The one where baby Viktor saves the day by being himself.

by Just_Another_Weirdo

Summary:

Jinx was having a great day! She had just sneaked into one of Piltover's most secure buildings, stolen a bunch of fancy tech from the lab and gotten out, and no one had noticed! She hadn't had to kill anyone on her way through!

And she had also stolen a kid!

Silco was gonna love this little guy.

 

Edit as of the end of 2024: ...guys I won't lie I never outlined this bitch so I completely lost track of what it was supposed to be other than vague ideas. Consider this fic in hiatus until I rewrite it after watching season two. Which I won't watch until I finish all my school projects because I know myself. I will be obsessed with it. So yeah. Sorry to everyone waiting for an update... It ain't gonna happen soon.

Edit 2.0: I am. Never going to recover emotionally over Arcane season two. Rewrite is in process, but since history of art is kicking my ass, it will also take a long fucking while.

Notes:

You might ask yourself 'why'

The answer is pretty much clear. Because I decided to fuck around and find out, and so did Viktor.

Also, the only reason Viktor calls Silco 'Opa' is because I learnt about it in German class and now in my head I call my grandad Opa too. I'm projecting, let me be.

Chapter 1: It's not stealing if the kid agrees.

For once in her life, Jinx wasn’t regretting her life choices.

Ok, maybe this statement looked a little bit out of place in the moment, as Jinx was currently hiding in a janitor closet, waiting for the posh Piltover scientists to pass through the hallway. But she was so close to obtaining more of those fancy crystals, and she hadn’t had to kill anyone yet! 

And the lab door was left unlocked. Perfect.

She entered quickly, making sure to make no noise as she closed the door again, and looked around. 

Then she noticed the room wasn’t empty.

Among the stack of papers, the blackboards with formulas and the fancy tools, next to the even fancier crystals she was going to steal, sat a child.

A child in an oversized t-shirt, who looked very lost.

They stared at each other, blue and amber eyes locking for a few minutes before the kid spoke.

“Where am I?” He asked.

Jinx blinked. “…Piltover? Did your parents leave you here?” Damn it, was she gonna have to kill a kid? This was going great so far, why did the universe decide to ruin this for her?

“What? No, this can’t be Piltover.” He said, with a really funny accent.

“Where are you from, kid?” Jinx asked, moving closer. She was not going to console this kid, she was just going to grab the crystals and leave him to the fate of enforcers. 

“I’m from the Lanes.” The kid said. He tilted his head. “Are you from Piltover?”

Jinx let out a short laugh. “Me? Piltover? They wish they could have me.” She grabbed a handful of crystals and slipped them into her bag. She grabbed a few fancy tools as well, she could always use new stuff to tinker with.

The kid giggled. 

Oh, no, she was not taking this kid with her. She was not.

“Have you seen my cane? I can’t find it.” He asked. 

Ok, maybe she would take him back to the Undercity. Back to his parents, but that was it. She was not keeping a child. She was not fit to raise one. 

“Nope! Do you want me to carry you?” She proposed, closing her bag after grabbing one final notebook. Luckily, it would be about what she just stole. If not, well, she wouldn’t mind snooping around someone’s diary.

“I’m heavy.” The kid said.

“Well, I am strong.” Jinx said, and, as if to demonstrate, she grabbed the kid and held him in just one arm. “Ready to go, kid?”

“Ok” the kid said, holding on to Jinx’s neck. “Don’t drop me.”

“I make no promises.” Jinx said. “Got a name?”

“It’s Viktor”

“Nice to meet ya, I’m Jinx.”

 

 

Silco could feel a headache forming, along the loud footsteps of his daughter as she made her way to his office.

Please, no more explosions, he pleaded to a nonexistent god.

Jinx opened the door with a kick, and Silco repressed a smile. Of course she would.

“SILCO” She screamed, just as he turned to face her. “YOU’RE A GRAMPA NOW.”

“What?” He asked, before looking at her.

Jinx was practically vibrating with excitement, holding a bag of stolen goods in one hand, and a small child in an oversized shirt in another. The kid looked a bit confused, but waved at him with a nervous smile.

“This is Viktor!” She proclaimed, dropping the bag and holding Viktor with both hands in front of her. “I found it while stealing some of those glowy crystals you liked so much!”

“Hello sir.” The kid said. 

“You took a kid from Piltover?!” Silco said, standing up and circling his table. “What were you thinking, you can’t just steal him! They’ll come back for him!”

“No they won’t.” Jinx said, holding the kid against her chest. “And he’s from the Undercity. Like us. Also he needs a new cane. And clothes. And food.”

Silco sighted, “Jinx, you are not adopting a child.” 

“Already done.”

“You’re a teenager!” He said.

“And you were an evil mastermind, that didn’t stop you from adopting me!” Jinx said. “Anyways, can you get him new clothes or do I have to go annoy Sevika to get anything done here?”

“I–” Silco sighted again, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine, you can keep him. Just– show me what else you got, and then we can get him some clothes.”

“And a cane. And food.”

“And a cane and food.”

 

 

Viktor was sitting on the floor next to the window, drawing with some crayons Jinx had given him, when a tall scary lady entered the room.

“Sir, the chem bar– Is that a kid?” She looked at him, then looked back at Jinx’s dad.

“His name is Viktor” Jinx’s dad said, sounding resigned. He had had the same expression since he got him new clothes. Like a dad that had gotten a dog he didn’t want, but had ended getting attached anyways. “What were you saying about the chem barons?”

“Is he yours?” The scary lady asked.

“No, he’s Jinx’s.” Jinx’s dad said.“Trying to convince her otherwise didn’t work, I’m afraid.”

“Jinx stole a child?” The lady asked.

“She prefers the term ‘adoption’” Jinx’s dad said. “Speaking of Viktor, could you obtain a cane for him? He needs it to walk.”

“I, yes, I suppose I could.” The lady said. “Anyways, the chem barons are–”

Then Jinx came back inside, holding a platter with cupcakes on it. “I brought food!” She announced. She handed a small cupcake to the scary lady “one for you” another medium sized to her dad “one for you” she grabbed another medium sized “one for me and–” she set the platter in front of Viktor “–the rest for my growing kid.”

“Jinx, you can’t feed him cupcakes, that’s not a healthy lunch.” Jinx’s dad said. 

“Why not?”

Jinx’s dad sighted. “Sevika, could you go get Viktor something healthy to eat?”

“But sir, the chem barons–” The lady–Sevika– said.

“The chem barons can wait. You’ll tell me later.”

Viktor took a bite of a cupcake. It was tasty. Jinx ruffled his hair. 

Sevika sighted, and looked at Viktor. “You allergic to anything, kid?”

Viktor shook his head, swallowing. “No, ma’am, I don’t think so.”

Sevika shrugged, took a bit of her tiny muffin, and left the room. 

 

 

The days went by, and the sight of a child running from place to place with a cane became less of a strange phenomenon, and more of ‘another one of Jinx’s weird things’ category. Goons and thieves became used to the presence of the boss’s grandkid, who was constantly asking questions and borrowing things. At least he didn’t steal anything. And he was tamer than Jinx had been.

Even the chem barons grew fond of the bright eyed inventor wanna be. 

And, if anyone had tried to threaten him to get to Silco…

Well, I’m afraid Jinx got to them first.

All in all, Viktor spent most of his time drawing and inventing, either with Jinx or Silco or both. Sometimes he went with Sevika, to walk around the market in search for something interesting, but those mostly ended with Viktor on top of her shoulders pointing at the stuff he needed for his inventions.

Jinx had been a bit disappointed Viktor hadn’t shared her loved for explosions with her, but she had to admit, sometimes things that didn’t go boom were also pretty neat. 

 

 

Meanwhile, on Piltover, a scientist in the Council was about to have a nervous breakdown. And a young determined enforcer decided to venture down in search of a missing inventor.

But let’s leave those for later, shall we?

 

 

“I just can’t get it to work well.” Viktor complained, sitting in Jinx’s lab. “It doesn’t have enough energy, and no battery I try works.”

“What’s it ‘posed to do?” Jinx asked, looking over his shoulder.

“Fly. It’s a rocket. It flies up and then… I dunno, falls?” Viktor said, scratching his hair. “I haven’t worked out everything this far.”

“Ohh, it could blow up!” Jinx said. “Go BOOM and leave no survivors!” She made a gesture with her hands, making Viktor giggle. 

“I was thinking more about carrying things?” Viktor said. “Like messages, or small packages.” 

Jinx pouted. “You gotta let your mother have some explosions, not all of your inventions can be explosion-free”

Viktor stuck his tongue out. “They can and they will.” He claimed.

Jinx ruffled his hair. “Weirdo.” She said. She moved to grab one of the Hextech crystals.  “This one should have enough energy to make it fly, try it.” 

Viktor ran the small crystal between his fingers, frowning. He then shrugged, and placed it inside the battery compartment. He had to make a few adjustments, as it was smaller than the normal battery charge, but it only took him a few seconds.

Placing the rocket on the table, he cleared the space near it. “Ready?” He asked, to no one in particular.

Jinx approached him again, leaving his new bomb half finished just to witness this. “Ooh, let’s go!”

Viktor smiled, hitting the switch.

The result was almost immediate. The rocket vibrated for a brief moment, before shooting up to the sky above, and exploding just as it reached the surface.

Jinx laughed. “Ha! That is one hell of a rocket you made there, kid!” 

She turned to congratulate Viktor further, but stopped when he saw his face.

“Hey, no, no, don’t cry, it was amazing!” She said, holding his face in her hands. 

Viktor shook his head. “It wasn’t supposed to explote!” He said, about to cry.

“Well, don’t worry! Things go wrong all the time! We can build another! It’ll be better, and stronger, and it won’t explote. And I’ll paint it with your favourite colours!”

“You promise?” Viktor asked, sniffling. 

“Heck yeah, little guy, it’s gonna be amazing.” 

 

 

Ekko couldn’t believe his eyes. 

Was that Jinx on babysitting duty? Did Silco decide to get another child and twist it for his evil empire? Or was the kid a hostage?

If Ekko had to bet, he’d bet it was a little genius kid Silco had stolen for himself.

He turned to the rest of his group and gestured them to go back to the base.

