange—”

“I spent my whole life running towards my mother—trapped in her shadow. Scraping up every look, every gesture, desperate to understand. To know--if she thought of me at all in those years she sent me away--”

“—I could never appease her--nothing I did was enough, yet she risked everything to save me. She cradled me like I was precious even as she--She waited until then--? Why then? When I was pleading for her my whole life--”

“She chose me--She believed in me--and in the end I didn’t even know what She was--what She wanted. I didn’t know--- that gentleness, adoration, and softness could burn the same way indifference did--“

“And the person I chose--who I loved more than anything--was nowhere to be found.”

Love.

“It’s so—stupid.”

And in that quiet night, Sevika’s lips moved without thinking.

She was always a bit…impulsive when it came to Mel. It was an urge that always cropped up--that stirring need to have those hands bury in her deep.

Those old feelings--those old memories were whispered into the comforting darkness for the first time.

Sevika remembers her mother—or maybe the woman was a fling of her old man. A persistent memory that lingered too strongly in her childhood.

Strong smoke—wiry hands stacked with gold bangles and shiny rings. She’d pass Sevika a dollar or piece of candy from her bag, tossling her hair as she passed.

Dark eyes glazed, blackened lips pressing apologies into her Dad’s mouth before he could get mad.

She’d come—she’d go—and go—and go, then one day she stopped coming back.

Sometime between sixteen and seventeen, Sevika sat on the front porch, watching that car pull away for the last time.

Once it was out of sight, she pulled out the lighter and cigarette she had flinched from the woman’s purse. She placed the cigarette in her mouth, eyebrows scrunching before she turned it around. She fumbled with the lighter for a minute, that flickering light waning in the cool winter air.

Open, Closed, Open--She raised the lighter to the end of the cigarette, inhaling, trying to swallow her cough.

After a few more tries, she got the hang of it.

Dark eyes fixed above, she counted out the satellites and dead stars. The wind blew hard and she held the front of her flannel shirt together, tight, bracing herself from the cold.

Comfortably numb, Sevika dropped the cigarette butt to the ground, rubbing it out with her sneakers as she made a wish.

Sevika took the suitcase from Mel, lifting it into the back of the van. She looked around, irritated, “Where the hell are they?” she complained.

They had checked out earlier that morning, but the kids still wanted to go to a few shops before they left--so they agreed to meet back in the afternoon for lunch.

They were late.

“Maybe their uber is running late?” Mel suggested, finger tapping her lips expectantly.

Sevika leaned down, kissing her softly, annoyance disappearing briefly before returning, “I doubt it, my arm itches,” she muttered under her breath, “I can sense Jinx’s bullshit from a mile away.”

“Or…perhaps you need to try those creams your doctor suggested,” Mel said, forever skeptical, “I can help you with the application if you want?”

“I don’t need--” Sevika paused, thinking it over, “Wait, really?”

“Of course,” Mel said, hands grasping their scarf, heels lifting as she leaned in and--

Mel’s phone rang--a French lullaby.

Isha tapped the windows excitedly as the van pulled over on the side of the road.

Right as it parked, the teens rushed towards it, bags rattling as they threw them inside, doors shutting--van immediately peeling off.

Jinx leaned forward, hands drumming on the back of Mel’s seat, “So is this a grounding? You chewing me out? Running laps? Extra chores? Like what’s the situation?”

“There is no situation,” Sevika said, eyes trained forward, “Put your seatbelt on.”

“Righty-O-Cap’n,” Jinx said with a mock salute, “Ooh can we get ice-cream? I want ice cream--”

“Jinx. Seatbelt.”

Ekko sighed, leaning across and snapping her seatbelt on.

Jinx giggled in response.

Sevika turned up the radio. She looked at her side mirrors, those blooming flowers smearing across the billboard--paint dripping a jarring mix of colors that stained that pristine landscape. Around the billboard, wreaths of flowers, decorated bottles, and unlit candles reclaimed the space.

It was inevitable for it to be cleared out again.

In the same sense, it was inevitable for the memorial to return. Like a flame that’s been snuffed out again and again. It will never be the same, yet it will persist in spite of the odds.

Sevika’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel, speaking low, “Where did she get the money for all those flowers?” she asked with a sidelong glance.

Mel hummed, eyes watching those rolling hills, “I’m not quite sure,” she said with a small smile, “She’s a clever girl. I’m sure she has her ways.”

‘WELCOME TO PILTOVER’

Blue spray-paint scratched out the city's name, scrawling out something new instead. - ‘THE CITY OF PROGRESS’

White spray paint did the same.

'WELCOME TO PISSLOVER'

'THE CITY OF BULLSHIT'

After the kids were all dropped off, Sevika and Mel climbed back into the van. They drove for a long time, past those rolling hills and gleaming lights. Where the countryside was tamed and glossy fences stood tall on the horizon.

Shuffling into the apartment, Jinx flinched, catching the keys tossed her way. Vi hopped up from the couch, handing an envelope to her as well.

“The fuck are these?” Jinx rasped, nudging a sleepy Isha towards her bedroom.

“I got a place,” Vi said, scratching her hair, “I’ve already moved my shit, but I’m not leaving until early January.”

“Oh.”

And while Jinx knew she was leaving--this felt different.

More…real.

“Try not to lose the key, management’s a dick. And you’ll need to pick out what you want for your bedroom, but--”

“Wait?” Jinx blinked, ripping open the envelope--a train pass, “My... bedroom?”

Vi tilted her head, “We’ve been looking for a two-bedroom apartment this whole time? Who’d you think it was for--actually don’t answer that,” she said, shaking her head, “But, anytime you need me--anytime you’re sick of that old-lady’s face, my doors will always be op--oof,” she groaned, nearly thrown off balanced.

Jinx sniffled, hiding her face in their shoulders as she squeezed her sister tight.

Shadows stretched —tombs standing tall in the early morning light. Scrawling cursive etched into the marbled surfaces, fresh flowers sprinkling the plots.

Mel stood in front of her Mothers grave. She let go of Sevika’s hand, stepping forward with a bouquet of white, slender petals that sprouted cobbs of gold. She set them down across the plot, watery eyes dancing across the little painted-red stones circling her grave.

“My Mother…” Mel closed her eyes, a bitter laugh caught by the wind, “She always hated the smell of peace-lilies,” she shared, not quite smiling. She wiped her face, returning to Sevika’s side and reaching for their hand.

Sticky fingers pressing into paint. Colors bloomed at her fingertips--that shimmering gold coating her cheeks and hands as she carved little lines into that stone.

“We’ll make our wishes and bury them now,"

Kino wiped her face and hands clean, whispering to her another story--one she’ll soon forget.

It was about a strange man.

He held her hands gently when she was far too young to remember his face. The clean scent of a hospital bed. The crinkling of newspapers as they colored in the margins, curled up in his lap. How they were picked up and taken away, their mother’s boots heavier with each step.

They didn’t go back to the hospital, instead she took them into the garden. She pressed colorful stones into both of their hands, holding them tight as she spun a different tale.

“--and by the time spring comes--”

Mel dropped her stone into the hole, covering it with soil.

“He’ll come home.”

Mel pressed her hands into the dirt, dress filthy, tears streaking her face as she whispered the same wish over and over--and over again.

“I wanna go home.”

#arcane #sevika #ekko #mel medarda #jinx #sevika arcane #ekko arcane #mel arcane #jinx arcane #melvika #sevika x mel #mel x sevika #timebomb #jinx x ekko #ekko x jinx #fanfiction #writing

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roseamongroses · 1 month ago

Text

with strange tenderness ch: 7/7

Melvika - Timebomb [side] Alternate Universe - Modern Setting /Alternate Universe - Small Town /Artist Mel Medarda/ Muse! Sevika /Court Mandated Found Family/ Sevika Does Not Get Paid Enough (Arcane: League of Legends)/ Retired! Sevika/ Parental Death/ Past Traumatic Events/ Past Violence & Stalking/ Mild Sexual Content/ Dog/Cat Dynamic/ Canon-Typical Exploitation of the Working Class/Mentions of Police Brutality/ Suicidal Ideation/Surviors Guilt/ no beta we die like Silco/ Vitiligo! Mel/ repeated silco slander/ Hurt/Comfort/ Past Child Abuse/ Past Neglect/ Domestic Fluff

[1]/[2][3][4][5][6]/[7]

ao3

Fists aching, blood pooling thick, warm. A trickle of red escaped the cracked corners of her mouth. A rotten taste she caught on her tongue before she spat it out into the snow.

Her head throbbed hearing those distant sirens, dizzying for her ringing ears.

Sevika stared up and up, falling flurries twinkling in that dark night. Kissing her skin, each embrace colder than the last. Dark eyes, dull, listless. She counted each one, soon forgetting what number she said last, seconds and minutes blending together.

And in spite of it all, she smiled. A throaty laugh threatening to escape at the absurdity of what she had realized. That it was this--the blood, the aches, that throbbing rush that came with uncertainty-- that finally got her dead heart beating faster and faster.

She got up--boots heavy against the asphalt.

An endless sky—distant clouds swooping in and out with each swing. Heart beating faster and faster—until she let go. The swing rattled, her wild curls flying back, eyes sparkling as she flew up.

Then—Isha tumbled back to earth.

Snow and sludge coated the sides of her body as she hit the ground with a thud. Her head lolled a bit, breaths sharp as her world went a little dizzy.

Sevika’s head snapped up at the sound, feet moving in an instant, “Isha—” she cursed under her breath.

Isha giggled--short hiccups that climbed her throat all at once. She beamed up at that shadow blocking the looming, afternoon sun.

Dark eyes squinted--looking her over, weary, like they always did. Sevika leaned down, grasping her arms and lifting them out of the snow. She brushed the gunk off of them, picking up the beanie that had fallen off and pulling it over her hair and ears, snug.

Steady on her feet again—Isha rushed back to the swings.

