Blisters and Bedrock [Silco/Arcane]

Chapter One

The only sound that could be heard in the canteen was the dripping of the sink and the ticking of the clock on the wall, behind the bar was Vander, washing the dishes of the day, the bar was already closed and inside was only Silco writing in his notebook while eating some porridge previously prepared by Vander.

Then the door opened and I entered.I was younger than both of them, I walked heavily and sat at the bar with a long sigh as I leaned my head on the bar, Vander raised an eyebrow, silco didn't even flinch.

— What's up, did you had a hard day? —he asked as he dried some glasses and placed them on the shelf.

—yes, my bosses asked me to work a double shift... where is Felicia? - I asked about the woman who was almost always at the bar.

Felicia was a pretty girl, skin smooth as milk and beautiful violet hair, she really was a thousand times prettier than me but I hoped they wouldn't notice, she was also older and more mature, apparently vander and silco saw that very attractive, so whenever she was at the bar I was always overshadowed but i cant blame her, sometimes i found myself staring at her too.

- She's out with some guys... I don't think she's coming today. - Silco exclaimed as he finished his notes, without looking up at, I had to admit that silco always made my heart beat faster, but I tried not to call that feeling "love", if I did I would be doomed, and judging from the way his eyes lit up as he talked to Felicia, I was not the cause of his happiness.

The door bell rang indicating someone's arrival at the bar, eyes were drawn to the door where Felicia walked in, her charismatic beauty, she greeted the four of us as she sat down next to me and patted me on the shoulder.

- Well, well, we thought you weren't coming today... - Vander leaned on the bar smiling pleasantly, I smiled too. Quickly Vander nimbly poured a glass of liquor for her, why hadn't he poured one for me? He probably didn't want me to drink alcohol....

- Thanks, I went out with a friend, the moon looked really big today, we should go see it- as soon as the idea settled in her head she stood up and put her hands on the table, jovial- if we go out now we will surely find it at its highest point.

Silco smirked, and vander let out a small laugh, I couldn't go out, after working twelve hours I felt exhausted, but I didn't want to be left behind either so I just looked at my two friends hoping that one of them would refuse or postpone it for tomorrow.

- Why not? The night is young and besides I was tired of being at the bar for so many hours - said Vander as he put on his jacket.

- Come on, it seems we always have to succumb to your whims - Silco rolled his eyes in a mocking way. it was few the times I saw him smile like that i thought.

- Well, enough talk! - Felicia stood up. - Are you coming too Ophel?

I raised my head awakened from my thoughts, everyone was looking at me, my head hurt and I felt a little dizzy, maybe due to malnutrition, I shook my head.

- I worked almost twelve hours... I feel very tired but you go ahead, I'll stay and take care of the bar - I smiled trying not to make a big deal out of it.

- Twelve hours? Your bosses are really exploiting you. - Felice approached with concern— Did they pay you overtime?

- Come to think of it, you never told us where you work. - interrupted Silco skeptically. I stepped back, the truth was that I worked for a well-to-do family in Piltover washing dishes and cleaning, they earned cheap labor and I got a job that gave me a little more than enough to live on, even though I used most of my money to pay rent and buy food.

-It's amazing what Piltover can pay for a little work, isn't it, Ophelia? I mean, who would think that someone like you would work for the Kirammans? - Felice kindly exclaimed matter-of-factly as she tied back her hair.

My eyes widened, Vander and silco turned to look at me, offended? I shook my head as I stepped back.

-N-no it's not that - I tried to speak but Vander interrupted me.

-Is it true, Ophelia? Are you working for the Kirammans? For Piltover? Is that why they always see you crossing the bridge?" he said in a serious tone with a frown.

-It's not a permanent thing. It's just... it's a job. I needed food, resources, and I thought it would be a way to get it, I'm really sorry- I stepped back.

-And you thought working for our oppressors was a good idea? What's next, Ophelia? Handing them information about us? - Silco said coldly. As she approached Felicia stepped between the two of us, silco's eyes softened slightly.

-Guys, I didn't mean to.... I didn't think this was so serious. Ophelia was just trying to help, she has also given money when the bar needs it,— Felice interrupted regretfully.

-What were you thinking, Ophelia? Piltover doesn't see us as equals. We're just tools to them, and you give them control over you? - Vander's look was a mixture of disappointment and anger. Things had escalated too quickly.

- I'm sorry, I just wanted to do something useful, we need money and I thought maybe I could help but... - i tried to speak up but Silco interrupted me with a cold voice.

-Useful? If you were really useful, we wouldn't be having this conversation. All you have done is to show them that they can put a leash around our necks, and you will be the first one to wear it,— his words felt like a punch and I started to see blurry, or maybe it was just anemia, Vander turned to look at Silco and exclaimed;

-That's enough! Not everyone has to be like you, Silco. Not everyone needs to destroy to survive.  - My eyes widened at Vander's words. At what point did the fight shift from me to everyone?

-Oh, right. The eternal protector. Always ready to forgive, even when it's an obvious mistake. Or has Felicia already convinced you to be softer,— exclaimed Silco with a bitter laugh.

-Hey, leave me out of this,— Felicia shouted.

-I'm really sorry, I didn't think it would be that big of a deal but don't fight anymore!- I said pulling Vander's arm.

-You know what really bothers me, Ophelia? — Silco interrumpted me.— That you have the nerve to look me in the eye and tell me you're doing the right thing, when all you're doing is dragging everyone around you down. You're not important, you're not valuable. And there is nothing more pathetic than someone who refuses to see what they really are. - Silco gave me a cruel look.

- Maybe I shouldn't have been with you, I don't belong here, I'm sorry. - And without another word, I left The last drop.

I couldn't believe what had happened, was I so dispensable? I walked through the streets of the subway city, the neon lights of the signs gave away its night life, I got on an old and rusty elevator to the outer part of the city where I rented my apartment, it was not the biggest, it only had a bathroom and a bed. Being so far away Vander used to let me stay at The last drop, but I think it won't be possible today.

The icy air hit my face as I walked next to the river, after a few moments the dizziness came back to my head, I tried to ignore it as I kept walking, without noticing an electric blue liquid fell from the bridge above me, I felt a shock of energy and I collapsed to the ground. what the fuck?

My vision blurred and I lost consciousness.