He’d talk to Jinx alone.

Hopefully he wouldn’t get shot at with a kid present.

Hopefully.

Lowering his hoverboard to the ground, he jumped off a few meters away from Jinx. “Hello Jinx”

Jinx looked at him, and then proceeded to throw away the lollypop she had been eating. “Are you here to fight? ‘Cause I’m kinda busy.”

Ekko frowned. “Who’s the kid?”

The kid looked at him, with his own lollypop. He was resting on a wooden cane, that didn’t seem to be holding his weight properly. He waved at Ekko with a shy smile.

“Oh, Viktor? He’s my kid!” Jinx said, ruffling his hair. 

Viktor groaned and pushed her hand away. Jinx only laughed.

“You stole a kid?” Ekko asked.

“Why does everyone assume–? No, I did not steal a child.” Jinx said. “I adopted.”

“I– what?” Ekko said, not knowing how to properly respond. 

“Anyways, we gotta go, I’m getting Viktor some ‘proper’ food as dad puts it.” Jinx said, turning away from him. “I’ll fight you to the death some other time.”

Viktor waved him goodbye before trailing behind his mother.

Jinx had a kid.

Ekko was an uncle.

He was going to need to process this.

 

 

A few days later, before Jinx and Viktor managed to get one of his rockets to work, a metal cane appeared on Jinx’s doorstep, perfectly made for Viktor. 

She decided not to question it much, after making sure it wasn’t a secret explosive or something.

Viktor seemed to appreciate it enough.

 

 

Sevika didn’t know if kids were supposed to learn how to gamble. But, since neither Silco nor Jinx paid her enough to babysit, she supposed it wasn’t her job to care.

“So, those are the rules of the game. Did you get them?” She asked, looking at Viktor’s cards. They weren’t too bad.

Viktor nodded. “What do I get if I win?”

“Whatever we’re betting.” Sevika said, looking at the table. “Which, right now, is a bunch of money and three vials of shimmer.”

“What is shimmer?” Viktor asked.

“Drugs.” Sevika said. “Never take them, your body wouldn’t be able to handle them.”

Viktor nodded. “Like alcohol.”

“Worse than alcohol.” Sevika said. 

“Are we gonna start or what?” One of the goons playing with them asked. 

“We start whenever I say we start.” Sevika growled. “Now, Viktor, are you ready?” 

Viktor nodded again, smiling.

And then someone interrupted their game.

“YOU–” A pink haired girl–Jinx’s sister? Jinx’s sister. Fuck.– said. “Where is my sister?!”

The jerks she’d been playing with scattered, taking the bets with them. Sevika left Viktor on her seat as she stood up, cracking her neck.

“That’s none of your business.” She snarled.

“None of my business?!? You bitch, I’m go– is that a kid?” Jinx’s sister said, looking at Viktor.

Viktor, tilted his head. “Hi, I’m Viktor.” He said, waving.

“Viktor, don’t tell your name to strangers.” Sevika scolded.

Viktor pouted. “Sorry.” He mumbled.

“I– You stole another child?” Jinx’s sister asked. “Was my sister not enough?!”

“I didn’t– I don’t get paid enough to explain this.” Sevika said. 

“Who’s that lady?” Viktor asked.

Sevika sighted. “Jinx’s sister, who was supposed to be dead.” She shot the pink haired brat a death glare, which only seemed to infuriate her further.

Viktor smiler brightly. “I have an aunt?!”

“What?” Jinx’s sister asked, her scowl dropping in favour of outright confusion. “Wait, wait, he’s Powder’s kid?!”

Sevika sighted once more. She needed a pay rise. “Yes. He is. Any more questions or can I beat your ass so you leave us alone?”

“I’m an aunt? I’m an aunt.” Jinx’s sister said, mostly to herself. “I’m not ready to be an aunt. Gods, how did Powder even get a child? Did she steal it? I hope so, she can’t have gotten pregnant. Does she even know how to take care of a child??? She’s a child herself!”

Sevika considered grabbing Viktor and running just there. Maybe pink hair wouldn’t run after them. 

Viktor stood up, grabbing his cane and walking up to Jinx’s sister.

“Hi.” He said. “I’ve never had an aunt.”

Jinx’s sister let out a short laugh, near hysterical. “I’ve never had a nephew.”

“Do you want to see my rockets?” Viktor offered. Goddamnit, did this kid not know about basic security?

Jinx’s sister blinked confused. “I don’t think she’ll like it…” 

Viktor looked at Sevika, using puppy eyes. Puppy eyes that might have worked with Silco or Jinx, but Sevika wasn’t affected.

“No.” She said. “We’re leaving.”

She grabbed Viktor and set him on her hip. He gripped his cane and pouted. 

“Wait, where’s my sister?!” Jinx’s sister said, going back to her initial goal.

“Mom said she was going to–” Viktor started.

“Nowhere.” Sevika interrupted. “Get out of Zaun before I find you without the kid around.”

 

 

Viktor didn’t like grandpa’s friends. They were scary, and not good scary like Sevika, but rude scary. And they looked at him like he had murdered their kittens in cold blood.

But grandpa had asked him to come with him, and he hadn’t been to Piltover in a long time.

And this girl had so many cool toys! Right now they were building a tower with wooden cards. Maybe they’d have enough to make it higher than them. If they didn’t topple over. They just had to find a way to avoid the laws of physics.

Then a man in enforcer armour entered the room. The girl playing with Viktor seemed happy to see him, but Viktor just froze.

He heard his grandpa talking, but he wasn’t paying much attention.

“–it would be horrible if anything happened to her…” He was saying. Was he going to hurt Viktor’s friend? “Come, now, Viktor, say goodbye to your friend.”

Viktor looked at the girl, who waved at him goodbye with a smile. He offered him a weak one in return.

And then grandpa toppled over their tower.

Before Viktor could say anything, he was picked up and they exited the room.

He waited a few moments before turning to Silco.

“Opa, are you... Are you gonna hurt my friend?” he asked, afraid of his answer. 

“Not if Markus does as I say.” Silco said. “But don't worry, I know he'll make the right choice.”

Viktor frowned. “But why hurt her? Hurt him, if he's being bad, not her!”

“You're too young to understand, Viktor.” Silco said, not meeting his eyes.

“No I'm not.” Viktor said. “I know a lot. I know that only bad people threaten children and I know you're not a bad person.”

One of grandpa's friend snickered. Silco shot him a look, and they shut up. 

“We'll talk about this later, ok?” He asked.

Viktor pouted “Ok” he muttered.

 

 

“Hey, hey, buddy?” Jinx called, poking at Viktor. Viktor who was lying his head over his arms, looking at his last rocket prototype with anger. “What did the prototype do to you? Do I need to kick its ass?”

“what? No, I was just–” Viktor said, snapping his attention back to her. “I was just thinking, that's all”

“Thinking bout what?” Jinx asked. “Do I need to kick the ass of abstract concepts?”

“No, I was think about grandpa.” Viktor admitted.

Jinx frowned. “am I going to be forced to kick dad Silco's ass?”

Viktor shrugged.

“Come on, kid, what did dad do?” she asked, nudging him gently.

Viktor shrugged again. “It doesn't matter”

“It matters if it's making you upset” Jinx said. “It matters to me.”

“Opa threatened my friend today” Viktor said. “He threatened her for something her dad might do. And it's... It's just not fair.”

“World's not fair, kiddo” Jinx said. “Dad wouldn't hurt the kid, unless her dad really really crossed him.”

“That's not the point! He can't make some pay for the bad things of her father!” Viktor said, looking up. “How would you like if that happened to me?!”

“I would never let that happen” Jinx said.

“Then why do you let him do it to others? It's not right”

Jinx sighted. Damn this kid and his conscience. Couldn't Jinx have adopted a less morally righteous child? Someone a bit more unhinged? 

“Look, Vik” Jinx said, sitting next to him. “Dad has a huge empire down here, and he needs to protect it. But he can't do that without getting his hands dirty from time to time. And everyone does that, heck, even me! I've lost count of the folks I've killed...” 

Viktor didn't seem reassured with that. “We could be helping people instead of killing then”

“Well, yes, but that wouldn't be near as fun!” Jinx said. “And I wouldn't get to use as many bombs” 

Viktor laid his head back down on the table. “I knew you wouldn't understand”

Jinx sighted, ruffling his hair. “You'll get it when you grow up, kid”

 

 

Silco should’ve known Jinx’s sister would be a bigger problem than anticipated.

Jinx had stormed in earlier, screaming at him about how he’d been lying to her. It had taken Silco minutes of careful words to calm her down.

After that whole ordeal, Sevika entered their room, interrupting their family drama to ask about Viktor’s whereabouts.

“I thought he was with you?” Jinx said, rubbing away half dry tears. “He said he was going to ask you to go buy new stuff.”

“We did, but then he said he was going to talk to you, sir.” Sevika said, looking at Silco.

“…He hasn’t been around here since yesterday.” Silco said, standing up. 

“Fuck.” Jinx said. “Fuck, we gotta go find him.”

 

 

Caitlyn had had very shitty days before. A lot of them. Like that time all her friends forgot it was her birthday and didn’t go to her secret birthday party. However, she had never had a week where she met a girl, got dragged through the Undercity, and then proceeded to get her ass kicked by this girl’s sister. 

So yes, everything was going great. 

Vi was pissed. She had hardly gotten three words with her sister before she had gone wild. Caitlyn couldn’t help feeling remorse. She hadn’t meant to make things worse. 

And then the firelights appeared.

All in all, Vi didn’t get to talk with her sister properly, and Caitlyn still had no clue where Viktor might be.

She left Vi talking with her friend, Ekko, and went just right outside the Firelights hideout. She just needed to pace and think. Just walk around to clear her head and think of a new plan.

Vi would probably refuse to help. Maybe she could make a deal with the Firelights, their help to find Viktor in exchange of… what could she help them with?

Just as she was about to come with a solution, she heard a kid. A kid crying.

Following the noise, she arrived to a small river. Next to a drain pipe, sitting in the dark, was a child hugging his knees. 

Caitlyn approached him, crouching to his level. The kid noticed her and dragged himself back.

