The Most Undoing Thing

by BlehBluhBlah

Several years after the Split, Piltover and Zaun's symbiotic societies are on the cusp of prospering. With a bright future on the way for many Pilties—and even some Zaunites—Jinx is left with nothing but wonder for what her future entails. But what's she to do when her path leads down to the pair of orphaned Zaunites: bombardier Zel and pickpocketer Evi? Simple: do better.

11. Chapter 11

A/N: Alas, the along awaited beginning to Act 2 that I TOTALLY didn't forget to post last night, lol.

Timeskip time! But not a big one like the one in canon, or the one at the start of this fic. For those concerned about the general specifics, the first 10 chaps or first arc of this fic takes place over the course of just over two months. The time skip itself is five months right from chapter 10's ending.

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Chapter Summary: Five months into their new lifestyle, Jinx has happily embraced her new mother role. But as her bonds grow with the kids, her thoughts can't help but linger to the bonds she left behind... specifically one in particular.

Word Count: 17,027

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—ZEL—

"Wake up, brats!" Zel launched up from his pillow, hastily wiping the drool from his mouth as he rolled off his bed and onto the floor. With a thud, he groaned. "Breakfast's ready and it's better while it's still fresh!" He tried to shake the sleep from his face. He hurriedly shoved on his boots and darted towards the elevator. But as he arrived the lift was already going up, with Evi on it.

"Couldn't you have waited!" he shouted, pulling the lever to stop it.

As the lift froze midway, the blonde gripped the railing and glared down at him. "Fuck you!" Evi cursed, flipping him off.

He blinked at that, pulling the lever back and letting it continue its ascent. That seemed a bit aggressive for Evi. He released a yawn as he waited for the lift to come to a halt before calling it back down. He just chalked it up to her waking up on the wrong side of the bed. After the lift came down and he was on his way up, Zel leaned up against the railing with an exhaustive creak in his shoulders. He had been staying up working on his undermines, trying to come up with a design that utilized the same techniques of his pulse bombs but on the scale of his undermines.

The process was a lot harder than anything he'd invented or tinkered with in the past few months they'd been living with Jinx. And sure, Jinx had been there to guide and advise him whenever he needed (sometimes unprompted) but this time, Zel wanted to do this on his own. Like he did with Zapper, or his pulse bombs. This felt like another achievement he had to pull off all by himself. Maybe it was his stubbornness, or maybe it was because he wanted to show off a bit. Either way, when he came up with the idea yesterday he didn't think it'd take him from morning all the way into the night to even come up with a base blueprint.

Even then, he wasn't confident it made much sense!

As the lift reached the top, he was greeted by the fresh smell of scrambled eggs and Jinx waving at him from the kitchen with a big smile.

"Morning Mom," he greeted.

Like usual, her smile widened even more at that. "Mornin' my lil' Rookie," she nodded her head over to the living area, where Evi was already eating. "C'mon, food time!"

He hopped onto the central platform and made his way over to his sister, where he asked, "What's on the menu?"

She seemed to be chewing a plate of eggs before she looked up at him and frowned. "You can see with your eyes, can't ya?"

He held his hands up in mock offence as he remarked, "Whoa! Who shit in your bed?"

She deepened her frown with disgust. "Trying to eat a bland breakfast here, can ya not be gross?"

Jinx, who was finishing putting her apron away—a gift from Evi spray painted with various faces and designs by her—gasped at the blonde's remark. "'Bland'?" she echoed. "What's wrong with it?"

Evi sighed, lowering her fork. "I dunno… I guess I just wanted some bacon too."

Zel scoffed as he sat on his end of the couch and picked up his plate and fork. "So? We've had eggs without bacon before."

"I wanted bacon," Evi simply countered.

Jinx furrowed a brow at her. "All out. Sorry, didn't know ya wanted it that bad." She shrugged apologetically as she began to make her way over to the central hub, turning the gramophone to the Zaun News Radio as she passed by.

"I was just really craving bacon," Evi grumbled, stabbing her scrambled eggs with her fork.

Zel chewed, staring at her confusedly. "How? You dhust heard 'bout breakphast like a phew minutes ago—"

"I just am, okay?" she snapped, glaring at him. "And can ya not chew while eatin'?"

He swallowed, looking at her with a puzzled look. "But you do it!" The glare she already had on him somehow increased tenfold, and all of Zel's self-preservation told him to shut up and keep eating—quietly.

"Relax, Urchin, I'll make sure to pick some up tonight after today's job," Jinx told her with a smile as she approached the table.

Another sigh from Evi made Zel stare at her confusedly. Lately she'd been short with him a lot, but today it was like she was just wound up about something—and he highly doubted it was because they had no bacon. "What's your problem? You sleep on the wrong side of the bed or something?"

Evi growled at that, setting another mean glare his way.

"Zel, try not to piss your sister off," Jinx advised.

He gaped at that, shocked. "I—but—huh? I didn't do anything!" He pointed to himself as he said, "If anything, I have a reason to be all cranky! I hardly got any sleep!"

Jinx stopped at the other end of the table and furrowed a brow. "Really? Why?"

He gulped at that. Despite Jinx being… well, Jinx, she was also a big stickler for their well-being. So things like eating proper full meals three times a day, getting some sunlight and time outside, and not staying up too late were some big priorities to their living arrangement. So along with the fact he didn't want to reveal his recent personal project, he also didn't want to succumb to another Jinx lecture. He opted to say something about how he just had some bad dreams, but before he even could Evi spoke up first.

"He stayed up late workin' on 'his gadgetry'," Evi dryly pointed out.

He stared at her in shock. "Hey? Why'd you do that for?"

"Can you not whine for one second?" Evi moaned.

"Hey, ease up, E," Jinx softly said, nuzzling the girl's head with her fingers as she sat in between the two. "It's only the start of the day, too early to be upset 'bout little shit."

Evi sighed, nodding. "You're right… sorry." Her fave dipped into a sad pout as she looked down at her food. "I don't mean to be so… difficult."

She turned to Zel and shot him a stern look. "Why were ya up tinkerin'?"

He sighed. Of course he still got hounded. "I wasn't tinkering!" he hastily corrected. "I… I had a new project in mind. I wanted to map out a blueprint first."

She narrowed her eyes. "Did ya?"

"No." He slumped his shoulders.

"See? Ya need your rest Rookie," Jinx softly said, patting his shoulder, "you're not gonna be able to come up with anything if ya don't have a good night's sleep."

He frowned. "But you stay up late sometimes."

"Yeah, well my body's hopped up on Shimmer—I'm hardly the example of healthiness," she remarked, shrugging. "Don't be a me. Be a you. A good ol', healthy you." She started to dig into her meal, but Zel still felt a bit bitter.

He looked at Evi, who was grumpily munching on her food and narrowed his eyes. "Hey Evi, how did you know if I was staying up? Huh?" He smirked. "Seems to me I wasn't the only one staying up late!"

Jinx's brows raised as she swallowed her bite. "Excellent point, Zel! Care to point out how it is you're able to rat out your brother?" she directed the blonde.

Evi in turned groaned, her grumpy chewing halting as she looked toward them. "I had trouble sleeping." She then narrowed them at Zel. "Didn't help that someone was making a bunch of fuckin' noise."

"Alright, alright, alright," Jinx held her hand up. "Drop it, okay? The rule still stands no one stays up. As ya can see, Zel, it can also make a bit of a racket for others." She nodded toward Evi.

Zel scoffed at that. Evi had been putting up with his tinkering for years now but suddenly it's a reason why she can't sleep? Sure! Evi gets coddled like nothing bad happened! Of course that's how that worked. This had been a recurring theme he'd begun to notice recently, the amount of special treatment Evi received.

Evi needed more space to paint and draw? Well she could use the rest of the lower fans however she liked!

Evi was craving salmon stew? Well forget about the potatoes and steak, Jinx was cooking that instead!

Evi needed more scrap to paint on? Jinx could spare some of her scrapped parts for that!

Just one thing after another, and just like now, the blonde would sit there and eat up like she didn't just start something for no reason! Zel didn't want his insecurities to plague him. But this was one of the reasons why he wanted to do things like inventing on his own. Because he wanted to show off to Jinx. He wanted to show he had skill too. Because with all this attention Evi was receiving… he couldn't help but feel like just maybe… there was a difference between the amount of love Jinx had for either of them. As while Jinx may love them both, she probably loved Evi mo—

"Okay, I think you two need some change of scenery," Jinx suggested, breaking him from his thoughts.

"No thanks, but I don't feel like going to the arcade today," Evi mumbled.

He was confused with this line of thinking. "I mean, we do still go out here and there."

"Well, dur, but I have somethin' else in mind!" Jinx cheerily stated. She placed her plate on her lap and clapped her hands together excitedly. "The ol' Baron Brats need me to take care of some wannabe gang trying to start shit near The Slums. They ain't much, but they're tryin' to be, and they've been annoyingly butting in on some shipments."

"It feels like there's always an upstart gang these days," Evi remarked.

"Well there'd be more but ol' Mom here keeps taking care of them, eh?" Zel proudly pointed out, shooting her a smile.

Jinx beamed back at him before turning to Evi. "Ya are right, though, E. We're prospering as a nation for sure—City of Iron and Glass and all that—but that means tons of Zaunites are starting to realize there's different ways we can be doing things." She shrugged as she took a quick bite of her food. "Firelights aside, people are realizing the Barons and Baronesses at the top don't have as much control as they pretend to, so they start shit like this." She gestured metaphorically around them.

Evi frowned. "That means they're the problem, right?" she softly asked, looking up at Jinx. "The Barons?"

Zel looked for Jinx's reaction, studying her pensive face. All things considered, what Evi was asking wasn't a bad line of thought to think on. The past few months, tons of Jinx's jobs for the deep pocketed trenchers revolved around silencing gangs who were getting too cocky or out of line. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that was more on them. Something they were doing was wrong, and people were gathering up to take advantage of it. But not everyone has the charisma or leadership like the Barons, so they do a sloppy job that ends up in their mother's crosshairs.

"They're all we got," Jinx answered with a sad shrug. "Don't get me wrong, they're not terrible at what they do, but the biggest joke of it all is them thinking they're better than the Piltie Councillors when the only difference between them and the big wigs is just the height of where their chambers are sitting."

Zel whistled at that. "Damn, that's a perspective."

Jinx winked at him. With a light chuckle, she leaned back in her seat. "Anyways, I thought since I've already scoped out these chumps and that you two've been working hard, you'd like to tag along this time!"

Zel's jaw dropped as Evi dropped her fork onto her finished plate. "Wait," Evi spoke, "are you saying—"

"You're finally letting us to join you?" he excitedly finished, clenching his fists together out of glee.

