Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Wait I know you!”

When Viktor said he might have a solution to their funding issue Jayce hadn’t known what to expect. But it wasn’t the back entrance to a bar in the Undercity and a blue-haired girl he had been told he must have hallucinated.

The girl staring up at him is definitively the one he saw in his old lab at the Kiramman’s right before the explosion that changed the trajectory of his life though.

Which means that Cait had been lying about being the one to accidently cause it. And Jayce had been right that there were others there.

“Powder who are you talking to?” another voice says from inside the bar and a pink-haired girl appears behind the other. A girl around the same age as Cait is. 

Alpha Jayce picks up off her scent but she’s young enough that it’s not the full alpha scent. She definitively has the protective edge of it though, unlike Cait’s whose omega scent has gotten any of the real trademarks of the designation other than just a nebulous fact she is one. People grow up faster in the Undercity Jayce supposes, especially when they have younger siblings to look after.

 Although now that he thinks about it more there is something about both girls’ scents that he sometimes would catch on Viktor’s as well.

“Viktor! Why are you here?” the pink-haired alpha says, suddenly breaking into a grin before peering at Jayce with knowing suspicion. “With a Piltie alpha?”

“I need to talk to Silco,” Viktor says, going to walk in only to be stopped by the blue-hair girl. Powder the older one had called her.

“You have to pay the toll first,” she says, her arms crossed.

Jayce almost goes to dig through his pockets for some money but Viktor’s sigh stops him.

“I was in a bit of a hurry, I, ah, forgot your present this time sorry,” Viktor says, “next time, I will bring you something to make up for it.”

The little one pouts and the young alpha rests her hands on her shoulders and seems to try and lead her away.

“You can’t expect a present every time Viktor visits,” she says and the little one seems to contemplate it for a moment.

“Fine,” she declares. “I’ll tell Dam you brought home a Piltie boyfriend then.”

“Wait- Powder- Don’t!” Viktor takes a step as if to chase after her but he doesn’t stand a chance, the girl off like a shot. Jayce reaching forward to grab Viktor’s arm that doesn’t have his cane to help him steady himself again.

Jayce doesn’t need to understand the language to know what comes out of Viktor’s mouth next is a curse.

“Well, you’re screwed,” the pink-haired alpha says, watching them with sharp eyes. “Why did you bring him anyway?”

“He is my partner, ah, work partner that is,” Viktor corrects because the young alpha’s face clearly thinks he means the other kind. And while Jayce wouldn’t be against being the other kind of partner, they hadn’t had that conversation yet.

“Right,” the pink-haired alpha says, scanning Jayce up and down. He has no idea how someone so young can still actually seem to be sizing him up and be actually intimidating as she does. “Does this ‘partner’ have a name?”

“Jayce Talis,” Jayce says, holding out his hand.

It earns him a snort but the young alpha takes it.

“Vi,” she says, her handshake firm. “I’m the one that’ll beat you up if you screw over my brother after Silco leaves you in a gutter somewhere.” 

“Silco,” Jayce says after Vi steps aside to let them in. Jayce following Viktor through the corridors he assumes towards the bar. “I know that name.”

“You should,” Viktor says, but doesn’t offer anything else to help jog Jayce’s memory as they walk into the main part of the bar.

The man waiting for them sitting proud on a chair at the bar quickly does the job of reminding Jayce who exactly Silco was. He had been there at the hearing as well – the Zaun Representative – not that he had been allowed to have any say because of the investigation that was still determining if there was any Undercity involvement in the explosion.

He somehow looks even more pissed off now than then he did then.

The blue-haired girl is sitting on the bar behind him with a smug expression, making Jayce fairly certain he knows what is making Silco look so pissed. And if Vi is Viktor’s sister he feels fairly safe in guessing that it means Silco is Viktor’s Dam.

Which would have been nice to know earlier but Jayce supposes he hadn’t asked.

“Let the boy have a chance to explain himself Sil,” the alpha next to Silco says, running a knuckle up and down the omega’s side as if to try and calm him. And it is a testament to just how pissed off Silco looks that Jayce had somehow failed to notice the alpha at first despite the fact he seems to be twice Jayce’s size. He is clearly Silco’s mate and that means he’s probably Viktor’s sire.

Jayce can see it, he supposes. Although he doesn’t know where the two girls got their hair from.

“Fine,” Silco says with a glance behind him to the alpha before looking at them sternly, “Vitya, explain.”

“Jayce is my work partner,” Viktor says to thankfully get that misunderstanding cleared up. “And I brought him here because we wanted to discuss a business opportunity with you.”

Silco eyes Jayce up and down and Jayce tries to present himself as the kind of person one should invest in. Not that he knows if that’s the same in the Undercity as it is in Piltover.

“We can discuss this in my office,” Silco says, his anger deflating slightly. But there still a clear defensive edge in the omega’s scent.

“That’s great!” Jayce is already starting to move when Silco holds a finger up at him.  

“Not you, I will discuss this with my son first.”

“Right, sure.”

Viktor was more than able to sell Hextech by himself even if Jayce wanted to be there as emotional support.

Not that Viktor would need emotional support for a conversation with his parent right?

Viktor doesn’t seem concerned at least. So Jayce flashes him a supportive smile as his partner follows his Dam into the back of the bar.

A second later Jayce realizes it leave him alone with the rest of Viktor’s family.

“They’ll probably be a while,” Viktor’s Sire says, heading back behind the bar. “Want a drink while you wait?”

“Sure,” Jayce says, because it would be rude to turn the offer down. Plus, it gives him something to do, sitting at the bar and holding out his hand to the older alpha. “I’m Jayce Talis by the way.”

“Vander,” the alpha says, putting a drink in front of Jayce before taking the offered hand.

It’s said you can learn a lot about someone from their handshake. All Jayce is getting is that Vander’s grip is strong and Jayce is fairly sure he feels his knuckles almost give before the alpha releases him.

He wonders what Vander thinks of his own handshake then. Probably that it’s weak in comparison.

Not that he needs to impress him more than any other possible business partner.

“Vi and Powder are Viktor’s sisters right?” Jayce asks, taking a sip of the drink and almost spitting it out from how strong it is. He forces himself to swallow to not seem rude.

