Every Rose Has Its Thorns
Chapter I:
Powder swore the air crackled with more than just the usual energy today. Maybe it was the way the sun rose this morning, filtering through the network of pipes and bridges, painting her workshop in a burning orange hue. Perhaps it was how her breakfast of jam and toast had literally exploded in the toaster, leaving a delightful scorch pattern on the ceiling. Or maybe it was the fact that her latest obsession, a miniature mechanical bird, was stubbornly refusing to fly.
"Come on, you stupid paperweight," she muttered, adjusting a tiny gear with a grimy finger. "Don't make me break out the pliers."
Powder was a prodigy, by all standards. Where others saw scrap, she saw possibility. Discarded cogs became clockwork, broken pipes transformed into makeshift flamethrowers, and even the most mundane metals could be coaxed into powering her fantastical creations. Vander always liked to tell her she was destined for greater things, but Powder couldn't care less if her inventions never left the confines of her workshop. She was happy with her life. Content. At peace. After everything she'd been through, all she craved was the quiet satisfaction of creation, the thrill of seeing something born from nothing but her own thoughts.
Today, however, the universe seemed determined to thwart her. The bird remained stubbornly earthbound. With a frustrated sigh, Powder flopped back against a pile of discarded circuit boards, accidentally elbowing a half-finished bag of candies.
"This is hopeless," she grumbled, popping a fizzing blue candy into her mouth. "I should just start over."
She blew a strand of her hair out of the way, her fingers flitting the single streak of crimson that stood out amongst the blue. Outside, the sounds of Zaun buzzed and hummed – the rhythmic clang of metal from the workshops, the cheerful chatter of vendors in the marketplace, the distant rumble of a passing wagon. With a sigh, she pushed herself away from her work, stretching her stiffening back.
Maybe Claggor was right, all the hunching she did over her workbench would have her walking like Benzo before she even turned twenty.
A sudden crash from outside her workshop made her jump. It sounded like... a dumpster had just had an unfortunate encounter with a very large, very angry something. Powder scrambled to her feet, cautiously peeking out the door.
But it was just a scrawny alley cat, its fur bristling as it hissed at a fallen stack of crates.
"Aw, you poor thing," Powder cooed. "Did you get spooked?" She tried to pet the cat, but it darted away, disappearing into the maze of alleyways. "Okay, fine, be that way," she muttered, turning to go back inside. But in her haste, she tripped over a loose pipe, sprawling onto the cobblestones with a yelp.
"Ugh!" she cursed, rubbing her elbow.
It appeared that clumsy Powder was here today too.
A voice from behind her made her jump. "Need a hand?"
Powder whirled around, a small wrench appearing in her hand like a weapon. Standing nearby was an Enforcer, leaning against a wall with an easy grin. He had that kind of effortless confidence that Powder usually associated with them, the kind who swaggered around like they owned the place. But he wasn't stiff and imposing like the others, he looked more like a Zaunite boy playing dress-up than an instrument of Piltover's authority.
"Who are you?" Powder demanded, wiping the embarrassment off her face as she picked herself up.
"Name's Percy," he said, pushing himself off the wall. "Heard you were a mechanic?"
Powder narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"
It wasn't the first time some lovestruck boy had stumbled into her workshop. However, they usually weren't dressed in royal blue and gold.
She watched as Percy reached into his pockets and revealed… a pen, out of all things? To be fair, it was a pretty pen, crafted from what looked like aged bronze.
"Can you fix this?" Percy asked, showing that the cap was damaged and wouldn't stay securely on top.
"A pen?" Powder scoffed. "Seriously? That's what you need help with?"
Percy sheepishly shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, it's my lucky pen."
"An Enforcer with a lucky pen? I've seen it all now," she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.
"So is that a yes?" Percy asked.
Powder hesitated. "Why don't you just get a new one?"
Percy shook his head. "I have to use this one."
Powder crossed her arms, unconvinced. "It's just a pen."
Percy smiled, and Powder couldn't decide whether she thought it was cute or unbearable.
"It's more than just a pen," he insisted. "It's... sentimental."
Powder hoped her eye roll was as clear as the blue sky. "Sentimental? Really? That's the best you've got?"
"Fair enough." He sighed, and she almost felt bad at the defeated look he gave. "Look, I know this is a strange request, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important to me. Can you fix it or not?"
Powder studied him for a moment. His shimmering green eyes seemed out of place in an Enforcer's face, and his unruly mop of black hair defied any attempt at regulation. He wasn't what she'd expect from an Enforcer; he wasn't bad looking either.
