Chapter Text
“She's the only living suspect we could find,” said the enforcer. “The pink haired one hasn't been spotted yet, but we found the bodies of the other two.”
They had the little blue haired girl in a cell, curled up on a bench sobbing. Anger festered in Viktor's chest. “Let me talk to her,” Viktor demanded, glad that he'd come along with Jayce.
“You're not the victim of the crime,” protested the enforcer. “Your workshop wasn't the one blown up.”
“He can talk to her if he wants,” said Jayce. “I don't care.”
“You deal with the legalities,” Vikt0r muttered to Jayce, “I'll deal with the scared child.”
“Hello,” he said gently as he walked into the holding cell. “My name is Viktor. What’s yours?”
She glared at him and didn't answer.
“I won't hurt you,” Viktor reassured her. “I'm from the undercity, too. Now, what's your name?”
“Powder,” she sniffled. “Am I gonna go to jail?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
She threw her arms around him, catching him off guard as she sobbed. Cautiously he put his arm around her it's all right he said I'll help you
“Please don't leave me!” she wailed
His heart Twisted. “I won't.” He held her tightly and let her cry. “It's alright. Just let it out, little one. You'll feel better once you do.”
He spent several minutes rubbing her back and stretching her while she wept. Finally, the sobs died down as the exhausted girl leaned into his side.
“Lets clean up your face a little,” he said softly. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the tears and grime off of her face gently, revealIng the creamy skin underneath.
“What will happen to me now?”
Viktor spoke without thinking. “Would you like to come home with me?”
Powder nodded vigorously. So he brought her home.
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“This is where I live. I know it’s small, but I’ll be getting a new apartment soon, and then you’ll have your own room.”
“Okay,” said Powder, still clinging to his side.
“That's my bedroom,” he continued, ponyin down the hallway. “And here's the bathroom. Go ahead and take a shower, and then I think you should go to bed. I know you've had a long day.”
She paused, looking at him worriedly
“I'll still be here when you get out,” Viktor promised
After Powder had had a shower, Viktor bandaged her many scrapes. She still didn’t say much, just watched everything he did with wide eyes. He didn’t have any children’s clothes, so he gave her one of his shirts to wear. On her, it was a dress that hung down to her knees.
She stared at him with wide red eyes. Her blue hair, damp and tangled, now hung unbraided down her back. Tomorrow, Viktor decided, he would offer to brush and rebraif it for hrt. For now, he wanted to get some food in her
“Are you hungry?” He asked kindly.
Powder shook her head.
“You should try to eat something anyway. You'll wake up hungry if you don't.” Viktor made his way to the kitchen. “I think I have some fish and chips. Do you like seafood?”
She nodded tentatively.
He warmed it up for her, sat at the counter in silence with her as she ate. She really ontl ate a small amount, picking at it to be polite.
“I'm done. You can have the rest.” Powder pushed the plate towards him.
“Thank you, màly,” said Viktor without thinking. He often talked to himself in Czech at home.
A beat passed. “What does that word mean?”
Viktor was caught off guard, but he answered. “It means little one.”
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“You can sleep here for tonight. I'd let you have the bed, but it would be bad for my leg. My doctor would have my head if I slept on the couch.”
Powder nodded solemnly.
“I promise you won't have to sleep on the couch for long,” Viktor reassured her “Is it okay if I tuck you in?”
She sniffled abf nodded, so Viktor knelt on the ground and pulled the blanket over her, tucking it around her sides. “Are you warm enough?”
She nodded.
“Alright. Goodnight, màly,” he said, smoothing her hair back gently. “Sladké sny.”
*********************************
Viktor awoke to the sound of crying. He jumped when he opened his eyes and saw Powder at the foot of his bed, wrapped in a blanket and sobbing.
“What's the matter?” He asked as he sat up.
“She left me!” Powder wailed. “And, and she said I was a jinx! And there w-w-was a man with a knife and I almost dieeed!”
“It's alright,” Viktor soothed, although he felt disturbed. “You just had a bad dream.”
Powder shook her head. “No, it really happened! That's why I had to cross the river!” Sobbed Powder. “I just wanted to help but I killed them but I swear I didn't mean to!”
Powder's jumbled recollection of events did not paint a pretty picture in Viktor's head. He decided a conversation about it could wait until the morning. Once more, the child threw herself into his arms.
“Shhhhhhh.” He pulled her under his blanket. “You can sleep with me tonight if it helps and explain more in the morning. How does that sound, màly?”
Viktor had never thought he wanted children. He didn't think he'd be able to give them the attention that they needed and deserved since he spent so much time working. He didn't think he was responsible enough to have a child depending on him, but here he was with a little girl falling asleep in his bed. The fact that she felt safe with him actually didn't feel so terrible.