“Hey, it’s ok.” She assured him, showing him her hands. “I’m just here to help.”

The kid didn’t seem reassured. He tried to move farther away, but there wasn’t much space for him.

“Hey, hey, no, I’m not gonna hurt you.” Caitlyn said, backing off. “I’m just trying to help.”

The kid didn’t seem convinced.

“Here.” Caitlyn said, passing him a handkerchief. “My name is Caitlyn, what’s yours?”

The kid seemed to hesitate, before grabbing the handkerchief and clutching it to his chest. “Sevika says it’s bad to tell strangers my name.” The kid mumbled. “Sorry.” He had an accent, from somewhere Caitlyn couldn’t place exactly.

“That’s ok.” Caitlyn reassured. “Is Sevika your mom?” 

“No, she just… took care of me, sometimes.” The kid said, using the handkerchief to clean his face from tears.

“Oh. Are you… are you hurt?” Caitlyn asked. “I can help.”

“Why? You’re an enforcer.” The kid said. “Enforcers never help.”

“I… I’m not very good at being an enforcer.” Caitlyn said. “I’m pretty sure I’m about to get fired.”

The kid chuckled. He looked at Caitlyn, and she swore there was something familiar in those amber eyes. “You promise you won’t hurt me?”

“I promise.” Caitlyn said, not hesitating for a second.

The kid nodded, before making a ball of the handkerchief and putting it away. He grabbed at something behind him, before attempting to stand up.

A battered, half broken metal cane. It barely held up his weight, twisted as it was.

Caitlyn repressed the thought that came to mind. It was just a coincidence. A weird, probably sleep deprivation induced connection her brain had made. There were more than one person in the undercity with brown eyes, a limp and an accent.

“Do you want me to carry you?” Caitlyn asked. “To that rock, for example, it looks comfy enough to sit.” 

The Definitively-Not-Viktor-Turned-Into-A-Child–Caitlyn would shorten that to Not-Viktor– nodded. 

Caitlyn grabbed him carefully, settled him against her hip and then left him down to the nearest adequate looking rock.

“Ok, where are you hurt?” She asked, kneeling in front of him.

The kid showed her his hands, full of scrapes and little spots of dried blood. “I fell trying to run.”

Caitlyn sighted, pulling out another handkerchief and her water canteen. She doubted the river water would be safe for this.

She cleaned his hands gently, trying not to hurt him. “Why were you running?”

“I wanted to get away from a scary man.” Not-Viktor said. “I just wanted to know about shimmer.”

“You’re too young to take that stuff.” Caitlyn said, remembering the addicts she’d seen on the street. “You should just stay away from it.”

“I didn’t want to take it!” Not-Viktor complained. “I just wanted to know what it was meant to do.”

“Hurt people. That’s all it does.” Caitlyn said.

“I know…” Not Viktor said, wordlessly pulling up his pant leg to reveal bloody knees. “I just thought that maybe if I understood it, I could change it to something that could help people.”

“You have a good heart, kid.” Caitlyn said. “Just stay away from the shimmer, you can help in other ways.” 

Not-Viktor sighted. “Ok…”

Caitlyn finished cleaning him up. She grabbed a bandaid from her pocket–you never know when you need bandaids, dad had told her– and placed it on his knee. “There! Fresh as new!”

Not-Viktor giggled.

Then Vi appeared behind some bushes. 

“Caitlyn! There you are, I thought you’d left back to Pil–” She stopped and stared at Not-Viktor. “You found my nephew?”

“Hi Aunt Vi” Not-Viktor said. 

“Hi, kiddo.” Vi said, approaching them both. “You ok there?”

“I fell and rolled downhill while trying to run away from a scary man.” Not-Viktor–Vi’s nephew????– said. “I’m ok now. Caitlyn helped.”

The way he said Caitlyn’s name was only even more familiar, but Caitlyn shook that thought of her mind. It was impossible. 

“You have a nephew?” She asked Vi instead. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah, neither did I ’til a few days ago.” Vi said. “My sister adopted him, apparently.”

“Jinx adopted a child?” Caitlyn asked. She thought of Jinx, of that maniacal unstable teenage girl, taking care of a small kid. It was surreal. 

“Well, she technically stole me.” Not-Viktor said. “But I was lost, and my parents hadn’t been around for a long time, so I didn’t mind.”

Vi let out a short laugh. “Yeah, seems like something Powder would do.” She said, smiling softly. “She tried to get Little Man added to the family once, but Benzo refused to let his kid go.”

“Why do you call her Powder?” Not-Viktor said. He frowned. “Her name’s Jinx.”

“She used to go by Powder when we were kids” Vi explained “and my mind just… hasn’t processed the change yet.” She sighted, sitting on the ground next to them. “Anyways, what are you doing around here?”

“I wanted to use shimmer for good stuff.” Not-Viktor said. “But the man in charge is scary and he wanted to experiment on me… Mom’s gonna be angry at me.”

“It’s ok, Viktor, I’m sure she’s just gonna be worried about you.” Vi said. 

“Wait–” Caitlyn said. “Your name is Viktor?”

Not-Viktor, or, actually, Viktor nodded.

“Oh, yeah, like the fancy scientist you were after, right?” Vi said. “Funny coincidence.”

Caitlyn refused to think her theory was right. What were the odds that Viktor had:

1 turned himself into a child and lost all his memories

2 gotten rescued by the sister of the girl Caitlyn got out of jail

3 gotten found by Caitlyn after an encounter with said crazy sister

?

None. Almost zero. Shouldn’t be possible.

But the accent was the same, and he even had the same eyes, and the mole on the right place. And the leg. And the name.

There were too many coincidences. 

“Cupcake? You still with us?” Vi asked, snapping Caitlyn out of her thoughts. She laughed nervously. “Jeez, you ok?”

“Viktor, where did Jinx find you?” Caitlyn asked, momentarily ignoring Vi.

Viktor stopped to think about it. “Weird lab place in Piltover.” Viktor said. “I don’t know how I got there.”

Shit, Caitlyn thought, how do I fix this.

 

Chapter 2: Kids with ethics and other illnesses: the troubles of motherhood

Summary:

Sevika doesn't get paid enough for this

Jayce needs some sleep

The girls talk about their family traumas

Everyone here needs so much therapy, but that's not the point of the chapter

Notes:

The last scene kicked my ass until I sat down and wrestled it into compliance. Enjoy!

Sevika didn’t get paid enough for this.

She didn’t get paid enough to babysit before, and she definitively didn’t get paid enough to follow Jinx around town and make sure she didn’t murder any of the fuckers who might have seen Viktor.

For a kid who couldn’t run, Viktor surely knew how to get lost quickly.

Three interrogations, two threats of violence, five times of stopping Jinx from murdering someone and one time of stopping Silco from murdering someone later, they headed down to Singed’s laboratory.

Sevika held no contempt for the man, but she wouldn’t hesitate to bash his skull in if he’d even considered touching Viktor. Singed only cared for the success of his experiments, and although that had never bothered Sevika before, the possibility of that applying to Viktor was something she refused to envision.

She would murder the man herself before Jinx ever got the chance. 

Silco did the talking. He always did, as Sevika stood behind him and Jinx wandered around, pretending not to be paying attention. Playing into that image of ‘boss’s crazy daughter’ she had perfected over the years.

“Where is he?” Silco asked. Straight to the point, he must be desperate. 

“Who?” Singed asked, not looking up from his microscope.

Jinx shot the microscope out of the table. Singed stared at her. “Oops” She said.

“My grandson.” Silco said, ignoring Jinx’s tantrums. “I know he came here.”

“Ah, so that was the infamous new kid.” Singed said, standing up. “I didn’t know he was yours.”

“What did you do to him?” Silco said, holding back Jinx by the arm. Sevika wouldn’t have cared if he hadn’t.

“Nothing, sadly. It would’ve been an amazing breakthrough towards immortality, but he slipped away.” Singed said. “I must insist you allow me to inspect him if you find him, though.”

“What do you mean?” Silco asked.

“Sir, we should search around.” Sevika interrupted. “The kid might be close.”

Silco nodded, still looking at Singed. “Jinx, take a look around. Grab what you want, surely Singed has more than enough supplies.” 

Jinx nodded, going off to sabotage every single one of Singed’s samples out of spite.

Singed cringed when he heard the crashing noises. “I met your kid before, Silco. Fifteen years ago.”

“The boy is eleven, Singed.” Silco said, quickly getting tired of Singed’s bullshit.

“So he was fifteen years ago.” 

 

 

“And then, in the dream, there was this weird furry man, and he talked very funny and told me I could be great!” Viktor kept telling Ekko his weird dreams, which made even less sense to Ekko, as they both sat on the roof of what had once been the Last Drop.

Convincing Caitlyn and Vi to let him take Viktor back to his house had been harder than expected. For some reason Caitlyn had grown attached to the kid–who could blame her, though, this kid was amazing. It had come to the point where Ekko had to remind who this kid’s mother and grandfather were, and what they would do if they thought they were the ones that took Viktor from them.

Caitlyn was a very weird enforcer…

“And what happened next?” Ekko asked, looking around for any sign of Silco’s gang. Nothing.

“Well, the dream ended, but the furry man appeared on another dream, where I was floating in a weird blue bubble.” Viktor said. He picked a rock and threw it down the roof, watching as it ricochetted. “He was impressed at me and at another kid, who was also floating. I don’t know why we were floating though.”

“Mhm… I bet you could come up with a machine to make you float if you tried, though.” Ekko said.

Viktor’s eyes light up. “Ooh, I could!” He said. “That’d be so cool.”

Ekko laughed, looking down to check once more. On the distance, he could make out the shape of Jinx and company. 

“Well, kid, seems like your mom’s coming back.” Ekko said, standing up. “Do you want a ride downwards?”

Viktor nodded eagerly, standing up as best as he could with his crooked cane. Ekko had tried to bend it the other way around, but it wouldn’t budge. He’d build another one, he had spare materials anyways.

“Come on, hold on tight.” Ekko said, offering him a hand as Viktor stepped onto his hoverboard.

He made sure to go down slowly. He’d never planned for his hoverboard to be used by more than one person, nor for one person who couldn’t bend their knees to distribute the weight. And he’d rather not have an omelette of Viktor in the pavement below.