She liked that flightless, floating feeling.

Air crisp—clean—no cars to be seen or smelled. She liked the dirt—the rich earth smell, the biting frost clinging to her skin. How she could run around until her legs ached--not worried about stumbling into a busy street or sidewalk that had no patience for little feet. She liked the quiet of the early mornings at the park—how the city sleeps and wakes slow, gentle. No constant sirens—no screaming—no grasping hands and snarled faces on each corner. How she could always look up and see nothing but sky for miles it seemed. Like she could stay in this dream forever, safe, warm. How she could let go--be flightless. She knew there was always someone there to pick her up and dust her off--again--and again-- when flies too high and falls even harder.

Isha liked Zaun.

Little feet tap-tap-tapping--down the hall before she skidded around the corner.

“Isha--give it back,” Jinx lunged, nearly hitting the wall as she followed, fuzzy socks slipping.

Isha waved her little finger back, clutching the scrapbook to her chest. She ducked under the kitchen-table, crawling between the chairs and legs until she was comfortably squeezed behind the wall and Sevika’s chair.

Startled at the intrusion, Vi craned her head, squinting under the table confused.

Sevika adjusted her glasses, evenly sipping from her mug as she sorted through the papers scattered across the kitchen table. She did not look up.

Jinx huffed, circling the kitchen table for an opening. Seeing no--non-desctructive path before her, she looked between the so-called-fucking-adults, hands twitching, “Tell her to give my shit back--” she snapped.

Vi raised her hands, defensive, “Ain't my kid, ain’t my place.”

Nostrils flaring, Jinx’s eyes narrowed at Sevika,

Sevika reached for the pen, twirling it idly between her fingers, “When’d you put a dent in my truck?” she asked, pen clicking as she started striking through some lines of text.

Jinx blanched, taking in a breath, “I…never took your truck, how would I know?” she craned her head, squinting under the table, ire rising, “I didn’t do shit--she took my--”

Sevika raised an eyebrow.

“I didn’t--I--” Jinx blew her bangs out of her face, rolling her eyes, “This is fuckin bullshit,” their eyebrows arched higher, “...Three days ago,” she admits with a huff, “It's not even all that big--”

Another line of text was struck through, dark eyes narrowing, “You’re paying for the repair,” Sevika said, scowling. She then reached back, pulling a twenty from her pocket and passing it under her chair.

Isha slid the scrapbook out.

Jinx's eyes darted around wild, realization setting in as she snatched it up,“Did you plan this--?” she hissed out, hugging her scrapbook, “What the hell--”

“Don’t take my shit--I won’t take yours.”

“Fantastic parenting,” Vi drawled, sarcastic. She picked up the cereal box, shaking it out into her open mouth.

“--Not a parent.”

Vi let out a throaty laugh in disbelief, “Su-” she nearly choked, swallowing before shaking more cereal into her mouth.

Jinx’s brain halted its rapid spiral, body stilling. Her head swiveled, attention narrowing in on her sister, watching as she shook the cereal-box until only crumbs fell into her mouth, “Is that…the last of the Lucky Charms?”

Vi froze, swallowing thick “...No-” she said, mouth full. Stray, delicious crumbs falling everywhere.

Underneath the table, Isha froze, nose twitching. She tucked her twenty between her teeth, eyes narrowed as she began army-crawling forward.

Sevika got up from the table, chair scuffing. She laughed, sending Vi a look that could’ve been mistaken for pity if it wasn’t for that bitch of a smile.

Isha launched forward, grabbing Vi’s legs with a deathly grip right as Jinx flung onto her back. Barking laughter and shouts filled the room as they all squabbled.

On Isha’s bed, there was a mountain.

A mountain of soft. A teetering lump filled with socks, blankets, pillows, stuff-animals. Anything she could swipe. At the end of each day, she crawled into the mountain, burying herself deep in its warmth.

At the beginning of each day, she surveyed her spoils and decided which one she’d take to school. Something she could fit in her book bag that she could squeeze when she was in timeout or waiting for end-of-day pick up.

Lately it had been the same scarf—wide, white like snow, and fluffy. She wrapped it around her face, taking it everywhere and petting it like a puppy.

Mel had never asked for it back. Isha would never ask if she wanted it back.

It was the perfect exchange.

Until little Billy-bitch fest snatched it during recess and refused to give it back.

So Isha did what most children of Zaun do when faced with displeasing, unforeseen circumstances.

“Ma’am we do not tolerate this type of behavior--” Isha’s teacher explained, deeply exasperated. She was young, a decent educator who was holding onto her first job for dear life, “She cannot keep doing this every time she doesn’t get her way.”

It was only because of that begrudging respect that Sevika chose her words carefully, “He stole from her, what else do you expect?”

The Other Mother, sat across from them, gasped, “She bit him,” she said, smoothing her son’s hair. The boy was completely checked out of the conversation, rubbing his face into the scarf.

‘Snotty nosed--thieving ass --bitch--’

“Barely,” Sevika said with a snort, “And she did ask for it back, multiple times,” she reminded them, before leveling a glare at the woman,“He still has it,” she said, a snarl on her lips.

“W-well-- she can’t speak so clearly there must’ve been a misunderstanding,” The Other Mother stammered, scooting away a smidge, “He likes the scarf--that isn’t a crime. And the other kids always share with him.”

Isha seethed.

She could talk--her hands could speak plenty loud. And when people couldn’t understand the simple shake of a head--she had other ways. She might not speak, but she could use her fucking teeth just fine.

Sevika’s hand squeezed Isha’s shoulders as she spoke, “Some kids want to share, others don’t. Neither you or your son should take advantage of the fact that she’s non-verbal to do whatever you want,” she gritted out, nostrils flaring, “He didn’t listen--she almost bit him. You’re lucky it didn’t escalate further.”

The teacher looked between the two, increasingly panicked, “That doesn’t excuse the fact that a student was almost harmed, “The teacher chides, “This has happened far too many times. What if it did escalate? Charges could’ve been pressed. ”

Sevika sighed, deeply exhausted, “Stealing is also a crime,” she said, her patience running thin, “Do we really want to involve the law over bullshit like this? They’re eight fucking years old. ”

“You’re right--” The Other Mother chimed in, “Let’s settle this like adults. How much is the scarf? We’ll buy you another so Billy can keep this one,” Both Isha and Sevika sent her incredulous looks as she continued, “It really helps with his self-soothing. You must understand I can't bear to make him part with it. ” she explained, rummaging through her purse for her wallet.

Sevika looked up for a moment, muttering to herself, before taking out her phone and texting for a moment. Her eyebrow arched at the response. Without another word, she raised her phone towards them.

The Other Mother squinted at the phone, before her face fell, looking a bit pale,“...Billy give back the scarf,” she muttered, shoving her wallet back in her purse and grabbing her keys.

“But Mommy I like this scarf--”

The Other Mother sent him a strained smile,“Give back the scarf,” she gritted out.

Isha got back her scarf.

Sevika zipped up her coat, pushing her beanie down around her ears, muttering about the cold. Isha petted her scarf, bumbling after them towards the truck, serene again.

Gentle tugs of the comb through her hair, light snips of the scissors, deft hands rubbing oils into her scalp. Mel worked the remaining gunk out of Isha’s hair patiently, the girl squirming on the stool.

Sevika stepped into the bathroom door right as she finished up. She leaned against the door, watching Mel fuss over the girl, “Dinner’s ready,” she said, remembering why she came in here, then she added, “It looks good.”

Clean curls, shortly trimmed. Bangs framing her face gently and brushing the tops of her ears. The uneven, jagged lines were smoothed out-- all traces of the gum removed.

Isha studied her appearance carefully, pinching at a strand, before nodding.

Mel hummed, pleased at the approval. She tousled Isha’s hair one last time, soft perfume wafting as she leaned down, “So pretty,” she cooed.

Isha’s nose scrunched, shaking her head.

Mel thoughtfully paused, “Beautiful?”

Another shake.

Isha didn’t like that one either--it felt strange. Made her skin crawl.

When she thought of pretty--beautiful--she thought of soft manicured hands, flowery perfume, a white scarf wrapped snugly around her, and an accented voice that never yelled no matter how much the girl fidgeted or fussed.

She wasn’t ugly--she knew that. But it didn’t feel right and she wasn’t entirely sure why.

Bright eyes met hers in the mirror, before Mel asked, “Hm…what about handsome?”

And at that--Isha’s heart hitched for a moment.

She liked that one.

Isha hesitated before nodding. Her cheeks flushing red as she sent the woman a small smile.

Mel smiled sweetly at her, starting to slowly gather the hair products cluttering the counter and putting them away.

Sevika stared at the girl, raising an eyebrow.

Isha narrowed her eyes at them, scowling as she hopped off the stool and disappeared out of the bathroom in a huff.

The old lady was so nosy.

Mel chuckled, closing the cabinets.

“What’s with her?” Sevika asked, thoroughly confused.

Mel sideled next to her, looking up through her eyelashes, “She gets it from you, y’know,” she teased, hand trailing from their shoulders before settling on her bicep, hand curling around the firm muscle. Her heels lifted, mouth ghosting the shell of their ear, “I could look at you all day. Strong jaw…pretty eyes…that cute gap in your teeth when you smile--when you bite. You’re so…” those slender fingers squeezed again before slipping down her side, stopping above her waistline where her boxers peeked out from her pants, “Handsome. It’s a little infuriating. I have to watch you work so hard, looking this good, knowing I can’t…” her voice lowered as she spoke, fingers stroking her waistline, every-so-often dipping underneath.

This woman…

A warmth flushed Sevika’s cheeks as she listened, fingers twitching as Mel not-so-subtly talked her through--well--everything. Briefly she wondered if this was for later--or if she was getting dragged to the bedroom.

But before Sevika made the decision for them, Mel stepped away. She slipped past her, a sway in her hips as she looked over her shoulder with a coy smile.

