Chapter Text
-PROLOGUE-
[TROUBLE]
—
A girl with shoulder-length black hair seemed to be around fifteen, walking through the red smoke from the protests. She walked with her guard up, prepared to attack anything that jumped out at her from the mist. Yells and gunshots can be heard from a distance. She started to pick up her pace to get back to the underground; Zaun. Not long before, Vander and her went out to help fight. Soon to be separated from each other, the riot was held on the bridge that connected Piltover and Zaun.
The fire crackled around her as she looked around sharply. As her senses heightened as she looked for Vander. Soon, she spotted a body on the ground, not too far from where she was standing. In an instant, she started to sprint towards the lying body, thinking it was Vander. It made her heart drop.
Within a blink of an eye, she was shoved to the ground by an Enforcer. Backhanded, leaving her cheek to bruise. Pointing the rifle to the black-haired girls’ forehead, kneeling as she grunted. Her eyes pierced the enforcer before grabbing and pushing the rifle up. A gunshot rang out as she tackled them down. The shot merely grazed her cheek.
The girl cupped her hands together as she straddled their waist. Raising her hands high above her head, yelling as she brought her balled fists down upon them. Blood covered her hands as she stood up from the unconscious body. She panted softly as she stumbled. “Vander..” she muttered.
Footsteps. Heavy steps can be heard behind her right as she lets her guard down. The girl spun around quickly, her hair sways as she did so. Her [E/c] eyes widened with fear before softening as the large figure walked towards her. Vander. Vander was tall, and his body looked like he was made of stone. His had licked back hair that was a dark shade of brown, as well as some facial hair, and lastly, he had huge metal gauntlets.
The girl quickly rushed to the man's side as the enforcer that had gotten their face bashed in got up. Vander stood protectively in front of the girl. The Enforcer lifted up the rifle at the muscular man, and Vander then charged at the Enforcer, picking them up, giving them a brutal punch to the face. Throwing them to the ground, grunts can be heard from the Enforcer as he punches them in the face again and again till they're out cold. The black haired girl turned around, spotting two kids not far from her.
She looked back at the man as she rubbed her knuckles. He looked at the two, one of them had pink hair and blue eyes, and the other had blue hair and blue eyes. The man turned to them, standing tall, the pink haired girl stood protectively in front of the smaller girl. The man started to walk towards them as they realized he was not a threat. The pink haired girl looked around and then looked up at him as if she were looking for someone. He turned his head slowly, gesturing to an area where they might be.
Soon, the red smoke started to clear. The girl heard two thuds hit the floor. She turned around seeing Vander had taken off his gauntlets and picked up the two girls. He then turned to the black haired girl before saying, “You did good, kid.”
—
Two years later…
—
I leaned against the bar as Vander served drinks. I tried to take a drink but would always get caught by Vander. I groaned, muttering underneath my breath. I watched as Vander poured drinks for a guy in glasses. Four-eyes, Huck, seemed rather happy…
My eyes followed four-eyes as he clumsily made his way back to his table, talking to some… shady individuals. I ran my fingers through my [H/C]-hair, running out the tangles as my eyes drifted over to Vander. Seeing he was already assessing the scene.
Not a while after, I find myself following Vander to the table where four-eyes and his “friends” sat. Tilting my head as Vander spoke, “You folks need anything?”
“Leave us.” The bald-headed man grunted, not even spearing Vander a glance.
“You sure about that?” Vander grumble, “Sounded to me like–”
“Piss off.” The woman snapped, making me glare at her. I took a step forward to speak, but Vander gestured for me to calm down. So I did so.
“Ah.” Vander murmured, turning around to leave. My eyebrows frowned, but I stayed still, crossing my arms under my chest. A chair scraping against the floor a second after.
“I think I know what you need.” Vander spoke in a matter-of-factly tone.
“You don't seem to listen, barman–” the woman growls.
“A bit of advice.” I murmured, leaning my weight onto one leg as I leaned in slightly. Staring at her through my eyebrows.
“Don't threaten the guy who pours the drinks.” I gestured behind me, everything quiet down in the tavern. Everyone stops what they are doing, watching the scene before them.