Of course, just as he landed, Jinx pulled a gun on him.

“Wow, wow, there. I’m just returning him.” Ekko said, helping Viktor off his board. “I found him in the Lanes, you’re welcome.”

“Get out of my face.” Silco’s watchdog said. 

“See you around, kiddo.” Ekko said, before jumping on his hoverboard. He’d better leave before someone decides to actually shot him.

“Bye uncle Ekko!” Viktor said, blissfully unaware of the tension between the adults.

 

 

The moment Savior Boy was out of sight, Jinx put her gun back into her place and ran to Viktor.

“You scared me to death you little shit.” She said, kneeling to his level. “Never ever disappear like that again.”

“Jinx. Language.” Silco said, kneeling next to her. He ruffled Viktor’s hair. “Are you hurt?”

“No. Well, I was, but Caitlyn helped.” Viktor said. 

“Come on, kiddo, let’s get inside.” Jinx said, standing up again. She was faster than Silco, picking Viktor up.

Silco rolled his eyes as Jinx sticked her tongue at him. 

“Who’s Caitlyn?” Asked Sevika, who apparently was the one holding the braincell at the moment.

“Aunt Vi’s friend.” Viktor said. “She’s an enforcer, but not a good enforcer cause enforcers are scary and mean and she gave me this!” He said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket. “It’s a bit dirty now.”

“…Right.” Silco said, “Sevika, would you mind–?”

“I’ll give you some privacy.” Sevika said. “I’ll tell the chem barons to fuck off for a few hours too.”

“Thank you.” Silco said. 

“It’s nothing boss.” 

 

 

They sat at the couches in the entrance, and Silco served them Jinx’s favourite juice–now Viktor’s favourite too.

It was quiet for a few seconds. Viktor fiddled with his cane, trying to see if any parts could be scrapped to make something new, Jinx looked at Viktor, and Silco stared at his glass.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about your sister.” Silco said, still not looking at Jinx. “I didn’t know, and when Sevika told me, I was– I was afraid you’d leave me for her.”

Jinx made a grimace. “I wouldn’t do that.” She said. “Not like that.”

“I know.” Silco said. “I just–”

“I’m sorry I tapped Sevika to the ceiling.” Jinx said. “It seemed like a fun idea in the moment, and I was angry, so…”

Viktor laughed. “You tapped Sevika to the ceiling?” 

Jinx grimaced. “…Yeah… She’s probably gonna add that to the list of ‘why Jinx is a fuck up’”

“Language.” Silco repeated. “And you are not a…” He side eyed Viktor before sighting. “‘Fuck up’. You’re just young, young people make mistakes.”

“Aw, thanks dad.” Jinx said, getting in Silco’s personal space once again. She turned to Viktor. “Now, little guy, we need to discuss what you did.”

Viktor pouted. “I’m sorry I ran off.”

“Running off is not the issue.” Silco said. “At your age, Jinx spent half her days running around the city. But she told me what she was doing first.”

“Would you have let me if I had told you?” Viktor asked.

“Unsupervised? Absolutely not.” Silco said. “Singed is a valuable ally, but the man’s ethics are nonexistent.”

Jinx laughed. “So are ours, dad.” 

Viktor pouted. “I just don’t get it.” He said. “You have the power to do some good and you just– you just let people suffer. I thought you cared about Zaun, but all you care is about control.”

“Viktor, you’re–” 

“I’m not too young!” Viktor said, throwing his glass down. He grabbed his cane, ignoring how it hardly helped him walk, and stood up. “Forget it. I’m leaving. I’ll be back later.”

“Viktor.” Silco called, standing up. He made no attempts to walk towards him. He’d give him space, just like Sevika had advised him.

Viktor slammed the door on his way out.

“I’ll check he doesn’t get in trouble.” Jinx said.

Silco scoffed. “You’re a magnet for trouble.”

“Yeah…” Jinx said, making a grimace. “It’s fun though.”

Silco shook his head. “You adopted a child who’s too soft.”

“He’ll toughen up, just give him some time.”

“Let’s hope so.”

 

 

The market was always busy. Even at night, people were always trying to buy and sell and steal whatever they wanted.

Sadly, whatever they wanted tended to be drugs, food, and weapons, and if you looked for anything else–a cane– you were going to need to look a bit harder.

Luckily, neither Sevika nor Viktor had any hurry to go back.

They spent a few hours trying to find something useful, and at last settled for a wooden cane that was a bit too tall for Viktor. She’d cut it later. 

Now they were sitting on a mediocre restaurant, waiting for their food.

Sevika knew Jinx was on the rooftop, spying on them. She supposed it was better than when she was kicking her ass and taping her to the ceiling. If only Silco would let Sevika get back at Jinx. But no, you can’t hurt his kid. No matter if his kid is almost an adult who builds most of his weaponry. 

Viktor drew on the napkin with a crayon a waitress had supplied as they waited. 

“So. First fight with your family?” Sevika asked, looking at his nonsensical doodles.

“It wasn’t a fight.” Viktor muttered. “They’re just dumb.”

Sevika snorted. “How so?”

“I dunno.” He mumbled. “They’re just dumb. Big mean dummies.”

Sevika ruffled his hair, ignoring the death stare she received. “Tell me, kid, if you had control over all of Zaun, what would you do?”

Viktor stopped doodling, staring at his drawing. He shrugged again. “Help people.”

“How?”

“Clean the air, the river, give them better places to live, better food, better clothes.”

“And how would you convince people into helping you with that?” Sevika asked. She passed the waitress a few coins as she served them food.

Viktor stabbed his steak with little enthusiasm. “Why wouldn’t they want to help me? It’d make things better for everyone.”

“People don’t want things to be good for everyone, they want them good for themselves. They would tear down any attempt of yours. You’re too soft.”

“I’m not soft!” Viktor complained, his mouth full.

“Kid. You’re kind, you’re soft and you’re naive. That gets you friends, yes, but it makes you an easy target.” Sevika said. She took a bite of her own hamburger. “The last person who tried to make things better for everyone ended up dead.”

Viktor pouted. “What happened to them?”

“He refused to fight the topsiders.” Sevika explained. “He wanted to keep us all out of trouble, and in return, he was betrayed.”

“Oh. It was with the explosion in Piltover, right?” Viktor asked.

Sevika frowned. How did the kid know about that? He was a baby when it had happened.

“Yes, that started it. It escalated quickly.” Sevika said, ignoring her inner confusion. “Silco came, I sided with him, and he killed Vander. That’s… pretty much the whole story.”

“Huh.” Viktor said. “Well that’s not nice.”

“No one here is nice, kid.”

“We could be, though.” Viktor said. “This place could be beautiful.”

Sevika sighted. Damn this kid. She hadn’t had a soft spot for baby Jinx, why did she have to have one for this one?

“I’ll tell you this. Focus on one problem. Find a way to solve it. You do that, and I’ll convince Silco to mass produce the solution.” 

Viktor’s eyes lighted up. “Really? You promise?” He looked this close to start bouncing on his chair from excitement. 

“Yeah, kid, I promise.” 

 

 

Piltover smelt weird.

That shouldn’t be the first thing Vi thought, but it was. 

It smelt weird, it was too shinny, and mildly cold.

She was starting to have second thoughts about tagging along with cupcake.

They had visited Caitlyn’s place, which was huge, and gotten an earful from her mother, as her father gave them something to eat. Even the food was different. Softer textures, more variety of flavours, and it wasn’t half raw. A bit bland.

Vi probably had made a horrible first impression, devouring her toast in three seconds and a half, but at this point, she had no more fucks to give. 

Caitlyn’s conspiracy board had been interesting, but she had no time to inspect it further. Cupcake dragged her to Piltover’s fanciest lab. 

She had to look for someone, she claimed, get a friend of Viktor’s.

They entered the lab, after Caitlyn talked to some of her buddy enforcers–ew. It was a mess of a place, blackboards filled with equations Vi couldn’t start to comprehend, books and journals and lose papers piled on top of each other, a random sofa on a corner, covered in tools and blankets, and several coffee mugs that seemed to have been there forever.

And, in the center of it all, a weird shinny orb like thing. 

Vi was so mesmerized by the way it moved and blinked, that she didn’t notice the man inside the lab.

He was dressed in fine white robes, but he seemed anything but pristine himself. His hair was a mess, he had the biggest eye bags Vi had seen since leaving prison and he could spot three different coffee stains on his shirt.

“Caitlyn!” He called, going in for a hug.

Caitlyn indulged him, for a second, before putting on her serious face.

“Jayce, hi, I need Sky.” She said, cutting straight to the point.

Jayce frowned. “Sky? She should be here in a few minutes… who’s that?” He looked over at Vi, who waved awkwardly. Jayce waved back.

“That’s… Vi, my Undercity guide.” Caitlyn said. “Jayce, are you alright? You seem… off.”

Jayce blinked, processing her question. “Oh, yeah! Yeah, of course!” He said, absolutely not swaying on the spot. “Have you found Viktor? The Council is pushing for more Hextech improvements, and I really need a hand. Not that I need– well, I do need him, but I don’t want to pressure him? He deserves a break too, but the Council– have you found Viktor?”

Caitlyn grimaced, looking at Vi for a second. Vi just shrugged, not knowing how to respond. 

“I– I think I found him?” Caitlyn said. “It’s complicated, I need Sky’s help, she knew him from childhood, right?”

Jayce looked deep in thought for a second. “Yeah, yeah they did. I forgot about that. Huh. Wonder how tiny baby Viktor and Sky looked like.”

Caitlyn let out a nervous snort. “Right, well, I’ll get her, and we’ll figure it out, and… you should maybe sleep? Take a break?”

Jayce frowned, waving his hand. “No, no, I can’t take a break, I just need some coffee. I’m about to solve this… this thing. I’m about to do it.”

“Jeez, you’re a mess.” Vi muttered. 

Jayce didn’t seem to hear her, or maybe he ignored her. A lot of people ignored her.

“Right.” Caitlyn said. She turned to Vi. “Can you help me clear the couch?”

Vi shrugged. “Sure.” 