Jinx smiled at them. "Yup! I think you guys are ready for this." She hopped off the couch and placed her plate on the table, turning back to them with her hands shooting to the air. "Whattya say brats? Feel like joining your ol' mom on a job?

Evi launched to her feet and pumped her fist. "Hell yeah!"

Zel followed suit, eagerly nodding all the way. "I-I'm in! Totally!"

Jinx giggled. "Great! 'Cause we head out after breakfast. Soon as the job's done, we take the leader to the Chem-Barons and collect!" She offered a fluttering wave as she collected Evi's finished plate and walked away. "I'll give ya half an hour to prep! Get your gear and your heads psyched for this!" she shouted over her shoulder.

Zel turned to Evi and smiled at her. Thankfully, she mirrored the gesture and even held out her fist for him. They shared a fist bump and nodded.

"I'm gonna sharpen my knife and load up on ammo," she said as she walked away. "Try to finish up your food fast, 'kay? Don't wanna leave ya behind!"

He snorted, shaking his head as he sat down. "Fat chance of that!" He continued to eat his half finished meal with a wide grin.

Now he could show what he was made of.

—EVI—

Evi hated this feeling.

Something about just… the way her body felt, it made her ache all over. And she hated it.

It was practically as irritating as her stump sometimes, which made her wonder if her leg was just getting worse and spreading to the rest of her body. But she didn't feel like anything was wrong with her leg. In fact, a session dedicated to the punching machine at the arcade quickly ruled that out (she beat her new high score once again) as she also worked a bit of her anger out. She just wanted this feeling to pass, and while it did here and there, it was bothering her nonstop.

It didn't help that she had trouble sleeping because of the pains, as the added annoyance of her brother staying up and muttering to himself about his gadgets was just another nail in the coffin. Well, preferably his coffin if he kept that up. Running across the rooftops, she looked to her left and watched as he ran with eagerness, following Jinx with wide excitement. She could jump in the same boat that today was a special day.

After months of them wanting Jinx to let them help, they were finally being granted the chance.

Of course she still felt… weird, but she wasn't going to let that hamper her enjoyment.

Before they headed out for The Slums—one of the poorer parts of Zaun—Jinx gave them a quick briefing on what to do. Fifteen guys total, all meant to be killed except for the leader, some dude wearing a shitty brown trench coat. They had to bring him alive back to the Chem-Barons' Council Chambers, but make sure the rest were dealt with thoroughly. Twenty-three people. That had been a bigger number than the amount of people they dealt with back at Vander's statue five months back. Heck, that was a bigger number than the gang that jumped them back when Jinx first saved them!

She had gotten better with her aim, and her reflexes were much more sharp, but this was a gang looking to start shit. She knew Jinx said they were wannabes and that she wouldn't take them if she thought it was too dangerous but… what if she wasn't ready? As they came to a stop, arriving just into The Slums district, Jinx brought her hand up, pointing off into the distance at a scrapyard. That was where they were. Evi grabbed her gun and turned off the safety, loading a bullet as she tried to calm her suddenly rising nerves.

Why was she nervous?

She could do this.

What else had she been practising for?

This was her time to shine.

"H-Hey," she heard Zel calling out. Jinx looked over her shoulder and hummed in acknowledgement. "A-Are you sure we're ready for this?"

Evi felt a flash of embarrassment and anger at that. It was like he was reading her mind and vocalizing her doubts! She looked at Zel, who was visibly sheepish and scoffed, crossing her arms. "Speak for yourself bro—I'm ready."

Her partner wilted at that comment, making her feel a stab of guilt.

Jinx smiled as she stepped over and placed her hand on Zel's shoulder. "You're both ready, Rookie."

At her wink, Zel brightened up and released a breath to calm himself.

Evi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course he needed to be pampered up a bit before going in. She loved her brother, make no mistake, but it felt like he needed to be praised and coddled constantly these days. Like his insecurities were just always on full blast now. Even just now, a comment that she slipped up with made him curl in on himself like she made fun of his dead mom. It was like his skin was made of paper these days!

Zel needed some advice on his latest blueprint? Jinx's schedule just happened to clear up a bit!

Zel was in the mood for potatoes and steak? It looked like salmon stew was off the menu all of a sudden!

Zel needed more scrap and junk to tinker? Well, Jinx would make sure to stop by Funsmith Amy's when she could!

She breathed out a sigh, calming herself down. It was annoying, no doubt. But this wasn't the time for this. Why was she getting worked up over something she just started in her head? And why did she still want bacon!

"'Sides," Jinx beamed at her brother, "You've been working on your pulse bombs and they're faster and zappier than ever, right? Whattya got to worry 'bout?"

That seemed to cheer him up a bit, which made Evi roll her eyes outright. "Janna, it's just a bomb, ya can make those by accident," she dryly remarked.

Zel shot her a smug look as he tossed his undermines up and down. "Of course you'd know about those."

She snorted. "You're one to talk—"

"Hey," Jinx hissed. "Knock it off E. We got a job to do—no bickering before it."

She stared at her, flabbergasted. How was she causing any bickering? Zel was the one whining! She bit back her words as Jinx gave the two a stern look.

"'Member the rules?" she asked them.

"Stay close together if we're not with you," Zel recited.

"Fight to kill, 'cept for Mister Trench Coat," Evi listed.

"And watch each other's backs," her brother added.

Jinx smiled, nodding at them. "And? Most importantly?" She raised her brow. "Don't do anything stupid—"

"And don't do anything slow," Zel finished, sliding on his goggles.

"Let's give 'em Hell, kiddies!" Jinx cackled, hopping off the building and descending to the scrapyard. Both she and Zel lagged behind, watching Jinx charge forward. Part of her wondered what Jinx's technique looked like on a job. Sure, they'd seen bits and pieces here and there, but Jinx in her proper working element was something they'd yet to see. Would she create a diversion before entering? Would she scale the heaps of trash to gain an aerial advantage? Or—

Jinx pulled out Fishbones and aimed straight into the scrapyard. "Fire in the caboodle!" she shouted before firing, sending a super mega rocket right into the middle of the trash.

Or she would just run straight in, guns blazing…

Chemtech residue, ash, and debris of scrap flew everywhere as screams rang out. A couple burning bodies descended from the sky, landing lifelessly near the entrance. Evi blinked in shock as Jinx charged, motioning for them to follow after her. With a smirk, Evi pulled out her gun in her right hand and her knife in her left and ran alongside Zel, entering the scrapyard with alert eyes. Upon entering, they heard the shout of, "Oh crap, it's Jinx!"

Following the voice, she found some shirtless dude scrabbling for his gun. Using her left arm as a bracer, Evi aimed at the man and fired, putting a bullet dead in his skull. She smirked and shouted to Zel, "Already got one!"

With a scoff, her brother tossed his undermine ahead of them, landing before three guys right as it set off. Nothing but bodies of ash and Shimmer residue in their wake. "I'm on three!" he teased.

Before she could make a remark, she heard the scattering of cans and trash, causing her to look over to another trash heap. Standing atop it was a female vastaya wielding an automatic rifle. She and Zel ducked for cover as the goon began spraying, pelting the scrap and area around them with bullets.

A zap rang out along with a series of thuds and clangs.

Evi poked her head out and nearly jumped as she saw the vastaya's body collapse near them, twitching in a shocked state. She looked up and smiled as she watched Jinx claim the hill, firing Pow-Pow all over the place. Trailing her shots, Eric watched as several bodies fell limp from the barrage of bullets, and the numbers began to rack up in her head. Four, no, five—six more bodies.

Thirteen people left.

Evi took a breath and pushed out of her cover, moving deeper into the scrapyard.

"Wait up," Zel hissed as he followed after her.

Jinx was drawing fire to her, that meant she and Zel could surprise people. Navigating the trash heaps, was a bit more cluttered than the types they were used to. Evi found the piles to be much more condensed and closer—narrower paths meant sharper corners. Sure enough, as she turned around another corner she bumped face first into a flat chest.

Cursing, she backed up and extended her gun, but was quickly disarmed.

The tall woman before her slapped it out of her hand and drew a knife.

With a click of her tongue, Evi brought up her left forearm and blocked the lady's strike, hitting her just at the wrist. Hastily, she twisted her arm around the woman's wrist and snapped it away from the woman, cracking her joint. With a sharp cry, the woman dropped her knife as Evi sent a couple jabs to her face. Giving her no time to react, Evi tossed her own knife into her right hand and drove it into the woman's throat, kicking her back to dislodge it from her neck.

As the gurgling faded out behind her, Evi swiped her gun off the ground and dove for cover to regain herself.

"Don't move ya bitch!"

She looked up and scowled at the giant man aiming a shotgun at her. These guys were pretty well armed for wannabes…

Before she could do anything, a pulse bomb flew at the guy's face and combusted on impact, charring it in a fiery instant.

Zel's hand was in front of her face and she accepted it, pulling herself on her feet as she offered him an appreciative nod.

"Jinx said stick together," he chastised.

"Over there!" came a voice from ahead.

The two ducked toward a propped up metal sheet as a flurry of bullets pelted their cover.

She scoffed. "Could've handled that guy," she said before she peeked around the corner and fired, narrowly missing a goon's head. "Two more guys," she informed him as she leaned into the cover more. "'Sides, you should keep up."

"I was busy covering our asses," he muttered, pulling out an undermine. He shot her a smirk. "I'm on five," he said as he tossed the mine over.

The sounds of gunfire ceased.

"Hey, is that a—"

Boom.

Evi frowned at the smugness on the boy's face as he said, "Guess that's seven now." He stood up and chuckled. "Better hurry if ya wanna catch up!"

She opened her mouth but heard the click of a gun, then quickly pulled the boy back down. The whizz of a rifle zipped over their heads. "And ya better not get ahead of yourself if ya don't wanna die!" she hissed at him. After a breath, the blonde carefully peeked around the cover once again but shrieked as another bullet zipped by her face. "Shit!"

"You sick kids and you're fucking psycho mom!" a cracky voice shouted. "I'll kill you all!"

Oh he did not usually say that about Jinx!

"What're ya waiting for, throw another undermine!" She slapped Zel's shoulder.

He bristled, slapping her back as he said, "Don't know where he is, dumbass!"

"Throw it anyways! It's a distraction!"

"It's a waste."

"What's a waste is your arsenal if you're not using it!"

The clattering sound of Chomper teeth caused the two to look toward the noise, just barely catching the bomb fly over their heads. A second later, the explosion boomed out and Shimmer residue was flying everywhere. The two looked over their cover and found a charred body and a rifle just a dozen feet away from them in another pileup of cover. They turned their heads back the other way and found Jinx stood atop another pile of trash, watching them with observant eyes.

Despite the smile on her face, her eyes were suspicious of the two. Almost silently asking, Are you fighting?

"Less aiming at each other and more at them, 'kay brats?" she reminded them.

"Yes Jinx," they flatly replied.

