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Chapter Text

The Piltie bastards never come down this far, they must be up to something big. 

Jinx deftly makes her way across the rusted support beam, keeping a close eye on the convoy below. The march of heavily armed Enforcers and Noxian soldiers echo through the canyon in a sickening repetitive beat. In the center of the cohort, a wheeled contraption inches forward, the unmistakable glow of Hextech seeping out through the cracks.

Two figures stand out, leading the way. The unmistakable crisp academy uniform makes it clear that it's a scientist. Not just any scientist though, he's wielding that big-arse hammer of his. Jayce fucking Talis. The second figure sends chills down her spine. She's not even sure Warwick could take the titan of a woman. The Noxian general, Ambessa. She pulls out her scope, trying to get a better look at the device.

No, that can’t be right.

She spies mounts for at least a dozen Hexgems and that's just what she can see. What the fuck are they doing bringing something so powerful down in the sumps? She can't let them do whatever it is they are trying to do. She swaps her trusty Minigun for Fishbones, aiming at the center of the procession. She keeps it steady while it charges up, but hesitates before pulling the trigger. The explosion from the raw gems would likely take out half the sumps, but it's gotta be better than whatever they're planning.

The rocket launches, and she scrambles to the nearest support intersection, praying to Janna that it would hold. The cross beam she was on sure as shit wouldn't have. Even with shimmer strength, the shockwave from the blast damn near knocks her from her perch. She peers around the corner once the worst of it has passed.

Shit.

A faint spherical glow remains around the convoy, untouched by the blast she didn’t think anything could survive. Ambessa looks her in the eyes and smirks. She ducks out of sight, creeps on the shadows along the supports. What the hell will it take to stop this thing? She needs to get closer. They continue to weave deeper in the underbelly of Zaun, until boy wonder comes to a sudden stop.

“Here.”

He begins fiddling with the device.

“Lets see, the barrier nodes are all in place and active, the geologic telemetry is sound. How long did it take to get here, officer?”

“30 minutes, sir.”

He hesitates and Ambessa puts her hand on the man's shoulders.

“This will end the bloodshed, bring righteous retribution for all those we've lost. Our families. Cassandra. Caitlyn... Mel.”

He sighs before winding a dial back. She spots a clock on the side of the device that begins to tick.

Fuck.

“Ok, the seismic instigator is active, we've got 40 minutes to return to the city, let's move out.”

She watches as the cohort moves out, and scurries over to the device once they are safely out of sight. Definitely a bomb. As she tries to get close to disarm it, she runs into another blue glowing dome knocking her clean on her arse.

She looks over the device, sussing the runes adorning it. Acceleration. Entropy. Gravity. Amplify. There were more gem cradles on the other side, 30 in total. This thing was a fucking nightmare, they're gonna kill everyone. The countdown was down to 15 minutes.

Shit!

She ran, as fast as she could. But where? The Bridge was too far, she wouldn't make the climbs on any of the surface shafts. Bathysphere? Elevators? All too slow. She turns for the docks.

Just as the burnt out shell of the cannery comes into view, the ground begins to shake. Her lungs feel like they are on fire, her muscles scream in agony, but she presses forward. She's only got one shot. Some of the smaller buildings start collapsing. She runs to the end of the pier, and launches herself into the rotting wooden dinghy.

She doesn't bother with the broken oars. She just quickly sketches the inversion rune on the minigun's mass driver. Should be able to provide decent thrust.

The tiny boat zips along the water, but the tidal wave from jawline's genocide device still catches up to her. The rush of air stings her eyes, Hexgates aside, it's gotta be a frickin’ speed record or something.

She looks back to the city that was once her home. Zaun was just a pile of rubble, there was nothing left. It was all she'd ever known. She finds herself wishing she'd never built Fishbones. Then he wouldn't have been able to kill those rich fucks, and everyone might still be alive. She let out a guttural scream.

“NOOOOOOO!”

Chapter Text

Vi glances over as the bell of the cafe chimes. Ordinarily she wouldn’t give it much of a thought, she just likes to keep track of the various customers that passed through their little cafe. But the second she sees who it is, she forgets to breathe. It’s her. Vi stares at the black haired girl, her eyes tracing the colourful tattoos on her pale creamy skin. She strolls without a care in the world to the same seat she’s used for the past fortnight. A pair of hands grab Vi's shoulders from behind.

“Someone's got a crush!”

Vi shoots around, with a loud shush halfway between frustration and panic. Her harsh whisper has no bite.

“Fuck off, Lux!”

“Thou dost protest too much.”

She giggles in reply as she hands Vi the tray containing a large mug of Red Eye, the girls usual order. How anyone could drink that much caffeine and remain sane was a mystery to Vi. She takes a quick breath and centres herself before taking the noxious beverage over. 

“Thanks, toots!”

While Vi expected the girl’s exuberant reply, she paused for a second. The plan was simple. So fucking simple. One. Give her the coffee. Two. Ask her out. So why was it so hard??? She stumbled over words as the doubt clouds her mind, landing on

“Hey, ummm, is there anything I can get you?”

She pauses her sketching, Vi always wonders what she draws, but has never managed so much as a glimpse inside the sketchpad. The girl thinks about it a moment before looking directly at her with those vibrant pink eyes, replying.

“Nope.”

Vi tries to maintain the perfect customer service smile, good enough to fool everyone except the blonde watching the train wreck.

“Smooth Vi.”

Seeing as Vi doesn't respond, she decides to give her a little push. 

“This one's cute, you don't make a move soon I might give it a shot.”

“You should.”

Fuck!

She'd seen this before. They had met just before her 14th birthday when Vi transferred to her school from all the bullying. Of course back then she went by another name, it took a whole year before Vi was ready. When she came out to Lux, she felt honoured to be one Vi trusted most.

With the year that followed, she secretly hated that she had pushed Vi to come out fully. The bullying that forced her out of her previous school returned with a vengeance.

“No, Vi. Look at me. You are a brave, kind, and gorgeous woman. Anyone who says otherwise isn't worth the air they breathe, and any girl would be lucky to have you. I know you don't believe me, but it's the Protector’s honest truth.”

Lux tended to the cafe while Vi curled up in a ball behind the counter. It takes Vi half an hour before she is ready to face the world again.

She looks over to the booth, hopeful, but the girl is long gone. She clears and wipes down the table. This time, in with the coins the girl usually left was a folded piece of paper.

Vi gasped.

It was an incredibly detailed drawing of her face, and a note:

“Meet me at Jarvin the First’s statue at 3pm? Jinx”

She won't show.

It was easier here, a world away from all of the pain she'd endured. All the pain she had caused. The voices still came, but not nearly as loud. Sometimes they were little more than whispers of the abyss.

She will.

Jinx kicks a rock across the ground as she trudges back to her workshop, doing her damndest to ignore as the voices grew.  As they took shape.

You're a jinx.

That's me!

You're a curse.

“I'm doing better!”

Her outburst turned a head or two, but they returned to their business just as quickly.

She doesn't want you. Nobody wants you.

She frowns. She's good at risks, but it is still a risk. This is the first time since arriving that she's allowed herself to want something, just for herself.

Usually her attractions lasted only until the idiots opened their mouths, they always said something to ruin it. When she fled Zaun she just traded wannabe street trash for holier that thou hypocrites. Or worse, stuck up nobles.

When she finally found the cafe it was like a breath of fresh air. She overheard bits and pieces of the banner the pair of women working there shared. There was not a trace of pretence to be found. Even though she figured out the blonde was close to nobility, both were down to earth. Real. 

She was going to try and make friends with them but that plan quickly fell by the wayside when she realised she was actually drawn to the brunette. She gave her brothers shit when she found out they had crushes, now she was stuck in that same boat.

Vi had always been friendly with her, so she hoped there was something there, but at the same time she was all too aware that that friendliness may just be a part of her job.