Sevika followed with an unhurried gait, a glint in her eye. -

Sharp breaths—cold sheets, that metallic smell fresh in her nose.

Isha woke up—heart beating fast—fast—faster. She crawled out of her mountain of soft, feet patting softly against the floor as she creeped out of the room and down the hall.

Isha pushed into Jinx’s room, head peeking around the corner.

Thumping music, a neon purple light filling the room. Jinx sprawled across her bed, feet kicking along to the beat as she painted her nails. On her pillow, her phone was propped up--Ekko snoring away on face-time.

At the sound of the door, Jinx looked up, flashing her a grin. Isha wiped her eyes, picking her way through the junk in the room and climbing into the bed. She sank into the giant stuffed rabbit by the wall, holding onto its chewed up arm and petting it gently.

Isha zoned out, letting the music wash over her and wash away the bad memories. Jinx glanced back, thoughtful, before she rolled over, ruffling the young girl’s hair, “You good now?”

Isha frowned, shaking her head, hands still--words lost.

“You wanna a snack?” Jinx asked instead, “It might make you feel better.”

Isha nodded and Jinx hopped to her feet, braids swinging as she shuffled to the kitchen, nodding along to her headphones. Then--she abruptly stopped.

The stove light was still on, casting a muted, orange glow in the kitchen.

Sevika stood with her back to them, cropped hair falling forward as she looked down. Slender arms slipped over her shoulder, manicured hands painted gold, reflecting the dim light softly. Mel let out a sigh, eyes closed, face tucked into the crook of their neck. Sevika held her by her waist, the pair swaying--faint murmurs kept close between as they danced to that unheard music.

It didn’t seem like they noticed her yet, lost in their own little world.

Jinx watched them for a moment, head tilting a bit before she averted her eyes. She snatched the bag of oranges on the table quick, her footsteps light as she retreated back to her room.

Silco wasn’t always home.

Most of the time he let Jinx tag along when he was working. She was always hanging off his desk or clinging to his chair, watching those strange people and stranger deals. Rattling mind--avidly soaking up every detail.

But on the odd chance that he left her behind, she’d get a babysitter.

That woman--three times her size, boots twice as heavy.

Sevika always had a nasty snarl on her lips. Those dark eyes, scrutinizing the young girl, before looking away. She always looked away.

Everytime Jinx was left in that penthouse, the halls sprawling, empty, and cold. Sevika would have to drag her ass up there too--bloodied, bruised, eyes glazed over, hand gnarled. She’d push through the doors, sit on the couch, turning on the T.V as she threw back a shot and stitched up her wounds. She’d watch anything--the news, medical dramas, women’s basketball, cartoons--no discernable preference for most of the noise. She’d always make food--she said it was a waste of a nice kitchen to always eat out. She’d always leave Jinx an extra plate of whatever she made in the microwave.

Jinx doubts Silco ordered her to go that far, after-all the girl was more than capable of taking care of herself. She was a genius, a bright mind, better than the rest, his student, his heir.

So she didn’t need any of it. She could work a phone and swipe a card just fine.

And she knew Sevika didn’t like her much. The poking, the constant prodding, the daily fits of clawing hands and nightly terrors that made the walls shake. She set the woman on edge--she could tell.

And yet.

There she was--without fail.

Over those years, Jinx has seen a lot of people come and go and go--and go. Her tongue heavy with copper, her eyes bloodied over red.

She doesn’t remember a time where Sevika wasn’t there.

A world without Silco--she’s had to confront everyday, every night, every dream, every memory. It was a cold, unrelenting truth that washed over her body, pulling her out to sea and not letting her break the surface for air. Only salt and grime pooled into her lungs, the taste of guilt heavy.

It was all her fault--she doesn’t feel bad at all--or did she? She wasn’t sure. How she felt about him came and went with the seasons. That man--that monster--her father--her mentor--her family. He was there when everything in her life fell apart, holding her head above water. Letting her bite the wind and lose herself in its charm.

And yet--when she needed him the most, he was gone. It was her fault, of course--but she wasn’t sure how to feel about that--about him.

But when she thought of Sevika facing the same fate, she knew with certainty--

Jinx would miss her.

She’d miss her like she missed Vi--waiting, calling, desperate for an answer and being forced to watch those bright eyes fade year after year.

Like how she missed her parents--her friend’s parents, her neighbors. One day they were there--then they weren’t.

She’d miss her like she’d miss Isha--separated after a few scant months of knowing each other. Not knowing if she had the right to call her sister--knowing the system didn’t care what they called each other.

She’d miss them like air, like a heart beating--she doesn’t know when she started to feel that way. She doesn’t know what changed.

But, she remembers one night.

The terrors came most nights, but that night she woke up shaking, drenched in sweat, and scrambling for the bathroom. Dazed, she walked the halls--pale walls, pale floors, an unending blank--white. She stopped by Silco’s door, trembling hand grasping the doorknob, knowing that tonight, no one would answer.

Jinx drifted into the living room, following the faint noise of the T.V playing. She climbed into the couch, balling up tight.

Sevika didn’t comment, moving her legs out the way to make space, eyes fixed on the screen.

Inhale--exhale--inhale--Jinx’s breaths quieted, legs no longer shaking. That heart-beating slow and slower. Only then could she process what they had been watching.

A black and white movie--one she didn’t recognize. A piano plinking in the background, an old couple swaying together in the kitchen, lost in each other’s arms. The end credits played, then the screen went dark.

Sevika stared at the dark screen for a long time, fingers drumming against the couch. Then she reached for the remote and replayed the movie. Again and again--and again. The couple met, they fought, they fell in love--and stayed. Each time they decided to stay, tears and all.

Dark eyes--unreadable. That slow, plinking piano, those tapping fingers, the mumbled dialogue on screen--a lullaby that quieted the noise.

Jinx woke up the next day--mouth dry--a blanket thrown over head.

She could smell eggs cooking.

A severe-faced woman, missing one-too-many teeth, was wearing a fluffy pink-striped robe and bunny slippers. She sat at the kitchen table, bouncing her baby sister in her arms--eyes bouncing between the couple. Opal was promised a nice breakfast after one--too--many impromptu date nights left her with baby-sitting Isha. She didn’t expect a show as well.

“You think we should hold off ‘till after the break?” Sevika questioned, readjusting her glasses and pushing a stray strand of hair out of her face, deep-set lines in her face, eyebags darker than usual. In front of her there were various stacks of papers and sticky notes littering the table, plates of steaming bacon, eggs, and pancakes sitting on top of the work.“We could lose momentum.”

Mel sat on the other side of the table, a sleek laptop in front of her, “We will lose momentum,” she muttered, fingers flying as she typed, her eyes scanning the screen. She only stopped on occasion to pick at her bowl of fruit, “Its the holidays, people will pull away for family, vacations--just to rest. Everything will go on hold regardless.”

“That’s why we should escalate now--” Sevika countered, reaching across the table to snag a piece of pineapple before her partner could get it, “They’re comfortable--they’re not expecting it. Now would be the perfect time keep the pressure building.”

Mel bit her thumb, brows furrowing a bit, reaching for a grape instead--batting Sevika’s hand away before they could snatch that too, “I suppose, but if we want to escalate--we need better measures to mitigate harm. I’ve reached out to a few people interested in helping with the legal side of things, but most won’t be available until after the holidays.”

Sevika frowned, rubbing her chin, troubled, “The turn around rate for the school is high--we might be working with completely new staff by then. And waiting might give them the chance to hide their trail--”

The pair went back and forth on the subject for a while--proposing different variables, cost, risks--neither quite budging on their positions.

Mel sighed, standing up with a stretch before heading into the kitchen. The faint whirring of the coffee machine was heard, the smell thick in the air as she made another cup.

Opal watched her go, snagging another piece of bacon,“Y’all always argue during breakfast?” she asked, swallowing it one bite and grabbing another piece.

Sevika frowned, a bit confused, “I agree with her, but the decision isn’t ours to make. We need to discuss it with the group at the next meeting.” she explained.

“...So why were you disagreeing with every point then? ” Opal asked, equally confused, but her attention shifted as her baby-sister farted, startling themselves awake. Her lips curled, groaning internally.

At her words--Sevika’s lips twitched, “She helps me think,” she said, like that made any fucking sense.

Opal eyed them strangely, standing and grabbing her diaper bag, “Uh-huh…” she said, then--she realized, “Ugh--gross.”

“What?”

“This is some fucked-up, foreplay, ain’t it?” Opal accused, squinting at them.

Sevika neither confirmed nor denied that.

Mel returned from the kitchen, three mugs balanced in her hands. She set each one down, before stopping in front of Sevika. A slender hand grasping their chin--dark eyes fixed up, waiting. She studied them for a moment, eyes narrowed. Then she turned their head firmly, leaning down to kiss their cheek. Only then did she go sit down, resuming her typing without another word.

Sevika picked up her coffee, sipping it, looking smug.

“...Thanks hun,” Opal said, taking a sip of her own coffee, deciding it’d be best to mind her business. Then she set the mug down, leaving to find the nearest flat surface.

Mel bit her lip, eyes narrowing with concentration as she moved about the kitchen. She recited the instructions under her breath, then asked, “Like this?

Sevika was close behind, hands—metal and skin—settling on her hips as she watched over her shoulders. Mel adjusted the heat for each pot, lifting one top to show them.

“Mhm,” Sevika said, eyeing it with approval. Her head dipped down, hands digging into Mel’s hips as she pressed against the woman--that loose night-gown thin, “Just like that--” she said, voice rough in her ear.

Inch by Inch--they guided her down—

“Mhm, just like that—”

“—Sevika!” Mel’s head snapped back, those hands--kneading--keeping their bodies flushed together as they wandered lower and lower, “I’m trying to focus,” she complained, eyes darting across the stovetop at all the little pots.