"How many ya got?" she asked, her eyes still scanning their surroundings.

"Seven," Zel proudly stated.

Evi bumped his chest with her elbow as she said, "Two."

Jinx hummed. "That means three left."

Evi's eyes widened. Jinx already took care of the rest!

"Head back to the entrance and watch it," she ordered, nodding her head to the direction. "Boss might try to leave and the remaining goons might try it too." She shot the two a mischievous grin as she spun Zapper in her left hand. "Now where was I? Oh, right, wreaking havoc!" With that, the woman darted off.

The two exchanged a mirthful look before heading toward the entrance.

As they walked back, Evi couldn't help but notice the smug look on Zel's face. It was strange, literally moments before this thing started and just a second ago she was ready to slap his face but now? Even with his annoyingly smug smirk, she felt a sense of pride. She chuckled as they walked, making him stare at her confusedly. She just shrugged, pointing her gun toward him—not actually aiming, but gesturing—as she said, "With your seven to my two, I'm wonderin' why ya were even sweating before we started!"

Zel flushed, bumping his shoulder against hers as he scoffed. "Shut up, I was not!"

She snorted. "You totally were." As they turned another corner, the entrance came into view. "I bet ya were stressing to impress her."

He scoffed again. "Like you weren't?"

She shrugged. "Honestly?" She looked down at her gun, thumbing over its trigger guard. "I was more worried about what I could do…" Zel seemed to have no comment on that, instead opting to arm his slingshot with another pulse bomb.

As they arrived at the gate entrance, that aching feeling returned and it made Evi groan. Why did it feel like her whole lower body was out to kill her? She slumped against the pole of the entrance arch, holding her stomach.

"You uh… you good?" Zel softly asked from his other end of the arch.

She stared at him blankly.

He shied away, looking down at his feet.

Sighing to herself, she straightened her back and tried to find some sort of comfortable stance to wait in. It felt like everything she did ached. Even when she ran earlier, it was like it was just… there. She thumped her foot against the ground, impatiently tapping the barrel of her gun against the pole now. What was taking Jinx so—

"Two inbound, kiddies!" Jinx's voice echoed out.

At that, the two readied up and kept their eyes peeled on the three pathways leading toward them. Coming from the left were two sprinting vastayas with the fear of Janna striking their faces. They looked unarmed and seemed to just realize the two kids blocking their path. Smirking, Evi brought up her gun and fired.

The remaining vastaya barely had time to process their comrade falling to the ground as Evi fired her next shot, missing their head and catching them in the shoulder. "Fuck!" the vastaya shouted as they collapsed to the ground.

"Damn, guess that's four now." Zel whistled.

Evi scoffed as she marched forward, staring at the thug writhing in agony. She kicked their hand away, preventing them from holding their blood in as she brought her gun to their temple. She pulled the trigger and grinned at the sight of their head going limp in an instant. She turned back and furrowed a brow at Zel's fearful expression. "What?" she flatly asked.

"What was th—"

A boom rang out and the two crouched, turning toward the source. They both knew what it was from that sound and its sight smoke plume: it was a Chomper explosion, and it was nearby. Coming from its direction, ran a short dude with a disgustingly dirty brown trench coat. The leader! Evi pulled back toward Zel, holding the entrance with a mean look in her eye as she readied her gun.

The man stopped just a dozen metres away, scowling at them as he whipped out a small device. It looked… like a detonator?

"So… you're… Jinx's brats?" he said, nearly out of breath.

"So you're the leader of the wannabes?" Evi remarked.

He looked offended at that. "We're called the Reckoners!"

Zel snorted. "Well I reckon' you should just stop running now." He pointed his chin upward, motioning behind the guy.

Following his direction, he turned behind him and looked up at the trash heap nearby. Stood at the very top was Jinx, aiming Pow-Pow dead at the man. "Howdy!" she greeted, tilting her head. "I already tried negotiating with ya, and you and your buddies scrammed!" She feigned hurt across her expression, pouting at him. "And ya can see how that turned out." She giggled, gesturing toward the corpses near his feet with her mingun. "So how's 'bout you save me the trouble and just drop all your shit and put your hands up?"

He breathed a sigh, lifting the detonator high. "Counter offer!" he shouted as he clicked the button.

Before Evi could even process what to do next, a huge explosion came from the heap of trash Jinx was standing on! She threw herself toward Zel, bringing him down to the ground for cover as debris and chemtech ash flew overhead. She kept her arms over Zel's head as she planted her face to the direct. After seconds of scrap scuttling around them, they turned their heads up. She checked both herself and Zel over, not seeing anything visibly wrong with either of them..

But then Evi's stomach started cramping more. She really hoped that wasn't related to what just happened. She absentmindedly rubbed the sore spot, feeling a much more aching feeling than before. "You good?" Zel asked her, prompting her to nod. She was okay. She was. She was.

The two looked around the wake of the carnage.

Both Jinx and the leader were missing.

"Jinx?" Evi called out.

"Mom!" Zel shouted.

"Don't worry, kiddies!" came her voice in the distance. "I'm a-okay!"

The two breathed out a relieved sigh. "You sure?" Evi asked.

"Yup!" she shouted back. "All part of the plan I just made up!" Zel snorted as Evi rolled her eyes at that. Of course she'd try to play it off. "Stay put and I'll come get ya!"

"Counter offer," the two froze. Slowly turning their heads, they found the shitty trench-coated man himself, holding Evi's gun at them, "you tell her to piss off and I don't shoot you two dead."

Evi heard Zel gulp. He probably didn't have his slingshot or undermines on him—least not in a way he could use them quickly. She took a breath as she held her hands up. "Is it too late to take back our insults now?" she said with a sheepish look.

He chuckled. "Funny kid," he said as he aimed at Zel, "I'll shoot you last."

She scowled. "What'll it take to get ya to shoot me first?"

"E—"

"Shut it Zel," she hissed.

The man narrowed his eyes. He aimed the barrel directly at her. "Having balls and being stupid are two different things in Zaun, kid."

She chuckled. "I know, our mom says that sometimes."

"Aww!" The man startled, turning around but still keeping Evi's gun trained on her as he looked toward Jinx, who was approaching them from the wreckage with her hands clasped together near her cheek. "You do listen to me, lil' Urchin!"

Despite the situation, Evi found herself still blushing a bit out of embarrassment.

"That's far enough, Jinx," the man barked out.

Jinx stopped in her tracks and tilted her head. "Oh? I don't think it's nearly far enough." She narrowed her brows. "Ya brought my kids into this."

He blinked at her. "Me?" he said incredulously.

She chuckled, shaking her head. "I mean, yeah. I did bring 'em for the job but you could've just ran away the second the bomb went off!" She clicked her teeth and shrugged. "But someone had to get greedy and try to play for keeps." She narrowed her eyes and smirked. "You wanna play?"

The man's hand shook a bit as he brought his finger on the trigger.

Evi smiled.

Jinx would save them. She will save them.

Tilting her head the other way, she dropped her hands to her sides. "I'll give you to the count of—time's up!" Jinx whipped out Zapper and fired. A flash graced Evi's eyes and the man was convulsing on the ground, coated in electricity and the two were suddenly wrapped by Jinx's embrace. "Are you okay? Are you guys—"

"We're fine," Evi muttered in their mom's arm.

"We're okay," Zel asserted.

Jinx breathed out a relieved sigh as she pulled away, smiling. "Good." She stood up on her feet and helped the two onto theirs, patting them on the shoulders as they straightened up. "Good work brats," she turned them toward the incapacitated leader on the ground, "you just completed your first bounty!"

Despite her aching pains.

Despite the constant bout of emotions going on within her.

Despite this even stranger uncomfortableness she was suddenly feeling—

Evi smiled.

—JINX—

It was amazing!

Working with the kids gave Jinx vibes of when she was with her sister and brothers, or even when she went on her first job with Sevika! The feeling of knowing she had people she can count on, but also just being around… people. It was also different from those vibes as well. Even though they split up, even though Jinx left them to fend for themselves, and even though things could've ended badly—which they didn't—Jinx was so happy. As they rode the elevator up, she looked to her right and left, giddily enjoying the anxious looks on Zel and Evi's faces.

She was so darn proud of them.

Their first job!

"Urggh," the unconscious man slumped behind them began to stir.

"Ooh! Can I do it?" Zel chirped, holding his hand out.

Evi winced at Zel's volume—a sporadic habit Jinx was picking up as of late—as Jinx obliged him, placing Zapper into his palm. Jinx began to hum her song as the sounds of zapping echoed behind her and the man's jittering voice fell into unconsciousness once again. This was all so exciting!

As Zel handed her gun back, he asked, "Are you sure it's okay for us to tag along?"

"Janna, how many times are you gonna answer that!" Evi hissed, gritting her teeth at him.

Jinx pouted, placing a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "Relax, E," she softly cooed. Turning back, she smiled at a sheepish Zel. "Rookie, I told ya, it's fine! Alls ya gotta do is stand proud and confident and those big wigs won't care for nothin' other than getting the job done!" She punctuated her point by kicking the man slumped over behind her.

Zel bit his lip, still unsure.

Jinx sighed, rolling her eyes. "'Sides, worse case scenario, if they got problems I have the place rigged to blow anyways," she remarked as she pulled out the detonator and tossed it up and down in her hand.

Zel gaped at the familiar device. "Is that the detonator you were using to prop up the fridge when one of its corners gave out?"

She tilted her head back and recalled that vivid memory. It was about a month or so ago, after some more Tag Ball, that they're running around accidentally wounded up toward the kitchen (in hindsight they should've kept to the lower fans, but Jinx deemed it much more fun to go all over the place). The back left corner of the fridge snapped and the only thing Jinx could find to stabilize the darn thing was the detonator. She got around to fixing it… in a day.

Huh, she forgot about that!

She simply shrugged and smiled at Zel.

He sighed, shaking his head. "Won't that kill us too if you blow the place?"

She chuckled, wrapping her arm around his shoulders as she squeezed. "Oh my lil' Rookie, you should know by now that I know my bombs." She winked at him. "I can take care of you two in that event."

The elevator dinged and the three were greeted by the usual entourage of guards stationed outside the chambers. Jinx hoisted the unconscious man over her shoulder as she offered a small finger wave at the guards. The three stepped out and toward the doors, with all the goons awkwardly averting their gaze and stepping aside. The kids seemed to like that reaction, judging by the way they straightened up and smirked. Jinx giggled as she kicked the doors open.

The chatter from within ceased instantly, all eyes drawing toward her. Jinx grinned as she marched toward the table and tossed the man's body on the table, letting his face plant against it hard. She held her hands out and motioned a grabbing gesture. "Jobs done! Reckoners have been wrecked and the boss is here, all alive and shit."

