Chapter Text
Sunday, November 1, Pt. 2
10:45am
“Sevika, catch!”
Silco watches with half his attention as his daughter throws a strange pink fruit at his lieutenant. Sevika catches it just a little too tightly with her prosthetic hand and it explodes in a profusion of fruit shrapnel. She swears, and the woman next to her laughs as she wipes juice, and surprise, off her face.
Jinx dissolves into peals of laughter.
She looks over her shoulder at him, basket swinging off her arm, her features scrunching into a perfect picture of delight. He sends her a small smile in return. Unfortunately, his stomach is too much in tangles to truly enjoy this moment. To engage with her as fully as he’d like.
He's certain by now that the news of Finn and Charles’ arrests, and the story of the shootouts, have circulated through the city. Not to mention her involvement, a mysterious woman thrown unexpectedly into the limelight. An unknown, suddenly at the center of a violent conspiracy.
He uses his cane to push at the squelching chunk of fruit next to his shoe, and sweeps his gaze across the store. Even before his daughter and Sevika’s antics, his strange little family had garnered a lot of attention.
They tended to do that.
But adding her energy into the mix…
She was begging for closer inspection. At best, a passing curiosity.
And at worst?
Someone’s new obsession.
The apple of the Eye of Zaun.
He’d believed that having Finn and Charles locked away would soothe his anxieties about her safety. So why did he feel that she was more at risk than ever?
People were watching her familiar and playful interactions with his family with fascination. In all honesty, he’d much prefer fear. At least fear was familiar. Fear meant safety, a buffer between her and the rest of the world. Not that anyone would be stupid enough to try anything with himself and Sevika in the vicinity, especially considering how rough they both looked.
But idiots exist everywhere.
Like the hapless worker pushing through the side door, the only one brave enough to come to their rescue with a mop and towels.
Silco frowns at the boy – for he is little more than one – who eagerly offers her a towel. She’s still giggling, glowing as she grabs the item from him with warm words and a smile. He can’t hear what she says, but it makes the boy light up.
She says his name – “ Thank you Steven ,” - and puts a hand on his arm. The boy leans forward…
“That will be all, Steven, thank you.”
The boy’s face drains at Silco’s sudden approach. He takes such a hasty step back that he bumps into the display behind him. He stammers, and fumbles to catch an avalanche of apples.
“ – I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to – I I i was just thought I should, you know… do something to help…”
“It’s okay, you’re fine. Really.”
Silco accepts her reproachful glare as she tries to soothe the boy’s anxiety. She sets down the basket to help clean the apples off the floor.
“I'm so sorry, Steven, and thank you again. I really appreciate your help.”
The boy can’t speak, or look at her or Silco anymore. He mumbles something, and picks up his pace. As soon as the last of the apples have been collected he grabs the towels and the mop and beats a hasty retreat.
Maybe he isn't such an idiot after all.
She rises up with a frown. “Why did you do that?”
“To prove a point.”
“A point?” She says with a tinge of annoyance. “To who?”
“We’re already gaining a lot of attention. I didn’t want the world at large to believe we could be so easily approached without suspicion.”
“He was just doing his job.”
“And so was I.”
“He’s a boy, not a threat.”
“I have learned the hard way not to judge a book by its cover.”
“That’s – “
She physically bites back her response, and it looks as if it takes a lot for her to swallow the rest. Her nostrils flare as she purses her her lips, and after several tense moments she turns away with a flash in her eye.
“I’m going to find the nuts.”
“My nuts! Mom, my nuts!” Jinx announces to the world as she bounces after the seething woman.
His daughter links with her free arm as they disappear from the produce section.
He has to work very hard not to follow.
She clearly wasn’t looking for nuts of any kind, considering they were to his immediate right. Either she didn't see them or didn't care.
And perhaps that's the point.
He holds back a sigh.
“Hate to see her go, but love to watch her leave, huh Spisak?”
For once he isn’t actually watching her ass, a fact he chooses not to disclose to Sevika. She wouldn’t believe him anyway.
“I think I'm doing something wrong.”