She's better off without you.

Everybody that gets closer to you dies.

“SHUT UP!”

The sign in front of her stands apart from the other storefronts, the exposed gears tick behind its bold lettering as a testament to its name. 

‘Marvellous Machinations’

Otherwise known as home. The voices fade into the background as her mind starts to focus on her work, as long as she focuses on that she can drown out the other thoughts. But it's not just her work, it's her penance. 

There is no keyhole on the locked door. She had known too many lock-pickers to trust her workshop's security with that. Instead she kicked the rock up into her hand, and threw it through a gap in a grate on the floor above, only she knew how to throw it so the mechanism would activate. The clockwork gears ticks for a moment, before triggering the door to swing open, and the sign to flip.

‘Sorry, we are open.’

She jumped over the counter, landing on a stool covered in neon drawings. She and the chair rolled up to the large workbench where she began tinkering.

About a week ago a poor merchant and her kid showed up at her door. One of the nobles was in a hurry, knocking the kid down. The kid's leg got trampled and mangled, and was amputated when it got infected.

Fucking nobles.

His mother begged Jinx to help him walk again, but she was already gonna do it anyway. Some small atonement for her sins.

She tinkered away on the prosthetic, adding locking screws allowing for adjustment as the kids grew. She clicked the chemtube in place, the device whirring to life. Happy the limb was fully functional, she spun around placing it on a shelf behind the counter.

“What's up with you? You've been mopey all morning!”

“Have I?”

Vi barely acknowledged her, continuing cleaning the filter. The busy work helps her keep her mind off things.

“Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be in tomorrow. You can ask her out then!”

“It's not gonna work.”

She shows Lux the note, and her jaw just drops.

“What are you talking about, you dumb bitch?! You're bummed because she asked you out?”

“It's a trap.”

Vi sighed.

“Just like those pranks they used to pull on me. She even said ‘jinx’ it's so obvious.”

Lux stared down at the note. Those pranks were the worst of it. Girls pretending to be interested in Vi, then humiliating her when she fell for it. She could see how she jumped right to that conclusion, but this felt different.

“What if it isn't?”

Vi looks at her as if she had grown two heads.

“There's a million things that could be, but I do know one thing: I know you really like her, so why not give it a chance? ‘Sides, either way you know I always got your back.”

Vi nods

“Okay”

Jinx taps her foot in the ground, trying in vain to burn off some of her nervous energy as she sits on the edge of the statue's base. The statue was massive, easily ten times the size Vander’s statue had been.

Her memories of the man, dad #2, were always bitter-sweet. She was forever grateful he had taken her and the boys in, but she had never forgiven him once she found out he had made peace with the monsters that had killed her parents and brother.

They had a huge fight over it, the last thing she told him was that she hated him. It was Silco, who let her know that he and the boys had been murdered. Retaliation for some stupid interference with a gang deal. He took her in to become dad #3, with their shared hatred of topside they got along like a house on fire.

And burned it all to the ground.

She glances across the courtyard, people mill around as they always do in the memorial park, but nothing stands out. Not that it would, she had purposefully sat herself facing away from the cafe, afraid of being too eager if she saw her.

She stupidly glances off to the side, though the Demacians were quite primitive, even they had clock-towers. Quarter past. She returns to state at a creak in the pavers, but that little whisper in her head is returning.

She hates you.

“Is this seat taken?”

She still wasn't convinced that this wasn't a trap, but she decided that the girl was worth the risk. Was it? She questions herself as she notices the girl's foot tapping, hunched posture, and vacant stare. This nervous energy seems so out of place for her, maybe it was a set up? She swallows down her fears.

“Is this seat taken?”

Vi smiled down at the raven haired woman, she was so anxious she could swear they would hear her heart pounding from across the square. The girl's demeanour changed in an instant, a great big smile washing over her face.

“Yep! I asked this hot girl to meet me here. Glad you came.”

She patted the spot beside her urging her to sit. Hot? As Vi sits she immediately shifts closer, their thighs practically touching.

“Sooooo, Jinx?”

“That's me!”

She studies Vi's quizzical look for a split second.

“It's my name, silly.”

“Oh! Ummm, yes of course.”

“It is Vi, right? Read it on your name badge, but you know how those things can be.”

“It is.”

An awkward beat passes, and though unsure, Vi thinks she sees Jinx's smile cracks, just a little.

“Soooo, what now?”

“I figured we'd go for a walk, get to know each other better, maybe stop to get a bite, you know date stuff.”

Told you she'd come.

She almost didn't believe it when the brunette appeared, was it another hallucination? Relief replacing her doubt as reality finally sank in. She stood with purpose. She holds out her hand, and warm feeling washes over her as Vi takes it in hers.

She's blown away by how right it feels. Sure she tried dating before, she wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It was fun, but she'd never felt the butterflies. Never felt that spark. She had chalked it up to exaggeration. But now… She felt more from this simple touch than any of those dalliances.

Her gaze lingered on the girl walking with her. Her date. She hadn't noticed before in the filtered light of the cafe, but in the sunlight she could see a red undertone to her chestnut coloured hair. And those grey eyes… she could get lost in them.

“So, what do you do for work?”

“Huh?”

She almost missed the question, it took a second longer before her brain was able to catch up.

“Sorry I'm no good at this, it's been a while.”

You're losing her.

“Oh! Ummm me too, first date in forever and I'm already blowing it. I'm an inventor. So what do you do for fun?”

Jinx quietly holds her breath, hoping that being distracted wouldn't cause the gorgeous girl to bail. She exhaled in relief at the reassuring sight of her soft warm smile.

“I like to hit things, err, I mean I like boxing. Oh! And reading. Didn't have many friends growing up, so… Anyway, how about you?”

Shit.

She kinda walked into that one. Somehow she thinks making bombs, and especially using them, would not go over well. She had been itching to blow something up, but she couldn't. She had a good thing going here, the last thing she needed was to be on the run again. And after what happened, after Zaun, she just couldn't.

They'd all still be alive without you.

“Hey? What happened? You ok?”

“It's nothing.”

The brunette's concern surprises her, they had only really just met, but it seems like she really cares. They walk in sombre silence for a while before she lets out a sigh.

“I'm sorry, it just got me thinking of home. I like to draw, obviously, and paint too. I also like to tinker. Oh! And practice my shooting.”

Shooting was ok, right? There were plenty of Demacians that did fighting stuff for fun.

“You don't look much like an archer.”

It takes Jinx a beat but she pouts when she realizes what Vi was implying.

“Hey! I'm stronger than I look. I don't shoot a bow though, I shoot guns.”

Vi let's go of her hand, the loss hurts her, but not nearly as much as seeing her eyes wide with fear as she slowly backs away.

“Guns?”

“Vi!”

She calls out, but the brunette was already running.

She hates you.

She doesn't even try to argue. They were right. That look, she only saw a monster.

Nothing but a jinx.

She let out a guttural scream.

Chapter Text

Lux bristles as she spotted the raven haired girl making her way to sit at her usual table.

“You've got some fucking nerve coming back here.”

She wasn't sure what she expected when she marched up to the girl, but it wasn't this. Like Vi she seems hollowed out, a husk of her former self. The deep bags under her eyes marred with tear ruined eye-liner. She barely looks up at Lux.

“Is Vi here?”

She wants to hate the girl for hurting her best friend, the date was three days ago and Vi is still a mess. But it's obvious that Jinx is hurting just as much, and her gut told her it was from that fateful date.

“No. What happened?”

Vi hadn't told her what happened, it didn't matter how much she pestered her. Maybe she would have more luck talking to her.

“She… saw a monster. Just... just tell her I'm sorry.”

That… wasn't an answer, at least not one that was going to help anyone.

“No. Tell me what really happened.”

She finally looks up at the blonde, and Lux shifts uncomfortably under her piercing stare.