“I’m helping.”

“No you’re not--” Mel hissed, not buying it at all, “You’re trying to drag me back to bed.”

“If you want it—you gotta work for it, princess,”

Reclined back, arm thrown behind her head, Sevika flashed a crooked smile. Dark eyes fixed--watching those thighs tremble. Jerking hips--stuttering to keep pace. Bright eyes panting--pleading. Her hands clenched their shoulders tighter and tighter, desperate for release, nails breaking skin--red.

Sevika inhaled sharp, heart beating-- faster and faster.

That sweet mouth--those lips--those noises.

She couldn't get enough of her.

“Am I?”

“Yes, you are—“ Mel grumbled, nose in the air, “Everything has to be perfect. There isn’t time to mess around. ”

“I’m enjoying my gift.”

Mel rolled her eyes, “You’ve enjoyed it plenty,” she said, dry.

Sevika played with the edge of her night-gown, “But--”

“—you take it so well.”

Mel closed her eyes with a huff. She was more than a little hot and bothered--but. Opening her eyes, she reached for the towel, wiping her hands, “Move—I’m done,” she said, feeling them step away at once. She glanced back, smiling a little bit seeing those big, dark eyes watching--waiting. “You… can finish up here if you want to please me so badly,” she added, teasing.

Sevika’s fingers itched, watching those hips swing as she passed.

Neat, brown paper wrapped around a bouquet of soft white and gold. Elora fidgeted with it in her lap, that perpetual line between her brow, stark, “Is it too much?” she wonders outloud, “What if she doesn’t like it?”

A lithe hand reached towards her, fingers intertwining, “She loves flowers, she loves you—she’ll love the gift,” Lest reassures, voice low and comforting. She crossed her long legs, leaning closer to her fiance—the layers of fur draped around her shoulders easily filling the space between, “What are you really worried about, darlin’?”

Elora looked pensive, thumb tracing her fiance’s ring--a habit she soon acquired after their engagement, “It's been… so long since I’ve seen her,” she admits with a sigh, “We talk all the time, but…you can hide so much over the phone.”

Lest could understand her concern. Even when she was dating Mel, it was hard to get a good read on how she felt—and it was the main reason they’d broken up.

Trying to decipher every word—every touch. She was always so far—bright, a twinkling lovely light, untouchable. It made her own insecurities at the time that much worse—knowing that nasty woman was always in Mel’s ear. Deep down--fearing that she might be right—that she was making that bright woman so much worse.

Now she knew it wasn’t like that at all. Sometimes she wondered what they could’ve become without that interference, but that love had long-since changed. It morphed into something different, but better for their relationship long-term.

Elora raised Lest’s hand to her mouth, kissing her lightly, “Now you’re the one worrying,” she chides fondly, watching how her fiance's nose twitched, those rich eyes lost—distant.

Lest closed her eyes, long, dark lashes dusting her cheeks—caught, “We worry because we care,” she murmurs, heart fluttering like it was the first time. Again and again--Elora saw her so clearly. That soft sweeping love took her off guard each time, like the last rays of a waning light. That sun sitting low on the horizon, flooding the world with its final cry, promising to rise again. Light, gentle, warm against her skin, no matter how rough life gets.

“What a heavy burden we bear, indeed,” Elora mused, thoughtfully watching those hills roll past, then hesitating she asked, “…What do you know about her partner?”

“Oh, so you do want to know?” Lest laughed, seeing her pout. She tilted her head, mischief playing on her tongue, “What happened to giving Mel privacy? Not wanting to pry?”

That particular reveal came out of nowhere. Mel had brought it up towards the end of one of their private meetings apparently. A casual, fleeting explanation for why she was behind schedule. But, she didn’t offer any other details--other then that look she sometimes got, lost in thought. A look they hadn’t seen in a long time.

“It's different now,“ Elora insisted firmly, “We’re about to meet them. I should know what to expect.”

And she should know whether or not she’s needed to extend their trip to shake sense into her friend. It was a practical train of thought considering Mel’s upcoming schedule. It was almost a new year of new beginnings—she refused to let any ill will follow them into it.

“Sevika is…older.”

Eloras head snapped up, eyes narrowed, “How old?”

“Not that much older,“ Lest teased, painted lips curled.

“You’re having too much fun with this,” Elora sighed, shaking her head.

“Baby, I hardly ever see you get so worked up,” Lest purred, thoroughly amused, “What do you want to know? I’ll answer you, promise.”

Elora only had one question, “Are they a good person?” she asked, those dark eyes as soft as the horizon she watched.

Lest thought it over for a moment. Her youth was filled with painful, but fond memories —smelling of bitter smoke and cold winters. Hiding under the bleachers until the tardy bell rang, trading homework answers for lipgloss, climbing that old tree--stars in her eyes and a wish on her lips. Looking back, she would’ve never guessed how soon it’d come true.

Then she answered.

Red.

Velvet dark enough to be mistaken for black. Black and white plumes trimming the deep curve of that sweet-heart neckline, softly curling underneath her collarbone and exposed shoulders. The dress clung to her every curve, swooping low in the back and revealing her toned, slender waist. Sheer, long gloves glinted with gold, matching her dangling earrings and the delicate necklace Sevika had surprised her with that morning. Her hair was piled high on her head into a bun. Her locs shaped like little petals unfurling from a blossom, stray strands framing her face.

Mel glanced at her through the mirror as she finished applying that dark lip, “Did you need something?” she asked. On closer inspection there were the gold freckles applied to her skin. They reflected with every slight movement, that smattering of light making her glow all that brighter.

Sevika…forgot why she came into the bedroom. “You’re….wearing red,” she managed, a little dazed. She had fully expected Mel to keep her little snowflake schtick going--so it wasn’t entirely irrelevant.

“Oh am I?” Mel squinted at her, amused, “I suppose it would be a bit strange for you to see, but they are the family colors and all. My brother’s a stickler for tradition, ” she explained, tucking away her lipstick, patting away at the corners of her lips with a small cloth, "Anything else you’d like to share?”

“Can you keep this on--after the guests leave?” Sevika asked, rather distracted as she counted the gold clips scattered in her hair. Everytime she looked, there was always something new.

Mel’s head turned--she changed her usual blush--keen eyes, lips softly pursed as she thought. All signs of that flustered, frustrated woman from earlier were smoothly wiped away.

Sevika was fond of her in every way.

But there was something about Mel in her element that felt different. The composure, the attention-to-detail, the confidence--the control she had over a room, knowing they’d all be looking at her.

It scratched an itch Sevika didn’t get a chance to indulge in often.

That need to get down on her knees and--

“Sure,” Mel said, agreeing far too easily. She reached for her perfume, spritzing her cloth and dabbing lightly at her collar bone and behind her ears. An elegant finger tugging down slowly the neckline of her chest, adding perfume between the valley of her chest, “As long as you behave.”

Jinx leaned on the door frame, arms crossed, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” she grumbled, looking off.

She was not pouting. She wasn’t.

Ekko smiled faintly, eyes soft, “Parties aren’t really…my thing,” he said, adjusting his grip on the plate wrapped in tinfoil.

It wasn’t a lie… but it wasn’t entirely the truth.

They had been visiting Dr. Medarda’s studio that day when she’d initially invited him to the dinner-party. However, once Jinx stepped out of the room, Dr. Medarda quietly disclosed that due to her brother’s visit there would be armed security present.

Initially, he took it as a fucked up, rich person threat to act right. But he realized--she was genuinely trying to see if he’d be comfortable with it.

He wasn’t.

It didn’t seem like Dr. Medarda was either, but she seemed…resigned.

Most people in Zaun were pretty comfortable with guns. The hunting, the shooting ranges, and the works, but--

Dark uniforms--smashed windows--the smell of copper--a steady hand going limp.

Red--staining everything. It never washed out--no matter how many wishes he made.

He couldn't stand them.

Jinx watched him, a strange expression appearing then disappearing in the blink of an eye, “Text me when you get home?” she asked, head bobbing to the side, those curled pieces of hair framing her face like flowering vines.

Ekko nodded, glancing at his watch to check the time.

“Oh--Ekko?”

“Hm?”

Jinx pointed up, crooked finger wagging a bit.

Ekko followed her direction, spotting green and red tapped hastily to the top of the doorframe--mistletoe.

That wasn’t there--

Before he could process it, Jinx leaned over, quick. Nubby fingers squeezed his shoulder, heels lifting as she kissed him on the cheek, “Merry Christmas, rabbit,” she whispered with a giggle--pulling away and disappearing behind the shut door.

Ekko blinked, a bit dazed.

Then--a slow creeping flush heated his body all at once.

Sevika adjusted the dupatta draped around her shoulders to the left, fabric falling in waves over her prosthetic arm. She watched the shiny cars pull into the driveway one after the other, dark tinted windows a nostalgic sight, “What’s your brother like?” she asked.

Dark suits climbed out of the cars in waves. She watched how their mouths moved--imagined the barking orders, the stations positioned around the home, the eyes trained on their every move.

Mel mulled it over, finger curled over her mouth, “He was always my Mother’s favorite, but he isn’t…spoiled,” she decides, eyes distant, “He’s matured a lot over the years, but he’s a bit like…”

Her eyes trailed off to the dining room table, gaze landing on the mouthy teenager already sneaking bites of the desserts.

Sevika blinked, hard, “Jinx?” she asked, disbelieving.

“Kino--” Mel wheezed, holiday cheer long gone. She scowled as her brother squeezed her tighter, trapping her in his arms. She pushed at his face, complaining, “Let go-- you’ll ruin my makeup--”

“I can’t hug my baby-sister now?” Kino asked, aghast. He was unfazed by her efforts, strong arms lifting her up.The man was tall, spindly even, but he carried her with ease. He wore an immaculately tailored, burgundy suit. This was paired with a fresh fade, cornrows, and gold rings glinting-- the center of his bottom lip painted to match.

