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It's not rare to startle awake during the night for Silco. Ever since he was a child,nightmares littered his sleep,and he never seemed to outgrow the traps of his own mind. But it's so...different,so bittersweet when it's his own child in his position. Oh just how many sleepless nights he'd prayed through to be able to take it all away,to suffer through everything she does for her,just so she doesn't have to,all the while taking her into his protecting arms,sealing her away from the scary world's scary happenings with a hug. Staying up with Jinx was almost a daily occurrence the first few months. She was so tiny and fragile,curled up against him as he tried to soothe the tears with things he never pictured himself doing,ever in his life. Singing lullabies made up on the spot,puppeteering with the only thing she has left over from everything—the bunny plush.
But some nights it was calling Sevika and letting Jinx see her recovery,see that even though damaged from her bomb,she'd become stronger than ever,so maybe,not everything she did was wrong. Those times it was just the clicking of mechanics in Sevika's arm that broke the silence in the room,alongside occasional hums from his daughter. She liked to play with the arm,considered a weapon also. Curling and uncurling the fingers that could serve as claws to rip people's eyes out,opening each latch that could very well be a deadly blade,just to see what connects to what. At least she learned something. And Sevika,somehow,fell asleep better while the little girl was fiddling with her weapon,even paying attention to keep the signature bunny rabbit safe in her arms,although they made the toy look entirely too small compared to her muscle mass. Sometimes the steady rhythm of machinery came from Sevika braiding Jinx's hair,claiming it was good practice for the fingers and nothing else,but deep down,Silco knew that she'd taken a liking to the little girl just as much as he had. She was the closest thing to a mother figure for Jinx...though Silco had truly considered dating some woman solely so Jinx could form a bond with someone motherly,but then again,he didn't want anyone to worm their way into their little world,to put off the dynamics or give Jinx a hard time adjusting. And yet every time without a fail,Silco realised how privileged he is to see that sight. To have the opportunity to get a daughter,his very own opportunity to love unconditionally,and be loved unconditionally. And to get to see Sevika like that,her expression all soft,her aggression flowing out of her body with each little mechanic tick,and showing that she really didn't hate Jinx all that much. He thought about Sevika's girlfriend,how maybe it wasn't a bad thing to allow her one,when she most likely relaxed just like this around her. It was all a big family moment. That's the word. He was with his family.
———
He knew very well that lately Jinx has gotten even more restless than usual. Pacing around in his office babbling about wasn't what was unusual. It was the lack of passion in her voice. She was so,so obviously drained of energy but she kept pushing herself to do more and more,resulting in an adrenaline fuelled frenzy. She didn't sneak out as much,either. Instead,she brought over her blanket and pillows to the leg space under Silco's desk,and made herself a cozy spot there. He just wasn't sure why. She had an entirely too expensive mattress,she had another spot in his office. What could she possibly want? After all,she was far from a little child at that point. That was the last time she built a pillow fort under his desk,so it wasn't an unusual setup. He got through each meeting with her laying there,doodling and building away in her own little world,but her work was a lot more sloppy. Occasionally his hand rested on her head as he did paperwork,tracing mindless shapes onto her scalp while she used his leg as a back rest,at which she visibly relaxed. She was tired.
So,that's why it was expected when she woke Silco by tugging at the sleeve of his shirt one night,crouching by the bed and looking entirely too fragile. He'd awoken ready to defend himself,but when Jinx shoved her bunny in his face,he calmed. It was just her. Well,not 'just'. She wasn't some small thing to pay no mind to,to be called 'just Jinx'. She was his everything,his whole life now,his heir,the apple of his eye. He'd centered his existence around her. He could sooner picture himself dying the most gruesome death than letting her go.
He was confused at first,still,but he scooted over,taking the bunny from her gentle grip and moving it next to him,as an invitation for her to come lay there. He knew now,she'd run out of ideas to distract herself from the fact that she can't sleep. Or perhaps she's too afraid to. Whatever it was,he was the person to offer remedy,the first person she'd go to for solace and it made his chest swell with pride. Yes,that's a father's job. He couldn't be doing too bad.
Jinx crawled on,cautious as if the bed could swallow her whole somehow,and curled up into a little ball of anxiety,dropping her need of constantly looking tough and perfect and unbreakable in front of him. He was aware that's what she'd been doing,that's the image she wanted for herself. He just wasn't sure how to reassure her that there was no need. When Jinx had finally gotten comfortable,he pulled up the covers,arm hesitantly moving to reach out and hug her. Should he? She always indicated any sort of affection first. What if she didn't want to be touched? And so,his arm laid next to him instead,there if she wanted to scoot under it. As he observed her face,he could see a form of inner struggle on it. What was happening inside that perfect chaos of a head?
"Can you help me sleep like you used to?"
She finally spoke,and her raspy voice made his heart shatter. She was forced to grow up so fast,despite his ministrations to be able to keep her childhood,to get anything she wanted and to experience kid things he'd never gotten to. Almost immediately,he pulled her as close as he possibly could,and brushed her hair,finally let down for night time and curly from the constant braided wear,out of her face. There was no need to hide. She looked up at him with so much trust in her eyes that he felt nervous of not being able to meet her expectations,perhaps failing at lulling her to sleep once more.
He picked up the bunny,and thought for a second. Memories came to him,and instantly,he remembered the lullaby he'd come up with. So,again for the first time in five years,he'd sat the bunny on her stomach,and began moving it along to his quiet singing.