“I'm not really sure what went wrong, it seemed to be going so well, we had just gotten to talking about our interests, but when I told her I enjoy shooting guns... That look… in her eyes. Fuck.”

Lux frowns. Her mother had told her about a violent riot on Piltover's Bridge of progress after returning from a diplomatic mission. She had paid little attention to it at the time. She was far more interested in the child her mother's attache had brought home with them.

It didn't take her long after meeting again to realise that Vi was that child. Naturally pink hair was practically unheard of in Demacia. That's when she got the real story from Vi. The riot, disillusioned workers from the undercity lead a protest on the bridge, desperate for better treatment, only to be gunned down. They had killed Vi's mother right in front of her.

“Ok, I'll talk to her, but only if you promise me you're not from Piltover.”

At that the broken girl forces a weak smile.

“Ooh trust me, blondy, I hate the Pilties more than anyone.”

“Hey Vi, can I come in?”

Vi didn't have the energy to respond, she just sits on the edge of her bed staring out the window. Lux walks in slowly, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her.

“How are you doing?”

Vi scoffs.

“For a second I thought we had something, should've known it was too good to be true.”

“She's not from Piltover.”

Vi looks over her confusion slowly turning to realisation.

“You saw her?!”

“Yea, almost threw her out, but she looked as broken as you did.”

She was torn, on the one hand, she hated guns, she wasn't sure she could ever trust someone who enjoyed shooting them. On the other hand, they seemed to have a genuine connection, something she had craved for a long time, but had all but given up hope of finding.

“She enjoys shooting guns. How can I ever trust someone like that?”

Lux nudged her shoulder.

“I know you have a thing about guns, but there are a lot of sports that can hurt people. My swordplay is hardly the safest, and you yourself beat people up in the ring. Think about it.”

Jinx giggles as the boy stumbles, catching himself on the side of the counter.

“You'll get the hang of it, it's pretty weird at first, moving without feeling.”

She holds her hand in front, wiggling her fingers, including her mechanical one. His mother had to sit down, unable to hold in the tears of joy at seeing her son walk again. Jinx's smiles too, trying to hide the taint of her memories. He reminded her of some of the gutter snipes in Zaun.

They all died because of you.

Shut up! It was the fucking Pilties!

She ducks back into her workshop and hauls out a massive device on wheels. This was her first real accomplishment since arriving. Chem was pretty hard to come across, and while she could make small amounts, it was nowhere near enough to keep her inventions powered.

The bulk was just a boring steam generator, stupid Demacia and their lack of a decent electrical grid. The neat part was the pump, it circulated the chem through a voltage differential to reenergise it. Didn't last as long as the fresh stuff, but now that it was rare it was worth it.

The mother hands Jinx a small pouch. Jinx didn't mention how it wasn't even close to covering the cost of materials. She charged the nobles an arm and a leg, metaphorically, so she had enough help others. They were just as bad as topside. Well, just as bad as them before…

She waves the pair farewell and returns to her next project. The project itself excites her to no end. It wasn't just a hand and forearm, it was a work of art. An assassin's wet dream. A hidden blade and reservoir of darts, each laced when used with whatever poison was loaded.

Even though the money from this job was going to set her up the rest of the year, the problem is the client. Vayne. She doesn't care that mummy and daddy dearest were murdered. She's just some stupid noble with vigilante delusions, probably doesn't even know how to fight. Pathetic.

She drew several schematics before she settled on the best way to fit everything in such a small package, so engrossed in her work she doesn't hear the bell above the door chime.

“Uhhh, Jinx?”

She freezes hearing the voice. After the way she had left she hadn't really expected to see her again. She drops the pen and slowly turns around.

“Vi. How did you find me?”

“Well your shop is just off the square, ‘sides, aren't too many inventors ‘round here.”

She hums, not really sure where this was all going.

“I owe you an apology, Jinx. I'm sorry I ran off. When you mentioned the guns, I panicked. Took out the demons of my past on you.”

Huh so that's what this was. Guilt. At least now she knows. She can live with that. She musters up a melancholic smile.

“That's ok Vi, you saw a monster and ran. I don't blame you.”

She turns back to her work, assuming that the conversation was done. After a few moments she could feel her eyes boring into her, and turns back around.

“Something else?”

She notices Vi takes a deep breath in.

“Ummm, if I haven't completely blown it, would you like to go out with me again?”

She… did not see that coming. She froze, unable to think.

“You really wanna date a monster?”

“Yea, you're the cutest monster I've met.”

Vi is smirking, but Jinx smiles having caught a glimpse of the nervousness behind it.

“Okay then!”

“It's good to see you smile again.”

Lux places the tray on the counter, carefully arranging the freshly baked cookies in the display window.

“Vi?”

“Huh?”

She turns around from the counter, focusing on Lux.

“I said, it's good to see you smile again. Dare I ask?”

She notices the smile creep back on her friend's face.

“I… ummm… found Jinx, we have another date in a couple of days.”

“That's fantastic! Your first and a half date!”

Vi threw her tea towel in her face. Lux just rolls her eyes and passes it back.

“What would you do without me?”

“Well. I'd do well.”

Lux just scoffs.

“You'd still be moping is what.”

At that Vi's face falls.

“I think I need to tell her what happened.”

“Are you sure? I know it's hard for you to talk about.”

“You said it yourself, what I did hurt her, she at least deserves to know why.”

Vi lets out a nervous breath as she sits on a blanket atop the well manicured grass, the river below making the whole scene serene. Well, it would be serene if not for all the other people enjoying the park. After their first date she was determined to show the girl a good time.

She unpacks the basket with care, crusty bread, a jam from a Demacian berry she couldn't pronounce, a sharp cheese, relish, spicy pepperoni, and a tangy citrus juice. It would've been easy to prepare something from the cafe, she knew Jinx's favourites there by heart. But she wants Jinx to see the effort she's put in to figuring out what she would like.

“Is this seat taken?”

Vi knew the voice, but she was not prepared for the vision in front of her when she turns. Underneath Jinx's black leather jacket, she wore a plum dress. Aside from her usual heavy liner, her captivating pink eyes were accented with a blue glitter shadow. Still she finds her eyes drifting down, focusing on her blood red lips. She could only imagine how they would feel pressed against hers.

She had missed it on her first glance but neither the jacket or the dress were free of her unique graffiti. She noticed it first on the hem of her dress as it gently swayed in the breeze. The drawings were small, in black. Adding a splash of life while still managing to look elegant. She almost didn't catch the plum coloured drawings in the back of her jacket as she took it off, distracted by the dresses halter neckline.

“Yep! I asked this hot girl to meet me here. Glad you came.”

Vi smirks as she echos the girls words from their first date, gently patting the blanket.

“I wasn't sure what you would like, but I figured this was a good bet given your fondness of the pastrami sandwiches back at the cafe.”

Vi pours them both a glass of juice while Jinx eagerly and haphazardly assembles some sandwiches.

“Trade ya!” 

She places a sandwich in front of Vi as she hands her the drink. The pair exchange cautiously optimistic glances as they start, but the conversation starts to flow naturally.

Vi is enthralled as Jinx talks passionately about her work. When she learns that the limping kid she past on the way had just received a prosthetic limb she was awe struck.

Jinx seems to enjoy the stories Vi recalls too. Customer service is the worst, but occasionally they do or say the stupidest shit.

“So there's something I wanted to talk to you about, Jinx. I'm so glad you have me a second chance, but I know I hurt you, and you deserve an explanation.”

“Vi, you don't have to.”

“It's hard to talk about, but I want to.”

“So, I'm from Piltover's undercity, and…”

“Zaun.”

Jinx interrupts, frustrating dripping from her tone.

“Sorry?”

“Zaun. The undercity was called Zaun, and it didn't belong to fucking Piltover.”

“What?”

“I'm from there too.”

“You are? Okay. So there was this riot on the bridge ages ago, maybe 15 years ago.”