“I’m not a baby--put me down,” Mel bit out, yelping as her heels left the ground.

“Okay, okay,” Kino relented, setting her down.

Mel huffed, readjusting her dress before she broke out into a wide smile, rushing past him. She greeted her sister-in-law excitedly, helping her sit down on the couch as she cradled her stomach. Shug followed the women with big, curious eyes.

Nearby, her nephews did what kids normally did. A lanky, preteen's eyes fixed on his phone as he texted. A mouthy eight year old argued with Isha over the shiny switches he pulled out of his bag.

Kino redirected his attention to Mel’s partner, giving them a once over. That sparkling demeanor shifting--ever so slightly, “Nice to meet you,” he said, evenly. He extended a hand, gold canines flashing.

Sevika nodded in return, shaking it firm.

Her arm itched.

A calloused hand reached towards that blinking, distant light.

Sevika gasped for breath, that anesthesia didn’t do shit for the pain. Grasping hands reached for her--then the shimmer. Shouting voices filled her ears as they struggled to hold her back and tie her back down for the operation.

That all consuming pain, a throttling heat--arm practically dead weight at this point. She drooled around the gag, bracing herself for the bite of the surgeon’s knife.

Mel handed off the bouquet to Sevika, gathering her friends into a hug, “How was the plane ride?”

“It was fine—it was fine,” Elora assured, with a breathy laugh, “Boring as usually, though the snacks were quite interesting—“

Never one for small talk, Lest’s eyes darted around the home's interior, “Didn’t I say you could throw out all this junk?” she questioned.

The exterior was nearly unrecognizable from her childhood. The crumbling walls and faded colors painted fresh, warm, and bright, but the interior…It was—dizzying how much was the same.

“This junk— has charm,” Mel insisted, loftily, arching her eyebrow as she pulled away, “If you want to get rid of it, you’ll have to come and do it yourself I’m afraid.”

“Horrifying concept,” Lest drawled—it was an old aversion from childhood. She feared if she threw her grandmother's stuff away—that old bat would come back to life to scold her for ‘not having taste’.

And yet, she couldn’t help but smile.

Nana always favored Mel during visits. The woman couldn’t wrap her head around anything in regards to their relationship or Lest’s gender, but she adored Mel regardless. Always asking for her even after they had broken up and parted ways. Mel always did the same—calling her often, dotting after the old woman, and spoiling her rotten.

Some things never change.

“—Now let me see your ring,” Mel said with a determined glint in her eye.

Elora blushed, shy all at once as her friend fawned over that glimmering, silver band, “You’ve already seen pictures—”

Mel scoffed at that, turning her hand over, “Pictures hardly compare to the real thing,” she said, squinting at it, “Have you all decided when you want your portrait painted ? What about the fittings—did you get a chance to meet with my tailor?“

As those two fussed over each other —Lest followed Sevika down the hall, heels notably silent on the floors.

“You were staring at her hand,” Lest airly notes with a sidelong glance, “I could… tell you her size if you want?”

“It’s too early for that,” Sevika said, eyes pointedly staring ahead, bouquet gently nestled in the crux of her arm as they entered the kitchen, “And you’re far too nosy--like usual.”

It's funny…Their paths often crossed, yet you could count the amount of conversation’s they’ve had on one hand.

Lest tilted her head, amused, “It comes with the job, I’m afraid,” she admits, letting their irritation roll off of her without batting an eye, “But if you want to know…she’s kept the same mood board for wedding rings since college. And she most likely has a jeweler on call already--it's best to ask since she’s so particular about it,” she listed off the details, endlessly fascinated at the fact that the other woman hadn’t left the room yet. Silent, but listening all the same. “Jayce went and got her some fancy rock from a lab with a silver band. Kino nearly fell out, but Mel never complained. Though…I doubt she’d let it happen again.”

That silence—then, “Who the hell is Jayce?” Sevika asked with a frown, idly arranging the flowers in a vase.

“...Her ex-fiancé, “ Lest explained, eyeing her strangely, “Didn’t she tell you?”

Sevika snorted, “She did, but why would I remember his name?”

Lest laughed, hand covering her mouth, “You never change, do you?”

A gold mask—a snarling wolf.

A sliver of a mouth could be seen, the center of the bottom lip painted gold. Dark eyes surveyed the trembling figures kneeling before them, disgusted. They took the gun from their holster, clicking the safety off before raising it. The barrel of the gun pressing into skin, kissing the sweat and tears as they let out a strangled cry.

“An example will have to be made—“

1–shot rang out—red.

They watched the body hit the ground, before redirecting their gaze to those watching the execution, “Mistakes will not be tolerated.”

Bright—violet eyes watched it all. Jinx’s head was tucked against Silco’s shoulder. She dozed off, counting each shot.

—2

—3

—4

And after they had all left, one final shot had rang out.

—5

Water poured from the faucet. Jinx ran her hands under it, moving to splash her face, but she stopped remembering her make-up.

“Shit,” she glared at the mirror, chewing on her lip. Feet tapping--moving, she started pacing the bathroom instead, spiraling.

It could be another hallucination—a strange memory that was out of place. Her imagination working overtime because life had been far too quiet for too long.

But—what if it wasn’t?

Sometimes her memory had holes. Other times—it could be startlingly clear. Some people, some places, always stuck with her no matter what and—

Jinx heard Mel’s brother laugh from the living room, feeling unsteady again.

She remembers that laugh.

She remembers them. The heavy boots of the woman in red. That snarling wolf never looked at her, but the one behind her—him—he always smiled her way.

Steaming plates piled high with food, the clinking of glasses, laughter, and the warm crackling of the fireplace.

Jinx peered into the dining room, uncertain.

Sevika stopped beside her, raising an eyebrow, “What's wrong?” she asked, under her breath.

Jinx frowned, fingers twiddling, “Nothings wrong…”

And nothing was wrong.

Everything was fine. It was in the past right?

Maybe Mel already knew. Even if she didn’t, Jinx didn’t have any right to bring up any of that ugliness now. This home--bright and lovely, she couldn’t stand the thought of making it filthy. So why couldn’t she let it go? Why was her chest tight--why was it harder to breathe--

He didn’t do anything to her--so why was she so--why was she--shaking. Scared. Like she was eight years old again.

A bandaged hand settled on her shoulder, squeezing gently.

Jinx looked up startled. Looking around she realized she was in a room, sitting on a too-soft bed. Vi sat next to her, brows furrowed before she passed her a cold bottle of water.

Jinx lost time again.

Across the dimly lit room, Sevika stood by the door studying her carefully. That silent question filling the space between them.

Jinx fumbled with the cap of the water-bottle, taking a gulp, before she finally blurted out that mess of thoughts.

Sevika inhaled then exhaled, rubbing her eyes. Slowly but surely some pieces were settling into place.

She’d be lying if she said she never thought Mel’s family was odd, but she thought it was the wealth.

And the Medarda’s weren’t just wealthy--they were wealth personified.

Their name plastered on every building--hands dipped into every possible venture. From international shipping, to pharmaceuticals, to education, to manufacturing. A hand that extends and takes hands--and hands--and hands in turn.

Sevika never would’ve guessed one of those ventures was Silco. She was his right hand in every aspect, but certain investors were kept private by request. And the investor that helped them go international was different then the rest.

When they called--he had no choice but to answer.

Sevika kept most of her unkind thoughts about Mel’s Mother to herself most days. She knew better than most how it felt to grieve a person and the relationship you never got to have. But, perhaps she was so focused on those two, she never gave any thought to how the family worked as a whole.

Why send one child away and not the other?

Over the years, Sevika worked with many different types of people who indulged in many questionable activities. Not everyone broke the law in the same way. And the wealthy had more cards to choose from them most. They could afford to pick and choose who to shield from the violence and who to fold.

Ambessa Medarda seemed like the type.

A wolf both in name and in ruthless efficiency. Clawing her family name from the depths of obscurity, rocketing them into a league of their own. And apparently, she enjoyed success in both her legal and illegal ventures.

One child to carry on the legacy for each world.

And Sevika was certain Mel knew nothing about it.

Every conversation they did have about Sevika’s past was uncomfortable. Like poking a raw nerve, never quite knowing if it’d be too much. Her eyes wide, blinking with hurt with every detail--as if she’d never would’ve had to consider those choices at all.

“Was that too much for you?” Sevika asked, thumb brushing over her cheek, watching those hurt eyes blinking back tears.

Tears for them.

Mel leaned into their hand,“You lived through it,” she murmured, lips pressing into their palm, “I should be asking you that. You don’t need to hold back. I want know you--all of you.”

Sevika and Mel were learning each other gently and slowly. But Sevika knew enough about her to understand what she needed to do now.

Plenty of people have had a hand in pushing--guiding --coveting -- and controlling Mel. People who decided what her life should look like, what she could know, see, and become.

Sevika couldn’t stand the thought of becoming a part of that long line of choices being made on her behalf.

So she waited. Until the plates were put away, tinfoil wrapped tight around the platters. Until the kids dozed off on the odd chair or couch. A christmas cartoon playing while the adults pulled out more wine. Until her friends had left out for their hotel, leaving only family behind. Until Mel had finally stepped away, disappearing into the kitchen to begin cleaning up.

Back facing them, Mel peeled off her long gloves, searching through the drawer, “Dinner was lovely like always,” she said, noticing their approach. A smile on her lips as she pulled out rubber gloves, turning on the hot water, “Thank you--”

Sevika stepped behind her, close, “You don’t have to thank me,” she said. She wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

Mel hummed, content. Her head tipped back against their shoulder, “But you’re what I’m most thankful for?” she teased, bright eyes beaming as she looked back at them. Then she faltered, brows scrunching, “What's wrong?”

Sevika’s heart clenched.

She leaned down, speaking low into her ear.

Mel listened to her intently. With each second her eyes wavering--pained-- as realization slowly setting in at her words.

