Revenants - Arcane LOL x Male Reader

Chapter 3

I wake up in a haste, digging my hand under my bedroll as I pull out a shard of metal, jumping to my feet only to be met with laughter.

"Better put that trespasser in the dirt, hey kid?"

I drop it instantly at the sound of the voice alone, "Rud?" still wiping the sleep from my eyes, I drop it back to the floor as he closes the distance, "Thought you were dead..."

Pulling me in for a warm hug, "I'd think that you would have held out a little hope that I didn't completely disappear on you," he then chuckles, pulling away as he ruffles my hair, "Got a little work that needed doing and now I am sticking around a bit longer, gotta keep you safe and all."

I roll my eyes, "Now you are making it sound like you are doing me a favor."

He shrugs, "Not to you but them," he then still smiles at me, "Though it makes me think that you don't really need me around as much now."

I then shake my head, "You are just making it sound like you are ready to run away again," I then drop back down on my bedroll.

He lifts his shoulders, "I can't keep you safe forever, you know?" he then rubs the back of his head, "I love you kid, I'd do anything for you and your parents but as things are standing now... being around me is almost more dangerous than that bridge."

I then sigh, "Picking fights with the surface?"

"Something like that," he chuckles, "Though because of a little stunt by four kids, looks like we all have to lay low. Enforcers will be around town to find 'em and whatever they stole. Those kids are going to be the death of a lot of people."

I then try to defend them, "The cause behind it matters more," I then shut my eyes knowing full well that isn't how I feel, "Yeah... I guess they are a bit ambitious and stupid going out of their way to fight back when the last time we fought..."

He nods, "Yeah... listen, kid, no matter what happens in the future make sure to keep your distance from the Lanes. I know it is like family there but I can tell nothing, and I mean nothing good will come from it."

I then counter, in a sad tone, "Not like you can tell me what to do, you are already ready to leave me."

Then with a sigh, he walks over to me, dropping to his behind, "You already know my reasoning."

"Protecting me by not being around," I then shake my head, "You got a weird sense of being a guardian, Rud."

He then chuckles, "I had a good run, kept you from danger despite you relentlessly chasing it at one stage. Further down the line now you stick with something more suited to you, your family ain't one for fighting wars."

I only nod, "Yeah."

He then nudges against me, "Maybe it just isn't your time yet, most fighters are born from the embers. They never fought a day in their life and yet they were one of the first ones that went to that damned bridge."

"Some heroes," I sigh.

He nods, "We all had hopes... we all dream kid. I just want you to never stop dreaming, carry that smile and move on because a lot of people are going to need it. With everyone so caught up with fighting the surface, people like you will bring them back to reality and maybe save a life."

"If only," I chuckle, "I am just a kid trying to get by knowing only one thing," then pulling the two coins from my pocket, "To keep them alive within the shitty music I play on the streets and hopefully someone feels sorry enough for me to pay for some food," I chuckle slightly.

He nods, "Give it time, kid. You get better only with practice and hopefully one day I can get us a place up there above the blue skies. So just hold out for me, okay?"

I snort, "Quite the dream, almost sillier than my dreams," then with a smile I nod, "Got nowhere else to go. Just don't forget me."

He nods, then lays down on the floor, "So? How goes it with Vander's kids?"

I lift my shoulders, "Same as always. Them doing jobs and me thinking that it can and will only blow up in someone's face... though I guess they might realize soon enough... if the enforcers are going to come around."

He nods, "I was leaning more into if they are decent friends, considering Vander taking care of them."

"He isn't a bad person."

"He isn't a good person, people like him have a blast radius and everyone caught in that radius is sure to be dead. Foul temper but he changed all so quickly it was terrifying to think that that man changed into a beast to 'humble' man."

I then chuckle, "He doesn't like you."

Rud nods, "I know he doesn't. A lot of people don't. But enough of that, what about those four kids?"

I then raise my gaze to the ceiling, "I have been with them since the start, really. It's almost like Vander took me in," I then look at him, "Not that I am jealous."

"Envious, but sure go on."

I roll my eyes, "But I am pretty good with all of them. Not as much with Mylo, we only get into each other's hair but then again Mylo gets on everyone's bad side."

"And the girl?"

"Which one? Powder... well I am just like a 'brother' that you rarely see which she loves to show all these bombs that she is trying to make. Vi-"

"Hmm?"

"We have been close, always have been. Though I just wish she didn't want to change everything so much - I get being unhappy about it but being that insistent on fighting the top side... it is all silly and I wish you would also stop."

He then lifts his hands in defense, "I thought we were talking about them, not me."

"It's like nobody... nobody remembers what happened," I clutch the coins against my chest, fighting back the tears before they could even start, the vivid imagery of the red smoke as fresh as yesterday.

"They will remember," he then stretches his arms behind his back, "You got a little crush on her don't you?"

"Don't you have to abandon me?"

He laughs loudly, "Don't you dare pull that card on me," he then lifts himself to his feet, "But you are right, stay safer than me."

"Not that hard," I chuckle, "See ya around Rud."

He nods, his smile disappears into a slight frown, "I will be there for you."

I hope so.