“Pfffft.”

Jinx again looks like she really wants to say something.

“Jinx?”

“Only Pilties call it a riot, Zaun knew it as the Bridge Massacre. Are you sure you're from the undercity?”

A Piltie? Really?

She couldn't believe she had just been called one, she feels the anger bubbling to the surface, her fists already clenched. But when she looks over at her date it all evaporates. Jinx had seen her anger, and had curled up into a protective ball as if it could shield her from being hurt by Vi. Again. Vi sighs instead.

“My family died that day. I didn't see where my dad and sister fell, only heard the gunshots, but mum… after seeing those bastards murder her I couldn't stand guns, all I could think about was the empty look in her eyes. The enforcers arrested me, but on the way back I caught the eye of a Demacian lady here for some diplomatic thing. She took pity on me and took me in.”

Jinx just hums in thought a moment, still in a ball but a little more relaxed much to Vi's relief.

“I'm sorry Vi, that really sucks. It happened to me too. My brother, my parents, gone. I was a bit young so I don't remember much. A man took me in and I had brothers again. Lost them all again a few years later. His… friend took me in after that. But things just kept getting worse and worse for Zaun. And then…”

“Yea, I was hoping to go back there one day, see what it was like, but the earthquake…”

Examining the girl's expression it was clear she wanted to say something, but also trying not to say something, like there was a war going on inside her head.

“Jinx?”

“Can we talk about literally anything else?”

Vi opens her mouth, wanting to push the issue, but as soon as she sees her date glance to the edge of the park instead of to her or the water she knew she was in trouble.

Shit!

Vi wanted to show her a good time, but that wasn't anything like what it had become. There were funerals with more mirth than their date.

“Of course! Have you drawn anything lately?”

“Maybe.”

She carefully unfolds a piece of paper from her pocket, handing it over. It's another picture of Vi, this time she's leaning against a door frame, her hands in her pockets, wearing a playful smirk.

“Drew this after you found me again, didn't want to forget.”

Vi studied the drawing with awe. The detail was astounding. The way Jinx saw her, captured her essence.

“I'm working on another… kinda, but s’not ready yet. You'll have to stop by my place again later if you wanna see it, it's not… as portable.”

This had her intrigued. So far she'd only seen the pencil sketches, and the chaotic drawings lining her workshop, but she could tell the girl had a real artistic flair. 

“Hey Vi, since you're from Zaun too, I was wondering… is that your real hair colour?”

She's taken aback by the question, she had gotten really good at keeping her hair coloured, and she often got Lux to double check.

“My hair's actually kind of reddish-pink, how did you know?”

“Didn't, but ya know there was a lot more variety in hair colour back home. My hair’s actually blue.”

She pauses for a moment as a cheeky smile creeps on her face.

“I'll make you a deal, I'll stop colouring my hair if you do too.”

“Ummmm”

Vi hesitates, blending in has become second nature. Well… kind of. She had her left side shaved, while the rest barely scratched her shoulders. The colour used to be a dead giveaway though, it's why she started. If people didn't recognise her, they were less likely to be bigoted arseholes.

“Come on, don't you want to see my brilliant blue locks.”

Now that is a tempting offer.

“Deal.”

Jinx shoots her a cheeky smile.

“Ya know, we really should seal the deal.”

“How exactly would we do that?”

Jinx leans over, her lips feel so soft and velvety as she presses them gently against Vi's. Her heart threatens to beat out of her chest. It lasted only a second, but it was the best second of her life. She felt as though she was seeing colour for the first time.

“Wow.”

The word escape as she exhales. And Jinx beams.

“Couldn't have said it better myself.”

Chapter Text

“Come on Vi, Kahina and Garen are already here, get out of the shower already!”

Lux calls out to Vi, hearing a stumble in the shower. She just rolls her eyes. Her attention is drawn back to the notes neatly arranged in front of her, hidden behind the screen.

“I still think this game is slightly treasonous.”

Garen mumbles in discontent. She had known Garen might take an issue with Military & Mages. One of the classes you could play as was a Mage, it was quite the controversy when it came out a decade ago. But she needed some way to soften Garen to the idea that not all mages were evil monsters.

His character, if you could call it that, was little more than a carbon copy of his real life self. All duty and no fun. He didn't even change his name. She was hoping he'd at least choose something ranged to balance the party out, Vi's character, Viktorie, was already a Fighter. She loved Kahina's character, Sun. When she had said she wanted to play a Mage, Lux couldn't help subtly nudging her to choose a Light Mage.

The door to Vi's room creaks open, Kahina's jaw drops as Garen booms.

“What sorcery is this, ser Viktorie? It's as though we've stepped through time!”

Lux smiles, it's good seeing her brother get into the spirit of the game, she looks up from her notes, and noticing their gaze fixed on her roommate, turns around.

The sedate cinnamon coloured of her hair was gone, in its place a vibrant magenta, her natural hair colour. She hadn't seen that in nearly a decade.

“Ser Garen. Revered Sun.”

As Vi sits in her seat, Garen mutters.

“Reviled.”

Vi over dramatically gasps.

“Ser Garen! Judge not by the vessel, but by the soul.”

The group breaks character and catches up, between Kehani's exams and Garen being on deployment, it had been a month since they had been able to organise a time to play.

Lux was the first to ask what was on everybody's mind.

“So, why the change?”

“Just felt it was time, and keeping my hair dyed was a lot of work.”

She knew bullshit when she heard it, Vi changed it so people wouldn't recognise her, she wouldn't change it back on a whim.

“Wait, that's your real hair colour!”

Right. She had completely forgotten they'd met Kahani after Vi changed her hair. Vi just nods and smirks.

“So, umm, would any of you mind if I invited someone to join us?”

Lux smiled, so that's what this was.

“My, my, Violet, are we finally going to meet your mysterious girlfriend?”

She blushes.

“She's not. Umm. We've only been on one and a half dates.”

“Relax, Vi, I'm messing with you. It's absolutely ok by me if Jinx wants to play.”

The others nod in agreement.

“If either of you mess this up for her, I will end you.”

Even Garen gulps loudly.

“So how did you two meet?” “What's she like?” “How long has this been a thing?” “One and a half?!?”

Vi brushes off each question.

“Revered Sun, Ser Garen, you forget yourselves!”

Jinx hastily brushes over the clean Demacian vista, erasing the crisp white structures, clear blue sky, pristine manicured parks, and the absolutely ridiculous statues. She takes care to avoid touching the focus of the painting, her and Vi, hand on hand with their backs turned, looking out over the now blank canvas.

The moment Vi had told her, she knew what the scene needed to be.

She'll leave you like everyone else. 

She sketches the outlines, the imposing clocktower, the brutal monolithic buildings, the haphazard array of interconnecting bridges. She carefully converted the building they had been sitting on to a heavy supporting crossbeam.

She breaks out her brush again, blending the various shades of grey, bringing the rusted steel and concrete jungle into focus.

She steps back, comparing the canvas to the image seared in her mind. If Vi couldn't go to Zaun, then it would have to come to her. And it was Zaun, but…

You killed them all.

It was dead, just the lifeless husk of her their former home.

It was the fucking Pilties! Not me.

She quickly rushes across the room to grab her other paints, the fluoro paints that adorned every free surface in her little lair, and began reviving the cursed landscape with neon, the lifeblood of Zaun.

Is it really a lair if people know where it is?

And now it's time for the finishing touches. For herself she picks out an electric blue, a colour she knew by heart even if her newly restored braids weren't peeking through her peripheral vision.

She stares at Vi's hair a minute, trying to picture what her hair would look like. In the end she decides to go with the colour of her brother. Straining to remember what it was like before she lost her family all those years ago. She could always adjust it after she sees her next, unless Vi's chickened out of course.

The first few days after washing all the dye out were fantastic. A fair few regulars commented that it looked good, that it suited her.

