Silco x Reader

Twenty-Nine

With a sullen look on her face, Jinx sat on Silco's table, in the middle of important papers and construction drawings, while her big puppy eyes looked at you pleadingly.

But you had no attention for her at that moment. Full of disbelief, you stared at the sooty ceiling speckled with pink and blue spots. Cracks were running through the window while dust and the stench of sulfur mingled in the air.

You had to cough, breathing scratched your lungs.

Swallowing hard, you searched for your composure and had to shake your head.

Your gaze turned to Silco, but he was busy calming his nerves with a cigar.

"Jinx.", you looked at her worriedly. "What happened?"

Chewing her lip, she pulled her legs to her chest and rested her chin on her knees.

"He already told you.", she mumbled dejectedly. "Isn't that enough?"

You sighed. Calmness was the best way to talk to children in such moments. Silco obviously had no patience left, but that didn't have to mean he would have liked to tear her to pieces. He just needed someone to take over.

"Jinx.", you stroked her head, noticing that her braids were much better than the ones she had yesterday. "Look at me. Jinx. Jinxie Dinxie."

Annoyed by the nickname, she twisted her mouth, but the hint of a grin was on her lips.

"When are you going to stop calling me that?", she asked, looking up at you.

You had to grin, relieved that she was easily cheered up.

"One day, when I see you all grown up and strong, I will stop calling you that. Until then, you'll stay Jinxie Dinxie."

Playfully, you flicked a finger against her forehead.

This elicited a giggle from her. With a jump, she wrapped her arms around your body and squeezed tightly.

"I only wanted to help.", she murmured. "Silco said he needed special weapons to fight Piltover."

Suddenly Silco stopped smoking. His eyes changed. When his eyes fell on Jinx, surprise appeared in them.

"I never mentioned that in front of you.", he looked at her uncertainly from top to bottom. "Were you eavesdropping on me?"

Hesitantly, she nodded and pointed to the beam hidden in the shadows directly above his desk.

"I was listening from up there."

His gaze followed her finger.

"Then... were you listening to other conversations as well? When I wasn't in the room?"

Again she nodded.

For a moment you looked at him while your hand stroked Jinx's back. He seemed to be thinking about something.

"Little one.", his eyes fell on the girl again. "Would you like to spy for me?"

Your eyebrows rose in surprise. You were about to object when you remembered that she was a master at being quiet when she wanted to be. You yourself had missed her several times, even though you were sensitive to sounds.

Most of the time it was easy to sense the presence of a person in the room, it always felt like eyes were watching you, digging into your back.

But it wasn't like that with Jinx. She was practically invisible.

"You two should discuss this another time.", you looked down at Jinx, who was already rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "It's late, you should go to bed on time."

She pulled a face.

"But I'm not tired yet.", she yawned in the same breath.

Her eyes fell closed and her head tilted against your chest.

You had to smile.

"Shall I?", you gave Silco a questioning look.

But to your surprise he shook his head.

As he approached, the expression on his face was gentle, almost affectionate. But you had to admit that, despite his calm demeanor, he seemed intimidating.

But Jinx didn't flinch as he leaned in and gently stroked her head. She didn't come any closer either, though.

"May I?", he asked.

The question took you by surprise. You didn't expect Silco to ask permission. But at that moment he not only asked, he was also patient.

Jinx looked him up and down and considered. You noticed something change in her eyes as her gaze lingered on the scarred half of his face.

There was a spark of discomfort. But also something else.

Guilt.

She felt guilty that his appearance scared her a little.
But when he held out his hand to take her to bed, she didn't hesitate.

You watched him undo the braids and begin to smooth the blue strands with the brush with surprising new confidence.

This time she didn't nag, didn't resist. Instead, she enjoyed this little moment of beauty care and even closed her eyes this time, as she had done with you.

As he redid her braids she was already fast asleep, even drooling a little over the sheets.

"I'm impressed...", you mumbled, your arms crossed in front of your chest while watching him from the doorframe.

The hint of a satisfied expression appeared on his lips.

"I learn fast.", he said in such a soft manner as if he was afraid one wrong word could wake her again.

"Very fast. I appreciate that. Puts less work on me."

A sound escaped him.

You weren't able to clearly identify it, but you could have sworn it was some sort of a chuckle. Maybe even the closest to a chuckle someone had ever gotten from him.

"You're a good mentor. At least when it comes to kids. As for the doctor part... I'm not sure yet.", his eyes jumped to you, an unsure shimmer in them. "You didn't prove yourself very useful until now."

Shrugging, you rolled your eyes.

"You didn't give me a lot of time to make progress."

"Indeed. And I accept that as a reason. For now.", he threw a quick glance at Jinx before tugging her in. "Now, where were we? I remember you wanted to tell me something before your concern was taken by Jinx's little... attempt to be helpful."

"She tried."

"I know. But we might need to work on... helping her realise when things are appropriate and when not."

Amused, you raised an eyebrow.

"We?", you asked.

He rolled his eyes.

"Yes, we. Obviously, this is nothing that I am experienced in. I know my limits. And it seems you are a reliably ally when it comes to those kinds of issues."