She went to the couch, and started grabbing the various tools laying on it. She left them next to it, piled on top of each other as best as she could. Would they break if she didn’t handle them correctly? Maybe, and Vi wasn’t risking it.

She turned, and found Caitlyn dragging the sleep deprived idiot towards the couch.

Caitlyn dropped Jayce into the couch. “Sleep. You need it.”

“But Caitlyn–”

“Sleep.” Caitlyn cut him. “Just for half an hour. For me? Please?”

Jayce pouted. “Fine.”

“Dumbass.” She accused, throwing a blanket over him.

She then turned to Vi, who was staring at them both. “Is this… normal scientist behaviour?”

Caitlyn sighted. “Viktor used to yell at Jayce to take care of himself, and Jayce yelled at Viktor to do the same.” She explained. “Without Viktor here, well…”

Vi grimaced. “Right. Let’s go find your girlfriend.”

Caitlyn laughed. “Sky is definitely not my girlfriend.” She said. “Sadly, I’m still single.”

They left the lab, and Jayce’s snores were the only thing that bid them goodbye.

 

 

“I need new pencils” Viktor said, looking up from his little working station. 

Jinx spun around in her chair to face him. “What’s wrong with the ones you have?”

“Mom, these are coloured pencils.” Viktor said, waving them around.

“…so?”

“I can’t present scientific inventions in bright fuchsia!” 

“You could if you weren’t a coward.” Jinx said. “I think I have some old sketching pencils somewhere. I stole them from a douchebag that worked for dad.” She jumped from her chair, going to one of her miscellaneous boxes. After digging in it for a few seconds, she pulled out an old pencil case and let out an exclamation of triumph. “Here! Catch!”

Viktor dropped his colored pencils to try stop the pencil case from hitting him in the face. He was successful, although lacking grace.

“Why do you always throw things at me?” Viktor said, opening the case and pulling out the pencils he needed. “You’re not that far, you could just hand it over.”

“It improves your reflexes.” Jinx said. “And t’is funnier.”

Viktor muttered something under his breath, and Jinx didn’t waste her opportunity to go annoy him further.

She ruffled his hair, earning the same grunted complain as always, and looked over his shoulder.

“What you doing?” She asked.

Viktor covered his papers with his arms. “Nothing. Fuck off.”

Jinx gasped. “Young man, who taught you those words??”

“You did.” Viktor said, sticking his tongue out.

Jinx ruffled his hair again in vengeance. “Ok, but really, can I look?”

“No, it’s a surprise.” Viktor said.

“Is it a bomb?” Jinx asked, smiling with excitement.

Viktor frowned. “No. I will never make a weapon.” 

Jinx pouted, but then shrugged. “Oh, well, your loss. I bet whatever you make it’ll be amazing, even if it doesn’t go Boom.”

“Everything can go Boom if you’re not careful enough.” Viktor reminded her.

“Touché”

 

 

“I talked with Viktor.” Sevika said. They had been sitting in Silco’s office, in silence, as Silco went through some paperwork. “He called you dumb.”

“Was he upset?” Silco asked, not looking up from where he worked.

“What do you think?” Sevika said. “He’s stubborn.”

Silco sighted. “He’s going to get hurt if he keeps trying to be nice to everyone.”

“Let him help, then.” Sevika said.

“No.”

“He’s going to try to do it, no matter what you say.” 

“Then what should I do, Sevika?” Silco said, dropping the papers aside and looking at her. “What should I do?”

“Help him.” Sevika said. “He’s going to get hurt. That’s in his nature. But you can be there to soften the fall.”

 

 

They found Sky discussing one of her science theories with Professor Heimerdinger. The moment she saw them, she quickly finished her conversation, and approached them.

“Caitlyn.” She greeted, trying to sound kind. At least she tried, Viktor had never hidden his disdain for enforcers.

“Sky, hi.” Caitlyn said. “I need your help.”

Sky looked behind Caitlyn, at Vi. Vi who was staring at the clouds and not paying attention at them.

“Who are you?” She asked, getting Vi’s attention.

Caitlyn was about to answer for her, but Vi was quicker.

“Vi. Her guide for the Undercity. You?”

“Sky. From the Lanes.” Sky said. “You’re Vander’s kid. I thought you were dead.”

“Yeah, it’s a long story…” Vi said, scratching the back of her neck. “But I’m not dead. Yet.”

“Right.” Caitlyn said, a bit confused. Who the hell was Vander? Didn’t matter. She turned to Sky again. “It’s about Viktor.”

“You found him?” Sky said.

Caitlyn made a so so gesture. “It’s complicated. He’s fine, not harmed, so don’t worry. You knew him since you were kids, right?”

“Yes, but what does that matter?”

“Cupcake thinks Viktor turned himself into a kid again.” Vi chimed in. “Which sounds kinda nuts to me, but I know shit about science, so…”

“Vi!” Caitlyn said. 

“What? She was going to find out sooner or later, it’s better to let her know on advance.” Vi said, throwing her hands as a surrender gesture.

“Rewinding back time is… shouldn’t be possible, cells and tissues, they’re already dead, it’s impossible to go back so many years.” Sky said.

“We thought Hextech was impossible too, and here we are.” Caitlyn pointed out. “But it’s really not the point, I just need you to come with me to the Undercity, please?”

“Wait, wait, what the fuck is Hextech?” Vi asked.

Right. Prison. Not a lot of newspapers there.

“Just… new technology, changed a lot of things, I’ll explain on the way back.” Caitlyn said.

“It’s probably better if I explain.” Sky said. “Since I actually work with it.”

“Wait, so you’re coming?” Caitlyn asked.

“Of course I’m coming. Come on, I know a shortcut.”

Sky’s shortcuts were almost as bad as Vi’s. Caitlyn was starting to fear for her life.

 

 

Mayhaps it was a new trend interrupting into Silco’s office without knocking, bonus points if whoever did so slammed the door on their way in. It was starting to leave a dent on the wall.

Viktor, amazing kind Viktor, didn’t slam the door open. It was a small mercy.

“Opa!” He called, as he made his way to sitting in the chair in front of him. “I have a proposition for you!”

He pulled a small suitcase, which would’ve looked professional if Jinx hadn’t doodled all over it, and pulled a few papers out of it, to show Silco.

Silco took a look at the designs. For once, they weren’t made with coloured crayons. “What’s this?” 

“A new prototype!” Viktor said, trying to be serious. The bouncing in his chair did not help.

“And it does…?” Silco prompted, trying to hide his amusement.

“It cleans the air!” Viktor exclaimed. “It filters it, so it’s a bit expensive, but in the end you get clean air and the chemicals themselves! Of course, you’d need to carry them to a laboratory to properly separate them and be able to use them, but it wouldn’t be a waste. And! It would lower the cases of sickness, which just helps business in general, right?”

Silco looked through the designs. They were incredibly detailed. “This is… quite impressive. You came up with this in two days?”

“Well, I mean, I already had ideas…” Viktor said, shrugging. “I just need the materials, and maybe a few trial runs, but it could work! We could help people!”

Silco sighted. “Alright.” He said, standing up and giving Viktor back his papers. “I have a meeting now. Once that’s done, we can go together to get what you need for the prototype.” He ruffled Viktor’s hair.

“Really?” Viktor asked, beaming. “You’ll help me?”

“Of course. You’re so hellbent on improving Zaun, who am I to get in your way?” Silco said. He let out a soft ‘oof’ as Viktor tackle hugged him. “There there, my little genius.”

Like mother like child, he thought.

 

 

“Jinx, you’re in charge while we’re gone!” Silco called, knowing Jinx was on the beams above him. He heard a quiet ‘yes!’ Before Jinx dropped down.

He tilted his head towards Sevika. “You’re actually in charge. No explosions, please.”

“Of course.” Sevika said. “You should pay me more.”

Silco rolled his eyes. “We’ll discuss that later, I’m heading out.”

He grabbed his coat, and followed Viktor out. 

 

 

“Oh, I remember this place. I used to come here for my birthday with my parents.” Sky said, as they passed a particular restaurant. “Haven’t been here in a while.”

“Too busy dealing with the Pilties?” Vi asked, looking rather carefree herself. They seemed to be getting along, Caitlyn thought, but it was hard to tell.

“Yeah, work is just, well, a lot.” Sky said. “I try come down to visit, but I mostly go to my parents’s place, maybe my sister’s. I don’t have time for much.”

“You have a sister?” Caitlyn asked. Sky had never mentioned any family. Neither had Viktor, now that she thought about it.

“Two, actually.” Sky said. “And a brother. We used to be six siblings, but, well.” Sky shrugged. “T’is the undercity.”

“What happened to them?” Caitlyn said, ignoring the glare Vi shot her.

“My sister, she was fifteen at the time, went to fight in the bridge.” Sky said, as if it was an old story that didn’t hurt anymore. “My older sister went after her, but, well, she was too late.” There was a small pause, as she looked at the price of some street food and then decided it wasn’t worth it. “My brother fell down the mines when he was five.” 

“That’s… horrible, I’m so sorry.” Caitlyn said.

Sky shrugged again. “You learn to cope with it. You have any siblings?”

Caitlyn snorted. “I wish. The closer I’ve got is Jayce, and he’s mostly busy with council duty nowadays.”

“I could tell you were an only child.” Vi said. “You just sounded like one.”

Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “If you say so.”

“What about you, Vi?” Sky asked, “you mentioned a sister?” Why was she even asking, hadn’t she mentioned her being someone’s–Caitlyn couldn’t recall the name– kid?

“Yeah, Pow-Pow, my little sister.” Vi said, smiling. The smile faltered and she looked away. “I used to have two brothers, but, well, they’re gone.” She bit her lip, shaking her head. “I kinda fucked up, and me and my sister– look, it’s just not great.”

Sky patted her shoulder. “You’ll figure it out.” She pulled out a wrapped candy bar from her pocket. “Snack?”

“Ooh, fancy topsider candy!” Vi said, taking it with no second thought. She tossed the wrapper paper at Caitlyn, who huffed as she dodged it.

“Yeah, I stole it from the cafeteria.” Sky said. “They’re way too overpriced.”

Caitlyn saw someone on the corner of her eye. 

Viktor.

She grabbed Sky, halting her as she walked. “There.” She said. “Viktor’s there.”