She still spotted the odd classmate in the streets, but the disgusted whispers and the occasional slurs thrown her way didn't bother her much anymore.

There were only two people's opinions she really cared about. Luxanna, her best friend, and now Jinx, her… She really wanted to say girlfriend, she'd have to ask Jinx on their next date. She glances over to the blue haired bombshell, and relaxes into a lazy smile. She didn't see, she was too focused on a drawing, a schematic she's working on. She wishes she could spend the entire time with her, but he breaks were only fifteen minutes.

The first time Jinx saw her new look, she practically jumped the counter, their kiss was raw. Needy. Sift moans escaped as their tongues searched between each other's lips. Is a good thing Lux broke them apart when she did, otherwise she thought Jinx might’ve fucked her right on the spot.

She looks up as the next customer reaches her, and her mood sours. She recognised the bastard. Bernard. One of her tormentors during school. The name that never fit didn't burn her like it used to, but she still winces hearing it.

“^|%#€? So this is where you've been hiding.”

“What do you want?”

“To be served by someone who isn't a freak.”

She glances over to Jinx's booth, her magenta eyes locked on to the situation unfolding.

Vi is about to reply, when she feels Lux's hand on her shoulder.

“I'll take this.”

“Luxa…”

The man didn't even get to finish saying her name.

“Get the fuck out, arsewipe, I ever see you around here again and you'll wish you were never born. Scram!”

Vi turns to thank Lux for dealing with him, but instead both watch in a stunned silence as Jinx hastily packs up and rushes off.

Though she had continued to frequent the cafe since their date, it had been a couple of days since she went there last.

Why that name, of all names?

“Vince”

Her dead brother's name barely a whisper on her lips. It's the other reason she had chosen her name. If you squinted they kinda rhymed.

Family dead on the bridge. Same name. Same hair. Same eyes. Could it be?

Did it matter?

Of course it did! If Vi was truly her older sibling, then she still had family. She wasn't alone. She hadn't cursed everyone she'd ever cared about. She barely remembered them from before, but she remembered a feeling. Safe. They always made her feel safe.

Of course it didn't! From the moment they met she had thought Vi was gorgeous. And that was when she was a brunette, so she didn't stand a chance when she laid eyes upon her cherry pink hair. There was absolutely no way she could deny her feelings. So what if she was her sister? Growing up in the trenches had taught her a very important lesson: life is hard and cruel, so if you manage to find something that brings you joy, you don't let it go.

So what if the Demacians have weird hangups? They can go fuck themselves. She leans back and inspects her painting a final time. She didn't need to change a thing.

She lugs the massive canvas covered in cloth with her, standing on its side, it reached her shoulders. As she reaches the counter she feigns indecision.

“Hmmmm, let's see… I'll have an apple turnover, hot chocolate, and… a kiss from the most dashing woman in all of Demacia.”

The worried look on Vi's face disappears, replaced with a grin. Jinx leans over the counter and gives Vi a peck, before bouncing off to her usual table. She watches as Vi prepares their drinks.

“Hey Luxie, I'm going on break.”

Vi slides into the booth opposite her, passing the red eye over and placing a plate chock full of pastries between them. Vi's hot chocolate smells good, maybe she should try it next time, not like the coffee's doing a damn thing anymore now the shimmer pumps through her veins. Vi eyes the hidden canvas.

“Is that…?”

“Yep. You didn't stop by mine so here it is.”

“You gonna show me, or what?”

Lux is looking over from behind the counter, obviously she heard every word. But it was such a dumb question Jinx couldn't resist.

“Nope, I lugged it half way ‘cross the city just to show you that you're missing out.”

“Fuck off.”

She reveals her masterpiece, and Vi is at a loss for words, she just states in wonder. The pair hand in hand, overlooking the subterranean neon wasteland.

“What do you think?”

“This… this is amazing! What are you going to do with it?”

“Well it's a gift Vi, but I was kinda hoping you'd hang it here, above our booth.”

Like lightning, Vi darts out back, returning with a hammer and some nails. She deftly hammers in a nail to mount the piece. She looks deep in thought for a second, but then glides back down into her seat.

“Jinx, there’s something you need to know about me.”

“Don't worry Vi, I already know. You're trans, right?”

“How…?”

Another piece of the puzzle, a perfect fit for her theory.

“Not important. And not why I left the other day if that's what you're worried about.”

“And… you still want to be with me?”

“Of course, dummy, can't you see I'm crazy about you?”

She needed that final piece.

“Hey Vi, while I was painting Zaun I thought a lot about family, can you tell me a bit about your sister?”

“Powder?”

She nodded as Vi gushed about her sister. She only half paid attention, but she only needed to, because she remembered. She had the final piece, and it fit like a glove.

She was hopelessly, madly in love… with her sister.

“Hey blondie, lend me a hand?”

“Vi? Why are you taking it down?”

She struggles with the awkward size of the painting until Lux grabs the other side, making it easiest for her to slide out of the booth.

“I'm not really. Just thought I saw some writing on the back”

The pair admire the detail in the mural, it was hard to believe such a place exists, or rather, used to exist.

“I've been staring at that painting all day, I had no idea your home looked like this Vi, it's breathtaking!”

“Yea, she really did it justice. Just looking at it I can almost taste the thick undercity air.”

She turns the canvas around, focusing on the inscribing on the bottom left. It's been a long time since she'd read the miners script, so she struggled reading, sounding out the words to piece it all together.

“Zaun. Before the ‘earthquake’.”

What the hell?

“It was beautiful.”

Vi stumbles back, her mind racing at the implication. She realises from Lux's sombre statement just what was lost in her translation. 

“Lux, earthquake was quoted. As if that's not what really happened.”

“But it did happen, I visited Piltover two years after, not long before we met. I saw the devastation with my own eyes. The undercity is gone. All that was left was a rocky hillside.”

She lets out an exasperated sigh. And picks up the piece, scooching back into the booth as Lux handles the other side. They mount it back on the wall, taking care to make sure it's level. 

“Yea, I know. It just… doesn't make sense. It destroyed my home and topside escaped without a scratch.”

“Maybe they protected themselves with one of those infernal inventions of theirs?”

“Maybe. But if they did, wouldn't they brag about it?”

“Well there's one person who would know.”

Vi had realised that, but given Jinx's reaction last time, she knew it wasn't a conversation for one of her 15 minute breaks. They had another date in a few days time, she would have to ask her then.

She was excited for the date but also a little nervous, Jinx was organising something, but refused to give her any hints as to what it was. Any time she'd asked she'd always get the same response with the same mischievous grin.

“Don't worry Vi, it's gonna blow you away.”

Chapter Text

She ducks from shadow to shadow, growing ever closer to the city wall. All of the lab tests went off without a hitch, but she needed to know for sure. The outer city wall dwarfs the structures around it, she skulks quietly along its inner edge until she comes across the guard house.

She doesn't even bother with its doors or windows, instead scaling the downpipe with ease. Gods she missed parkour. Its creaks are whisper quiet, a far cry from the rusted pipes back home. She vaults between the wall and the edge of the tower, slipping through its window without so much as a peep.

Careful to avoid the patrols she makes her way to the middle of the wall, she peeks over the edge. If not for the moat below, a fall from this height would be fatal, even with shimmer’s healing effects. She opens up the casing of the device strapped to her wrist, and inspects the shard and inscribed runes. She huffs, only one thing left to do.

She jumps.

The wind rushing past her ears reminds her of that day, but she pushes the thoughts down, instead concentrating on aligning her feet to break the surface tension if it fails. The water inevitably envelopes her, but the impact was no more than if she'd only fallen a few feet. Could use some minor tweaks, but it works!

She popped the shard in the heavy petricite container, wary of coming across the mageseekers again, and hastily fled the scene of the crime dripping wet.