It was a hard truth to swallow, but she’d drink it all the same.

Lost in the garden and covered in filth, the siblings were quite a sight.

Mel sniffled, shivering in the cold night air. She muttered to herself--that same wish--as she curled up tight in her brother’s arms.

Kino rocked her gently, “Do you know what I wished for?” he asked, staring up at that endless sky.

“...No,” Mel said, looking up.

“I…” Kino swallowed, closing his eyes as he let out a shaky breath. Words stuck between his heart and his throat.

Mel blinked, head tilting, confused, “Kino?” Little hands reached up, patting his face and smearing dirt everywhere as she shooed away the tears, “What’s wrong?”

Kino squeezed his sister tighter.

Mel Medarda has walked this path not quite knowing where she was going.

She tugged that long, unending string, hoping that in the end, there had to be something else past the confusion, hurt, and pain.

And now she stood before her brother, not knowing what she wanted at all. Not knowing if the conversation would stop the hurt or make it worse.

Mel closed the door to the studio behind her with a sigh, “Kino we need to talk,” she said, hands folded behind her back.

“But we are talking?” Kino joked, sitting down on the lone stool, leg settling across his lap and bouncing.

“--About the family business,” Mel specified, deeply exhausted already, “Or rather, the parts of it that haven’t been disclosed to me.”

Kino Medarda

Bright--shining--strong--precious.

The heir to the Medarda fortune and all that entitled.

Good and Bad.

Kino rubbed his beard, looking off to the side. He could’ve easily played dumb, pretended like he didn’t know, but he didn’t, “...You know?” he asked with a frown, “When did you find out?”

“Well, after what--? Only thirty or so years of living I just found out, ” Mel answered, bitterness edging into her tone as her eyes narrowed, “I’ve never made the assumption that our family’s wealth or any wealth was acquired through moral means,” she paced the room, that surge of unknown emotions becoming clearer with each word.

She stopped in front of him, eyes searching, frustration peaking as he avoided her gaze. She swallowed thickly, then continued, “It was one of the main reasons I chose to distance myself from our legacy, but this…this is different,” she let out a shaky exhale.

That sickness, that uncertainty, peeled back only to reveal an ugly shame, “I have people in my life I care for immensely. People who have lived with that type of violence since birth. Who carry those wounds everyday and are in desperate need of safety--of peace. How am I supposed to properly protect them from encountering that violence further if I'm not even aware of my own family’s affiliation? How… can I make any informed decisions if I am constantly treated like a child who cannot know any better.”

Kino’s face fell and he stood. He walked towards her, uncertain, “Mel, I would…never put you or anyone you love in harm's way,” he reassured, inhaling sharp, “You know that. You know me. This…” he waved his hand, shaking his head, “It doesn’t have to affect you. You don’t have to think of it at all. ”

Mel tensed at that, a slow moving realization building in her at those words. “But it does affect me,” she countered, frowning, “It has shaped our entire lives, whether I have known about it or not,”

Every decision-- every meeting--every so called family friend--every investment was stained red. Her hands smeared across the canvas of her life--unthinking--unknowing, like a child playing in paints not knowing it was made of lead.

“Even if I was shielded from the worst, I did not escape hardship.I thought she--” Mel choked up, blinking rapidly, “I thought Mom hated me for years and she never told me otherwise.”

She understood why she shielded her from the worst of it as a child. She understood the impacts that could’ve had--bright violet eyes--seething. But even as an adult?

She was old enough to swipe the card, but not know how the money was made? Old enough to shoulder the legacy, but not know the full cost?

It was so stupid.

Mel stilled, a tense silence settling between them, “She didn’t tell me anything…” she muttered under her breath, before those bright eyes flew up, striking, “And you’re doing the same now. If you can’t tell me details fine--but nothing? No warnings? Only pushing and pushing me away--to protect me I presume, but--”

Mel wiped her face, emotions bubbling over. Those memories, those words. It was as if her mother’s hands--striking, gentle, all-too-distant were falling over her all at once.

One thought was clear in the mess.

After all that effort to shield her from the worse--was she protected?

Was she better for it?

She had walked this path--surrounded by love, yet terribly lonely.

She was never alone, yet when she fell--she never asked for help. All those bright faces in her life, yet her heart became closed off with each passing year. Cloudy thoughts--a venomous tongue--marring every friend, lover, passing acquaintance, and kind stranger with an unrelenting suspicion.

A cycle of wondering why she hurt, why no one knew she was hurting, not wanting anyone to know she was hurting at all. Not even fully grasping how much blood she was truely leaking.

She doesn’t know when it began or if it even ended. It felt like a seamless, indisputable part of the fabric of her life. Clumping threads that could never be unraveled that stopped her lungs from breathing and her heart from beating even during the happiest of times.

Knowing this--changed everything, yet nothing at all.

She wasn’t quite yet at the end of that string-- still uncertain, unsteady on her feet. But she finally knew what she had wanted from this conversation. What she wanted to know--desperately.

“Kino…” Mel whispered, tears falling freely down her face, “How long have you been involved in this…Did you even get a choice in the matter?”

How long have you been hurting?

Kino stiffened, face closing off as he quietly spoke, “Our family, our legacy, it's my burden to bear now.” he said, dark eyes unwavering, “If it wasn’t me, it would’ve been you.”

Mel Medarda.

Bright, shining, soft, precious.

She’d always be his baby sister.

He’d shoulder it all--again and again for her.

Mel casted a weary glance upwards--a curse, a prayer, a plea silent on her lips. She looked at him--truly looked at him.

He was older, wearier, but was he happy?

“I don’t care for our family’s legacy nor our Mother’s sacrifices. Not if this is what it leaves us with, “ Mel admitted, crossing her arms and holding herself tight, “Sacrifices…secrets. That legacy left behind adults who are scared to cry. Who struggle to even look at each other for a simple discussion,” she sighed, hand raising and squeezing his shoulder, gentle, “Our mother is dead--we are not. The way she chose to carry on with her life…Her decisions, her sacrifices for ‘greatness’--they lie with her. There is nothing more we could possibly acquire, so why must we bury ourselves in that same grave?”

Kino was silent for a long time.

“...It’s not that easy,” he finally said with a dowcasted gaze, “Maybe I could’ve walked away if I was younger--a better man, but this is my life,” There was a finality in his tone, a resignation, that dragged on each word heavy as he continued, “This has been my life, my decisions, my legacy for a long time and I will bear it until the end. I’ve made far too many enemies and allies for it to change now. I’d give you the world if you asked for it, but this--this-- ”

Some things don’t change.

“It’s your legacy now, but you’re a husband--a father,” Mel’s chin raised, a stubborn glint in her eye, “Our family is growing and one day we will be gone and they will have to bear what remains. It won’t be easy, but if something doesn’t change now, when will it?”

It was a long, painful while before that conversation ended.

Kino stepped onto the porch, an ornate, black and gold box in hand. He let out a sigh, trying to shake the deja vu. It was like his Mom raised from her grave to chew his ass out. Honestly, the fact that Mel never never finished Law-School floored him to this day.

They were at an impasse of some sorts. Which meant that Mel had let him off the hook for now so she could let Shug run around outside.

He sighed again, hand rubbing down his face. His eyes fell on Sevika sitting on the front steps, methodically sipping a beer while she stared at that sinking sunset.

Kino sat down next to them, sending her a sidelong glance, “You told her.” he said.

Sevika inclined her head, “I did.”

Kino barked out a bitter laugh, eyes holding no humor, before he begrudgingly handed over the box.

Sevika accepted it with a raised eyebrow. She then opened it, appraising the row of cigars packed into the container. The dangerously expensive shit.

The last time she smoked one of these, it was moments before Silco’s lawyer told her she was going to take custody of the girls, “Is this a bribe?” she asked, suspicious.

“It's your gift,” Kino said, dry.

“It’d be a nice bribe,” Sevika suggests, pulling out her lighter in one swift motion. She lit two cigars, handing one over without another word.

Kino eyed it for a moment then he accepted it. Inhaling deep, he let the smoke burn. A silence pooled between them, “...Would you have ever retired willingly if Silco wasn’t offed?” he eventually asked.

Dark eyes regarded him for a moment, “...I had no reason to at the time,” she admits, eyes returning to the horizon.

No family or friends.

Most of them scattered ash or far, far from home. That business--bloody, careless, sometimes cruel-- was all she had. So she’d given it her all. Life, limb-- all dangling in the teeth of perpetual uncertainty.

“And if you did have a reason?”

Sevika inhaled that bitter smoke, air far too cold.

Dishes put away. Trash cleared. Children and pets soundly asleep.

Sevika clocked out for the night.

Returning to the bedroom, she wondered.

Mel Medarda was a woman of many moods and faces. On occasion, she’d let Sevika peer beyond the surface. And today was a lot of good, bad, and uncertain, so she wasn’t sure what she’d get.

Stepping into the dimly lit room, she was greeted by a woman in red.

“You’re still dressed,” Sevika said, closing and locking the door behind. She unwrapped the dupatta from around her shoulders, laying it down on a nearby chair.

“You asked,” Mel explains, like that’s all she had to do.

Sevika pulled off her blouse, leaving herself in slacks and a tank-top, “I didn’t think you’d still be in the mood after…” she trailed off as she unbuttoned her slacks, but made no move to take them off, a bit lost in thought.

Mel squinted, an intense look that made their stomach tight with anticipation as a slender finger beckoned them closer.

Sevika followed her instructions, approaching the bed. However, instead of sitting down beside them, she kneeled on the ground with a hefty sigh. They wrapped their arms around her hips as they settled between her legs, head burying in her lap-- drinking in soft velvet and perfume.

Mel's eyes widened--struck--before she smiled, helpless at the sight. She ran her hand through their hair, “...You’ve worked so hard to make today go well,” she murmured, feeling them relax, weight settling on her slowly, “Everyday I see how much you do to keep us safe--to keep us happy. I wouldn’t let anything or anyone jeopardize that,” she promised.