“Yeah,” Vander says, starting to clean the bar. Which doesn’t offend Jayce – they did interrupt by arriving unexpectedly. “Plus Claggor and Mylo, the other two boys, they’re downstairs doing stock take but’ll come up soon enough.”

“Doesn’t Viktor talk about us?” Powder asks, making Jayce jump from how she seems to suddenly appear at his side.

“We mostly talk about work.” Jayce had tried to start talking to Viktor about his family but the omega had seemed reluctant so Jayce had dropped the topic.

He doesn’t really understand the reluctance now. They seemed like a good family if a bit abnormal. And he’d think Viktor would be proud to be the child of the only political representation Zaun has in Piltover, especially in response to those who think his position at the academy was a hand out.

“What does he normally bring you when he visits?” Jayce asks to chance the topic, remembering the conversation about the ‘toll’.

“Something for my inventions.”

“You make things too?” Viktor wasn’t the only member of his family that had the need to create?

“Yeah!” the girl says, suddenly beaming and leaning over the bar to grab something out. Proudly slamming something on the table in front of Jayce.

“It’s a bomb?” Jayce realizes after examining the additions to the clapping monkey toy. He glances at Vander but the alpha doesn’t seem all that bothered by his still unpresented daughter building bombs.

“It’s a flash bomb,” Powder corrects like Jayce is an idiot. “Just to scare away mean people. At least it should if it goes off when it’s meant to.”

“Can I take a look?” Jayce asks, because he understands an inventors want to keep how their creations work to themselves.

“Sure,” Powder says pushing it over to him.

It’s weird working on a bomb with the intent to make it work. Doubly so one made by a child he is fairly certain broke into his lab less than a year ago.

Powder’s Viktor’s sister though and that has to grant her a level of trust, right?

“It’s the connection between your timing mechanism and the flash, the wire itself is shit, I mean poor quality,” Jayce says, already digging into his coat pocket because he thinks he has some spare wire in there. “Here, try this.”

Powder looks at the offered wire.

“And this will make it work?” she asks.

“Should, unless there’s something else as well.”

A second passes and then suddenly the girl snatches the wire from his hand, grabbing her bomb and running off.

“Powder!” Vander calls after her and she stops dead in her tracks.

“Oh, right – thank you Jayce!” she says and then bolts off again.

“That was the right thing to do right?” Jayce asks Vander because, again, he just helped a girl build a bomb.

Vander shrugs.

“Should make her hate you a little less,” he says.

“Oh good. Wait- why would she hate me?”

Chapter Text

“Why has your alpha let a stunning omega like you out of his sight?” Vander asks as he wraps his arms around the familiar middle at the docks.

“That’d be because he knows his omega can take care of himself,” the omega says, breaking Vander’s grip and twisting around to have his hands on Vander’s throat in an instance. They settle on his shoulders as Silco looks up at him slightly unimpressed. “And anyway, he’s already got his pup in me.”

“Damn right I do,” Vander says, leaning down for a kiss as he settles his hands on the stomach that’s growing the pup in question. Feeling Silco relax into his grip as his mate kisses back. “I missed you love.”

“Tell me you were successful?” Silco asks as they break apart, arms still wrapped around each other.

“Yep, the goods are from the seller to their happy buyer,” Vander says, coming back in to nuzzle into Silco’s neck where his mates smells the best. He knows it’s just because Silco’s pregnant with his pup and their biology is trying to keep Vander around to protect and provide while he’s carrying and vulnerable, and hopefully convince him to stick around even after the pup’s born and even needier. But he doesn’t care because he’d do all that even without Silco now smelling sweet. “I brought you back a present as well.”

“You did?”

Vander hums against his mate’s neck in agreement. Pulling away to dig through his pocket and reveal the prize he’d kept there.

“Oh,” Silco says, looking at the fruit that had been part of the strange order Vander had facilitated.

“The rest is with the buyer,” Vander promises when he sees the flash of doubt go across Silco’s face. “But I had to ensure the quality of the merchandise.”

“And how is the quality?”

“Don’t know, didn’t try it.” He had always meant to bring it to Silco.

Silco stares at him for a second before taking the fruit from him. He rubs it against his shirt sleeve and takes a bite.

“How is it?” Vander asks as he watches a dribble of pink juice escape Silco’s mouth and run down his chin.

“Very sweet,” Silco says, holding it out for Vander.

He takes SIlco’s hand in his own before leaning down to bite into the fruit himself.

Silcos’ right – it’s sweet. Almost sweeter than Silco’s slick but nowhere near as addicting.

“You’re thinking something perverted,” Silco mutters, taking the fruit back for another bite.

“Just how much I’m looking forward to getting you home again,” Vander says, leaning down to catch the escaped juice on Silco’s chin with his tongue. The taste of Silco mixing with the sweet juice. “How was your day though?”

“Moderately successful, some of the miners over the other side of town are willing to listen to our proposition. Their foreman’s an issue though so we’ll have to get rid of him,” Silco says, gesturing with the half-eaten fruit before taking another bite. “He frequents Babette’s though so assuming he isn’t too picky about his host I think we can organize an accidental overdose on whatever his drug of choice is.”

“And what if he doesn’t have a drug of choice?” Vander asks, kissing along Silco’s jaw.

“Then we pick one for him,” Silco says, tugging Vander’s head up for a proper kiss, letting Vander taste the sweet juice of the fruit on his tongue before pulling away. “Things are starting to come together.”

Their plan for a better Zaun. For a better life for them all is starting to actually look possible and not just be a pipe dream.

“How’ve they been for you?” Vander asks, his hands still cradling Silco’s stomach. Because while they aren’t the reason for all that they are doing, the fact they are soon to be parents has made it feel more urgent.

“Good,” Silco says, bringing his hand not holding the fruit down to rest over one of Vander’s. “They mostly slept all day. Must have tired themselves out keeping me awake last night.”

Vander chuckles at it despite knowing it will earn him a glare.

It’s nice to know how active their child is. Means they’re healthy.

“They were just excited for us,” he says. “Knew we’d have a fruitful day today.”

Silco snorts at it before taking another bite of his gift. He looks satisfied about the whole situation. And Vander would do anything to ensure he maintains that expression.