Vi takes a deep breath, she’s been looking forward to the date all week, but now that it's actually here, she hesitates. She was in two minds about bringing up the note on the painting. On the one hand, she really wanted to know what it meant, what really happened to their home, but on the other hand, she doesn’t want to bring up something that Jinx seemed so reluctant to talk about. She pushes on the door. Locked? That's weird, this was definitely the time Jinx told her. She knocks on the door, and a voice calls out, not from inside, but from above.

“Vi? Is that you? I'm on the roof, come on up.”

Vi looks up, the structure doesn’t seem too out of place, but instead of the usual rounded roofs this one appears to be mostly flat. She spies Jinx peeking over the edge with a huge smile.

“The door’s locked.”

The grin fades from her face, replaced with a scrutinizing stare. The balcony door has an archway that Jinx vaults to and deftly skids down, hooking her arm around a downpipe to its side and sliding down. She looks Vi up and down, the intensity makes her uncomfortable.

“Don't tell me they ‘educated’ all the roof runnin’ out of ya, sis. It was always the best way to get around in Zaun.”

Sis? It felt weird, but it wasn’t the worst nickname her *hopefully* soon to be girlfriend, had come up with. The worst was ‘fat hands’, which Jinx strongly insisted was a compliment. Vi looks over the side of the building trying to figure it out. Sure she started learning parkour when she was a kid, but that was a lifetime or two ago now. Jinx grimaces at her clear hesitation.

“Just follow me, hot stuff, it'll be easy with all those muscles! It’s just like riding a…”

She shakes her head, before scurrying back up the sturdy pipe. Vi lets out a sigh, and begins her climb. She’s a bit shaky at first, but as she ascends the memories slide back into place. Jinx still has to stop and wait for her a couple of times, but she’s enjoying it by the time she reaches the top.

In the center of the roof is a large cylindrical metal contraption, the top half was open with beams that joined at the top into a small box. The lower half was covered in her signature graffiti save for a half door that was swung open. Jinx motions for her to climb into the device. On one side there are levers and a ship's wheel, while the other has a bench covered with pillows.

“All aboard!”

Jinx follows her into the basket, and before she could say anything she's bolted the gate shut and is attaching a small metal trinket to her wrist, identical to one she’s already wearing.

“Jinx…”

“Bup bup bup. No arguments Violet. It’s for safety.”

Jinx reaches up and hits a button on the side of the box. Vi’s ears pop as a muffled blast comes from the box, and instantly there’s a large balloon above them. They lurch into the air, as the wind picks them up, Jinx cackles wildly, but Vi just takes in the city as she’s never seen it before. The clean granite lines contrast perfectly with the forest in the distance.

“Woah.”

Jinx comes up behind Vi, wrapping her hands around her waist. She’s not looking at the scenery, just the awe apparent on her date's face.

“Yea.”

Vi relaxes into Jinx's embrace, and feels her place a kiss in the crook of her neck. Her hand slides down Vi's arm, she shivers at the sensation caused by the cold metal finger mixed in with Jinx's warm touch. She whispers in Vi's ear.

“Ummm Vi, So I kinda sorta already think of you as my girlfriend, So I was wondering…”

Vi quickly turns to face her, positively glowing, her hands instinctually gravitate to Jinx's waist. 

“Me too! I guess this means we're official!”

Jinx giggles, taking Vi's hand and pulling her to the bench.

“Won't you join me, oh girlfriend of mine?”

“Wild horses couldn't hold me back, my gorgeous girlfriend.”

As soon as she sits beside the girl, Vi cradles the back of her head in her hand, and pulls her closer. Their lips meet, and the vista surrounding them paled in comparison.

“I’m sorry to bring it up again, but I saw the note on the back of the painting, what happened to Zaun?”

You happened.

“Are you sure you want to know? You're not gonna like it.”

It's your fault.

Vi nods and Jinx gulps loudly, ignoring the cruel whisper in her ears.

“So after the bridge, things kept going from bad to worse. The Pilties would take more. We would resist. They sent enforcers. We made shimmer. They called in the Noxians. We made the chemtanks to fight them. Things just escalated going from bad to worse. We made a rocket…”

You.

You made it.

The deaths that followed were your fault.

Shut up! 

Wonder how long this family will last?

Fuck off before I kill you again!

“He figured if we cut off the head they would finally cave. Treat us with respect. It took out the council building, but the worst of them survived. They used Hextech to make the earthquake, it wasn't a disaster, it was genocide. I barely escaped.”

Shouldn't've told her.

She's gonna freak.

Jinx scooches over wrapping her arm around the distraught girl, holding her tightly. Her voice comes back all choppy.

“They… killed everyone?” 

“Thought about going back, getting revenge, but I was tired of war, and there was no one left to fight for. Needed to break the cycle, ya know? You gonna be ok?”

And you came so close! It's not too late…

“Yea, I'll be alright. I mean a natural disaster would've been bad enough but this? And why doesn't anyone know about it?”

“History is written by the victors, or somethin’.”

The pair hold each other tightly, not wanting to give up the comfort the other provided. As they settle they stroke each other's backs. Jinx's moan is soft and content.

“I've missed this.”

“Jinx?”

She's gonna HATE you.

“I'll tell you when we land.”

“Promise, you won't leave me?”

They're sitting at the base of the statue, same one as their ill fated failure of a first date. Jinx's anxious insistence that they couldn't talk about this on the balloon had rubbed off on her, and now she nervously taps her foot. She nods, and Jinx talks a deep breath.

“The thing I remember most from my first family is my sister's hugs. She would hold me tight just like we did before, and all my fears would just melt away, it's the only time I ever felt safe.”

Jinx's smile is bitter sweet. A cherished memory, tainted by loss, Vi knew the feeling all too well. But something didn't add up.

“Wait… Didn't you say you had a brother?”

“I was wrong.”

How could she be wrong about it? Memories fade, but that's the kind of thing you'd forget before you got it wrong.

“I don't understand.”

“Before shimmer, my eyes were pale blue. My mum, Felicia, always smelt like axle grease. And like you I had a different name.”

“Powder.”

The name was barely a whisper on her lips,  but her world shatters as Jinx nods. She knew the taste of her sister's lips, she had craved it. She had dreamt of burying her face between her legs. And even sought release with it freshly in mind.

“Fuck! Oh Janna! Fuck. You're my little sister. Gods. This is so fucked up. The things I've thought about…. Fuck.”

“Vi let's think this through, it's really not that bad.”

“Not bad?! Jinx, it's illegal and gross. We have to stop…”

“Vi! At least hear me out before you break my heart.”

Break her heart? It’s as if the truth slapped her in the face. Jinx still wanted to be her girlfriend. She had kissed her, knowing she was her sister. How long had she known? She doesn't know what she's doing, but she absently nods her head anyway. 

“First, fuck legality, this isn't our government, and even if it was, they have no business here. Anyways, unless we told them, there's no way they could possibly even know.”

“Second. Why? Why is it gross? Have you ever even thought about it? How is it any different to any other couple?”

The question takes her by surprise. It's just so deeply ingrained she didn't even question it. She thinks back vaguely remembering something about deformities.

“Ummm, oh! What about kids?”

“Assuming we even wanted kids of our own blood, it takes generations of this kind of thing to have a negative impact.”

It's true, that's only actually a problem if you have kids. It probably won't even be possible once she's saved enough for the trip to Ionia to fix things.

“The kids… might be unexpected.”

“I grew up in the lanes, Vi. If I don't wanna be knocked up I'll just use a coat hanger. Easy peasy.”

Her mind is drawing a blank. There's too many thoughts swirling namelessly around. 

“It's… it's unnatural.”

“The bigots here say that about lesbians and trans people too. You gonna detransition?”

Nothing could convince her to go back, she's done pretending she's something she's not.

“Vi, I get that it's a lot to take in. So go home, and think on it. Once you've decided if I'm your girlfriend, just your sister, or… someone you want to forget, let me know?”