“No need to panic sir. So long as you stop getting jealous when a teenager has a crush on your girl, you’ll be fine.”
“I wasn’t jealous, I was…”
What was he?
Protective. Worried. Nervous.
“She needs to understand that her behavior towards strangers has to change when we’re in public. Especially considering recent events.”
She snorts. “Behavior? We talking about a child, or a grown ass woman?”
He sends her a look.
“Come on boss, give her a break. She hasn't even had time to process the shit she's gone through yet. And I’m not sure it would change the way she acts anyway. She’s determined to be a fucking sunny delight.”
“I know,” He says wearily. “That’s what worries me.”
“Well maybe worry about it tomorrow. Today she deserves to have a nice, normal time with her sugar daddy."
He rolls his eyes.
"You deserve it too boss. After all, you took a gut full of punches for that woman."
"From you."
"Which is why you, out of everyone in this building, deserves to relax."
“I’ll relax when we return home.”
“Yeah, well I’m pretty sure you can relax now. You’ve got this whole damn place scared to even look at you.”
It’s true. Shoppers are now actively avoiding their little section of the produce aisle. He and Sevika no longer seem to exist except as a black hole, invisible to all save one curious, frog-eyed toddler.
Silco maintains eye contact with the unblinking child until he grows unsettled by the game. He turns his attention to listening for the location of Jinx in the store instead. He can pick her out immediately, somewhere in the frozen food section.
Yes, S he absolutely left without any intention of finding the nuts.
Because she's right. That boy was no threat, and he was being heavy handed.
Because you’re trying to keep her safe.
Because you don’t know how to relax.
Both true, but she didn't seem to like it very much.
Yet letting his guard down in public seemed even less of a good idea now that Charles had proven just how much danger she was in, just for becoming linked to Silco’s name.
Which is what he'd feared all along.
So how, exactly, was he supposed to proceed from here? Was there a way to strike a balance?
It was at least a line of conversation worth pursuing.
“We’ve got the boys outside watching the exits, boss. They’ve got us all covered.”
“Of course. I’m just not sure I remember how to be…”
“Normal?” Sevika sniffs. “Yeah, me either. Seems easy enough though. Just walk around and say whatever shit pops into your head.”
"Hmm," He frowns. He's never been one for holding serious conversations outside of business, and certainly not in public.
“You just gotta practice a little more. Start with your girl. She’s pretty good at catching boring ass comments and turning them into something you can actually work with. It’s some arcane, alchemist type shit.”
She certainly had a gift for making him reveal his vulnerabilities. Which is why he’d much rather be talking with her at home, and not in the public arena. But, if it would help smooth things over with her, improve the mood...
“I’m not sure she wants to talk to me right now.”
“Nah. She was in a good mood before you went all jealous on her. She’ll warm back up. It’s what she does.”
One of her many charms.
New ones seem to pop up every day. He isn't sure his list of positive traits is half as long as hers, or if it ever would be. He's good at what he's good at - An old dog and new tricks and all that. But if there's one thing he specializes in, it's adapting to handle potential threats to his loved ones. Perhaps it's time for him to shift his perspective, and adapt in a different way. To figure out what she needs to feel safe and cared for, and provide that.
Not just to be alert to external danger, but to internal. Because at this current moment, it appears that the closest and most present danger to their relationship is his own conduct.
Don't fuck this up, Spisak.
“I’m not sure how to proceed.”
“Get back on her good side, for a start. Cuz I was lying to Leslie yesterday about being your chaperone."
He raises an eyebrow.
"I’m taking Jinx to hang out with me and some of the boys at cosmic bowling tonight. We won’t be back till late.”
“Well… I won’t tell her if you don’t.”
“You’re not hearing me Spisak," She taps his chest to emphasize the point. "I’m saying you better put that time to good use.”
“If you’re alluding to sex…”
“Me? Never. I'm not a complete moral degenerate. And I don't want to be an even bigger disappointment to Leslie.”
She crosses herself.
Silco snorts.