Chapter Text

The conversation had started as an update to an investor but had long moved past that as the three sat at the bar across from Vander long after it had been closed to the public for the night. The boys telling Silco about the reality of failure in trails and the much longer term dreams that are reliant on proving a number of other ideas are viable. Because Silco is not merely an investor and the line between business partner and parent now well and truly blurred.

Vander couldn’t be prouder of his son. Viktor had taken every opportunity he could and it really seemed like he and the Piltite partner he had found are on the cusp of something that could change the lives of so many.

It’s an achievement that should be celebrated so Vander digs out the old bottle that lives under the bar unknown to all but his family, lining up four shot classes and giving three of them a full pour of it.

“What’ll you have?” he asks Jayce because he still hasn’t learned the boy’s preferences.

“What?” Jayce asks, glances over where he’d been more watching Viktor and Silco’s conversation. Apparently happy to let Viktor take the lead in both explanations and praise. The dopy smile he’s had the whole time enough to tell Vander all he needs to know about his intentions.

Oh well, Vander’s seen how his son looks at the boy as well.

“To drink,” Vander says.

“To toast,” Viktor clarifies, his and Silco’s attention now on Vander and the drinks as well.  

“Oh! Right. Just whatever everyone else is having.”

Vander looks to Viktor first. Because the liquor isn’t exactly the sort he would think to be to the taste of someone more used to Piltoven spirits.

Viktor gives a small nod so Vander pours the fourth as well.

He grabs the first glass and the others all take theirs. Bringing them together with a soft clink before tossing them back.

The alcohol burns just right going down, bringing a sweet nostalgic with it.

Silco clearly feels it too. His good eye shut for an instant before it snaps open at the coughing that fills the bar.

“What was that?” Jayce asks, slamming his glass down on the bar as he covers his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Zaun spiced liquor,” Vander says pouring a glass of beer for the boy to wash it down with. “I don’t think there’s anything quite like it topside.”

“Not that I know of,” Jayce says, drinking the beer quickly to wash the taste from his mouth.

Bit of a waste honestly but the boy couldn’t have known he couldn’t handle it.

Viktor at least seems entertained at his partner’s antics going by the sly smile on Vander’s son’s face.

Next time Vander will just give the boy straight Vodka though instead.

“Actually Vi, before you go, there’s something I wanted your help with,” Jayce says after he confirmed that, no, Viktor wasn’t in their lab and that he didn’t know where Vi’s brother would be instead.

“Sure, what can I do?” Technically she could say she had passed their parents message on to Jayce to pass on to Viktor. It wasn’t exactly an urgent one anyway.

“I need your opinion on the weight of something,” Jayce says, going to the pile of project prototypes that was apparently a mandatory part of any inventor’s space.

“I don’t see why you need me for that.” Jayce was surprisingly strong for a Piltite after all.

Jayce pulls out a matching set of gloves and puts them on the table in front of Vi.

“Oh.”

They look like Vander’s gauntlets. The ones still hanging up in the Last Drop from when he ‘retired’ them. A reminder that literally hangs over their heads of what their bartered peace with Piltover had cost and what it would mean if they lost it.

And Viktor’s Piltite not-boyfriend had apparently decided to make some of his own.

“They’re for the mines,” Jayce explains. “If we can power them with the Hex crystals than they should allow more work to be done with less strain on the user’s body.”

“Right.” They will also be a powerful weapon should their wearer want them to be.

Silco is going to love them.

“So what do you need me for?”

“Try them on and tell me if you think the frame is too heavy,” Jayce says. “I think they are okay but I want a second opinion.”

“You should find someone who would actually be using them,” Vi says as she puts them on. She hasn’t worked a day of her life in the mines so doesn’t really know what they should be looking for.

The gauntlets are noticeably lighter than Vi remembers Vander’s pair to be the one time he had brought them down for her to try on to feel the weight of that part of their family’s history. A much smoother design and access to whatever materials wanted meaning even with the extra features they still are much more comfortable on.

Vi feels powerful to have them on. Even without the Hex crystal to give them movement and additional thrust.

She could come to love them.

“Yeah the weight’s fine,” Vi says as she drops them back on the workbench. Fighting back the urge to ask if she could maybe have a custom pair of her own made. Not that she ever has plans of working in the mines and knows all the reasons open arms are a dangerous road to follow.

“Good. Now we just need to get the crystals stable enough to power them without any explosion risk,” Jayce says, taking the gauntlets back to return them to the prototype pile, apparently unaware of Vi’s internal conflict. “Thanks for the second opinion.”

“No problem,” Vi says despite feeling like this is something she should at least mention to Vander.

“Why is this here?” Viktor asks, poking at the crates that had been delivered not long after Vander and Silco had left for some meeting with his cane. He’s down with the Piltite ‘business’ partner of his for some installation of something that Claggor only half-listed to the explanation of over dinner last night.

“They’re too heavy for any of us to move, so they’ll have to wait ‘till Vander gets home to move them,” Claggor explains. He’s supposed to be watching the bar while their parents are gone but it isn’t all that busy with it being the dead time between lunch and afternoon rushes. And anyway, he’ll hear if a customer arrives.

“How heavy are they?” Jayce asks, looking like he’s going to try and pick one up.

“Heavy.”

Not even with Vi’s help could Claggor get them to move more than a little at a time. And it would take so long to get them where they needed to go and be embarrassing if a customer did show up and get to watch them struggle.

So of course Viktor’s Piltite ‘business’ partner manages to pick one up with only minimal strain.

“I should be able to carry them,” he says as he settles the weight of it in his arms. “Where do you need them?”

“Storage room in the basement.” Surely the stairs should give him pause. They give Vander pause and have their dad complaining about the bar’s layout and getting old every time he has to carry the heavy things down to it.

“Right- Vik?” the Piltite says, glancing to Claggor’s big brother as if asking for directions.

“I’ll watch the bar. It has been a while and I, ah, would not know where to put them down there,” Viktor says.

Claggor is sure it is just an excuse so his brother can sit and watching Jayce haul the heavy boxes past him. How the Piltite hadn’t noticed how Viktor looks at him Claggor will never know. Even their parents had noticed.

Claggor will be teasing his brother about it later when the Piltite isn’t around.