"Fine," she conceded, taking the pen from him. "But if this turns out to be some elaborate prank—"
"It's not a prank, I promise," Percy interrupted, his voice earnest. "Thank you…?"
"Powder." She answered, heading back inside her workshop, leaving the door open for Percy. He lingered awkwardly by the doorway for a moment before stepping inside.
Powder examined the pen, turning it over in her hands. It was heavier than she expected, but by all accounts, it was just a pen. A very fancy, slightly broken pen.
She grabbed her welding goggles and a miniature blowtorch, settling down at her workbench to mend the cracked cap.
"You're good," Percy commented, nodding in approval as he watched the blue flame dance across the bronze.
"Thanks," Powder muttered, her focus intent on realigning the tiny cracks.
"So," Percy said, leaning against a nearby shelf overflowing with spare parts, "you spend a lot of time in here?"
Powder gestured around the workshop with the torch, scaring him in a way that made her feel satisfied. Other tools were scattered across every surface and half-finished projects lay abandoned in various corners. It was chaotic, messy, and undeniably hers. "It's where I belong. I like building things, fixing things. It's what I'm good at."
"I'm good at breaking things." Percy offered.
"Wow," Powder deadpanned, "I'm so surprised."
"You're not from Piltover, are you?" she asked suddenly, meeting his look.
Surprise flitted across Percy's face. "What makes you say that?"
Powder shrugged. "You just... don't seem like the other Enforcers. You're more relaxed, less... of an asshole."
"No I'm not," Percy threw his head back and laughed. "And I'll take that as a compliment," he said, and Powder pretended to not notice the twinkle in his eyes.
"Though, I am from Bilgewater, so maybe you have a point." He added.
Powder removed her goggles. "Bilgewater?" She'd heard stories about the port city, mostly about smugglers and pirates, but she'd never met anyone from there before. "What are you doing all the way over here?"
Percy scratched the back of his neck. "My parents moved here when I was really young. I don't remember much about it, to be honest." He gestured vaguely towards his face. "That explains it, I guess?"
Powder had to admit, his tanned skin did seem out of place here. She could imagine him more on a ship on the high seas, rather than patrolling the mundane streets of Piltover and Zaun.
It wasn't long before she finished mending the pen, carefully polishing the bronze until it glistened. She handed it back to Percy, who beamed with delight.
"It's perfect," he said, examining the repaired pen, carefully capping and uncapping it. "Thank you. Can I pay you back?"
Powder waved him off. "Don't worry about it. It was just a pen."
"Just a pen?" Percy pretended to faint, and his acting as the worse she'd ever seen. "But seriously," his expression softened, "Thank you. It means a lot to me."
He lingered for a moment, then turned to leave. As he reached the doorway, he paused and looked back at Powder,
"I'll see you around sometime? Maybe?" he asked.
Powder scoffed playfully. "Doubt it," she said, waving at her workbench. "I've got a big inventor's show coming up, and I'm practically living in my workshop these days."
"Oh, right," He almost sounded disappointed. "Well, good luck with that."
Powder hesitated. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't want him to leave just yet.
"Actually," she said impulsively, "you're welcome to come to the show, if you'd like. It's next week, at the Innovation Hall."
Percy's face lit up. "Really? I'd love to!"
"Great!" Powder said, finding it impossible to keep a smile from spreading across her face. "I'll save you a seat."
Percy beamed. "I can't wait."
Powder felt her heart skip a beat. "But I'd lose that uniform if you come, if I were you."
"Why? What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Percy asked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
Powder swiveled in her seat, tapping her knee. "Do I really have to explain? You're lucky to be standing here still." She paused, her gaze fixed on Percy's. "I shouldn't even be talking to you. Don't make me change my mind."
Percy's grin widened. "Sure thing."
And with that, he was gone, leaving Powder alone with her thoughts and a fluttering in her chest that had nothing to do with fizzing blue candies. She glanced down at her grease-stained overalls and the chaotic mess surrounding her, a sudden wave of self-consciousness washing over her. Maybe she should tidy up a bit before the show. And maybe, just maybe, she should consider wearing something other than her usual work clothes.
Author's Note:
Yeah, I'm actually addicted to Arcane right now, I cannot lie. I love Powder/Jinx's character. Hope you enjoyed this one :) It's going to be heavy on the fluff, no holds barred. Already got chapters stockpiled up, so updates should be decently consistent.
For my PJO audience, can't recommend Arcane enough. If you're curious what Powder's character looks like, just search up Powder Season 2 episode 7 for this version of her character. For my Arcane audience, yes I am working within that specific world.
Please leave me a review! Check out my other stories :) Can find me on discord!