The Barons barely kept their gaze on her. Their eyes flew toward the pair of kids beside her, making her sigh. She figured they'd gawk a bit, but she hoped they'd just move along so they could get to brass tacks. She cocked her head and shrugged. "Alright, out with it."

Renata spoke first, rising out of her seat as she gestured toward the kids with her augmented arm. "So these are infamous children that have won over our Loose Cannon."

Jinx narrowed her gaze as she smirked. "Careful there Glassky, they may be kids but they're my kids!" She gave the two a quick squeeze around their shoulders as she chuckled. "And that don't mean their bark is any less than mine!"

"I trust there's a reason you brought them along? Or is it merely bring your kids to work day?" Corina Veraza remarked.

She snorted, waving her hand dismissively. "Nah! I brought them along this job," she explained as she slapped the unconscious man's back, "So they're getting a cut!"

"They are?" Chross exclaimed.

"We are?" both Evi and Zel also chimed in.

"Yup!" Jinx affirmed, nodding proudly.

Renata's eyes narrowed. "What happened to, 'the kids stay out of this'?"

Jeez, this geezer remembered something from a few months ago? Wow. "I said I'd handle them. And I did. And as someone who did, I can say they don't need to stay out of this as much anymore."

"And from the fact ya keep hiring our mom for jobs like this instead of doing it yourself," Evi mused, "it kinda sounds like ya need the extra help." She jutted her hip and crossed her arms, taking her own shot at narrowing her eyes at Glasc.

Jinx internally whistled at that. Talking like that to Renata Glasc took a lot of nerve, but then again—she watched as Evi's gaze faltered at Renata's stare locking onto her eyes. Evi was the type to act first. Having balls and being stupid were two different things after all.

"Much like a child to think so small," the Baroness chuckled, shaking her head. "Though I suppose she has inherited your snark," she addressed to Jinx. The blue haired woman proudly smiled at that. "You mind if I indulge your children with a lecture," she asked, holding her palm out toward them.

Jinx blinked at that. Huh, that was… strangely polite. Not that Glassky wasn't known for politeness or anything of the sort, but here it was like she was addressing her… respectfully? Or rather—like an adult! Man that's weird. Still, the benefit of the experience wasn't lost on even her of all people. She smiled, nodding at the older woman.

Sitting down, Renata folded her hands and began speaking. "The day-to-day life of Zaun may be as simple as enacting your own will, but for people like us, doing so creates attention." She gestured to Jinx. "Take your mother for instance—" Jinx beamed at that. She was addressed as a mother! "—her continued annoyance toward Topside as well as here in the Undercity demonstrates that she is an unpredictable force to be reckoned with," she amusedly stated.

"These… instigators are merely nobodies gathered around, placing the power of a platform and a voice in the hands of people who want change but don't know how to go about it." She chuckled, shaking her head. "Older Zaun had vision to bring us to where we are today, like your grandfather Silco—"

Jinx raised her brows, looking to her kids' reactions. They didn't seem repulsed by the label, but instead more enraptured by Renata's words. Or at least, Evi was.

"—who brought forward a newer society. And us, who rose up from the trudges he'd left it in." Jinx flinched a bit at that. More like what she left it in. Zel's hand came into hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze which made her smile.

"Glassky," Jinx spoke up, "I think the brats would like ya getting to the point?"

The kids laughed as the older woman irritably sighed. "My point is, today's youth lacks the vision to lead and understand the bigger picture. They want to remove us from power, but they themselves have no idea how to go about doing what we do."

"They're dreamers," Corina chimed in with an amused smile, "but with no clear goal. The vagueness of their aspirations is always boiled down to one goal: killing us. And who here in Zaun wouldn't want that?" The Barons and Jinx all laughed at that.

"A promise like that is easy to guarantee a following, and the issue with groups like these is even if unrehearsed they can do harm to Zaun," Renata said with a grave look in her eyes. "So dispatching of them is something we must do, but not us because if we did, we're granting them the attention they desire."

"That sounds petty as shite," Evi muttered.

Jinx clicked her teeth, slightly disappointed by the blonde's misunderstanding. Deciding to chip in her two bronze washers, she placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "She means the punks win if she pulls up and wipes them all out 'cause that means they think they're big fish. Which means everyone would start shit like the Wreckers or whatever their name is. So they hire me to do the quick and dirty so it doesn't make a big fuss and makes all the wannabes think it's not worth the effort," she casually explained.

Renata's eyes widened as a seemingly prideful look grew in her eyes. "Exactly, Jinx." She looked to Evi. "It would seem your mother does have some decent advice here and there."

Evi smirked, nodding. "She does. For starters," she quickly dug into Jinx's back satchel and pulled out the detonator. All the Barons' eyes widened in fear at the familiar device, even Renata flinched out concern from how the blonde casually whipped it out and tossed it up and down in her palm. "She told me what this is," she teased, shaking it in her hand.

Jinx could've stopped her, but she wanted to let the girl have fun!

"Not that this hasn't been fun," Eramis, a big bloated man, spoke up. "But can we please pay her and send her off already so we can get back to business?"

Renata sighed, nodding. "Meve?" A big burly man stepped into the room, his gaze averting Jinx's. "Bring Jinx her payment." The man nodded before disappearing for a moment, then returning with a big briefcase. He placed it on the end of the table and scuttered off, pointedly avoiding Jinx's proximity.

She merely shrugged off the interaction and clicked open the case, smiling at the wide eyed looks of the kids as they stared at the briefcase filled to the brim with silver cogs and golden hexes.

"You're saying that's ours?" Zel exclaimed.

"Holy shit!" Evi chuckled.

Jinx nodded. "Yup! Twenty-five percent each!"

Their faces fell. "You get fifty?" Zel gaped.

Jinx snorted, nodding as she clasped the case shut and motioned the kids toward the door. She bid a parting wave to the Barons as they left. "Of course I do! I did most of the work plus you two are still new to this line of work." She shrugged. "Someday, that number will split to an even thirty-three percent between us—"

The spiky haired boy tilted his head as they entered the elevator. "But thirty-three's not an even—"

"—and that day can only happen," Jinx continued, ignoring Zel, "the day ya both convince me it should be split equally. From then on, who knows—maybe you'll be running your own jobs!" She caught the hopeful look in the boy's eyes and grinned. "Giving ya the Barons' contact info is somethin' we can work towards. Not for you guys going on jobs on your own but for getting intel on jobs for us!" She looked to Evi and winked. "'Cause we're a team, right?"

The girl's excitement seemed to falter a bit as she shifted uncomfortably in her stance. "Yeah… right," she muttered.

As the elevator descended, Jinx tapped the briefcase to her thigh with an excited smile. "So! First job's done! What're y'all gonna do now?"

Zel chuckled. "I'm gonna add up these coins to my stash and probably start working on my latest idea again."

Jinx hummed eagerly before turning to Evi. "And what about you, E?"

The girl shrugged, softly replying, "I… I think I just wanna rest a bit."

The smallness in her voice screamed at Jinx's instincts. She brought her hand to her forehead as she asked, "Why? Are you okay? You sure nothin' happened after that asshole's bomb went off—"

"Mum," Evi hissed, batting her hand off, "knock it off!" Jinx's eyes widened at that. She was used to Evi's aggression and snark, but this had a bit more bite than usual. And judging by the girl's sheepish look, she was aware of it too. She shrunk a bit as she mumbled out a, "Sorry."

Jinx pulled her hand back and offered the girl an understanding smile. That's all Jinx could manage for now.

Something was wrong with her. Something was bothering her, more specifically. But… how could she go about asking about it?

This was something that plagued Jinx's thoughts all the way home. Zel resigned himself to his workshop and Evi said she had to use the bathroom. She had been up there for nearly ten minutes and Jinx had convinced herself it was because it was the only place she could be still within the safety of their home but also visibly away from everyone else. Maybe she wanted alone time. Maybe she and Zel were fighting. Or maybe she was upset with herself after the job? Jinx thought she did a good job—she told her that! But then again…

Jinx leaned back in her chair, tilting her head toward the bathroom above her. Evi's mood had been flip flopping recently. It was hard for her to keep up with sometimes. Zel had a bit of a self-confidence issue that Jinx was overtly aware of. She tried to encourage and reassure him here and there, while Evi had a bit of a more passionate side that just needed direction. Focus. Fighting, art—music or painting, and even shooting. This was different. It felt like she was just… constantly all over the place.

It was like—

"Muuum!"

Jinx was on her feet and running toward the ladder entrance. "Yes Evi?" she shouted up the ladder. The lights were on but Evi's head wasn't peeking over.

In just the faintest of tones, she heard her utter, "C-Can… can you come up here? A-Alone?"

She quickly scrambled up the ladder like there was a fire underneath her. Once she popped her head up, she was greeted by the sight of a shy Evi, slumped in on herself with her knees brought up to her chest as she slacked against the wall near the sink. Jinx carefully stood up and approached her, sitting beside her. "What's wrong, E?"

The girl released a shaky breath. "I… I dunno," she whispered. A few seconds passed before the girl took another breath and added, "I'm… bleeding." She gestured beneath her as her face flushed. "And my stomach and back, and everythin' hurts. I'm, I'm so mad and all over the place!" Her head slumped against Jinx's shoulder as a cry leaked out. "I-I don't know what's wrong with my body and I hate it."

Jinx's heart broke at every word.

Holy shit.

Janna almighty.

This girl was growing up.

She choked back a sob as she chuckled, stroking the girl's messy blonde bangs as she hummed, "It's okay, it's okay."

Evi sniffed. "It doesn't feel okay."

Jinx took a breath, nodding. "You're right 'bout that." She kissed the girl's temple. "When did the bleeding start?"

She shrugged. "I… I think today?"

"But the… cramps, they've been happening recently?" Evi nodded. "How come ya didn't tell me 'bout this?"

"I-I was embarrassed!" she exclaimed, "I dunno what was going on, it just felt like my body was hating me!"

Jinx offered a sympathetic smile as she shrugged. "Accurate feeling, really." She patted the girl's head before lightly pulling it off her shoulder. "Hang on, gimme a sec." She hastily made her way toward the sink and pulled out a box of pads, plopping it right at Evi's feet.

The girl blinked at it for a moment before her face reddened a bit more.

Jinx's brows raised. "Ya know what that is?"

Evi shook her head. "Only seen it thrown out before. It's usually…" she cringed, "messier." She tapped the box with her prosthetic foot. "What… what is this?"

Jinx smiled, picking it up as she placed it in the girl's palm.

"So… you're growing up…"

‹‹JINX‹‹

Her lower body ached.

YOU'RE GONNA DIE!

Jinx flinched at that, shaking her head.

"Shuttup," she muttered.