 “Lead the way then,” Jayce says to Claggor, with a smile that must work wonders on the sweet old ladies of the Uppercity but just screams ‘rob me’ down in Zaun.

And yet Viktor keeps bringing him down when he visits. And then wonders why everyone knows he’s got a crush on the Piltite.

At least he picked one that wasn’t completely useless.

Jayce is nice enough a well. He seems genuinely interested in the small talk as Claggor shows him the way. Asking about how Claggor has been since the last time he was down, whether the alterations he had made to Claggor’s glasses frames were keeping them on better, and happily talking about the progress he and Viktor made in their work in words Claggor actually understood.

Claggor at least won’t be mad when the two stop dancing around each other and actually kiss.

It’s just how Silco’s gonna’ freak when they do he isn’t looking forward to.

“Just put it over there,” Claggor says, pointing to where the other stock is. They can worry about rotating stock later.

“How many more are there?” Jayce asks, stretching his arms after he puts the box down.

“Three. But it can wait ‘till Vander comes home.” Viktor would probably be unhappy if his Piltite actually hurt himself.

“I don’t mind doing it and it helps you out.”

Claggor certainly isn’t going to argue it. And if the Piltite keeps being so helpful Claggor might have to tell his brother to stop watching and make a move because he managed to find the one actually decent Piltite that Claggor wouldn’t mind as a brother-in-law.

It’s not Silco knocking on the door Mylo knows. Because Silco doesn’t bother to knock on the door of his own office, he just walks in.

So Mylo goes to answer it because he’s much too old for the rule of don’t answer the door unless you know who it is to apply. Especially considering they are in Piltover right now and for all that the place is filled with backstabbing assholes they’re the kind that do it by arresting you or denying funds not kidnapping your kid from your office in the middle of their fancy government building. It would offend their delicate sensibilities if they did.

He is only mildly surprised to see Viktor’s dumb Piltite partner on the other side of the door. Because who else in Piltover would actually be interested in coming to the Zaun Representative’s office especially when said representative is out?

“What do you want?” Mylo asks because there isn’t anyone around to tell him to be nice. 

“There was some food leftover after a function Councilor Kiramman was hosting I thought you guys might want it,” Jayce says, holding up the box he brought with him.

“We’re not that poor you know.” And they sure as shit don’t need anyone’s pity.

“I know you’re not poor. I, uh, it’s the desserts. They had Viktor’s favorites so I thought you all might like them as well,” Jayce says, opening the box up to reveal some kind of chocolate covered pastry ball.

It is a bribe not pity being offered then.

Mylo can work with that.

Of course Mylo had been taught that you don’t just accept a bribe without first ensuring it is what has been promised. So he takes one of the pastry balls and inspects it before biting into it. The pastry really just a vessel from the sweet cream filling and chocolate.

He can see why they are his brother’s favorites.

“I assume Viktor already has some?” There’s plenty in there assuming they don’t need to share with their big brother as well.

“Yes, I dropped some off to him before coming here,” Jayce says and Mylo is fairly certain there’s a light blush on his face and he doesn’t want to know what his brother said about the desserts.

“Alright,” Mylo says shutting the box and taking it from the Piltite. “And you want me to not tell Silco about this?”

“I’m not going to tell you not to tell your parent something but-“

“He’ll be mad as hell if he finds out.” Only Silco is allowed to accept Piltover bribes after all. And Mylo knows his dad isn’t convinced they aren’t trying to steal his children away through offers of scholarships and becoming business partners. “It’s cool I won’t tell him.”

The poor Piltite looks like he doesn’t know if he should say thank you or chastise Mylo.

“Anything else you want?”

“No. That was it,” Jayce says.

“Alright. Thanks then,” Mylo says before swinging the door shut and going back to Silco’s desk to count out the pastry’s and figure out how many he can eat before going home and still have an acceptable amount left over for his siblings.

Contrary to what Mylo liked to claim, Powder didn’t sulk like a baby. So what she was doing right now isn’t sulking.

She is just thinking. About how everyone else was too busy with their important responsibilities to play with her. And how she wasn’t even allowed to help out because she couldn’t be trusted and was too little still because being the youngest sucked.

“How Powder, are you busy right now?”

She looks up at Viktor’s stupid Piltite not my boyfriend Powder stop saying that. What he’s doing up on the bar roof she doesn’t know.

“Oh yeah, totally, I’m super busy. Trying to figure out what upgrades to add to the buildings,” Powder says with a laugh that she hopes hides how obvious the lie must sound. Jayce is probably doing super busy with important science things and doesn’t have time for Powder and her questions and probably just wants he to go away and stop bothering us.

“That’s too bad. I brought that piece you said you were missing and was wondering if we could go test out those boards you and Ekko were building. But if you’re too busy…”

“I’m not!” Powder says, jumping up to her feet. “I mean I was but it’ll be fine to leave it for a little. Come back with fresh eyes you know?”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, totally, come on I want to see the board hover!”

She grabs Jayce’s hand to get him to hurry up and move because who knows how long it’ll be until it’s sorry Powder I have to go back to my important work, maybe another time. Practically dragging the heavy Piltite down through the back of the bar and to Benzo’s shop.

“Ekko! Come on we got to go!”

“What has gotten into ya’ to get you all excited Powder?” Benzo’s asks, wondering out from the back of the shop.  

“Science!” Powder explains because they don’t have time for this! They need to go!

“You’ll be supervising them I suppose?” Benzo’s asks Viktor’s not-boyfriend because you’re too little you might hurt yourselves if someone isn’t watching. “Alright fine, take the afternoon off Ekko.”

“What are we doing?” Ekko asks once they are out of earshot and heading towards the empty lot that Vander and Silco had specifically promised to develop last so they could have a place to test things out so long as they promise not to destroy the neighboring buildings, we don’t need a repeat of the Topside explosion.

“Jayce brought us the bit for the boards,” Powder explains.

“Oh wait – really!?” Ekko grabs Jayce’s other hand to help Powder get him to move faster damn it! because he understands why they have to go go go and not have just some casual wonder through the Lanes.

“I want to see if they will work as well,” Jayce says because he has the science brain as well and just wants to make things. It’s why he gets along with Viktor so well even if he is still a dumb arrogant sibling-stealing Piltite.