“So you're Vander.” The bald-headed man said, leaning against the table as he looked at Vander. I then pushed myself from the table to stand beside Vander and rested my elbow on his shoulders. Vander lit a match while he brought his pipe to his lips, sucking in the smoke.
“Hound of the Underground. I expected something… younger.” the woman mocked, glancing at me before looking back at him.
Vander leaned back in his chair before mocking back, “We were expecting traders who would honor their word, so I guess we're all disappointed.”
“You got us all wrong, my friend. We were just… negotiating.”
“Now you're speaking my language. How about you just give Huck the rest of what you owe him, and I'll let you walk out of here in one piece?” Vander said, pretty generously as Huck sipped his drink.
“Do we have a deal?” I grunted while Vander handed over the pipe to the woman. She sighed, taking the pipe while looking straight at Vander before immediately coughing.
“This is vile,” She choked, handing the pipe back.
“You'll learn to love it.” Vander finished; I tapped his shoulder gesturing to the four who just walked in.
“I'll go talk to them.” I mumbled, fiddling with the helm of my shirt as my eyes met Vi's hooded gaze before she immediately looked away.
I walked down the stairs that was past the bar, once reaching the bottom of the stairs I slowly opened the door to the room as I quietly made my way inside.
“Vander learns none of this.” I heard Vi say defeated.
“No worries there. Powder took care of the evidence.” Mylo grunted as he kicked his feet up. I silently shut the door behind me before slowly walking down the steps.
“I tried, okay? You don't get it. You're older, you're bigger.” She stuttered an explanation, “-It, it isn't fair.”
“So, stick with us! Take a punch or two.” Mylo snapped.
“What was this about not telling Vander?” I murmured, making myself known as the last step making them jump.
“W-what? Nothing. It's nothing.” Vi stuttered as soon as she spotted me, turning her gaze away from me. Flustered much?
I looked all of them up and down, smelling the sewer and an ungodly stench on them.
“Damn, you guys smell like shit. What happened, buttercup? Got your ass handed to you?” I laughed half-heartedly with playfulness' with no real harm, I walked towards the middle of the room, rubbing the bottom of my nose with my finger.
“You all, go get yourselves cleaned up, or something.” I looked at Mylo, Claggor, and Powder, giving them a soft smile before turning my gaze back to Vi. They all stood up to leave but placed a gentle hand on her shoulder to stop her in her place.
“Sit down.” I said, gently gesturing back to the chair she once sat in.
“But, why-” She protested before I cut her off.
“Sit down.” My eyebrows frown before softening as she sat back down with an eye roll.
As soon as the three left, I grabbed alcohol and a semi clean rag and sat on the coffee table in front of her. Slightly dousing the rag.
“Look at me, buttercup.” Gently cupping her chin with my thumb and pointer finger to turn her face towards me, "Please?" I whispered.
“Mind telling me why I heard about an explosion?” I could feel her eyes scan my face for any anger or annoyance, but there was none, lightly dabbed her scared eyebrow with the cloth.
“We… we got a tip for Little Man. He gave us the right route to take. Everything was perfect. Till…” My eyes softened as they finally met hers.
“Hey, it's okay. Mistakes happen. I'm sure it's not Powders fault. Look… I'm not mad, I understand. I did that once too, well… not exploding a building, anyways I'll tell you, Vander was pissed. Trust me, everything will be fine.”
I pat her cheek affectionately as I finished cleaning her wound.
“Next time, think of the others, think of your sister, Vi. That was reckless and dangerous. But if you wanna go to a job like that again, take me with you.” I muttered, standing up from my spot.
“Hm, but you did land a few good hits in... Yes?” putting away the bottle and tossed the rag to the side.
Vi chuckled slightly, “I sure did…”
Just then, Vander came in.
“You two, alright?” Vander asked as he walked down the stairs.
“Yup, I just finished cleaning, buttercup, over here, up.” I murmured, putting the bottle back on the shelf.
“Good.” Vander said, putting his hands behind his back as he walked around the couch towards me and Vi.