She wasn't going to die. But she sure felt like she was. Curling her knees up to her chest, she hung from the rafters of Silco's office with anxiety screaming at her every move. She was… bleeding. She knew about this, a bit from Vi, but she never got around to learning about it. And now Vi wasn't around to tell her anything about it. Walking into this office, looking Silco in the eye and telling him, "I… I think I'm on my period?" was terrifying.

He looked like he was seeing a ghost (or maybe the voices floating around her) before he told her to wait here.

That was over ten minutes ago.

YOU PROBABLY GROSSED HIM OUT AND SCARED HIM!

She gripped her arms. "No I didn't!"

The door swung open and she peeked her head out below. Walking into the room, it was none other than the ogre herself: Sevika. She had a box tucked in her left arm and a bored look on her face. She scanned the room before she stood in the middle, placing her hands on her hips. Jinx pulled her head back. "Alright brat," the woman said, "Boss told me it's that time of the month?"

He told her?

Jinx felt a stab of betrayal as she curled up more, trying to hide herself.

"He called me over 'cause he doesn't know shit 'bout any of this," she remarked with a laugh, shaking her head good naturedly. "Listen, I'm the only one who can help you with this, and I've already wasted time getting this shit," she tapped the box, "so you can keep hiding and continue to suffer over not knowing what's going on with you or you can come out here, and we'll talk 'bout this quickly and get it done with."

SHE'S GOING TO MAKE FUN OF YOU!

With a sigh, Jinx hopped down and landed on Silco's desk, sitting in a cross legged position. It was better to get this over with, she reasoned. If it meant she could go back to wallowing in pain privately. She startled as she felt Sevika's weight come down on the edge of the desk. She was… unusually close to her. The woman dropped the box between the two. With a sigh, she pulled out a cigar and lit it, puffing a smoke.

"How much do you know about menstruation?"

Jinx shrugged. "You… bleed. And somethin' 'bout babies?"

The woman sighed again. "Well… that's a cliff notes version I guess," she mused.

Jinx scrunched up her nose. "What's that mean?"

"Like a short version of something, makes it easy to learn or study." Sevika puffed out another smoke before scooting the box closer. "These are called pads. They'll help with the bleeding—keeps it from well… causing a mess. There are also tampons but, well, those ain't cheap from Topside and same goes from down here. And you sure as Hell don't want the ones from whoever's making them down here."

Jinx sifted through the box. Fifteen per pack. There were like a dozen in the box though. "How many will I need?" She hated how small her voice sounded.

Sevika snorted. "Depends. Not just on the person, but sometimes it'll be different. Some days I go through five or seven, others it's just three. But that's also 'cause I forget to change 'em."

"I have to change 'em?" This was a lot to learn.

"Every couple hours or so. Bad not to. Ain't good for your hygiene."

Jinx chuckled. "Since when do Trenchers care 'bout that?"

Sevika's smile fell a bit. "Sometimes, things like what you do to your body?" She locked a stern gaze with Jinx. "That's important too. Don't let it rot and wither. 'Cause we don't got Topside's wonders of medicine. We have sludge and shit." She puffed another smoke. "So it matters what you put into your body."

Jinx furrowed a brow, pointing at the cigar in the woman's hand.

"My arm is also hopped up on Shimmer," she dryly pointed out, "I'm hardly a standard anymore…"

"Were you ever?"

"Watch it twerp. I will choke you to death with these," she warned, placing her hand on the box. "You understand what this all is though, right? What… this means for you going forward?" Jinx tilted her head at that. Was there something she was supposed to get? To her surprise, Sevika offered her a small smile. "It just means you're growing up."

—JINX—

"Wait so there's more my fuckin' body has out against me? You're telling me losing a leg wasn't the last of my fuckin' issues?" Evi complained, throwing the pack of pads on the floor in annoyance.

"Nope. Sorry, my Lil' Urchin." Jinx shrugged sympathetically as she picked the pack off the ground and placed it back inside the box. Honestly, her reaction to this was kind of how she felt after Sevika explained everything, but more verbal. But comparing the two, Jinx felt glad she had Sevika. She only hoped Evi felt the same with her here.

The blonde paced the bathroom floor, her arms flailing about irritably. "An-And the mood swings and cravings—"

"Yuuuup."

Evi groaned, throwing her head back. "All just so I can have a fuckin' baby in the future?" She scoffed, kicking her foot. "Fuck that! This fuckin' sucks!"

Jinx nodded. "Yup. I had the same reaction too."

"An-And there's nothin' I can do to-to stop this?" Evi begged, looking toward her pleadingly.

Jinx seethed. "Umm, there are like, remedies? To help with the pain or cramps or whatever. Heat pads for your stomach, teas, but everyone's period is different."

"What about you? You never seemed to make a big fuss 'bout this!"

She frowned. "Pain tolerance." That was an easy way to sum it up. She flicked her wrist. "Ever since this… well, the threshold isn't necessarily high, but pain I'm used to just becomes numb," she softly told her daughter. "Experience means something like this just isn't as annoying as it was."

Evi's face fell at that as sadness took over her eyes. Sometimes Jinx forgets her kids feel for her story, that they feel sadness for her past and what was done to her. She's use to being callous and casual about it, but seeing Evi's reaction reminded her sometimes she needed to break it easy. After a moment, the girl sat herself beside Jinx, picking the box up off the ground. "Do ya ever wish you could get rid of it?" she quietly asked.

"Uhhh… the Shimmer or my pe—"

"Shimmer, Jinx, I was talking 'bout the Shimmer," Evi flatly corrected.

She chuckled, shrugging. "Back then? Yeah. Nowadays? Not really." She closed her eyes and took a calming breath. She could always feel it coursing through her. Back then, it kept her awake but now? It was like white noise. Whether that was bad or not wasn't something she cared about. "I kinda accepted it was a part of me. Like the voices," she gestured vaguely around her head. Her smile grew as she looked to Evi. "Like you and your brother."

The blonde snorted. "Didn't ask for that sappiness, but sure." The girl crossed her legs, bringing her eyes down to her leg. She flicked the metal kneecap as she suggested, "Kinda like my leg?"

Jinx nodded. "I just accepted that this was somethin' that was just… me. Jinx."

"Stands for Jinx," Evi chuckled. She looked toward the box and sighed. "Just another thing I gotta put up with, huh?"

"Right ya are, E." She was a strong girl. Jinx stood up and dusted her legs off. "Now are ya okay to take care of the rest yourself?"

Her daughter nodded. "I think I just need a moment to process this… 'growing up' thing." She shrugged. "Never really thought I was growing up—and not 'cause I'm short!" she hastily said before Jinx could crack her joke. "But 'cause Zel and I just didn't think we'd have… well, a place to grow in."

Jinx smiled. "Well, now ya do, Urchin! Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna ask Zel to head to the market to pick up some bacon while I prep ya a heat pad." She bid the girl a farewell two fingered salute and headed toward the ladder.

As she began to descend, Evi called out. "Hey… Mum?" She stopped and caught the girl's appreciative smile."Thanks… for helping me."

"Anytime, E! Anytime…"

As she descended, Jinx couldn't help but be amazed.

They were growing up.

—ZEL—

Something had happened between Jinx and Evi back on the day they took down the Reckoners, and it was bothering Zel.

There were moments throughout today and the day before where Evi would come to Jinx and they'd go somewhere private for a bit. They'd tell him that he couldn't come with, that it was "lady issues". Zel had heard of that term before. But he never really learned about what it meant. It was then he started to realize how outnumbered he was, gender-wise. The idea they'd alienate him with something trivial like gettin bacon for Evi because she was craving it as a way to get him to leave made him frown. He was being stupid. He didn't like to think Jinx liked Evi more because she was simply a girl, and so he squashed out those stupid thoughts with a good distraction.

His hybrid pulse bomb/undermine idea.

The process was… beyond harder than he anticipated. At this point, he just got outside the hideout because he needed air and something to distract him. Jinx had another errand, Evi screwed off to the arcade, and so he decided going for a scrap run would be the best course of action. A good way to not only jog ideas, but possibly find good parts too! And after an hour and a half of searching? He found nothing. Nothing worth bringing back that he didn't already have shitloads of, or that were honestly wrecked beyond repair. Had he and Funsmith Amy looted all these dumps for their good parts?

No way!

That line of thinking was what brought him to said woman's shop. He entered and found her cleaning a flamethrower, greeting him with a grin. "Zel? And without your other half for once? Where's your sister?"

He grimaced at the mention of her. "Arcade," he answered.

Amy must've taken note of his tone as she hummed, tilting her head and letting her ponytail flop to the side. "Well what brings ya by? Don't think I had a pick up for ya, did I?"

He shook his head. "I was hoping you'd have some spare scrap? Nothing too big, just the kinda stuff I need for my pulse bombs and undermines."

She blinked. "I did—" past tense? Great. Just his luck. "—but your mom came by and collected 'em."

His brows raised. "What?"

"Yeah, she said she was thinkin' you might be in need of some more things to tinker with and wanted as much as I had, so I gave her a full box!" Amy chuckled, shaking her head. "She actually came by recently, now that I think about it. Not long before you."

"D-Did she say if she was going home or…"

"Nah, she said something about Jericho's?" Amy shrugged. "Might've been meeting with a friend or something."

He could still catch her!

"Thanks Amy! Bye!" The boy sprinted out the alleyway and hurried over to the market district. If Jinx was heading home after Jericho's with stuff for him, that meant he could have some one-on-one advice on his project! With no Evi around! Excitement was pumping through his veins as he arrived at the marketplace and darted over to Jericho's stalls. He ignored the stares and frightful yelps of, "Jinx's kid!" as he made a beeline toward his goal. But once it came into view, he was greeted with something surprising…

At the counter was Jinx and the leader of the Firelights, Ekko, eating.

The boy slowed his pace as he watched the amicable sight before him. Ever since Ekko helped Jinx finish their arcade, the two's relationship shifted into a dynamic that Zel compared to Amy's relationship with Jinx. Jinx had a rapport with Ekko that was familiar, but also business-like. From what he and Evi knew, Ekko and Jinx only occasionally ran into each other here at Jericho's and that was it. Trading gossip and nothing more. Of course Ekko's was more on the line of, "this is what's happening in Zaun" while Jinx's was more of "Evi just gave me an apron with the cutest artwork on it." There were times the kids—sometimes with Jinx in tow— ran into him, but it was usually just idle chit-chat and making sure they weren't getting up to any trouble.

The guy was really about keeping a good and positive outlook on Zaun, and it was honestly adorable as it was annoying. Still, something with that idealism still matched well with Jinx despite the contrasts. But part of him just believed it was because the past between them couldn't just die so easily. It seemed, however, his approach was noticed, as Jinx stopped mid laugh and waved eagerly at Zel to come over. "Well I'll be," she proclaimed as he neared, "is that my brilliant boy?"

Zel flushed as he stood near Jinx and offered Ekko a small wave. "Hey."