They make it to the empty lot and Ekko drags the boards out from where they hid them behind some rubbish because they were too big to take home and Powder your inventions are already making it too hard to walk around your room.

They flip them over and Jayce connects up the missing stabilizer to the place they left for it, flipping the board over again.

“Do you want to do the honors?” he asks Ekko because this was originally Ekko’s idea and we have to respect each other’s work.

Powder can’t help but jump around when the board starts to hover.

“It works! It works! It works!” Now the adults have to take them seriously because they’ve made something that actually works and it isn’t even a bomb.

“Do you think someone could ride it?” Ekko asks.

“Only one way to find out,” Jayce says, picking Ekko up and putting him on the hovering board.

It takes a couple seconds before Ekko finds his balance, taking the board for a small circle around the two them before stopping it, grinning the whole time.

“This is going to be so cool!”

“You’re probably not going to get it much higher than this with the current power source,” Jayce says as he helps Ekko off the board again. “But if we can give it a stronger vertical thrust it will allow people to move between the whole city much more efficiently.”

Powder doesn’t care about those silly adult concerns. She just cares that their invention works and how cool they’re going to look riding them around the Lanes.

Chapter Text

“What you doing?”

The question is joined by a head of blue hair at Viktor’s side. Powder holding her hands up in a clear request to be picked up as soon as he makes eye contact.

Viktor can hear the general sound of chaos that seems to always accompany his siblings in the background. He’s pretty sure it’s closer than it was last time he listened out to them to see if he might need to actually investigate what they were up to.

“I’m writing a letter,” Viktor explains, picking Powder up to put her in his lap.

“Oh. To who?”

“A friend.” Dean Heimerdinger. But Viktor was not going to tell any of his siblings that lest they report it back to Dam.

The sounds of chaos are getting closer so Viktor packs the draft and supplies away. Powder might not be able to read who it is addressed to or its contents but the same cannot be said about Vi or Claggor.

“An alpha?” Powder asks

“What? No.” Viktor says the sounds of chaos of his siblings is right on top of them as they practically storm his room.

“Viktor!” Claggor says, Vi and Mylo right on his heels. “Tell Mylo he can’t play with us!”

“Viktor!” Mylo says in the exact same tone. “Tell them they have to let me play with them!”

“You’ll just end up hurt Mylo!” Vi argues.

“No I won’t!”

“Yes you will!”

“Viktor!” Powder says, never one to miss out on joining in with her siblings. “I want to know about your alpha.”

The other three gasp. Their argument forgotten about.

“Viktor has an alpha?” Vi asks.

“No I don’t. I am too young for that.” That is what Dam had said after the most mortifying conversation of Viktor’s life about how his body was changing in preparation to be able to carry a child. Not that he was to think about doing so for at least 10 years apparently, Dam had been very resolute on that fact.

Viktor had already known how babies were made for years. But relationship and body talk with his parents had always made him squirm.

“Alexei has an alpha,” Mylo says, talking about their cousin that was three months younger than Viktor.

Viktor has a feeling Alexei’s dam hadn’t had the same conversation with him as Viktor had gotten.

“And how do you know that?” Vi demands, not about to let one of her siblings get away with lying.

“I saw them kissing!”

“Ew!” Powder says, scrunching up her nose before looking directly up at Viktor. “You’re not kissing your alpha right?”

“I’m not kissing anymore,” Viktor informs her. Not that kissing sounded all that terrible to him anymore. It was what happened after the kissing he was a bit more unsure about. “And I don’t have an alpha!”

“Why not?” Powder asks.

“Yeah, if Alexei has an alpha why don’t you?” Claggor asks.

“Maybe he isn’t pretty enough for an alpha,” Mylo says with a giggle. And maybe the accusation would have hurt Viktor if he at all cared about being seen as pretty.

Vi still not-so-subtly elbows Mylo for it.

“Viktor’s plenty pretty enough for an alpha!” she defends. A sweet gesture if Viktor, again, at all cared about being seen as pretty.

He wasn’t pretty. But neither was Dam and Dad still seemed plenty interested in him. Claggor and Mylo, as well as every time he was told to keep all the kids out of their parents’ room during Dam’s heat, testament to that fact.

You wouldn’t want an alpha only interested in looks Dam had said and Viktor believed him. He didn’t get the fuss over the buff alphas that paraded around town with a trail of omegas after them. It wasn’t like any of them could hold a conversation or had much more than testosterone and rocks in their heads.

“Then why doesn’t Viktor have an alpha then?” Mylo demands.

“Because I don’t want one!” Viktor snaps. Because he is over his love life, or more specifically the reasons for his lack of one, being under interrogation by his siblings who should be too young to even care about these things.

Four sets of wide eyes stare up at him making him feel slightly guilty for it.

“Ah, I am too busy with my projects.” Things that could actually help Zaun if he could prove they would work and find the resources to build them at scale. “An alpha would only distract me.”

An alpha would tie him to Zaun.

Not that Viktor plans on going far from his home. But the knowledge and resources Piltover could offer are great and if Viktor could bring some of it home he would be able to help his people and home. Would be able to have a far greater impact than he would getting an alpha and settling down.

Long distance relationships rarely worked out anyway.

“I think your just making excuses,” Mylo says. “What are your projects anyway?”

“Things you are too young to understand,” Viktor says, grabbing Powder’s hand as she reaches out to grab one of his early prototypes. Putting her back on the floor so he can get up and grab his cane to shoo his siblings from his room.

“Come on Viktor, don’t treat us like babies,” Claggor says, climbing onto Viktor’s chair to reach out for the prototype air filter Viktor had been building. The one Viktor hadn’t finished sealing all the wires of.

“Don’t touch that!” Viktor says, slapping his brother’s hand away before he could make contact. “You will hurt yourself.”

“I only wanted to look,” Claggor says, cradling his hand like Viktor actually hurt him.

“You do not look with your hands,” Viktor says before all of their attention is drawn at the sound of a crash.

Powder and Mylo stand over a now shattered boat.

It isn’t the first boat Viktor built. That one is still safe on display in Dam’s office in Piltover. But Viktor had spent hours building the now destroyed model.

“Get out.” Before they do even more damage to his work.

“We’re sorry,” Powder says, moving towards him like she’s going to give him a hug.