“I don't suppose you can explain why it is that I'm hearing about an explosion and a foot chase topside. Four children fleeing the scene.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “What the hell were you thinking?”
“That we can handle a real job.” Vi defended.
“A real job?”
“We got our own tip, planned a route, nobody even saw.”
I turned around to head back upstairs quietly.
“You blew up a building.” Vander exclaimed.
“That wasn't…”
“Did you even stop to think about what could have happened to you? Eh? To them?” Vander let out a heavy exhale. Just as I was about to open the door to leave, I got stopped by Vander.
“Where do you think you're going, [Name]?”
“Uh, to uh, you know, clean up the others… and um watch the bar. Ya know.” I leaned against the door, knowing that he was going to make me stay.
“Did you know about this?” Vander grumble as he rubbed his forehead.
“No, of course not. If I did, you know I would've gone with them.”
He looked at me, then back at Vi sitting down across from her on the table.
“Where did you even get this tip?”
“We heard about it from Benzo’s shop.” Vi muttered.
“From?”
“Little Man.” I answered for her, recalling when we were hanging out with a Little Man. I sighed, shaking my head slightly.
“I took us there. If you wanna be mad, be mad at me. But you're the one who always says we have to earn our place in this world.”
“I also told you time and time again the Northside’s off-limits. We stay out of Piltover's business.”
“Why? They got plenty, while we're down here scrapping together coins.”
“I mean, buttercup gots a point, Vander.” I defended as I put a hand on my hip.
“Stay out of this.” Vander said sternly. I put my hands up in defense, shrugging my shoulders.
“When did you get so comfortable living in someone else's shadow?” Vi stood up, raising an eyebrow as Vander went silent.
“You out, go watch the bar. But no drinks for you.” Vander ordered.
I grunted, “Fine.” I slowly made my way back upstairs before speaking up again.
“But if someone offers me a drink, I'm taking it.” Then I left before Vander could argue.
—
Vander soon came back up with Claggor, “Close up soon, [Name]. Don't want you in trouble.”
“Hm, I thought I was trouble.” I murmured snarkily back as Vander chuckled at my words before leaving.
—
[Name] closed up the tavern before heading downstairs to Vi and Mylo. I sat down on the couch, legs spread, crossing my arms as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I groaned as I heard Mylo continuously throwing the ball he had at the vent on the wall.
“She's a problem.” Mylo spoke.
“Mylo, I'm really not…” Vi spoke before getting cut off by Mylo.
“Do you remember what was in that bag? The biggest payout we've ever seen and she just lost it.”
“She made a mistake, ass-hat” I muttered underneath my breath, causing Mylo to glare at me.
“Name one time she hasn't.”
“She's young.” Vi argues.
“Don't bullshit me. You were twice the person at half her age.”
“You know what, Mylo? You're right. There's a bunch of things Powder just can't do.” Vi's voice dripped with sarcasm.
“You don't have to tell me twice.”
“Like complain about everything.” I muttered, laying down on my back and staring up at the ceiling.
“What?”
“And brag nonstop.” Vi added.
“Okay, okay, I see where this is going.” Mylo threw the ball at the vent one more time before Vi caught it as I watched the scene in front of me.
“Pick fights with the group when we need to focus.”
“Vi, I…” He chuckled nervously.
“And tell strangers on the street that we got a nice haul?” Vi glared at him as she threw the ball at the floor, heading my way, catching it, and threw it up at the ceiling and catching it once more.
“-I, I didn't mean to–”
“Powder's my problem, okay? Your problem is never knowing when to shut up. But I'm going to help you with that. Ready?” She said with annoyance, and she shoved her finger in his face.
“You see this look on my face?” She then pointed at her face, I couldn't help but whistle as she continued, “This will always mean it's time to shut up.”
“But… I…” Mylo tried to defend himself before he got cut off by Vi waving her pointed finger at her face. I chuckled at the scene.
“You're cute when you're annoyed, buttercup.” I teased, almost like I wanted her to be mad at me instead. I laughed softly as I heard her groan. With that, I sat up, got off the couch, and quickly made my way out.
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[Wordcount]: 2484
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