“It's nothing I can’t handle,” Sevika said, a haze of exhaustion settling over her all at once.

If it goes to shit--if whatever mess Kino was involved in blew up in his face, she’s sure she’d be able to at least keep them out the fire. She’s done it before, she could do it again and again--and again.

“You won’t be handling it,” Mel said, tone leaving no room for arguing,“If we cannot ensure your family’s physical, emotional, and legal safety, I won’t be tolerating any more of his visits here,” she explained, nails easing against their scalp, working that remaining tension out with each stroke.

“He’s your family, you don’t--”

“This town has experienced more than enough violence—” Mel gently cut her off, resolute as she spoke, “We can call, we can go elsewhere, but if none of my conditions are met, he cannot come here, ” she said.

As if ‘going elsewhere’ was as easy as breathing air. For anyone else it would’ve been, but for Mel it wasn’t. And yet, she promised it--every word painstakingly heartfelt.

Mel leaned down, curling around them. Their vision was filled with black, white, and red. That sweet perfume cradling her gently as she spoke, “My family has done a lot of wrong, yet I cannot stop myself from loving them. I doubt I ever will. But,” she swept away those stray hairs from their face, kissing her forehead, “I’d never sacrifice one love for another,” she shared, bright eyes lost in dark--heart beating faster and faster, “I’d never put you--your peace of mind, your family, or your home-- at risk. Not after all the kindness you’ve extended to me. You deserve that much.”

And at that--Sevika couldn’t help but question if she truly did.

Soft sighs, parting lips, pearly teeth that flashed as her head fell back with a laugh. Red velvet pushed up past her thighs, matching lace tucked between that she pulled aside. She leaned in for a taste.

Hands coaxing her squirming body closer to the edge--closer to edge of the bed--

Hands--two of them.

Calloused, scarred, flesh, and covered in red.

Staining her lovely skin and making those bright, billowing marks bleed.

Sevika woke with a start, bed shaking. Her heart was caught in her throat as she breathed sharply, trying to calm down.

Next to her, Mel stirred easily at the noise, “...’vika?” she rasped, eyes blearily trying to open.

Sevika settled back down, leaning over, speaking low, coaxing.

Mel looked unconvinced, brow furrowing as she tried to orient herself.

Hesitating, Sevika wrapped an arm around her waist, burying their nose in her shoulder. She breathed her in deep--entirely indulgent even as her heart ached.

Only then did Mel relax, slipping back asleep, content in her lover’s embrace.

Metal clanking--Isha tapped Sevika’s prosthetic arm repeatedly, urgently trying to get her attention.

“Yeah, yeah I hear you,” Sevika said, waving her off, “I’m watching.”

Isha nodded excitedly.

Bundled up, she hobbled back into the snow. She raised her hands high to her imaginary audience of millions, before she flung herself backwards. She did that little flip thing Jinx had shown her, although Isha always lost balance on her way down. So it was more so a controlled fall that always left her covered in snow.

Sevika clapped slowly, biting back a laugh as Isha bowed to her audience. Then she ran off over the hills towards where Jinx and Ekko were piling up giant heaps of snow--building a fortress it seems.

Mel had been watching them from the doorway, she stepped outside, giggling a bit.

“What—?” Sevika asked, suspicious as she scratched Shug behind the ears, the sleeping dog cozied up in her lap, a blanket pulled over them. She rocked in the chair slowly, careful not to disturb them.

“Nothing, nothing,” Mel hummed, eyes impossibly fond as she leaned down, arms wrapping around the back of their shoulders as she kissed their cheek.

Sevika turned her head when she stopped, looking back expectantly, “We should head out before all the motels fill up. ”

An unending sky crested those rolling hills, leaving behind a shine as the snow only piled higher.

“Motel?” Mel questioned, kissing her cheek again, then the tip of her nose.

“Everytime it snows this bad, the heat cuts in our building,” Sevika explained, catching her off guard and finally stealing a kiss on the mouth. That winter frost biting her still warm lips. Mel tried to deepen it, despite the awkward angle, but Sevika cheekily turned away, quick, “It’s either a motel, or I kill our landlord,” she offhandedly, adds.

“Let’s not do that,” Mel muttered, pouting a bit from the betrayal, “Why not stay here another night?” she suggested, face rubbing into the nape of their neck.

“I don’t hate you enough to put you through that,” Sevika said, eyes following those brats trampling through the snow, “They’re not as cute when they’re cranky, hungry, and restless.”

“But you think it's cute when I’m like that?”

“I do,” Sevika admitted with a creeping smile, “That’s different,”

“Uh-huh,” Mel rolled her eyes, “I’ll go get the guest rooms ready,” she said, slipping away and back into the house.

Isha set down her hand of cards with a toothy grin.

Jinx cackled, arms shooting up--victorious.

Mel sighed, setting down her cards in defeat. She eyed the two hands--mulling over the game in question.

“A deals a deal—” Jinx said, ruffling Isha’s hair as she beamed.

“Were you cheating—?” Mel asked out loud. Although it was more of a deduction--all those innocuous moments throughout the game piecing together in her mind to create one, damning picture.

Isha arched an eyebrow right back—as if to say, “Does it matter?”

“Alright,” Mel acquiesced, ultimately impressed by the swindle, “I’ll send the funds over later today.”

“And—? Jinx said, with a taunting look.

“Yes, that too,“ Mel agreed, shaking her head with a slow chuckle.

Right on time—Sevika rounded the corner from the kitchen.

“‘Sevika?” Mel sweetly called out, “ ‘vika-baby, can you help me light the fire? I’m cold.”

At those words, Sevika immediately ran into the doorframe with a thud. She cursed, clutching her forehead.

“Oooh…” Both Jinx and Isha hissed, wincing. Looking at each other for a moment, they decided to scatter—cards fluttering uselessly behind, feet stomping up the stairs as they ran towards the guest rooms.

Mel’s eyes widened and she shot up, rushing over.

Sevika rapidly blinked, dazed, “What… did you call me?”

“Do you hate pet names that much?” Mel asked, fingers skimming the knot on the side of their head, looking her over.

“I…” Sevika frowned, averting her gaze, “ I don’t care.”

Mel looked at her strangely, smoothing her forehead, “Love—“ she whispered, words slow, deliberate as she cradled their face, “Let’s lie down for a moment. I’ll light the fire for us.”

- Fire--flickering red and warm.

Mel winced a bit, climbing onto the couch, hips still sore.

“Was I too rough yesterday?” Sevika asked with a frown, hand steadying her waist as they eased her down on top of them.

“You were perfect,” Mel said, face snuggling into her chest--looking quite pleased to have her favorite pillows back. Her arms slipped around their waist, legs tangled together, “You’ve been fretting all morning, I’m fine.”

Seika sighed, thumb rubbing the top of her head, the silk scarf smooth, “I saw the bruises…” she said, eyebrows furrowed.

Those dark, purpling bruises sprawled across her body--made her fingers itch for more the first time she caught sight of them. But, it also made her…sick. Thoughts murky and disgusted--even though logically she knew they both wanted it.

“Mhm…” Mel smiled a bit at the reminder, “Have you seen your back?”

Broad, steady shoulders streaked with red.

“That’s--” Sevika’s mind stalled a bit, “That’s different.”

“Is it now?”

“It is,” Sevika insisted, “I’ve actually--” hands--two of them, calloused, scarred, flesh, and covered in red, “I should’ve controlled myself. You could’ve gotten hurt.”

Mel’s head raised, chin settling between the valley of her chest. Her big, thoughtful eyes studied her for a moment, “You did control yourself,” she said, evenly, “I wasn’t scared of getting hurt at all. I trust you.”

“...You shouldn’t,” Sevika said, smoothing the line between her brow, “I’m not a good person.”

Mel’s eye’s softened, lips thin, “And what type of person do you think you are?”

Draped across the older woman, she listened. Fire crackling—the distant sounds of Jinx and Isha thumping around upstairs. Shug and Majesty curled up in the arm chair, sleeping.

Mel listened as Sevika quietly spoke, dark eyes weary.

“I was angry—all the time.”

Low simmering--the feeling never went away.

Sevika understood hate at an early age.

Standing over her dad, past out in the hall, stinking of alcohol and food--knowing the pantry was empty. She didn’t bother to cry about it anymore, finding the old man’s wallet--swiping a few dollars before she stumbled outside into the cold.

“I didn’t dream of finding a nice, ok-paying job. I didn’t care if I was good--or useful to my community. All of that felt pointless.” -

Easy money--?

Nothing about this shit was easy.

Broken bones--constant late drop offs, no breaks--pigs hunting them for sport even when they weren’t dealing. She’s had to attend far too many funerals over the years--each one quieter then the next.

Sevika handled it all as it came--again and again. Only the neat roll of cash, she counted at the end of every day keeping her going. It was far more than any other job in this shit hole.

Enough for the bills--enough for the vices.

So when that scrawny, asshat at the bar offered her another job-- a better job, she took it.

Consequences be damned.

“I saw good people eat shit every-fucking day. No one listened to goodness--no one cared, so why should I? I was just chasing that rush--that feeling--"

That fire--she let it burn her life to a crisp for a chance to feel its warmth. Her heart beating faster and faster--like she could finally fucking breathe.

But now that she was on the other side of the fire and didn’t know what to do with her charred remains.

“I didn’t stop because I wanted to--I stopped because I didn’t have a choice,” Sevika said, harshly, “That doesn’t make me a good person. It only means I’m good at following orders. If I was good, I would’ve did something productive with that time--that money,” she exhaled, eyes shutting, “Now I have to watch Jinx and Isha grow up in this shit-hole, knowing I could’ve done something, anything to make it better, but I didn’t.”