Lux watches in stunned silence as Vi storms in slamming both the front door and the door to her room. The door wasn't very solid, and it did a poor job of muffling the Zaunite? Zaunian? The Zaunite’s frustrated scream.

Her heart sinks for the lovebirds, they just couldn't catch the tiniest of breaks, could they? A part of her wants to hate Jinx for hurting her. Again. Probably would have, if not for the memory of their meeting a few nights earlier. The fear in Jinx's voice, the tortured plea to look out for Vi if things didn't work out. Jinx must have told her whatever it was she needed to tell her. Lux softly pads over and hesitantly knocks on her roommate's door. 

“Hey Vi. Are you ok? Can I come in?”

After waiting for a response that never came, she enters anyway. Vi is hunched over, her elbows pressing on her knees and her hands grip her hair tightly. She wraps an arm around her friend, and just sits with her. The minutes pass slowly, before the redhead breaks the silence.

“It's so fucked up.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I don't even know where to start.”

“Maybe start with the easy stuff? Work our way up to the bigger stuff.”

She wants to give her entire attention to Vi, but her eyes keep drifting down to the chunky metal monstrosity straps to the girl's wrist, she can feel the energy seeping from it. Magic. Different from her own. But if that were the secret, why was Vi still wearing it?

“It all started out great, turns out she made a whole frigging hot air balloon for our date. The view from up there is amazing, you have no idea! I never thought I'd find someone.”

Lux pushes down the jealousy, she only wants to be there for her, why does that keep having to get in the way? Vi hesitates, reluctant to go on.

“But?”

“Promise me you won't tell anyone? I swear I had no idea.”

Lux sees the worry spread over her friend's face, she hates that Vi even feels like she needed to ask. A sickening twist of her stomach snaps her attention to the door a second before the knocks echo through the apartment.

“Mageseekers, by order of the crown, open up.”

Lux is already fumbling, hastily trying to remove the trinket from her wrist.

“I promise, but first I need to get that bracelet out of here. Delay them?”

She overhears Vi greeting the hunters as she ducks out the bedroom window, immediately sprinting as fast as her legs would take her. She cursed that Starfire’s stable was in the opposite direction.

Vi's ears perk up at the soft click of the front door, a moment later Lux meanders on dragging her feet. She plonks down beside her.

“What was that about?”

“I saw one of those bracelets in history class, it's a mage thing, if they caught you with that, they would've locked you up.”

Vi knew the first part was bullshit as soon as she heard it, but she also knew Lux was protecting her. She must've sensed magic. Did that mean Jinx was a mage? It would be so much easier if Lux would just come out to her so they could talk about it in the open. She just hummed an ok, making it clear she didn't buy it, but wasn't going to press.

“Shall we continue? You were about to tell me what the problem was.”

“It turns out Jinx is my long lost sister, the one I thought died that night on the bridge.”

Lux gasps.

“There must be some mistake!”

“Janna, I wish there were, she made me happier than I can remember, but she knew things. Things only my sister could know.”

“So what are you going to do?”

Vi had expected Lux to tell her she couldn't. It was deeply ingrained in Demacian culture that it was vile, but looking back on the blonde's reaction, she saw shock, but no repulsion.

“What can I do? I can't exactly date my sister, can I? I'm not even sure I can even see her anymore.”

“You'd turn your back on your sister?”

“Gods, I don't know. I just think it'd just be too painful, knowing what I lost. I can't just stop feeling what I feel.”

“If you're looking for me to condemn it you've come to the wrong place. Maybe if I hadn't seen how happy she made you…”

“I'll support you no matter what you decide. I gave you my word I wouldn't tell a soul, and as far as I know we're the only ones who know. So, Violet, what is it you really want?”

Chapter Text

Vi sits at the base of the statue, illuminated in golden hues as the sun threatens to dip below the horizon. She's taking in deep breaths as she works up the nerve to face Jinx, she's not completely ok yet with her sister and her girlfriend being the same person, but her feelings for the girl just keep getting stronger, and her mind is made up.

She watches as a couple of patrons leave, she's been sitting here long enough to know that Jinx would be alone. She pushes open the door and strolls up to the counter.

“Be with ya in a sec.”

Jinx calls out, her eyes not straying from the party she's welding at her workbench. Vi's eyes wander around, taking in all the contraptions her girlfriend had made.

“Take your time.”

The clatter echoed through the small space, Jinx must've dropped what she was working on. She puts the piece she was looking at down before turning around. Jinx was perched on the counter, one leg dangling over the edge while the other was pulled in tight to her chest. Her piercing pink eyes study her intensely as she moves closer.

“Vi. I wasn't sure I'd see you again.”

“I promised I'd let you know.”

“And…?”

She caught the subtle hints of hope and worry in her sister's voice. But she'd managed to close the distance enough. She reaches out, and holding the back of the girl's head in her palm, she presses their lips together.

Though slightly chapped, her lips are soft and warm, they feel like home. Jinx's hand slips from Vi's waist, sneaking under her tank top. Vi's tongue gently teases the small opening, and Jinx moans, letting her tongue slide in.

Their tongues dance together as one of Vi's hands slides down Jinx's back. Jinx breaks off the kiss, smiling and giggling slightly.

“Glad you chose the fun option.”

Jinx plants her lips greedily back on Vi's, her hand's exploration rewarded as she teases over Vi's sports bra. Vi shifts uncomfortably, her nipples aren't the only thing getting hard.

The door interrupts the pair, Jinx mumbles as she calls out, it seems she's no more willing to part with her girlfriend's lips than Vi is.

“Fuck off we're closed.”

When the door closes Jinx throws something, and the latch clicks into place. Her kisses grow needy and sinful, and Vi can instantly tell where this is headed.

“Vi, do you wanna… you know.”

“Gods, yes Jinx, I do.”

Vi lifts Jinx's in a bridal carry as they head further into the workshop. Jinx nuzzles in the crook of Vi's neck and Vi feels the sting of the bite as Jinx marks her, whispering.

“Mine.”

Vi searches for somewhere better than just the front counter, but every surface in the workshop was hard and covered in gizmos. She remembers there being a second level, but there doesn't seem to be any way to it. She places Jinx back down, and gently nibbles her ear.

“Ummm Jinx? Where's your bedroom? I can't find any stairs.”

“Hmm, call it a 'Zaunite security system', we gotta climb.”

Jinx gives her a wink and a spank, urging her girlfriend to follow her as she darts across and climbs up some shelving on the far side of the workshop. Vi smirks at the thrill of the chase.

Vi finds Jinx waiting beside a doorway, and pushes her to the wall. She whimpers as her big sister places multiple hickeys on her neck. Jinx's hands stray down her sister's back, sliding under Vi's pants and squeezing her perfect ass.

Jinx's breath hitches as Vi unfastens her top, pulling it over her head. She steps back a moment, her eyes wide with wonder and reverence as she takes in every aspect of the woman in front of her. Her fingers trace the blue clouds, her eyes landing on her little sister's chest. Her breasts were soft and perky, and fit perfectly in her hands.

“You're perfect!”

A soft moan escapes Jinx's lips as she peppered her with kisses, tracing a line down her neck towards her nipple. She sucks on it gently, her tongue playfully circling, spurred on by her girlfriend's intoxicating noises.

Jinx tugs at Vi's tank, urging her to remove the material that had the audacity to get between them. Jinx pulls the top over Vi's head letting it drop to the ground. Jinx pressed her lips against her sister's and Vi can feel the vibration of Jinx's moan as their tongues dance around each other's.

The sharp contrast of Jinx's mechanical finger as her hand traces her abs sends a shiver down her spine. Vi fumbles eagerly with the buckle on Jinx's belt. Jinx kicks off her boots and giggles in anticipation.