Sky looked confused, until she finally spotted Viktor between a mass of adults. 

She frowned. “You were… telling the truth. How?” 

“Yeah, I don’t know either, but it’s him, right?” Caitlyn asked. “You knew what he looked like.”

“I do, but it shouldn’t– how is that even possible?” Sky said. “It’s him, it’s definitively him, but fuck. Fuck, this just complicates everything.”

“See?” Caitlyn said, looking at Vi. “I told you so.”

Vi raised her hands in defeat. 

“We should talk to him, maybe he remembers you.” Caitlyn said. 

Sky nodded, and started walking.

She then stopped, and both Caitlyn and Vi crashed into her back.

“What’s wrong?” Caitlyn asked.

Sky turned, walking the other direction. She led them to a parallel alley, ignoring the people who were already there.

“You didn’t tell me he was with Silco” Sky accused, cornering Caitlyn into a wall. “Why is he even with him?!”

“Look, it’s complicated–” Caitlyn said.

“My sister is Jinx.” Vi said. “She found Viktor alone, and decided to adopt him. Which I guess makes Silco a grandfather.” She grimaced. “Asshole.”

“You didn’t think it worth of mentioning?” Sky said, almost screaming. “I am not getting near that man. Viktor shouldn’t be near that man.”

“Well he is.” Caitlyn said. “And I need to get him back somehow.”

“Stealing from Silco?” Sky asked. “You’re gonna doom all of Piltover, that man is mad.”

“We can’t just leave him there!” Caitlyn said. 

“Girls, girls, calm down.” Vi said, getting in between both. “I have an idea.”

 

 

The chembarons were getting tired of Silco. Or, actually, they were getting tired of Jinx.

They thought that after obtaining her own protégé, she would mellow down and stop being such an inconvenience for everyone.

They thought wrong.

Finn flicked over his lighter again, watching and waiting. He sat at one end of the table, boots resting on top of it, and stared at Jinx’s kid. It wasn’t the first time he so happened to be on a meeting, but it was the first time he was sitting in a chair along them. Sevika stood behind him, almost a shadow.

The kid–Viktor, right?– kept drawing away. 

“Why's your brat here, Silco?” Renni asked, just as she arrived fashionably late. 

“Viktor wanted to help” Silco said, patting the kid's hair. “And this does concern him.”

“I thought we were here to talk about the enforcer brat that's been wandering around our turf as if it was her house” Another baron—what was his name? Finn couldn't be arsed to remember— asked. 

“She'll be dealt with soon” Silco promised. Empty promises were worth nothing down here. “Now, some of you were calling for an assembly?”

“We were.” Finn said, sitting properly. 

“Good. I trust you wish to go first?” Silco said, laying back on his fancy chair. 

“I do.” Finn said, leaning forward. “Three attacks in three weeks. Two factories in pieces, one burnt to crisp. Your pet’s off her leash, her ‘help’ is only burning things down faster. Profits are plummeting and not a single one of those fireflights is dead.”

“He’s right.” Renni said. “My son almost got injured in one of those attacks. The shimmer production is halting and you’ve given no solution.”

“We’re all wondering, what's your plan to fix this?”

Silco didn’t appear impressed. “Of course you’re wondering.”

“You have a son? Can I meet him?” Silco’s kid interrupted. Everyone turned to him. He turned red. “Sorry.” He went back to drawing or whatever it was kids these days liked to do. Build bombs? Finn didn’t know.

Silco patted his hair.

“The fireflights will be dealt with.” He said, calm as ever. “As for the enforcer, don’t kill her. I believe she might have some valuable information.”

“And Jinx?” Renni pressed. “You have to do something, or else we will.”

A bold threat. Finn liked Renni, she had guts.

Silco didn’t look impressed. Pissed off, if Finn was asked, but not impressed. He gestured to Sevika, who nodded, and walked away.

There was silence for a few seconds. Renni sniffed the air, and frowned. “What’s that?” She asked.

Finn could smell it too. That acid horrible smell. He hated it, and hated the way it made him want to cough.

“Oh, you don’t recognize it?” Silco asked, standing up. “Have you forgotten where we came from? The mines Piltover had us in?”

Sevika gave a mask to the kid. She wore one herself. The air was starting to be almost unbearable. Finn wouldn’t cough. He wouldn’t. 

Silco went on and on. Finn wanted to bash his head in with a hammer. “Air so thick it clogged your throat.” Some of the others were starting to cough, just as Sevika threw masks at them. “Stuck in your eyes.” But she didn’t give one to Finn. “But I pulled you all up from the depths.” He gave in, coughing. His eyes hurt, he was almost crying. “Offered you a taste of topside. And fresh air. I gave you—”

A mechanical sound interrupted Silco’s stupid speech. Shortly, Finn could practically feel the air lifting, and his coughs went down. Clean air had never tasted sweeter.

Silco’s brat stood next to a machine. It was almost bigger than him. 

“He was hurting.” Viktor muttered, almost as an excuse. “And I wanted to test my invention!”

Silco sighted. He turned to the actual adults in the room. “As you can see, Viktor has found a way to fix one of our old problems. You can thank him later.” He sat down again. “Two destroyed factories you said? Well, repurpose them. We’re going to need to max produce them, if we want any results.”

“Why would we want this?” A baron asked. “What do we even gain from this… charity.” He spat out the word in clear disgust.

“I assume you’d rather have your workers live, and work, longer.” Silco said. “But if that isn’t enough, may I remind you what the chemicals in the air are? Filtered down from the air correctly, and you will be able to save a lot of money in shimmer production. This is just beneficial for everyone.”

He stood up, walked to his kid and picked him up. Sevika followed him.

“Meeting’s over. Have a good day.”

Finn was going to murder this man one of these days.

One of these days.

Notes:

Silco: bla bla bla evil speech
Viktor: interrupts
Silco: >:|
Viktor: :(
Silco: sigh, how can I stay mad at you?

 

Everyone: *pats Viktor's hair*

Chapter 3: Running away from your problems? Become a teacher!

Summary:

Vi has an idea. Sky thinks it's horrible. Sky goes along with it anyways.

Meanwhile, Viktor dislikes mean old people, and for once in his life, listens to his mother's advice.

Notes:

Have this, written while I procrastinate on stuff I shouldn't.

I love Sky, and I feel a bit bad for putting her in such a stressful situation.

Anyways, enjoy!

Hanging upside down from the ceiling was probably bad for your health, Jinx noted. She should’ve thought about that before doing things like, I dunno, tapping Sevika to it, or hanging herself upside down to get a better painting angle.

But, well, her brain was already fucked up, what would this do to her that didn’t happen already?

Come to think of it, the voices had been awfully quiet lately. Not gone, they were never gone, but… quiet. She supposed she’d been busy, learning how to take care of a child.

She didn’t know whether it was a good thing or not.

Oh, well, who cared? This swing wasn’t going to paint itself.

She should probably test that it could hold weight properly before letting Viktor try it.

Since when did she test the safety of her inventions?

Since Viktor.

 

 

“You want me to become his teacher.” Sky said. It didn’t sound like a question, despite the bewilderment in her voice. “This is a horrible idea.”

“Think about it.” Vi said, sitting back against the half rotted bench. “Silco loves, in all his deranged way of loving, his grandson. Surely, he’ll want someone to teach him.” 

“You don’t have schools?” Caitlyn asked. Sky and Vi stared at her. She blushed. “Right, sorry, didn’t meant to–”

“We had one, back when I was younger.” Sky said. “It got destroyed by a bunch of enforcers the night of the bridge.”

“Yeah, good things never last down here.” Vi said. “So, you just gotta get hired by Silco, and I dunno, we’ll improvise from there.”

“Ok, but Silco isn’t hiring.” Sky said. “If he were, there’d be a lot of people willing to come down and fight for that job.”

“I’ll talk to Jinx,” Vi said. “Ask about the kid, suggest giving him an education.”

Caitlyn frowned. “This could go very wrong, you are aware, right?”

“T’is the Undercity, everything could go wrong.” Sky said. She sighted, crossing her arms. “Fine.” She said, after a pause. “I’ll ask Heimmerdinger for a vacation, you talk to Jinx.”

“Will do.” Vi said, watching as Sky stood up to leave. “Talk to Jinx. My sister. It’ll be… easy. Piece of cake.”

“I can come with you?” Caitlyn offered. 

“No offense, but you’d probably make things worse.” Vi said. “Try coming down while not looking like a rotten enforcer next time, will you?” 

“Right. Yeah, I will.” Caitlyn said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then? With Ekko?”

Vi shrugged, standing up as well. “Yeah, I’ll probably crash at his place if he lets me. If not, go meet me at the brothel.”

Caitlyn groaned. “Why the brothel?” She asked. “Out of all places?”

“It’s easy to spot, and plenty of enforcers go down there anyways.” Vi said.

“I hate you.” Caitlyn declared.

Vi let out a loud laugh. “No you don’t.”

 

 

“You did good.” Silco said, once the chembarons were out of their sight. 

“You’re not mad I interrupted?” Viktor asked, fidgeting with his cane.

Silco sighted, adjusting his grip on Viktor so he wouldn’t fall. “I’m not. I would’ve preferred to finish, but the point got across.”

“I told you the kid was soft.” Sevika said. 

“I’m not!” Viktor complained. Silco stifled a laugh.

“You are. There I was, enjoying the view of that piece of shit suffering like he should.” Sevika said. “And you took pity on him.”

“Sevika. Language.” Silco said.

“I’ve heard worse from mom.” Viktor said. 

“Speaking of your mother, where is she?” Silco asked.

Sevika shrugged. “Saw her running around with a few buckets of paint earlier. So whatever she’s up to, it’s going to need cleaning up.” She paused, humming to herself. “Which is regular Jinx behaviour.”

“One of these days, the cleaning crew is going to demand her head on a spike.” Silco muttered. 

“Pay them better then.” That made Viktor snicker.

“Is your solution to everything giving people a raise?” Silco asked.

“No.” Sevika said. “My solution to Finn is killing him.” She ignored Viktor’s offended little ‘no!’ “He’s annoying.”