“But what I am talking about is a real relationship. You know, getting to know her favorite color, if she likes dogs or cats, if she wants kids, what side of the bed she sleeps on, allergies and psychology and all that normal couple, domestic shit. You can’t ride the high of saving her from a kidnapping forever. You should probably get to know your sugar baby a little more before you get to the ‘till death do us part’ side of life.”
It was actually good advice.
Shockingly.
“I didn’t realize you were such a practical romantic, Sevika.”
“Yeah well, I’m not saying you can’t also use that time to kiss and fondle or whatever. So long as you don’t mind Singed watching you through the cameras like a creep. He’s still got a job to do.”
“Yes, we can’t forget the real reason she’s staying with us.”
“One of the reasons,” Sevika lowers her voice. “Come on boss, loosen up. You know she’s gonna say yes.”
“I don’t know that.”
“Don't be stupid. I might act like one of the boys, but I’m also one of the girls. That means I know things, and I happen to know she’s gonna say yes.”
"You spoke to her about it?"
"No. But trust me when I say I've got a good feeling."
He does trust her. And somehow, hearing her say it with such seriousness gives him a great measure of confidence.
“Then let’s hope an opportunity presents itself.”
“I’m sure it will, boss. But if it doesn’t by the end of her stay, then I’ll going to fucking make the opportunity myself. Got it?”
“Duly noted,” He says, mouth twitching before tilting his head to listen, once again, for his daughter. He hones in on her voice, and begins making his way her direction.
Jinx is not difficult to find. And She is right beside her, the basket hanging off one arm as she plays distractedly with her sleeves.
“...And then she was all, ‘ I can’t believe you’ve done this ’, blood pouring from her face. I died laughing!”
Jinx cackles, and S he offers a kind of groaning chuckle, sounding more anxious than amused as She asks, “Was she okay?”
“Oh totally! They gave her a band-aid and a cherry lollipop at the nurses office, so like, she was cool. And we went back the next day to try more ollies and stuff… Oh hey dad!”
Jinx salutes, and S he turns to smile at him. It has some of its warmth back.
He takes a few stilted steps forward, but stops just shy of arm's length.
“Umm Jinx," She says after a moment . "Why don’t go find Sevika go see what else we should get for dinners this week.”
“Okay, I see how it is. You hate me and want me to leave.”
“Of course not. I love you so much.”
“Yeah, okay fine, I know. I'm just making sure.”
Jinx gives H er a hug, Silco a quick kiss, then flits away, singing Sevika’s name as she disappears into the crowd.
She watches his daughter go before sending him a questioning look. “What’s up?”
His fingers start fiddling with the wolf’s head of his cane as heat creeps up from beneath his collar.
Yes, what is up?
Only that this felt so much more difficult than it needed to be, because conversation without a purpose felt pointless. But maybe he shouldn't think about it like that. The point was to assess a threat. A mercenary thought, but it helped him form a kind of plan.
He should probably apologize, then ask her questions. He was her weakness. She'd admitted that. So it wouldn't take much to get back on her good side.
Be a normal person, relax…
He takes a deep breath in and out through his nose to steady himself.
But the pause after her question has stretched too far, and his stare has gotten too long. She’s beginning to look awkward, messing with her sleeve again, basket switching arms, eyes darting to the side with a kind of unsure smile.
Just say something you old fool. Anything!
“Have you gotten everything you need?” He blurts out at last.
“Oh! Yeah, I mean pretty much. I just forgot the nuts. I guess they were over by the fruit.” She offers a breathy laugh. “I was just, you know…”
“Distracted. Annoyed by my boorish behavior.”
“What? No! Well I mean, I did think you were a little hard on that kid.”
“Yes, I know. I was, and I’m sorry. I worry about your safety, and am still figuring out how to be less..."
"On guard? Stressed out?"
Compassion swims in her eyes.
Of course she understands. Even if she doesn't like it, she always understands.
Don't fuck this up.
"I guess I’m simply not sure how to be normal.”
She wrinkles her nose. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m not really sure how to be normal either.”
“Well then. It’s good to know we have something in common.”