Vi again leaves a trail of soft kisses down Jinx's skin, but when she reaches the soft blue curls peeking out, she lifts her up. Jinx's legs wrap around her girlfriend, and Vi carries her through the doorway placing her down on the bed.

Jinx angles her hips, helping Vi in removing her pants. Eager to be taken advantage of. Vi plants a kiss firmly on her little sister's soaked panties.

“Gods Jinx, you're so fucking wet for me. Such a good girl.”

She whimpers as Vi brushes her thumb over the damp fabric, she can barely believe this is happening. Less than an hour ago she was plagued with worry that she'd never see her sister again. And here they are, closer than ever. It's like a dream come true.

“Mmmm, Violet.”

The name escapes her lips like a prayer, she can feel the warmth deep in her core and her lover's touch is a wildfire of sensation. Her moan could probably be heard from the street, but she couldn't care less. The only thing on her mind was the goddess in front of her.

The one that's now wiggling her panties down. She shivers, not from the bite of the cool air, but from the heat of her girlfriend's breath. Jinx brushes her hair to the side, and she meets the lustful desire in Vi's steel grey eyes.

“Please.”

Vi plants soft kisses across Jinx's thighs, inching ever closer, her thumb teasing Jinx's slick folds. Her other arm reaches up Jinx's chest, and she rolls the girl's nipple between her fingers.

Her sister's thumb gently rubs circles around her swollen clit, and she grabs a firm hold of the sheets as the sensations intensify. Vi's tongue strokes across her slit, and the vibration of her moan causes her to shudder.

Vi buries her face against Jinx, the slight texture of her tongue as she pushes inside her, lighting her nerves on fire. Vi wiggles inside her curling and lapping up her wetness, unlocking a new world of sensations.

She whimpers when Vi pulls away momentarily to breathe, chasing the touch. Vi quickly wraps her lips around Jinx's clit, gently sucking and flicking with her tongue. She slowly pushes a finger deep inside, and a needy moan escapes. Her body writhes involuntarily as the pace her sister's finger gradually increases. Her fingers curved just enough to graze her sensitive nerves.

“More?”

Jinx looks down at the wide grey eyes looking up at her. Words fail to form and Jinx just nods enthusiastically. Her back arches as Vi slowly adds a second finger, she can feel the pressure building inside her.

“Mmmm, I'm close, Vi, don't stop.”

She can feel Vi's lips tighten slightly into a smile as her tongue continues to work its magic, gently brushing clockwise. Vi writhes her fingers as she slowly speeds up.

“FUUUUCK!”

Her body convulses in ecstasy, the whole world faces away, all that exists is her and her sister. There's only one thing she hears as the waves of pleasure slowly dissipate.

“That's my good girl.”

She pulls her fingers out slowly, Jinx mourn the loss, but relishes the sight as her girlfriend licks them clean. Vi then climbs up her body and brushes her hair, and she can't help but feel safe in her arms. Content.

Vi places a soft kiss on Jinx's forehead, unable to believe how happy she feels. The war inside her head has gone quiet. There's no way this could be wrong, it felt right in a way she couldn't describe.

“My turn.”

Jinx's words barely register, but panic sets in as she begins to unbuckle Vi's belt. Her hands instantly wrap around her sister's in an effort to hinder her progress.

“Jinx! You don't have to… I haven't…”

“Shhh shhh, Vi. I can see what I'm dealing with, and I'm ok with it.”

“I'm… not. Not entirely. Today's one of the better days, I'm ok at the moment… just… don't call it what it is.”

She releases Jinx's hand, and the girl finishes unfastening her pants, yanking them eagerly down. Vi focuses on the gorgeous beauty intent on ruining her, and not the hard member that had sprung forth capturing the girl's attention.

Jinx lets a large ball of saliva drop to her hands. A cheeky smile sneaks across her face as she wraps her nimble fingers around Vi. She moans under her girlfriend's deliberate strokes. She feels herself grow as Jinx coos.

“That's it Vi, that's my girl.”

Her eyes widen as Jinx trails kisses down her neck, collarbone, and breast, she presses her lips around Vi's nipple, flicking it lightly. She closes her eyes, focusing on the raw sensations. Jinx lightly nibbles and sucks, leaving a mark on the side before continuing her way south.

“Mmmm, Violet?”

She looks down to the girl nestled between her legs. Jinx doesn't say more, instead maintaining eye contact as she wraps her lips around her. She gasps before her moans grow louder. Vi's senses were on fire, the grip of her baby sister's velvet smooth lips was unlike anything she'd ever experienced.

With each pass Jinx takes her sister in deeper, and the pressure Vi feels against the girl's throat is intoxicating. She whimpers as Jinx slows to a stop kissing her tip. Her voice shakes as she begs the girl climbing her body to continue.

“Don't stop, please.”

“Don't worry Violet, I'm not done with you yet!”

Vi watches as Jinx positions herself above, and helps guide her down. They both moan loudly, she can feel herself throbbing as she slowly fills her girlfriend's dripping pussy.

Jinx moves up and down, lets a soft moan escape when she's found the right angle. Vi's hips thrust up in sync with the girl's rhythmic bouncing while her hand drifts down, her thumb runs the girl's engorged clit. Their means grow louder as their pace gradually increases.

“Hold on Vi, don't cum yet, I'm close too.”

Vi does her best to hold on, she can barely think beyond all the sensations. As the girl writhes on top of her, the tiny voice that hasn't succumbed to pleasure lets her know she's almost over the edge. Before she can speak, if she even had that ability any more, the spasms of her sister's violent orgasm sends her over the edge.

The pair collapses, completely spent. Vi makes no effort to pull out as they wrap their arms around each other.

“What if you… stayed?”

Jinx is surprised by how timid and needy her voice sounds, she hadn't heard her voice falter like that since she was Powder. It makes sense though, for the first time in a long time she has something precious, something she didn't want to lose. Even with the misunderstanding, her sister's words sooth the anxiety building in her chest.

“I'm happy Jinx, you're not getting rid of me that easily.”

“I mean, what if you moved in.”

“Isn't it a little quick?”

She knew Demacia had a lot of stupid expectations around 'courtship', she hadn't expected Vi to have bought into it though. Jinx is a Zaunite through and through, but she can't help but wonder how much of that had been replaced in her love.

“In Zaun, we had a mantra. 'The world is dark and cruel, so when you manage to carve out even a sliver of joy, you hold on no matter what.' You bring me joy, Violet, you make every second better and I don't want to waste a single one.”

She's not going to choose you.

She watches as Vi's face falls and her heart sinks. After everything they've been through, everything they just did, Vi was going to let it all go.

No one would choose a jinx, a curse, she's better off without you. You should've died with your city.

“I… couldn't do that to Lux, she can't afford that place on her own, and if she has to go back to her family, they… have expectations.”

“So? Bring her with.”

She's not about to let Vi off with that lame arse excuse. If Vi wants to reject her, she's going to have to fucking do it outright.

“What?”

“Got a spare room. 'sides, nothing wrong with some extra eye candy 'round the place. I'll even put in some stairs for the ground pounder.”

“Jinx! That's my best friend you're talking about!”

Wow, Vi is such a fucking useless lesbian. She not gonna let Vi pretend she hasn't dreamt about fucking her loyal, gorgeous, brilliant 'roommate', was she seriously so dense she didn't know? Her mind drifted to her conversation with the blonde.

“Don't give me that sis. I don't believe for a second you haven't thought about it. You're gay as fuck and last time I checked, you had both your eyes.”

Vi stumbles over here words, her embarrassment painting her cheeks bright pink, but nothing remotely coherent forms. Jinx decides to throw her lover a bone.

“Geez I'm just teasing you! I know she's important to you, and she and I have… an understanding. Just if Lux's accommodation is the problem, then it seems like something I could fix.”

“Okay.”

Jinx sees the reverent, loving smile form on her sister's lips. Okay? Yea, they were going to be okay!