Chapter Text
On his more noble days he considers the repetitiousness of the meetings and the skull numbing drudgery comforting. But his fingers are cramping, head aching, and his teeth are grinding so terribly he has to forcibly remind himself bone is not a replenishable resource. Between the white noise in his head and the booming bass of the nightclub opened much, much too early – for fuck’s sake it’s only 7 p.m. – he misses Jinx’ clomps.
She appears to be unscathed. Well, glancing at the newest holes in her clothes, largely unscathed. He’s going to have to teach her to sew and darn one of these days. But considering how fast she’s outgrowing her clothes it might be a fool’s errand altogether. It’s quite endearing, going with her to the tailor and watching Jinx prod and poke around, picking fabrics and color schemes. He often must reel her in after the fourth or fifth clashing pattern combination, but he can’t say he isn’t proud of her creativity. He’s proud of many things he’s never thought he’d spare a second thought to nowadays, usually regarding her.
He'd always thought parenting would be an abysmal return on investment, but with just one look of satisfaction on her cherubic face, his whole day is made. Speaking of her face…cat that got the cream is an understatement. Jinx’ got her hands clasped behind her and if she’s another glitter bomb on her hands it will be proof once and for all that Janna has it out for him, specifically.
Her soft little face twists gleefully yet she doesn’t make eye contact.
“So,” Silco begins tentatively, “…what did you get up to today?” Wryly he wonders what Vander would think of him now – patiently awaiting to be assaulted by a slip of a girl. Oh, how times have changed.
“Oh, um.” Jinx’ volume is negligible.
Brows furrowing, he straightens up. Few things can make her cower now after nearly a year together. She doesn’t even avoid his gaze like most people do, wide blues shining with a trust and eagerness that makes his ribs constrict around his lungs. Well, she usually doesn’t avoid his gaze. As a thousand things race through his mind Silco shoots up and with a few quick steps makes his way to her. At his proximity the girl twitches minutely, if he wasn’t paying attention, he might not have noticed but at this point he is more in tune with her emotions than anyone else’s.
He drops to one knee, in the hopes of making her more comfortable. If she’s got something unpleasant to share he’d rather not force her to look up at him looming.
As softly as possible he mutters: “What’s wrong, darling?”
Frustratingly, Jinx’s frown tightens further. Usually, Silco would cradle her hands in his, knowing she found it soothing but they’re hidden away. He’s minutes away from breaking into a cold sweat from worry. She’s too young for menses, right?
In one gasp the truth gushes out: “Igotyouapresent!”
He relaxes, thank Janna. Then tenses back up, a present? Jinx has thrusted her hands forward, cupped in her hand is a plastic bag bulging with clear water.
Oh.
Oh, darling girl. In the round, distended bag is swimming a little fish. Rainbow hues color the miniature scales and the critter darts around quickly, looking for an exit that it won’t ever find. Jinx is looking imploringly at him and slowly, gently, as not to spook either her or the fish he cups the bag in his own hands. Humiliatingly, Silco finds that his eyes are prickling.
There is little that compares to the adoration of a soft thing. He knows that now better than ever. While nation building brings with it its own satisfactions it’s more to do with time and effort than altruistic content. He’s labored long and hard for it. It’s his due. But this. This brings about a much different feeling. Jinx is squirming, squeezing, and pulling at her hands. There’s a barely suppressed glow to her, whole being shining with pride and satisfaction.
“Well…do you like it?” Jinx’ voice is soft like the bell on a cat’s collar, and his chest constricts further at the sound. He’s surprised that he hasn’t passed out at this rate. Silco clears his throat, the lump of emotion constricting his voice.
“I love it. How…how did you even think to get me this?”
Jinx shines a thousand-watt smile at him and continues happily wiggling back and forth, reminiscent of a sunflower tilted towards the sun. He will never tire of looking at it, never. Nothing will ever compare to the feeling of knowing that just with his silent affection, he has made her day. Hopefully, she doesn’t know she’s got him wrapped around her little finger.
“Well, I didn’t know when your birthday was. So…” she shrugs, “…I just decided it was today.”
Oh. So, she knows.
He chuckles good-naturedly, plops the bag down on one hand and ruffles her blue locks with the other. Silco sticks the fish bag on the desk between two mounds of paperwork and halfway through turning back towards her Jinx rushes forward, throwing her skinny arms around his hips and digging her face in his midriff. It’s a vice grip, his sides are aching from the force of it, but he would rather pluck out his good eye than reprimand her. He shuffles around until they’re both facing each other, laying down his hand on her head.
“Aa mffph ooo.” Silco bites his cheek.
“I can’t understand you Jinx.”
She lifts her head up and gasps dramatically, as if she’s coming up for air, her face pinking charmingly. Big blue eyes are shining with happiness and he can’t believe–
“I said,” she huffs, “I love you.”
Silco’s eyes widen and his eyes prickle again. Goddamn it. He bends down and begins nosing at her scalp, taking in the scent of the city, gunpowder, and the sickly-sweet shampoo she practically ripped from the shelves in excitement.
“I love you too, kid.”