The man nodded at him. "Join us, dude!"

"Oh I—"

"Yup! Sit down!" Jinx patted the seat beside her. "Jerry, his usual please!" The chef turned and grinned excitedly at the boy before beginning his grilling. "Oh and make E's too! We'll take that to-go!"

He hadn't eaten yet, sure, but a full fledged meal now? Zel felt suddenly way too self-aware of the conversation he'd intruded. He turned to Jinx. "A-Are you sure it's—"

"Rookie, between you and Little Man I'd rather have lunch with you," she teased.

"It's okay, I'd rather eat with him too," Ekko shot back.

He giggled at that, feeling a bit better. He looked toward Ekko and asked, "What're you two talking about?" He hoped his question was innocent enough because he was just curious was all.

Ekko looked to Jinx with a knowing smile and shrugged. "Not much, just making idle chit-chat 'bout local stuff." He grabbed a soda bottle and flicked the cap off. "Firelights have been looking into this new gang called the Reckoners. Been causing a lot of trouble for small family owned shops in The Slums lately. Real idiots that luckily got themselves some weapons." He took a sip of his soda and smirked toward Zel. "I recently heard they've been all wiped out."

The boy awkwardly laughed, unsure of how to react to that. Were they allowed to talk about it? Jinx never said!

Thankfully, Jinx chimed in with a—much more genuine—laugh of her own. "Ah, must've been a dastardly brilliant and beautiful woman with a pair of clever and adorable kids!" she remarked with a cheeky grin.

Ekko snorted. "Must've only happened because a certain handsome genius slipped some intel on where to find them?"

"Nah she got it from an idiot instead."

"Hilarious."

"Hey, I did the dirty work so your Firetwerps wouldn't have to."

Zel's jaw dropped, his mind slowly piecing together their conversation. "Wait you—"

Ekko winked. "Just helping out an old friend."

Jinx leaned over and stage-whispered, "By that he means he was a bit short staffed this week so gave me the info and begged me to take care of it 'cause he didn't want his people getting hurt."

"I did not beg," he quickly corrected.

Zel chuckled as Jericho slid his bowl in front of him while placing a plastic takeout bag in front of Jinx. "Sorry, Mom, I'm willing to believe Ekko on that one." He offered a sympathetic shrug before digging into his meal. Ahh, Jericho's after a rough day was great! A bit of catch up passed and halfway through his meal—with Jinx and Ekko long finished—his mother decided to spark another conversation.

"So," Jinx spoke up, pausing to take a quick sip of her own soda, "how's that project of yours going?"

He blushed a bit at the mention of it. "A-Ah."

"Ooh, you got something in the works?" Ekko excitedly prompted, raising his brow.

"N-Not really. I'm actually in a bit of a rut."

"Oh?" Jinx tilted her head.

He nodded. "Yeah. This idea… it's a lot harder than I thought it'd be. Coming up with a schematic or a blueprint isn't going at all like I thought an-and I've been trying to distract myself or gather scrap to hopeful jog my inspiration but nothing is working!"

The two adults seethed, nodding with sympathetic expressions.

"Ahhh, been there, lil' Rook," Jinx sadly replied.

"You have?"

"An Inventor's Block," Ekko supplied, shaking his head in irritation. "Sometimes I can get through them with my usual methods but other times it's like what you're going through right now: a rut."

Zel frowned at that.

He felt Jinx's hand pat his back, bringing him to meet her soft smile. "Cheer up, bud, it's part of the process. I've had many blocks over my years and yet I'm still The Loose Cannon, no?"

"Somehow I don't think those two things correlate," Ekko mused.

"Shush, I'm mothering," she hissed at the man, making Zel chuckle a bit. "Point is, Zel," she looked back at him and grinned, "Don't beat yourself up over somethin' that's not only very normal but also healthy!"

He blinked. "Healthy?"

"Yeah, sometimes blocks are good to get yourself reoriented in other things. Sometimes they happen 'cause you're distracted!" Jinx pointed out.

Ekko snorted. "I'm still baffled I'm hearing you of all people talk about healthy habits—"

"One more comment and I'll wreck your board," she sniped at him.

"You wish."

Zel laughed, enjoying the two's back and forth. His eyes flew toward the Firelight's back. "What about that?" he nodded toward his hoverboard. "That have a block too?"

Ekko chuckled. "Several. This is the primary mode of transportation for us. Had to be fun, safe, and easy to make. Soooo many nights just staring at nothing 'cause I had no idea what I was doing." He shrugged with a smug smile. "And now look at me!"

"Cool," the boy acknowledged. He turned to Jinx and jerked his thumb at the man. "You think I could have one?"

Jinx snorted. "Sure! But ya have to build it on your own with no help from him," she quipped.

"So basically no," he frowned, taking a bite of his last tentacle.

"Not 'no'," she mocked. "Just until you understand how it works. Best way is to make one yourself, right Little Man?" To his surprise, their companion nodded. Jinx must've caught his disbelief as she went on, "It's better and safer if ya know how it functions then use it. Like your undermines or pulse bombs! You don't just set 'em off without knowing how they're wired, right?"

Zel hummed as he finished his meal, eating the last fish as he thought on the two's advice. It made a lot of sense. Knowing how it all works. All so it can make you understand it better. His eyes widened. "Wait!" he exclaimed. "That's it!"

"Oooh, breakthrough!" Jinx cooed.

"I'm honoured I witnessed one!" Ekko remarked.

"If I look at the schematics of my undermine and my pulse bombs, I can make a mock up of what I want from there!" He whooped, pumping his fists to the sky. It was perfect! A great way to reverse engineer the problem and look at it from a new perspective!

Jinx applauded him, whistling with pride. Ekko leaned over and caught her eyes. "Do you even know what he's talking about?"

She shrugged. "Nah, but he's excited and made a breakthrough—all I need to be happy for him."

Zel flushed while Ekko rolled his eyes at that.

"I thought I saw you," came a familiar pitchy voice from behind.

The three turned around and watched as Evi approached from the crowd, shooting them a… skeptical look? Her eyes flew toward the counter and a look of curiosity overtook her.

"Urchin!" Jinx cooed, holding her hands out. "How was the arcade?"

"Sup," Ekko nodded.

She ignored the other two as she crossed her arms across her chest. Evi's eyes fell on Zel. "You guys are eating at Jericho's without me?" Despite being directed to the both of them, she was definitely affixed with Zel.

A touch of defensiveness stirred in him. "Uh yeah? Not a big deal—it just happened." He wasn't stupid though. He knew Evi was feeling left out.

"Your brother was just passing by when he saw Ekko and I chatting," Jinx explained. A pang of guilt dwelled in the boy's stomach because Jinx's assumption was wrong. He specifically came here because of Amy. "Don't worry E, Jerry already whipped up somethin' for ya and we can take it home." She grabbed the plastic bag in front of her and showed her.

Evi furrowed a brow. "What, I don't get to eat here with you guys?"

Jinx's smile fell a bit. "Oh, uh, well we just finished and well, I think your brother wants to head home to put his latest breakthrough to the test." She picked up a small box up off the ground near her feet. "And I think he'll need this, eh?"

Zel's eyes lit up at that. Right! The supply Amy told him about! But… Jinx wanted to tag along with him?

"Zel can take that back with him," Evi muttered.

Jinx furrowed a brow. "Sure, but I also wanna make be around in case he needs my help."

"I thought he was the smart one, since when did he need your input?"

"The fuck's your problem?" Zel blurted out. A wave of nerves swarmed him as he felt Ekko and Jinx's shocked gazes fall on him, but he was busy glaring at Evi. The blonde seemed determined to be a hardass.

Jinx raised her hands. "Guys—"

"Don't be such a baby." Evi scoffed.

"Hey!" Jinx hissed, standing up to her feet. "Knock it off you two."

"Oookay," Ekko muttered. "I think I'll take my leave. Pleasure doing business, Jinx," he nodded at her as he stood up. He shot Zel a small smile while he waved, pulling off his hoverboard with his free hand. "Good luck with that project, dude." He slipped on his mask and disappeared into the crowd.

A moment passed as Jinx sighed and turned to Jericho and paid for their meals. Turning back, she picked up Evi's takeout bag and placed it on Zel's box of supplies. She shot the two a look. "Ready to head home?"

"No thanks," Evi grumbled, taking the bag off the box and turning back. "I'll eat at the arcade."

Jinx sighed again. "E—"

"I'll be back home before it gets too dark!" she shouted as she walked away.

Zel scowled. What a brat. He looked to Jinx's face and frowned at how concerned she looked for his sister. Like she hadn't been giving her all the attention already. He crossed his arms and released a sigh. Jinx turned back and shot him a small smile.

"Still feel like working on your project?"

He smiled. "Of course!"

She took a breath and nodded. "Then let's get going, shall we?"

If Evi wanted to sulk, far be it for him to stop her. He had a project to work on after all.

—EVI—

She practically inhaled her Cutpurse Combo.

"Fuckin' stupid," she cursed, pulling back with a pant. Her eyes flew to the scoreboard. She barely was scraping to ninth place: EVI 3090. She wiped her forehead of sweat with her forearm then pounded her gloves together again, waiting for the machine to reset. She wanted to be better, to get better. Jinx had asked if they wanted her to reset the scoreboard but Evi declined. It was a challenge.

From either place to fourth—as well as second—was the same name.

Vi.

Jinx's sister.

She knew the woman was a good fighter, but the fact that it still remained unchanged was something she wanted to beat. Evi ignored the POW that held third and the top spot of JINX with 5133. Jinx told them that was the only new score added because she had to test that the machine worked. But to be honest, Evi sensed it was because she wanted to beat the score. At first she wanted to make a remark that after a decade the woman could only reach five thousand points but then she tried it.

In the five months they frequented this place, Evi only owned four of the twelve spots on the scoreboard. The last four spots. The last score being 2985. She was barely reaching the three thousands and it was frustrating. Zel didn't even wanna try his hand at it, and she knew it was because he took solace in watching her struggle forward. This woman's score was made when she was Evi's age, and she was hitting four thousand!

A click chirped and Evi threw a punch.

The machine went live and she began quick work. She learned a lot from this device. Dodging and picking your shots, holding a tight guard, it was honestly the best thing in this place. It was her favourite thing. And a great way to work off the hearty meal she just ate as well as distract herself from the annoyances of Zel. That brat.

The machine tilted and sent a jab straight at her. Evi's eyes widened as she tried to duck but fell too short, lining herself up for another jab from the machine. It connected with her cheek and sent her back a few steps, causing her to stumble against the railing. The machine hissed, coming to a halt as it was designed to the second someone was hit head on. Evi scowled at the machine and the scoreboard. She didn't even make it on there this time!