“I think we should leave Viktor alone,” Vi says, grabbing Powder and Mylo’s hands and tugging them towards the door. Claggor already having fled the room.

“But Viktor’s supposed to be watching us!” Mylo says, tugging against his big sister’s grip. “Dam and Dad said!”

“Dam and Dad will be home soon,” Vi says, tugging harder. “We can just play in our room until then. Let Viktor clean up so nobody gets hurt.”

Mylo still doesn’t seem happy about it but Vi is simply stronger than him and Powder. Physically dragging her siblings from the room and giving Viktor an apologetic look before closing the door.

Viktor forces himself to take a stabilizing breath.

He isn’t going to cry about it. Even if the shattered boat represents hours of work he will now have to restart thanks to his siblings’ carelessness. He isn’t a baby and the boats were ultimately the more childish of his projects. They were no gains for Zaun from them, just his own want to prove he could do better than the last time.

He also knows he can’t stay mad at his siblings for it – they are still pups and he is the older one. He shouldn’t have left it somewhere they could reach because he knows even if they are not meant to come into his room they do.

But this is also part of the reason Viktor doesn’t want an alpha.

Alphas want pups.

And it is bad enough having siblings always wanting his attention and trying to get into his stuff. He doesn’t have the time for his own pup if he ever wants to actually change things for Zaun.

Chapter Text

“Jayce are you coming?” Mel asks as people file out of the main hall into the foyer so the real networking can start.

“In a minute.” Jayce has finally spotted the red and black that marks the Zaun Representative and his family among the crowds. And he really should check in with one of Hextech’s earliest investors at least to be polite. The fact Viktor had mentioned being made to attend with his family also part of his reason he will admit. “You go ahead.”

“Tell Viktor he is not to play babysitter all night and come mingle as well,” Mel says after a moment of consideration, joining the flow of foot traffic out of the room as Jayce heads to the far corner of the hall were the Zaunite guests had apparently been placed in the seating plan.

The family doesn’t seem to be in any rush to follow the crowd. Powder madly drawing on the napkins in a sharp contrast to Viktor’s silent contemplation that Jayce knows means he is running algorithms through his head, the napkin in front of him having a handful of runic combinations scribbled on it in the colors of Powder’s pens but his handwriting. Mylo and Vi are whispering to each other with the kind of intensity that hints at an argument, Claggor chiming in between mouthfuls of the dessert. All the children’s except Viktor’s ties are in a pile on the table that Vander eyes in what seems to be envy as he tries to loosen his own.

Silco is the only one that looks fully comfortable with their setting. Sitting proud and put together even with the family’s newest member nursing from him. He only slightly adjusts his coat to more cover the pup when he sees Jayce approaching but it could easily be because of the temperature of the room. His clothing designed in a way that Jayce can’t actually see anything even if it’s clear the pup is feeding.

“Did you enjoy the dinner? Jayce asks because he didn’t actually have a plan before coming over.

“It was too bland,” Powder answers not even looking up from her work.

“Powder don’t be rude,” Vander chastises immediately.

Jayce doesn’t dare tell them how to handle their kids but it is nice to have someone completely honest at the events.

“It was good for Piltoven cuisine,” Silco says, reaching out to stop Vander from tugging at his tie again as the other hand keeps their child settled against him. “The caterers deserve full compliments.”

Jayce is fairly certain the caterers are entirely or mostly from Zaun by that comment alone.

“They certainly do.”

“He’s doing the fake-smile thing again,” Mylo says to one of his siblings but clearly doesn’t care if Jayce overhears him.

Which is good right? That he feels so comfortable around Jayce.

“One of us has to and I have no interest in false niceness,” Viktor says, earning a yeah that’s obvious from Vi. “Jayce can be their Golden Boy.”

“Ugh,” Mylo groans, adequately capturing Jayce’s feelings about that nickname. “Why is Piltover like that?”

“They have more money than sense,” Claggor says in what Jayce is fairly certain is an echo of something he has been told by one of his parents not that Jayce can be sure which.

“I still don’t know why we have to come to these stupid things too,” Vi says, elbowing Mylo hard when he sniggers at it.

“Because we all represent Zaun now,” Silco says. “And this is unfortunately a part of engaging in politics in Piltover. Your family standing more important than the quality of your ideas.”

And nobody in Piltover seems to know how to take the Zaun Representative’s family. Something Jayce has a feeling Silco is aware of.

“Do you plan on staying in here the rest of the night?” Jayce stops himself from adding on whether he can join if they are.

“Vander and I will joining once this one is settled for the night,” Silco says with a nod to the pup in his arms. Which makes sense considering he’s currently the pup’s source of dinner, although he could have hired a wet nurse. “I have some things to discuss with Councilor Hoskel and he seems to be avoiding my official requests. The others can either watch their sibling or join us.”

Jayce doesn’t need to look around to know the collective preference is to stay with their sibling. Not that he can judge. He would also prefer to be babysitting over schmoozing.

“Powder head up,” Silco says, with a tap at their youngest’s shoulder where she sits next to him at the table of the event they had been invited to as the political representatives for Zaun.

Vander looks over the table to see Powder dragging herself up from where she was lying on the table. She pokes at the mostly full plate of food in front of her, leaning back against the chair with a clear lack of interest that is surprisingly for their normally too-energetic daughter.

“Do you not like the food Powder?” Vander asks because it isn’t like her to sulk like this at events. Especially after they gave her permission to bring her drawing supplies for when she got bored.

“It was alright,” Powder says with a shrug.

Silco glances at her because he can also clearly tell there’s something not fully right. But she flashes a smile so he returns to watching the stage and Heimedinger speech.  

Around five minutes later Powder starts to flag again. This time sliding out of her chair to shuffle over to Silco and climb into his lap. Pressing her head against his chest as he adjusts to hold her weight better.

Vander switches to her now currently vacant chair, rubbing against her back as Silco wraps an arm around her to help support her. The other three kids all now paying attention as well.

“What’s the matter?” Silco asks, having to duck his head to catch the girl’s mumbled response.

“Is she okay?” Vi asks, ever the worried big sister.

“She has a headache,” Silco explains, with a tight expression. His free hand works to undo the tight braided bun he had put her hair in for the event, handing the pins to Vi and massaging against her scalp once it is loose.