“Yeah, I – yeah.”
She blinks, and can't seem to find a reply. He has no idea why this comment stymies her.
He clears his throat. “And perhaps we also share a desire not to have these kinds of conversations in the middle of grocery stores.”
Her laughter at least comes easily.
"Yeah. I guess I'm not good at small talk. At least with you. I um... I tend to want to go straight to deep diving. Even if it means talking about your greatest fears next to a freezer section full of chicken nuggets."
She looks embarrassed at the admission.
His lips twitch.
"Yeah I know, it's very chill of me," She smiles ruefully. "I just like to know how a person thinks. How you think. It helps me, you know... feel like I understand you better."
"So you can manipulate me."
"What? No! I - "
Her eyes widen when she realizes he's teasing her. The shock makes her laugh even harder. He leans forward automatically as she reaches out to grab his arm. He fights to steady himself, a smirk tugging the corner of his lips.
"So, you think manipulating me is funny?"
"Absolutely not!" She says unconvincingly, between chuckles. "I just think the psychology of people is fascinating. Like, what makes Silco, Silco? I like trying to figure you out so I can be, you know... useful."
"Useful," He hems. "Such a utilitarian word."
"Yes, well... it's fitting, don't you think?"
"Yes. But I also believe savior is a better, more fitting descriptor."
"Oh no, don't tell me that! I've worked hard to kill my savior complex."
"How about a Godsend, then? Jinx believes you're an angel. I happen to agree with her."
She dips her head, blushing.
Silco extends his arm towards her. She looks surprised, but her smile is pleased as she takes it. He leads her at a slow pace, arm in arm, and when they reach the end of the aisle they stop to allow a mother with a cart to pass.
Inside is the strangely bug-eyed child.
Silco could never get a good read on children his age.
He and the toddler engage in another staring contest until the mother blocks him from view.
Unsettling child.
"What a funny kid," She comments.
"Yes," He holds back a shiver. "Do you like children?"
"In general or like... do I want to have children?"
"Both."
"Oh. Well... I wouldn't mind having my own kids, but I've always thought adoption would be cool."
"That's a relief."
It slips out by accident.
He feels his face redden. She bites her lip, but it can't hold back the smile.
His stomach flutters as he rushes to fill the silence. "Of course I've never really seen myself as much of a father, and Jinx informed me recently that I could have done a cleaner job. She was referring to Sevika of course. With herself she told me I ' Ate ' and she had ' No notes '."
She throws her head back to release the biggest, most sincere laugh yet. He feels like he could get drunk off the sound of it. Contentment deepens when she tucks herself even closer to his side with a sigh.
"This is really nice."
"Yes. It is."
He can feel his shoulders losing some of their strain. After a moment or two of comfortable silence she starts sharing her thoughts on Italian food, and how she believes it's a scam. Especially frozen. He agrees, with the noted exception of wine.
They meander over to examine alcohol.
"I'm pretty unscientific when I choose wine. I just pick the one with the cutest label, and the most middle of the road price point."
"I've discovered that the simpler the label, the better the wine."
"I'll have to take your word for it."
"No need," He pulls a bottle off the shelf. "Take this Prosecco. Very clean label, and simple type font. I think you'll find it's more well-rounded and fuller bodied than the flashy one currently in your hand."
"You're so competitive."
"Not necessarily. I simply do my research."
"You're the only man I know who can say something like that, and I actually think it's attractive."
"Competence is usually considered attractive."
"What a humble brag."
"I'm not bragging. I'm simply confident in my decisions, and there's a competence/ confidence loop that is generally appealing to women."
"...I don't know, I think you might be bragging a little bit."
"Only because you find it attractive."
"Oh my gosh," She smacks him lightly on the arm and shakes her head with a laugh.
She's blushing quite hard.
He smirks.
What did they call this kind of thing? Domestic bliss?
If this is normal, its not so bad.
He's quite willing to practice this life now, and every day going forward, so long as she's next to him, sharing it with him.
So don't fuck it up, Spisak. Make it happen.