Sevika didn’t have time for regrets--to seek forgiveness, but she does wonder why out of everyone who had passed through this town--why did she survive?

She never did anyone any good. Yet she was still standing. Stuck. That unchanging, unending pile of anger. Watching everything around her fall apart for years while she did fuck all.

Sevika swallowed thickly, “I don’t understand what you see in me,” she admits.

Mel reached out, contemplative,“...I can show you.” she said, her finger brushing away the wetness from their cheek.

Mel switched on the lights to her studio. She had a determined glint in her eye as she moved throughout the space, pulling out covered canvases one by one. She propped each one up, yanking the plastic covers off with a methodical quickness.

Sevika had only seen her sketches before. The other woman was rather private about her process, so they didn’t know what to expect.

So this…

Sevika stepped forward without thinking--eyes skating across the room, not knowing where to land, where to linger.

“What do you think?” Mel asked, pony-tail flicking as she turned her head.

Color—lines deep, swirling, and bright—those fluttering shapes filling the canvas, leaving no empty space. Idyllic faces, hands, shapes pressing against the canvas, teeming to burst.

Sevika easily recognized the figures —the people—the places.

“You painted…Zaun?”

Jinx. Blue braids fluttered behind her like wings as she smiled at the viewer. Isha perched on her shoulders, a toothy grin stained a vibrant gold.

Staggering, crumbling pre-war buildings --all glitz, grime, and gold. A flickering street-lamp and little foot-prints left behind in the snow. Rolling hills of negative space colliding with color. The sun -- a pearl placed in the teeth of the sky. Plunging earth and distant lights. Those stars, peeking silver pins stuck the fabric of the sky. A wave of broken bottles shuddering upwards, one-thousand wishes breaking the unending horizon apart with their cries.

‘WELCOME TO THE HISTORIC CITY OF ZAUN’

One canvas painstakingly recreated that wooden sign. Soft, detailed, brushwork that was splattered with all too familiar spray paint. Spiraling colors--signatures--so many signatures sprawled across the canvas, until you couldn’t help but get lost in all the voices--the names.

That bridge—clean charcoal lines, white space-- flowers smearing across the architecture, bright pastels bleeding down.

And—her.

Sevika stared up at the largest painting—breath caught.

She almost didn’t recognize herself.

Flurries drifted down, kissing the slope of her face. The biting cold sending spritz of colors down, blending seamlessly with the veins stark in her skin.

Dark hair, peppered with grey, a little too long. Dark eyes lost, dark circles digging into her skin deep. Blackened, split lips, soft scars ghosting the arch of her nose.

Her expression--some would say she was resigned. Resigned to the cold--uncaring of the color that flooded her life.

Others would say she looked--relieved.

As if she lifted the world and still managed to stand under its weight.

And it wasn’t the only one.

Mel pulled out more canvases--all of them were of her.

Sevika eating, fingers dripping with fruit, stained pink. Sevika smiling--gapped teeth snarling over a hand of cards. Sevika stretched out on the couch, fast asleep, a cat pawing at her chest. Sevika carrying two girls over her shoulders, covered head to toe in snow. Sevika tipping back a beer bottle--drinking every nasty drop.

Sevika bloodied. Sevika bruised. Sevika beaming.

Sevika…never knew she could look like that. She fell silent, unable to ignore that sound rattling in her chest.

“I don’t believe you were only ever made of only anger, ” Mel quietly said, watching them carefully like she always did, “You’ve experienced so much, it’d be impossible to reduce it all to that,” she continued, approaching that largest painting, fingers dancing across the canvas, “A lot has changed, a lot hasn’t. But, I don’t think change is something that definitively happens, once or twice. I think it's constant. Whether you intend to or not, it still happens.”

Mel sighed, hands pausing to trace the line of dark hair, “I didn’t start my treatment because I wanted to get better,” she admits with a low, bitter laugh, “I was pretty much strong armed into it all--the therapy, the dog, the medical leave. I didn’t want to get better. I didn’t want anything at all at that point. I was following the advice until I could convince everyone to finally leave me alone. Even this exhibition…” she struggled for a moment, words slowing, “I wanted it to be my last before I retired early and found somewhere else to hide. Somewhere too far for visits, too inconvenient for calls. So I could finally stop being such a burden on everyone in my life. So they could move on while I--”

Quietly disappeared.

Not quite death—but courting it in a way. Aching for everything to just stop.

Sevika let the weight of her words settle over the conversation, heart shuddering,“…What changed?”

Or rather--she was hopeful that something changed.

Mel sent her a side-long glance, “If I had met you any sooner in my life, I would’ve thrown you out of my house,” she said, plainly, “But I didn’t and I wasn’t quite sure why. Our meetings were…different. Always different then the monotony I was accustomed to, ” her hand drew back from the canvas, “It was as if I had to relearn myself--my emotions, my body, my memories, my dreams. It was like meeting a stranger everytime and--”

Soft footsteps approached Mel, an arm sliding around her waist, a head settling against her shoulder.

“I couldn’t help but want to learn more about her--more about you,” Mel said, choking up a bit, “I was so stuck on those terrible months--years, I didn’t realize I wasn’t there anymore. Everything was different, but I was so close to the mess I couldn’t see the full picture. My body, my life, my friends were all breathing--moving--changing. And I could finally see it all. I wanted to see everything.”

Mel reached for the hand around her waist, slender fingers squeezing tight, “I was already putting in the work. My life is …better than before. I just needed help learning how to live it. ”

Better.

Not good, not bad, but better.

“Your life is different now—” Mel said, words certain as their bodies swayed together, “--whether it was by choice or not. If you’re not satisfied with it… if you want something different, if you want to learn about the woman that I love--I’ll be there to help. You don’t have to figure it out alone anymore.”

Sevika let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

Heels clicked-- a door slamming behind.

Mel left her Mother’s office, a bitter storm that scorched the halls, employees jerking out of her way. She rummaged through her purse, blinking back tears as her heart ached.

Exiting the building, she stumbled, heels slipping on the ice, but she didn’t fall.

Not yet.

A hand caught her by her waist, body yanked into a firm side, “Watch it--” the stranger said, voice gruff.

Mel pulled away, shame heating her face, “Apologies--” she muttered, ducking her head as she rushed away. She finally found her phone, raising it to her ear as she made a call.

A softly accented voice. Her swinging pony-tail soon disappeared into a shiny car.

Sevika rolled her eyes, paying her no mind. She pushed open the door for Silco--who seemed largely unphased despite nearly being ran over by that woman.

Silco passed by, calling back, “Wait for the next car,” he ordered, curt.

Sevika scowled, “The kid again?” she complained. It made no fucking sense to have the brat there for these meetings while Sevika was stuck watching paint dry outside the room.

“She needs to learn,” Silco explained as he always did, his tapping cane growing distant as he left her behind.

It was the first cold morning of an early winter.

Mel only managed to make it out of bed because of Shug’s pawing at the door. That adorable, little beast squirming into her room and her heart--she’d do anything to keep her happy. She jogged, Shug keeping pace beside her, tongue wagging. So cute, so—

The barest amount of guilt curled around her thoughts.

She needed to ask Elora to--maybe not Elora. She’s already asked her friend for so much. But she should look into finding another home for Shug. Her life was fine now, but…Mel supposed she’d be better off elsewhere. Or maybe not.

She had promised to try, afterall.

It was enough to stop her friends and family from constantly worrying. However she was still a bit miffed that she had to keep up with her therapy homework. Her therapist had brought up hobbies again. Something to break up the monotony--something to do with her hands.

Mel could only think of one thing.

Painting.

She hasn’t done it awhile.

It was something she had fought so hard for, yet slipped away so easily within these past few years. It wasn’t the act itself she avoided--but what it entailed. She only ever painted from life. People. Looking at people, interacting with people. The thought only made her sick now.

Perhaps, all she needed was a muse. Someone new, different--

Mel stopped abruptly, eyes caught--drawn all at once.

Soft snow falling--kissing skin.

Mel bit her lip, thoughts stirring, hands itching for a brush.

It was like seeing for the first time.

Mel saw her a lot— some early mornings and late nights at that park. She was working up the courage to approach and ask her to be her model. It was so easy to do so before--now it was different.

She wasn’t scared of the woman per say, but…she was a bit worried that she might let another question slip. Her heart always beating faster and faster--and faster at the sight of her, like she was a child again.

And it only grew-- that itch. That desire to learn more about the stranger that had begun to invade every-other sketch she had attempted lately.

“Is she a good person?”

“--‘vika baby, you never change.”

“You’re so…”

She’d miss them like air, like a heart beating.

“A bully and a brute—”

And yet.

“You never change, do you?”

--always-- there to pick her up and dust her off--

“...You’ve worked so hard…to keep us happy…to keep us safe.”

--again--and again.

There she was--without fail.

A calloused hand—pulling a coat tighter, muttering about the cold—rubbing out a cigarette, making a wish—holding a leaking cold pack to a swollen face—pressing into her hands, but not letting go— bloodied and bruised, but there—again and again—a steady hand, catching her by her waist before she fell. Hands, metal and skin--so strong, so soft—that held her precious—again and again.

Always there without fail—without faltering.

A lighter flicking —open then closed. Flame snuffed out, lit anew— a little different each time and yet.

She was—

Delicate kisses fell along the slope of Sevika’s face—lips fluttering against each curve, fingers trailing each line. The world was sluggish, slow, still sleeping that New Year's morning.

With a deep, shining reverence in her eyes--Mel watched them stir, “Everything, ” she murmured against their lips, smiling fondly.

Every dream, every wish, every future--she saw them at her side.

Sevika shuddered awake, arm lifting to press Mel more firmly against her body. Their mouth softly finding hers as they kissed her again and again—and again.

. . . . .

#arcane #sevika #mel medarda #melvika #mel arcane #sevika arcane #mel x sevika #sevika x mel #fanfiction #writing #wst

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