"Fuck!" Evi cursed, throwing a kick with her left leg right at the centre. The machine spurred and threw a punch back. She quickly guarded with her forearms but still fell back, landing right on her ass. It hissed again as it froze and she groaned, slamming her gloves on the ground.

"Good session?"

She quickly stood up from her spot and turned toward the pathway entrance.

It was Zel.

"Oh… it's you," she flatly stated.

He furrowed a brow at her. "What? Am I not allowed here?" He scoffed. "Didn't know Jinx made this place just for you."

She rolled her eyes. "Whattya want?"

"Mom sent me to bring you home," he said as he sat himself down on the couch.

Evi scoffed. "Of course she did." She pulled off her gloves and hooked it on the machine's sides. "What're you doing here anyways? Thought you and Mum were tinkerin'," she childishly said.

"We did. Or well, I did. She just watched." He smiled. "Buuut, we finished and you said you'd come back before it was dark. And I know you can't see the light in here but…" he shrugged.

Janna, his smugness was annoying.

"Guess we should get a clock in here too, huh?"

"I already suggested that when Jinx sent me. She's letting me take care of it! Our space after all—"

"Holy shit are you here to be a pest or can you just go already!" she shouted, stomping her foot.

He scowled at her. "There it is. You wanna talk about why you're so upset?"

Evi gasped. She pointed at the empty box of takeout on the table in front of Zel. "Ya fuckin' ate at Jerry's without me!"

"You still got food—"

"You know that's not the point, Zel," she interrupted as she walked off the platform. "You've been hogging Jinx these past few weeks." There, she said it. "You're just sat there, eating up her coddling and actin' like you need it."

He stared back in disbelief. The nerve of him! "What, like you haven't a princess? You shed a single fake tear and she'll cook whatever you like!"

"She literally spends money getting your scrap!"

"Who's paint cans did she resupply last week? Not mine!"

"Oh fuck off," Evi shouted, kicking her left foot at the railing. A dent was left in its wake as she fell into a heavy breathing mess. Turning back, she watched Zel's eyes. It was borderline near tears but filled with anger. Her heart broke a bit. "Since when did you start feeling jealous? If anythin' it's you who's soaking up all the attention."

"Me?" Zel scoffed, shaking his head in amusement. He shot up to his feet and gestured at her violently. "You're practically her favourite!"

She gaped. "Me?" She rolled her eyes. "Of course you'd think that. If you weren't so busy being such an insecure idiot in your own head you'd see she's always around you."

How could he not see this? For weeks she's been dealing with this and he has the nerve to act like she's being a brat?

"Evi," he softly uttered, "she's always around you. You're her favourite."

She took a deep breath, shaking her head. "If you really think that, why don't we just ask her, huh?"

It was probably the most childish and dumbest thing they'd ever fought about. Back when Evi first lost her leg, she and Zel had a brief fight about her thinking she was deadweight and Zel arguing he was the deadweight even with Evi's injury. But this was something that was purely personal and not all important but she was mad. And she wanted to be right, dammit. The rate at which they sprinted back home, Zaunites would think they were on the run from someone.

They didn't talk at all. And maybe it was a bit of a race—which she totally won because she got to the vault door first even though Zel was the one that opened it. But even if it seemed trivial Evi was convinced wouldn't think much of it. This kind of attitude and thinking was something that'd be right up her alley, right?

—JINX—

"You want me to what?" Jinx exclaimed, turning away from her Chompers on her desk and lifting her goggles. She stared at the kids in disbelief, thinking she misheard their ridiculous request.

"Tell us who's you're favourite," Evi repeated, stomping her foot impatiently as she crossed her arms.

Something was up with her kids.

She developed a good sense for this sort of thing. It wasn't them getting into fights again, she'd notice, but… maybe it was a different kind of fighting. These last few days, it seemed like the two were easily short with each other. It wasn't a completely strange thing to happen, but it was far more frequent than usual. Learning Zel was beating himself up about a new big project, she understood why he was always so down on himself as of late. Evi's frustrations with her body, she understood why she was so agitated about the littlest of things. They both had a lot going on.

Jinx thought sending Zel to their shared private space meant they'd talk, lean on each other. But here they were, standing before her with anger fuming toward the other, looking at her to make a call. It was absurd. Jinx sighed as she rested her arms on her knees. She thought she was getting better at this, but she supposed everyday was a new test. She still had a lot to learn.

They wanted the truth?

Fair.

"I don't have a 'favourite'," she mocked with finger quotes. The looks of disbelief on their faces made her giggle. "That's not a thing! For me. I don't love Fishbones anymore than I love Pow-Pow or Zapper! And I especially don't love either one of you more than the other!" Maybe a younger Jinx would've, but even before she met the kids she could never choose between any of her guns.

"C-C'mon, the way you are with Evi?" Zel scoffed. "You're telling me you don't favour her?"

"Honeslty? Nope. I love ya both equally," Jinx sweetly smiled, "Like any mother should!" The two scoffed simultaneously, as if it was a lie. Jinx felt a bit offended. "Why? Ya think I should?" she remarked. "That's crazy! No parent feels like that!" Or at least, that's what she thought.

And then, Evi said it. "What? Your second dad never had favourites between the four of ya?"

Jinx chuckled, tilting her head up as she thought back.

‹‹POWDER‹‹

"Classic Vi," Mylo wistfully said, leaning into the booth seat, "Eating up Vander Time."

Claggor rolled his eyes, keeping his arms crossed. "We can ask later, Mylo."

He snorted. "Oh yeah, totally, because Vander always makes time for his backup kids."

Powder scrunched up her face, pulling her lips off the straw of her orange juice. "We're not his backup kids."

Mylo and Claggor exchanged a look. Claggor looked uncomfortable, almost like he was trying to silently tell Mylo no, but the other boy scoffed. "If you wanna live in denial, far be it for me to stop ya," he teased.

Denial? "I'm not in denial," Powder pouted.

Mylo looked back at her in awe. "Oh so you genuinely think that we're not? Wow I wish I thought like that."

"What're you talking about?"

"Oh that Vander likes Vi more than us combined."

Powder's eyes widened.

"Mylo!" Claggor chastised.

The boy rolled his eyes. "What? It's the truth!"

"Vi'll be pissed if she heard you."

"Vi knows it's true," Mylo hissed, pointing toward the counter. Powder followed his hand and frowned. The three of them wanted Vander to take them to the market district because they heard about a huge supply of Noxian goods for a steal. But before they could Violet strolled up to the counter and caught the man's ear. He told them he'd only be a moment about like fifteen moments ago. The Last Drop was already closed now and the two were shadow boxing behind the counter, laughing.

She never thought about love being quantified. She looked at her half empty cup of orange juice. But the more Powder thought about it, the more she considered maybe Vander had a bit more for Vi than he did for them. Her eyes glanced at the clock. It was well into the night now. "The stalls probably closed by now," Powder mumbled.

Claggor sighed, bonking his head against the booth seat. "Yuuup."

Mylo looked between the two and raised his hands. "What'd I tell ya?"

Claggor grimaced, sliding out of the seat. "Classic Vi," he muttered under his breath as he made his way to the the door learning to their room.

Mylo sighed, shrugging at Powder. "Classic Vi," he echoed. He stood up and cast a small glare at her sister before following after Claggor.

Powder pouted as she watched Vi and Vander. She loved Vander. Ever since he took them in, Powder thought he was the coolest and kindest person in the Undercity. She knew from how he handled the bar too that he had a kind side to his mean demeanour. But… maybe it was limited. Maybe he could only give so much.

Maybe Vi was the only one worthy of what he could offer?

"Hey Powder!" Violet called out, waving at her. "Where's the others?"

Powder tilted her head toward the door.

She frowned a bit. "Damn, I wanted to let them know Vander's getting us Jericho's for dinner!"

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

Vander laughed. "Of course, everyone's excited."

"Claggor will be," Vi cheekily smiled.

"Yeah, it's his favourite" Powder chimed in.

"I'll go let 'em know," Vi said as she walked toward the door.

Now it was just them.

Powder watched as Vander turned up the last stool over the table. He patted his pockets, no doubt for his wallet and smiled at her once he realized she was looking at him. "What's that look 'bout?" he tilted his head.

She shrugged. "What made you want Jericho's?"

He scoffed. "Me? Nothing. But I know Claggor's been craving it for a while now. Figured since we got some spending coin, it'd be worth a good splurge." He moved back to the counter and pulled out his coat, putting it on as he said, "I might be a while though. I have an errand first."

Powder scrunched her face. "What for?" she said as she kept her lip on her straw.

He dusted off the coat and chuckled. "Benzo said he might've got a good set of lock picks. I know Mylo's set broke recently so I've been meaning to replace 'em." Her eyes widened as dropped the straw from her mouth. Benzo's and the market district were nowhere near close. He'd be going the extra mile literally for this. Vander stopped in the middle of the bar, looking at her confusedly. "You good Powder? Need a refill?"

Powder blinked out of her thoughts and looked down at her drink. It was nearly empty. Before she could say anything Vander was stood before her, pouring more into her cup with a smile. He placed the half empty bottle of juice beside her. "Feel free to finish it," he winked as he tapped the table. "Same rules apply, don't let anyone in and don't leave!" he said as he made his way to the door.

Powder watched in awe as the man left the building. She looked down at her newly filled cup. Her cup. A cup he specifically got her that was made of material that was easy for her to draw on. A cup she didn't ask for but still loved.

A series of whoops and cheers echoed from the door nearby. It seemed Vi told them about Jericho's. Powder wondered if it took awhile because she noticed how down the two were. Yeah, the three of them didn't get to go check out the Noxian stalls today. But Powder still sipped on her orange juice with a smile.

"Classic Vander," she whispered.

—JINX—

"Well?" Evi prompted her, tilting her head.

It was such a distant memory. So small and trivial. But… it just made more sense all of a sudden.

Jinx smiled down at her kids. "Nah. My old man didn't have favourites. I think back then, we all thought he did, but I think it's easier to see someone you love treat someone else better than it is to realize how well they already treat you." She scooted her chair forward and placed her hands on their shoulders. "How I treat you two might seem different 'cause it is! You two are different people! You need to hear different things sometimes." She looked to Evi. "You sometimes need bluntness, 'cause ya can handle that. But you," she turned to Zel, "need to be eased into things. You can reflect and think on things pretty quickly so I let ya. But you," she looked back to Evi, "sometimes need to be talked over with. Different, right?"

Evi scrunched up her face and Zel sighed, nodding. It was starting to get through to them.

She softly chuckled. "You two are my brats. Both equally annoying and both equally adorable." They blushed a tiny tint, Evi averted her eyes while Zel laughed. "But most importantly? You're both equally mine. I mean, that's why you got those tats… right?" She brought her hands down and rubbed their arms, thumbing over their tattoos. She shot a smug look at the two, daring them to deny her.