She seems too flat for it to be just a headache. The glance Silco shares with Vander making it clear he’s come to the same conclusion.

“Do you want me to take her home?” It might be seen as rude for Vander to leave the event early but their family comes first.

“Do you want to go home Powder?” Silco asks, brushing her hair aside to be able to read her expression better.

All they get in response is a non-committal sound and a shrug.

Silco sighs, the fact he doesn’t chastise her for being vague in her wants evidence he is at least slightly concerned about it.

“You can stay for now,” Silco says, looking back to Vander. “But if she doesn’t get better it might be best if you do take her home.”

“Alright.”

Chapter Text

Silco steps into the cool water and knows he’ll have to thank the person who told him about the spot.

The clearest water in Zaun they had called it. And while it certainly wasn’t pure and likely more contaminated than anything in Piltover, it did live up to that claim.

He sinks into the natural pool with a sigh. The weight of his stomach relieved somewhat by the buoyancy of the water. Still about three months to go and he already feels ready to deliver. Viktor might have taken after his own slight frame but he just knew this pup was going to be all Vander in proportions.

Speaking of their eldest, Silco looks up at his first pup still standing on the rocks by his side, cane gripped in one and the boat his son had been working on for weeks now clutched against his chest with the other.

“Go on,” Silco says with a nod towards the sounds of giggling children further along the pools. “You can go play.”

He isn’t going to demand Viktor just stay and watch his Dam try and relax the stress of the pregnancy and trying to carve out an independent Zaun away. Not when they are in the relatively safe open air and the only people around other pups and their parents. Viktor smart enough to stay out of what trouble that might be found here.

Viktor hesitates. Silco’s pup not the most sociable, especially among his peers.

“You wanted to test out that boat you build didn’t you?” Silco asks, changing tactics.

“Yes. I followed the instructions but I changed the angle of the paddles so it should be able to handle the thicker water,” Viktor explains, looking a bit more animated now he is talking about his work.

Silco smiles at it. Their boy is so clever and passionate about his little inventions. He will be able to do great things when he is older. Assuming he is given even half the chance of the most simple child of Piltover.

“Why don’t you go find where the current is strong? Test it against the hardest odds.” Silco knows his pup will be fighting in every aspect of his life. He might as well start getting used to it when the battle is just a hand-made boat against the waves.

Viktor hesitates again and Silco wonders if maybe he should have left him with Vander despite the fresh air being good for him.

“I’ll come find you when it’s time to leave,” Silco promises and that seems to be finally enough to get Viktor to leave his side.

Silco watches as his son works his way over the uneven ground carefully. Holding his boat as if it is precious as he heads towards the source of the streams that feed the pools. Silco only relaxing back down once his son is out of sight.

Silco settles in the water, rubbing over his already huge stomach. Vander’s shirt he had taken to wearing after his own stopped fitting him floating above it from the water.

“If you could take after your brother a little it would be appreciated,” he tells the pup he’s carrying despite knowing he will love them no matter how they turn out to be. Loves them already despite how heavy they are thanks to their sire’s genetics and how ready he already is for the pregnancy to be over as a result.

The light waves lap against his chest as Silco tries not to think about Enforcers or smuggling operations or which gangs they still need to get on their side. Their work never ending even while a new member of their family grows within him.

The sun is starting to set when Silco decides it is time to return back home and to his responsibilities.

He regrets the decision as soon as he pulls himself from the water. The weight of the pup in him settling back onto his body causing his spine and hips to protest.

“We need to find your brother,” Silco reminds them as he presses back against the pup’s foot that is trying to push out of his stomach.  

He waits until the pup settles again before heading towards where the pups tend to gather to play.

“Are you looking for someone?” one of the omegas asks him. A young pup comfortably asleep on her lap.

“My son – brown hair, walks with a cane. He had a toy boat with him.”

“Yes, I remember him. He’s a cute pup that one,” the omega says and Silco is torn between pride at the compliment about his and Vander’s pup and protective fear that the other omega might want to steal or harm his son. “He went into the caves following that boat of his.”

“Thank you.”

“If you want I can get my eldest to go get him for you. I know how hard it can be to chase after one while you got their sibling in you,” the omega says with a nod to Silco’s stomach, even more on display from how his soaked clothes cling to his frame.

“I will be alright.” If Viktor can navigate the caves then Silco should be able to even with his temporary additional weight.

“Alright,” the omega says, before her attention is dragged back to her own pups. Calling out to them to stop trying to drown each other.

The ground of the cave is slippery from the polluted water that laps against the rocky shore of the river that runs through it. Silco having to be careful in his steps because he knows he won’t be able to keep his balance if he loses his footing.

Hopefully Viktor hadn’t slipped and hurt himself. There is no way Silco would be able to carry his pup in his own current state.  

He makes it to an opening in the cave filled with purple glowing flowers. Viktor is sitting on a rocky mound in the center, thankfully fine, but not alone.

There is a creature sitting at Viktor’s side, eating the flowers from Viktor’s hand as Silco’s pup giggles. And there is a man watching over them.

“Viktor!” Silco calls, making both Viktor and the stranger startle.

His son scrambles to grab his cane and get on his feet to face him. And perhaps Silco would feel guilty for giving his pup a fright if his safety wasn’t much more important right now.

The stranger glances between them as Silco moves to get between him and his pup.

“You must be his mother,” the stranger says. His word choice and accent making it clear he is from Piltover.

Silco ignores him for now. Running a hand through Viktor’s hair once his pup as at his side to reassure himself that at least for now his son is unharmed and unstolen.

“Wait for me outside.” Silco instructs Viktor. 

“Dam, I-“ Viktor starts. An excuse or defense Silco doesn’t know nor care.

“Outside Viktor,” Silco repeats. His tone making it clear that it is not up for discussion or debate.

Viktor glances back to the stranger before going. Making his way out of the cave carefully.

It is only when he is gone that Silco turns his attention fully to the stranger. The man is clearly tall even as he kneels at the creature’s side but he looks even thinner than Silco is even when he doesn’t have the additional weight of pregnancy on him. If it was normal circumstances Silco is sure he could easily take him in a fight but he is far from his physical best, as his unborn pups shifting inside him reminds him.