“The man has his uses.” Silco said, ignoring how Viktor was trying to hit Sevika with his cane. “I’ll let you know if that ever changes.”

They arrived at Silco’s office, finding its door closed. Silco and Sevika exchanged a look, and Sevika sighed. 

She opened the door, slowly, expecting a bomb, a bucket of water or whatever the hell Jinx had decided to fuck around with to be activated. 

Nothing.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Sevika entered the room.

On top of the support beams, fiddling with something she’d attached to the wood, was Jinx. She turned to face them as they entered, a smile on her face.

She promptly threw herself to the ground, landing gracefully.

“Viktor! Little guy! Come here, I have something for you to test out.” She said, jumping over Silco’s table.

“Jinx, what is that?” Silco said, passing Viktor along to Jinx and looking at whatever it was his daughter had done now.

“A pulley!” Jinx said. “Also a swing! A mix of both!” She pulled at a rope, and the swing came down, almost hitting her on the head. It seemed sturdy enough, at least for a kid Viktor’s age.

“So I get to look from the ceiling like mom?” Viktor asked, smiling. 

“Yep!” Jinx said, settling Viktor on the swing. “Here, try pulling yourself up.”

If Viktor fell and got hurt due to Jinx not safety testing her crazy inventions, Sevika was going to punch her, in front of her dad, no second thoughts. 

Viktor grabbed the rope with both hands and pulled, delighted to see he was strong enough to lift himself without assistance. He pulled again, and again, until he was next to a supporting beam.

Jinx jumped, grabbed a nearby beam, swung herself upwards, and landed next to Viktor. 

“Ok, so.” She grabbed the rope from Viktor’s hands. “Now you tie this here, in this lovely painted hook.” She said, as she demonstrated. “And ta-da! You’re now on top of the world. Piltover wishes they were us.”

“This is so cool.” Viktor whispered. He waved at Silco and Sevika bellow. “Opa, look! I’m taller than you now!” 

Silco smiled. “Indeed you are. Do you want your crayons up there with you or are you going to spy on my meetings alongside your mother?”

Viktor seemed to stop and think about it. “Can I do both?” 

“Of course.” Silco turned to Sevika. “Do you know where he left them?” 

Sevika sighted. 

She was going to have to look for the damned colour pencils, was she not?

 

 

“I’ve heard Silco’s got a new project going on.” Laurits said.

Ekko almost jumped off his work bench. “For fuck’s sake, stop creeping up behind me.” He asked, dropping his screwdriver. “I swear you’re going to give me a heart attack one of this days.”

“That’s a shitty way to die.” Laurits muttered, leaning against the door. “Anyways, wanna hear about Weird Eyed Fucker’s new project?”

Ekko shrugged. “More shimmer?”

“No, not after what we did to the last factory.” Laurits said, smirking like the madman they were. “Something that has to do with the chemicals in the air? It’s weird shit.”

“Oh, great, more pollution.” Ekko muttered, turning back to his workbench. “Just what we needed.”

“I think they’re trying to extract them, actually.” Laurits said, walking to his side to look over what he was doing. “It seems relatively harmless for now, but I’ll let you know if any of my contacts catches wind of more info.” They gestured to what Ekko was building. “What’s that?”

“A cane.” Ekko said. 

“Again? I thought you already made one for the kid, why would he need a new one?” 

Ekko shrugged. “Some kind of accident involving the creepy old science guy that works for Silco got the last one broken.” 

Laurits grimaced with disgust. “Ew, the Singed dude? I hate him so much.”

“Who doesn’t?”

 

 

“So you were in jail?” Jinx asked. This was awkward. Was she making things more awkward? She was probably making things more awkward. 

Vi didn’t seem to be bothered by it, though. Vi had never been the awkward type.

She hummed. “Yeah.” She said. “We didn’t have a way to talk to the outside world.”

Jinx nodded. It looked more like she was bopping her head to an imaginary rhythm. She stopped. “How did you get out?”

“Caitlyn got me out.” Vi said. Jinx didn’t fight back the disdain in her face. “Thought I’d be able to help her find her friend.”

“And? Could you?” 

“No, not really.” Vi said. “You won’t have seen a rogue scientist from piltover over here, have you?” She asked, almost joking. Maybe joking. Jinx would never be able to tell.

“No, I don’t think so.” She said. “Pilties don’t come down here anymore.”

“They hardly came before.” 

Jinx scoffed. “Well now it’s even rarer.” She looked at her sister, only for a moment, before settling her gaze back down to the street bellow them. “Shit’s changed.”

“Yeah, things are… so different.” Vi said. “I passed through piltieland on my way back here, did you know they have flying ships going through portals now?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s Hexstuff.” Jinx said. “Stole a bunch of their crystals on my last trip up there, those ought to be useful.”

Vi laughed. “Oh, I see, now it’s you who’s the expert at stealing things.” 

“Heck yeah, you should see the stuff I got last time.” Jinx said, smiling as she pushed back the memories of Vi’s last break-in. “That’s when I got Viktor!”

Vi shook her head with fondness. “I still can’t believe you stole a kid.” Vi said. “There are better ways of adopting, Pow–Jinx.”

Jinx shrugged. She bit back a comment about Silco’s ways of adoption. She didn’t want to argue about that now. “Eh, he’s happy, I’m happy, who cares how it came to be?”

“I… suppose you’re right.” Vi said. “Still, it’s a lot of responsibility. Does he even have a tutor?”

“Why would he need one?” Jinx asked.

“Jinx, you’re my sister and I love you, but you’re not cut to be a teacher.” Vi said. “Kid needs to learn stuff. You know. Like when Vander payed scholars to teach us how to read and write and do math stuff…” Vi paused, smiling at the memories. “Still can’t remember any of the math stuff, though.”

“My kid already knows that stuff.” Jinx said. “He’s smart.”

“He’s also, what? Nine?”

“Eleven.”

“Whatever, young.” Vi said. “He needs a teacher, at least if he wants to keep up with his rockets and stuff.” 

“He told you about that?” Jinx asked.

“Yep.” Vi said, laying back against the roof. “Offered to show me some of them, but Sevika prohibited it. What a bitch.”

“I taped her to the ceiling last week.” Jinx said, trying to sound casual. 

“You WHAT?!”

And… Jinx had made it awkward. Wonderful. Great job, Jinx.

 

 

Viktor was flying. In a blue haze, he was flying, above the floor, as sparkles of light flowed around him.

He knew he was dreaming, he’d had this dream enough times to recognize it.

He’d turn around, and there he would find someone else. A boy, flying as he was. He looked happy, and called for his name. 

Viktor never managed to remember how he looked like once he woke up.

The boy nudged a stray piece of machinery, watching fascinated as it moved.

Someone was trying to get inside.

Viktor woke up before the cane in his dream shattered.

 

 

“Hey, dad.” Jinx called out. “Do you think Viktor needs a teacher or something?”

“Viktor is smart for his age.” Silco said. “I think he’d be able to learn on his own if he wanted to. Why?”

“Well, I was talking to Vi–don’t scoff like that, she wasn’t trying to pull me away– and she said that maybe Viktor would want a higher education.” Jinx said. “You know, for his inventions.”

Silco hummed. “I suppose we could always ask him.”

“Ask me what?” Viktor asked, looking above from his book. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Do you want a teacher?” Jinx asked. 

Viktor shrugged. “Aren’t you hurting Opa’s back sitting like that?”

‘Sitting like that’ referred to Jinx, resting on Silco’s back as he hunched over paperwork, her legs up on the backrest. 

“My back is already destroyed.” Silco said. “Do you want a tutor or not?”

Viktor shrugged. “Maybe? Some books are hard to understand…” 

Silco hummed. “I’ll tell Sevika to spread the word. Anything in particular you’re having trouble with?” 

“English is hard.” Viktor complained. “It has so many words for too many things. I don’t like it.”

“Alright, I’ll go tell Sevika.” Silco said. “Jinx, if you could–?” Jinx rolled to the side, getting off his back. “Thank you.”

“And if the teacher turns out to be an asshole, just bite them.” Jinx said.

“Don’t bite people.” Silco said. “Stab them, it’s more sanitary.”

Jinx rolled her eyes. Viktor laughed. She ruffled his hair.

 

 

Caitlyn left her house slamming the door on her way out and ignoring her mother’s scolding that could still be heard from the other side. She’d gotten less enforcer like clothing, that’s all that mattered.

Who cared if her mother had demanded she stopped her search? Who cared if she’d implied Viktor wasn’t worth her effort? Who cared if she’d implied Caitlyn wasn’t up to the task?

Not Caitlyn, Caitlyn didn’t care at all.

Which was why she was ignoring any of her neighbours as they attempted conversation, heading straight to Jayce’s lab. Just to quickly make sure he hadn’t overworked himself to death before heading back down to meet with Vi.

She made it pass the other enforcers–she wasn’t ignoring them, she wasn’t ignoring them, she was just in a hurry, that’s all–and into Jayce’s lab.

And then she bumped into Councilor Medarda.

“Oh. Hello Caitlyn.” She greeted. Her hair was perfect, her dress pristine, her smile even seemed genuine. She also looked exhausted. 

“Councilor Medarda! Sorry, I was going to see Jayce” Caitlyn said, unsure on how to act. Oh dear, she wasn’t even wearing her uniform, she was unpresentable.

“I managed to convince him to sleep for a while, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t” The Councilor said. “Also, please. Call me Mel.” 

“Of course, Mel, I’m… glad to hear Jayce’s getting some rest.” Caitlyn said, following the Councilor as she started walking away from the lab.

“You should get some rest too” Mel said. “Last I heard, you were single handedly leading the search for Viktor. How is that going, by the way?”

Caitlyn gulped. “It’s… ongoing. He’s not in any imminent danger, at least for now, but it’s a tricky situation. I’m afraid I can’t give you any more details.”

“Oh, so you’ve found him” Mel said. “That’s wonderful, I was really worried about him. So is Jayce.”

“I have a plan, but it might take a while.” Caitlyn promised. Why was she promising things, this was a horrible idea, it could blow up in her face so easily. “I’m afraid I have to get going, now. Have a good day, Councilor.”

“You as well Caitlyn.” Mel said. “Good luck.”