"One little bunny,hopped along the river,
But then she slipped and almost fell.
Big brother bunny came along the river" he'd mimicked big brother bunny with his own hand. "Pulled her out and sang: you're safe sister bunny,rest your little head.
Big brother bunny will guard your every step"
At the end of the tune,he'd moved the bunny to pretend—kiss her face,while he pressed a real one on the top of her head. She seemed visibly more relaxed. She'd latched onto the bunny once more,and hugged it tight,then tugged his hand around her until he was hugging her just as tight as she preferred.
"Thanks..." she paused for a second,hesitant. Her voice trailed off before she found her bravery again "...dad"
Her sleepy mutter of such title made his eyes widen and whole being fill with affection. He did it. He earned it. He could cry.
"Always,Jinx. You're perfect. Your struggles don't make you any less of that"
He cooed,adjusting the bright blue hair so she could lay comfortably without it bothering her much in her sleep. Another kiss to her forehead,and he waited for a next request,or perhaps for her to finally fall asleep,after just one of these old tricks. She stared at him for a while,before scooting even closer and burying her head in his chest. She was preparing for sleep.
"You're crushing the bun" he chuckled,and pulled the plush out from between them as he heard her panicked gasp. He took it into their embrace and made sure it had a prime spot,just as much as Jinx. "There,there,i saved bun just like I'll always save you"
And that seemed to get rid of the rest of the tension in her body. She fell asleep shortly after,already drooling onto his shirt,little huffs and quiet snores filling the room. He was right where he belonged. And she could talk about what's keeping her up when she felt ready.
———
Sevika barged into the room to wake him just like every other morning,just like they'd discussed in the beginning. Good woman. She didn't know Jinx was there,didn't know he was guarding her dream until she saw the masses of blue all over the bed,even spilling over the edge of it. She noticed before she could begin waking him up with the usual chatter about daily plans. Lucky for her. She simply poked Silco until he woke,and nodded towards the girl in his arms,as if asking,what the hell was she supposed to do now? He simply shook his head,dismissing her,but as she began walking away,he grabbed her wrist. He knew things had gotten rocky between her and Jinx the second she'd started becoming more of the menace she truly is. But he wanted to mend that,desperately so. When she looked at him questioningly,he pointed to the space behind Jinx. Just big enough to fit her. Oh,he couldn't be serious,she thought. But he was. She was still in her sleepwear after all,and he wanted motherly affection in Jinx's life,still.
With a sigh,Sevika complied,carefully gathering the blue hair and putting it over Jinx's body so she wouldn't accidentally lay on it,and finally took the spot behind the girl,who'd wake up soon enough. Until then,Silco,in the quietest whisper he could manage,asked about their plans for the day,and Sevika listed it all in an equally silent tone. It made him realise it probably really was about time they got up. He started stroking circles on Jinx's back,murmuring to coax her awake. Sevika took to gently braiding her hair,using the hair ties on Silco's night stand to keep them together. He'd always kept some spares just in case Jinx lost hers. As the girl slowly came to,she blinked up at Silco with a sleepy smile,and threw her head right back against his chest in protest. It was Sevika's turn to coax her out of bed now,she figured.
"C'mon kid" she lightly,very carefully pulled on the braid to catch her attention "Whatcha want in return for getting up?"
Jinx hadn't even realised she was there. At first,she tensed,but she knew she'd never be hurt by her,especially in Silco's presence. She pushed back until she was pressed up to Sevika now,at which the woman grumbled.
"Nuh—uh,don't even think about getting comfortable again" Sevika knew all too well that this was Jinx preparing,and asking for cuddles. "Will you get up if i get you breakfast? Eh? That reason enough?"
The girl twisted around,and Sevika let the remaining unfinished braid go before she could hurt herself by pulling on it.
"You make it"
Jinx's voice was all but matching the already mischievous request. She sounded so sleepy and soft.
All of this,Silco could only watch in awe. Who knew that his girls could bond again just from this?
"I ain't making you shit,i don't even know how to"
Sevika scoffed,reaching around to finish the braid and tie it off with the hair tie from between her teeth. Jinx pouted and pouted,but they all knew the woman would never budge. It was Silco's turn to coax again.
"We'll get you any breakfast you want,does that sound better? I'm sure that Sevika won't mind grabbing it,since she offered so nicely"
He shot daggers with his glare to his crime partner,making it clear that this is,in fact,not going to go into her paycheck.
"Yeah,yeah,whatever" she agreed,ruffling Jinx's hair but careful not to mess up her hard work "Just get up,kid,you slept for like twelve hours"
"Which is an amazing thing,get all the rest you want,Jinx"
Silco added,once again glaring at Sevika. This promised to be quite the day...
Finally,Jinx shimmied out of the two's embrace,sitting up on the pillows and still clutching her bunny,as if keeping it safe.
"I want..." She thought for a second,repeating the sentence while she did "...i want fried meat! And i want lemonade,too,the kind they make up there"
"Well I'll be damned,this ain't children's day—"
Before Sevika could finish,Silco cut her off,kicking her unnoticeably under the blanket,as if that could hurt the woman. He'd be surprised if she even felt it.
"We'll get it for you"
He nodded reassuringly,sitting up as well. Now it was just Sevika laying,who'd pulled a pillow over her head to grumble into it in pretend—frustration. She was too used to having to do everything to please Jinx,and Silco with it,to really mind.
Jinx's eyes shining with excitement once again will make it all worth it for everyone,anyway.