Instead, the two stared sheepishly. Their faces flushed as they exchanged a glance, prompting more blushing between them. It must've clicked to them now, how silly this all was. They dashed in here with so much energy and aggression and seeing it plateau so quickly must've caught up to them now that they had time to think.

It was silly to think about then, when she was young, and it was still silly now.

"I'm… I'm sorry about what I said." Evi turned to Zel.

He mirrored the gesture. "And I'm sorry. C… Can we just hug?" he softly asked as he held his arms out.

Evi sighed, rolling her eyes as she stepped forward, embracing her brother. Jinx chuckled at the sight as the two stood there, hugging. Part of her wanted to tear up at the sight. After a few seconds, Evi softly said, "You don't have to prove yourself, Zel. You're never gonna be second to me. Because you're my partner." A sob emitted from the boy as he squeezed her harder. Evi's eyes flew to Jinx as she said, "S-Sorry 'bout what I said—"

Jinx just smirked, shaking her head. "It's fine, Urchin. You guys asking 'bout my dads is hardly a sore spot when it means I get to think 'bout things like this," she gestured to them.

The two pulled away and smiled at her. Zel rubbed at his eyes while Evi awkwardly fidgeted with her thumbs.

They needed this moment to themselves.

All those fights these past few weeks were the culmination of these feelings. Feelings they could never have if they weren't living with her. Even if it was a small issue—though it wasn't—Jinx thought it was worth them thinking about more. "You're siblings, at the end of the day," she reminded them gently. "Partners."

"Right," Evi nodded.

"Partners," Zel echoed.

Jinx nodded toward the couch. "How 'bout you two go and sit? I think you could use a bit of a nap. Lemme just finish up here and I'll join you too—mandatory family cuddle time!"

"That… sounds great," Zel replied in between his sniffles.

Watching them walk away, Jinx couldn't help but laugh.

How often did she feel like that when she and Vi had a fight? The awkwardness of trying to make up mixed with the warmth of embracing each other. At the end of the day Jinx knew Vi always meant well and no matter the spat, it wouldn't last. She chuckled.

So what about now?

That question hung in the air for a moment as it hit her.

Jinx's smile fell.

She moved on from her past. Right now, looking ahead, she had a pair of kids climbing into bed and lying down. That was all she could think about now. All that mattered. Months ago, that meant keeping them fed, healthy, and happy. But Jinx learned. There was more to what it took for happiness and health. If her love for them was genuine, she had to learn new skills. She had to make tough decisions with people she hated. She had to let go because she couldn't always hold on. She had to give space. Jinx knew that love… as complicated as it was, wasn't quantifiable.

It wasn't limited.

Her eyes widened.

Holy shit.

How had she not seen it before? After all this time… she's finally got a grasp on it! How could she stand there and preach this about love but stand over hundreds of miles away from her only sister, acting like she didn't exist? Love could be equally split. There was no measure for its limits. She could love all of her weapons the same but have different uses for them. She could think of Jericho, Amy, Babette, and Ekko as friends but have different relationships with them. And she could love both her kids, but tinker with Zel and help paint with Evi.

Just like how Vi could love Caitlyn and her…

Jinx's eyes flew toward the hanging bunny just a few feet away from her. Its soulless eyes locking on hers. Her eyes then flew to the kids, watching them sit on the couch and talk, their usual cheeriness now returned. It was the past now, wasn't it? Was it worth it anymore? Was Topside worth it anymore? She had a bed to climb into and kids to cuddle with! A laugh broke out between the kids and it made Jinx smile.

"We've all had bad days. But we learn. And we stick together."

With a sigh, Jinx turned back toward her desk.

It looked like she had one more quick errand tonight.

—VI—

Stepping into the Kiramman Manor, Vi released a big content sigh. "Janna, as gaudy as it is, I love the sight of our foyer everytime I come home," she said with a joyful smile.

Her wife snorted from behind her, stepping past her in the doorway but not before kissing her shoulder. "You know, I'm starting to think your complaints are your way of hiding how much you love it," Caitlyn mused, hanging her cap on the coat hanger.

Vi scoffed. "Uhh, no." She shut the door behind her. "I just think, after a long day of busting perps and filing paperwork—"

Her wife gasped, making her way over to the lounge area. "You actually do paperwork?" she sarcastically teased.

"—I just like," Vi went on, pointedly ignoring her, "to come home. To a warm and peaceful place. Seeing it all, it's just nice."

Caitlyn smiled at her, holding her arms open. "Well, when you say it like that it is somewhat sweet."

She gaped at her, still obliging her open request as she marched over and enveloped herself in the taller woman's arms. "I'm out here spitting poetry and you say 'somewhat', pfft, unbelievable!" Vi muttered into her chest.

Her wife chuckled, rubbing her back affectionately. "And yet I feel though you're quite comfortable where you are." Vi made no comment as she continued to bury herself further, eliciting a laugh out of Caitlyn. "I'd also say that was hardly poetry," she pointed out.

Vi groaned, pulling her head back with a pout. "Yeesh, last time I try to be sweet and sentimental."

Her partner merely rolled her eyes, unbothered by her dramatics, before parting from her. "Shall I ask the cooks to whip us something up? I believe my parents might still be up—we can try eating together."

Vi shook her head, tucking her fists into her pockets. "Nah, it's late. They're likely sleeping." She shrugged her shoulders, following her wife into the lounge area. "Besides, I already had a late evening meal with some of the guys in the office, so I'm not really peckish."

Caitlyn stopped in the middle of the room, turning her head over. "You ate dinner without me?"

The pink haired woman cringed. Uh oh. "Uhhh, I mean, we can still eat?"

Her wife giggled, covering her mouth as she shook her head. "I'm joking, darling." She turned back to her and shrugged. "Besides, I ate too," she said with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Vi gestured at her incredulously. "Uh-wha… but you—" she resigned to dropping her hands at her sides, accepting her defeat as her wife just smiled at her. She smiled back, easily soaked up by her presence. There was no winking anyway. "I am proud of you for making sure your fed while you work, so silver lining, I suppose," she softly added, smiling even wider.

Caitlyn's eye roll was one of affection, if the smile on her face had anything to say about it. "Shall we retire to bed then?" she offered, holding her hand as she walked over.

Excitement graced past Vi's eyes as she raised her brows. "We shall," she replied, taking her partner's hand. Walking hand in hand, the two ascended the steps. They'd done this countless times for so many years, and yet seeing her wife's smile each time as they walked still made Vi's heart flutter.

Janna, she was such a sap.

The domesticity of their lifestyle made her so happy. It was the fact that as they walked the corridors together, little squeezes would occur between the two's embrace. Or that minor shoulder brushes and quiet hums would occur. They were hardly the only people in the manor, let alone the only people awake. But this routine—which wasn't something they always did—was something that made Vi feel like they were all that mattered.

Okay, yeah she was a mega sap but that didn't change anything!

She looked to Caitlyn and smiled at how relaxed she looked as they walked. Goodness, domesticity was a drug. Arriving at their door, she chanced a quick peck on Caitlyn's cheek, making her chuckle with a small blush.

"What was that for?"

Vi grinned—aware it was most likely dopey—and shrugged. "For being you."

Turning the door handle, Caitlyn offered a mischievous smile. "So what's my reward for being extra me?" She opened the door, letting Vi in first.

She giggled. "Oh I can think of—a bunny?" Vi's face scrunched up in confusion at the toy on the dresser.

"What?" she heard Caitlyn utter.

But Vi felt transfixed on the toy as she walked forward.

Her eyes widened as she neared the bed.

"Oh Janna," she whispered in shock.

"Darling?"

She could barely hear Caitlyn at this point.

On their dresser, sat a stuffed bunny rabbit with a note.

And it wasn't just any stuffed bunny. But the same one she gave her sister nearly two decades ago. One that practically forgot about until this very moment. It looked like how she remembered it, with nothing but the passage of them wearing it down. In front of it, in between its arms, laid a note with noticeable blue smoke clouds coloured around its edges. It was an easily familiar trademark.

It was reckless what she was doing.

She should've been looking around them.

Instead, Vi's hesitant hand flew toward it as she read what was written. In big pink and blue crayon, it said two words.

I'M SORRY.

Vi lowered the note back onto the table, her heart pounding a mile a minute.

"Vi," Caitlyn spoke behind her with a touch of fear and surprise, "what does this mean?"

Vi picked up the bunny, caressing its ears as she shook her head. "I don't know, Cupcake… I don't know." But she did know one thing…

Her sister resurfaced.

---

A/N: Heeeey, it's Vi! (and Cait!)

I hope no one thinks Mylo and Claggor's characterizations were OOC, because it was just an instance. It's just a small moment where they all have a bit of their typical teen insecurities but they obviously care about Vi. They were just bitter then.

This one was a bit of fun in terms of the fighting part, because I was able to use some voice lines from the Runeterra game, much like I did at the beginning chapters of this fic! Here there I've done it, but this one of those times I got to do it more liberally and it was kinda funny for me, heh.

Jinx and Ekko being buddies, I couldn't NOT write the two just vibing! They still have a good dynamic even as enemies so I often enjoy stories that utilize their more friendly rapport in certain exchanges. This chapter was a mix between all three POV's own struggles but also highlighting how well grown everyone is not just as characters but with the background characters and settings they interact with too.

Utilizing a past Jinx/Powder POV was something I had intended for awhile, but Ekko's rewind bit from last chap was my way of exploring that avenue. I was always intrigued by the headcanons of Sevika playing a reluctant, defacto mother-figure in Jinx's life, and I think I'm settled with the idea that it was a sort of "in the past" experience between them. Like a relationship that happened but didn't go as deep as Silco or Vander or Vi, kinda like how Jinx feels about Ekko (in THIS fic, I mean).

Zel and Evi's conflict this chapter, one's insecurity and one's own developmental growth, were aspects of growing up that I wanted to tackle from the moment I actually thought up this fic. I wanted to put Jinx in the awkward scenario of having to be Vander; having her talk calmly and reassuringly but also careful care and thought. I've read a couple Mama Jinx fics of course, but none have actually done the aspects I find endearing about AUs like these in that they challenged Jinx's mother role with legitimate daily issues. This is something I've set up from the start: Jinx's battle with normalcy.

But here, we see she's grown since then and is ready to tackle it head on. Act 2 is a sign of Jinx not only settling but accepting her new life, and with that, it seems she's ready to leave her past behind her. Guess we'll see next time how that works out for her!

We have new cover art now! For FFN readers you can already see the new cover art (or have for a bit longer than Ao3). For Ao3 readers it'll be here. You can go to the post on my Tumblr to learn more about what this next act has in store for us!

Next chapter update: October 12th, likely later that week too. (Sorry it's an extended one, but I need more time because this week's chap got away from me!)

Stay safe and stay lovely y'all.

Until next time,

- Bleh