 

 

“Honestly, I never imagined you as a leader.” Vi said. “I always thought you’d end up becoming an inventor. Maybe sneak into some topsider academy or something.” She looked up at the tree, fascinated. Ekko was always fascinated it by it as well. “Never pictured this, though.”

“Yeah, neither did I.” Ekko said, smiling sadly. “I always thought you’d be the leader.”

Vi sighted. “If only life went as we expected it… I talked to Powder.”

“You what?” Ekko said. Was she crazy? God, she was crazy, wasn’t she? Stillwater had made her go crazy, wonderful.

“I talked to Powder. Jinx. Whatever, my sister.” Vi said. “I think I can bring her back. Whatever influence Silco has, it can’t be that strong.”

Yup, she was insane.

“Bring her back?” Ekko asked. “She’s killed people. She’s killed my friends. She can’t ‘come back’ from that shit.”

“She’s my sister, I can’t just give up on her” Vi said. Great, now she dared sound angry. “Silco manipulated her.” 

Ekko couldn’t find the right words to make her understand. 

“It’s useless, I already tried, years ago.” He said. “It almost got me killed.”

Vi shook her head. “No, you didn’t try hard enough, or maybe she wasn’t ready to hear it, but I can fix this.”

“I didn’t try hard enough?” Ekko said. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “And you did?”

“Ekko, that’s not what I meant–”

“Yeah, sure, whatever.” Ekko said. “I’m going for a ride, go talk to that enforcer friend of yours.”

 

 

“Sky, that’s a horrible idea.” 

She’d been expecting that answer. Of course Star would say that. She was the smart one in the family.

“Trust me, I know.” She said, hanging at the door of her sister’s house. She had to leave. Just not yet. 

“But I think Viktor needs my help.” Sky said. She shrugged. “You know I can’t just leave him with Silco.”

She hadn’t fully explained the situation. She didn’t want to sound crazy. A few lies, a few omitted truths, surely they wouldn’t hurt.

Star sighted. “What do you even see in that man?”

“He’s kind.” Sky said. “And he’s helped me in the past.”

Her sister shook her head. “You know, I expected this from Mars, not from you.”

Sky shrugged. “I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry.”

“You know my job is to worry.” Star said. “Now, I expect you to come visit once a week if you’re going to be staying down here. You either do that or I will show up at Silco’s doorstep myself.”

“Please don’t.” Sky said.

“I will.” Star threatened.

“Please. Don’t.”

 

 

Viktor didn’t like his new teacher. He was old. And mean. Why had Opa hired him?

“Your handwriting leaves a lot to be desired.” He said. What was his name? Viktor didn’t care. “We need to work on that, and perhaps then we can move on to harder subjects.”

“Mom said my handwriting was fine.” Viktor said, pouting.

“For a three year old, perhaps.” The man said. “Now, quit pouting, you’re not a child anymore.” Viktor pouted even more. “We also have to work with your pronunciation, that accent is quite unbecoming.”

“No.” Viktor said. “I like my accent. Fuck you.”

“I see manners are also something you need to be taught.” The man sneered.

Viktor decided he hated his new teacher.

 

 

“You can’t be serious.” Vi said, pacing in the alleyway they were in. “You went to fucking Piltover for education and they didn’t chose you?” 

“I don’t know! Someone got there first, and they got it!” Sky said. She passed her hands through her hair. “I didn’t even have time to present a curriculum!”

“Great.” Caitlyn said, taking a deep breath. “We just. Need a new plan. We can work this out.”

“God, I’m going to have to tell my sister what happened.” Sky lamented, sitting down next to Caitlyn. “She’s going to laugh at me.”

Caitlyn rubbed her eyes for a second, before looking up. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess.” She said. “This was such a stupid idea.”

“Excuse me, it was my idea.” Vi said. She stopped to face them. “I didn’t think anyone else would want the teacher position.”

“It’s fine, we can figure something out.” Sky said, standing up from the crate. “Just–” She frowned. “Someone’s coming. Hide.”

Vi pushed Caitlyn behind a pile of trash, ignoring her complaints. Sky rolled her eyes at their antics. Why couldn’t they just kiss already?

One of Silco’s goons walked into the alley. 

“There you are” He said. He looked tired. “You were one of the chicks that wanted the teacher position for the boss’s newest brat, right?”

“I am.” Sky said, crossing her arms. 

The man pointed behind himself. “Yeah, you can still get the job.” He said, looking as if he’d rather be somewhere else. “The brat didn’t like the first option, so whoever that was, they’re probably dead now. Anyways, go talk to the boss if you’re interested.”

The man left, muttering something to himself about finding the rest of the candidates. 

It took exactly three seconds for Caitlyn to pop her head from behind the garbage. “We can try again?”

Sky took a deep breath. “Yeah. We can.” She adjusted her jacket, and picket up her resume. “Wish me luck.”

 

 

Silco’s office was on the top of the bar, so Sky had to avoid bumping into several drunk and or high strangers, just to get to the stairs that led to the floor. 

There was a woman, waiting at the door.

“You’re here for the job?” She asked, not moving from her spot, resting against the wall.

Sky nodded. The woman hummed, opening the door for her. “Boss!” She called. “You got another one.” She turned to Sky. “Come on in, then, don’t make him wait.”

Sky nodded again, entering the room. The woman followed, and closed the door behind them, making Sky jump like a scared rabbit. 

Silco sat at his desk, looking as dangerous as Sky had pictured. She made a point not to stare at his eye, as she approached him.

“Please.” He said, with a voice far more gentle than Sky had expected. “Take a seat.”

Sky did so, handing the papers that contained her whole career.

Why did she felt as if she was being watched?

“This is… quite an exceptional resume.” Silco said. “You got into Piltover’s academy?”

“I did.” Sky said. “A friend of mine got there first, by sheer luck, and he managed to get me admitted as well.” That was a lie, Sky hadn’t gotten admitted, Viktor had just told her how to avoid being found out when she started attending classes on her own.

“I see.” Silco said. He read for a few more seconds, before looking at her. “Such wonderful opportunities, quite remarkable. Why waste them here?”

Shit. Sky hadn’t thought of that.

This wasn’t in the script.

“The Academy, they…” She started, looking for an excuse. “I wanted to start my own research. They shot it down.” She took a deep breath. She could do this. “It was never my life ambition to end up as a lab assistant.”

“Research? About what?” Silco asked.

Well, at least this was an easy enough lie. “I studied biological engineering, and I planned to move it to the field of medicine. A friend of mine, from the undercity, got sick. Some lung infection caused by the fumes in the mines. I asked, time and again, to start an investigation on how to heal such kinds of infections, and they denied me every time.” 

“Why is that?”

“Because I suggested using shimmer, or, at least, something derived from it.” Sky said.

Silco looked impressed, for a second, before looking down at her resume again.

“Well this is very impressive indeed.” He said. “What happened to your friend?”

“He died.” Sky said. Another lie wouldn’t hurt.

“And I suppose you want this job on the condition of continuing your research down here?” Silco guessed.

Sky thanked the universe for this easy excuse. “Yes, that was the plan. I’ve tutored students before, albeit not as young than your grandson.” The word ‘grandson’ felt weird in her mouth.

Silco hummed. “What do you think of her?” He asked, seemingly to no one.

Sky looked around her, but she didn’t spot anyone. 

Then Jinx fell from the ceiling, landing next to her. Sky almost fell of her chair.

Jinx hummed, tilting her head. She smiled. “I think I like her so far. What do you think, kid?”

Viktor descended from the ceiling too, in some sort of swing. It didn’t look very safe. “She’s nice. So far.”

“You won’t bite her?” Jinx asked.

Viktor blushed, pouting. “I’m never taking your advice ever again.”

“Well, I suppose that settles it.” Silco said, handing Sky her resume back. “You can start tomorrow, have a nice day, Miss Young.”

“You too.” Sky muttered. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Viktor.”

Viktor smiled at her, and waved as she left.

 

 

Caitlyn was biting her nails as she waited. Vi sat next to her, almost asleep. 

Sky had left them fifteen minutes ago, surely she would be back now? 

Just five more minutes, then Caitlyn would go searching for her.

Wait, no, that was a horrible idea. They’d see her asking for her and assume they were working together. Which they were. 

So she couldn’t go get her. 

Waiting was all she could do.

Caitlyn didn’t like it one bit.

Sky finally appeared, looking as if she had just seen a ghost.

“Sky!” Caitlyn exclaimed, standing up so fast she woke Vi from her half asleep state. “How did it go?”

“I–” Sky blinked. “I think it went well? I got the job.” 

“See? I’d told you it’d go ok.” Vi said, putting a hand on Sky’s shoulder.

Sky snorted. “I think Viktor bit his previous teacher.”

Notes:

Watch me as I slowly force every single character to interact with each other.

What do you mean Sky has never talked to Caitlyn, or Vi, or Sevika, or Silco? She has now. Look, it happens right there.

Chapter 4: Hi, sorry, this is not the update you were waiting for.

Summary:

You mean to tell me I somewhat predicted Jinx being a good mother figure in arcane season two??????

Notes:

An apology chapter written when I ought to have been studying art history (I am so going to fail that exam lol)

Hey guys. Hate to do the typical 'this is not a chapter' chapter, but I figured I might as well give this story draft a proper ish end.

 

Season two is something I will never recover from. Least it be said, the rewrite of this dumb little crackfic will have some influences from it (Isha will appear, and she will be happy and alive and nothing bad will ever happen to her or else I will kill everyone in this fic and then myself). So a lot of things from what I remember from the original plot of this bitch are kinda scrapped.

So

Feel free to ask what was coming? I will do my best to remember, but damn my past me for not outlining. I've learnt my lessons. It will happen again, though not with this fic.

 

Old me would be static to find out I'm rewriting this bitch, so let's go.

Notes:

It's been great. Once the tears dry I'll start writing shit down. I have an outline this time around, so it won't be abandoned! Yay!

Notes:

Thanks for reading, go leave a comment if you enjoyed, don't be shy. tell me what you liked, I haven't finished writing the next chapter so I'm open to some ideas to squeeze in!

This is probably going to be a short story? Maybe? I hope so, I don't want this getting too long.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Hexcrimes (turns you into a child)