He should have had Vander come with them.

“What do you want with my son?” Silco asks, keeping his head up even as he rubs along where his unborn pup presses against him to keep the pup calm. The stranger does not need to know he is not full confident in his ability to protect either of his pups if needed.

“He wanted to help me care for Rio,” the stranger says standing up. The creature that had been next to him suddenly scurries away at the movement. Heading deeper into the caves and not outside where Viktor is thankfully. “I did not think there was any harm in letting him.”

Silco watches the stranger cautiously as the man kneels to scoop the boat Viktor built up from where it is floating in the pool at the center of the cave. He twists it around in his hand as if examining it.

Silco shouldn’t have encouraged Viktor to take it to the stronger currents. Should have kept his pup by his side where he could keep an eye on him.

“Your son is exceptionally bright for his age,” the stranger says walking over.

Silco shifts to a more defensive position. Keeping watch for any sign of attack either from the man or his creature wherever it now is.

“You must be incredibly proud of him.”

“I am.” Despite being born in the lowest part of Zaun where the pollution was thickest Viktor had a mind far sharper than most of his peers. And he already had a clear want to use his intelligence to help better the lives of all in Zaun.

The stranger continues to consider the boy boat, twisting it in his hand as if to look at it under the different light.

“You are not going to continue getting my son to help you,” Silco informs, keeping his face controlled despite the pup inside him kicking against his bladder. He will of course be talking to Viktor about it as well. Remind his pup that the world is a dangerous and often cruel place and trust something that should be rarely given and difficult to earn.

The stranger turns his attention onto Silco at it. Examining him with the same interest as he gave Viktor’s boat.

Silco knows he hardly looks threatening now. Heavily pregnant and in water-drenched clothing. But he meets the stranger’s gaze, refusing to show any weakness.

“And what will happen if I was to continue allowing him to assist me?”

“The only part of you or your work that will ever be seen again is what washes up on the shore of the Pilt or is caught in the fishing nets.” Silco would make sure he at least was the one to end the stranger’s life even if he would need at least his mate’s help in the rest of the disposal.

The stranger doesn’t seem surprised at the threat so perhaps Silco did still come across as dangerous despite his current pregnancy.

“I understand how much you want to protect your child,” The stranger says holding out Viktor’s boat for Silco to take. “But you must allow your children to find their own way in the world or else they will not grow to their full potential.”

“If I wanted parenting advice I would have asked,” Silco says, holding his sons boat close with his hand not curled around his stomach to try and keep his unborn pup settled. What would a recluse from Piltover even know of raising children in Zaun? “You are not to even look at my son again.”

“Alright. I will not approach your son,” the stranger says. “But what do you want me to do if he decides to return himself?”

“He won’t.” Silco will make sure of it.

The look the stranger gives him seems a mix of curious and doubtful.

“You have raised a bright child. Perhaps you should trust in his judgement a bit more.”

Chapter Text

It’s nice to have a baby around again.

Vander had always known the two of them would not enjoy being empty nesters. But he had assumed the nest needed to be empty before those feelings took hold and Jinx was still living with them as much as their youngest came and went as she pleased most of the time.

But having Naph for the night made Vander feel old and miss when his own kids had been that little.

“You are never to tell your sire I said this but Viktor could have done a lot worse than picking him to make you with,” Silco says as he finishes up changing Naph’s diaper. “But you just picked the good parts of him to inherit didn’t you?”

Naph just grins and coos. Still much too young to understand the meaning behind the words but happy to bask in the attention being given to him.

 Vander half expects Silco to make a comment about his first grandchild being dressed in Piltovan style as he gets the boy redressed. He supposes Silco can’t talk considering how his own style had developed with age. Naph looking perfectly in place when Silco settles him against his chest while Vander’s sure it looks like he kidnapped the boy when he’s holding him.

Would Silco have dressed their pups similarly if they had of been able to afford it when they were young?

“What are you thinking about?” Silco asks as he reaches for the wrap they had used for all their pups that Silco had pulled out of storage the month before Viktor was due with Naph. It nice to have had something they were able to hand down to their grandchild from back when Viktor was young.

“Just how far we’ve come,” Vander says, coming over to hug his mate from behind and look down at his grandchild.

He remembers making Benzo promise he’d look after Viktor if they ended up dead or in Stillwater and now they get to babysit their first grandchild and Vander is sure they’ll be around to see a few more born.

“There’s still more work to be done,” Silco says and as if on cue a knock on the bar door and Sevika stepping inside.

“I know you’re on babysitting duty tonight, but we need to talk,” Silco’s second in his criminal dealings says.

Silco gives him a look and Vander rolls his eyes because it isn’t like Sevika hasn’t seen them be affectionate before. He presses a kiss into Silco’s forehead and gently bops Naph’s little nose before going back to finishing up the end of day jobs he’d abandoned when their eldest had arrived with his mate and pup.

Silco nods at one of the clean tables of the bar and he and Sevika settle in to talk business. One of the upstart gangs had apparently decided to stand against them instead of with them. Which was a foolish choice before they tried to get Enforcers involved.

Silco bounces Naph as the two talk, keeping the boy calm and happy.

Twenty years ago it would have been Claggor or Mylo in Vander’s mate’s arms being settled for the night as Silco planned the next day’s move.

Much like his uncles, Naph seems happy enough at the situation.

When he does start to fuss Silco immediately turns his full attention onto him. His good eye quickly scanning the babe to figure out what’s wrong.

“He’s hungry,” Silco decides and Vander leans over to dig through the bag the pup’s parents packed for him to dig out a bottle.

“You’re not going to get a tit out are you?” Sevika asks. She had been around when Claggor and Mylo were young, although still just a young alpha determined to prove herself at the time. She must have seen Silco feed the boys during his meetings back then.

Silco snorts at the question.

“Unfortunately, my days of that have long passed,” he says as he walks over to where Vander had set up the bottle to heat up, testing it on his wrist to check it is the correct temperature. “It is amazing the technology that is available now if you can afford it. Viktor has a lot more freedom than I did at his age.”

“As if you wouldn’t have had them on your boob every chance you could,” Sevika says as Silco walks back over, settling Naph in with his bottle once he returns to his seat. The pup happy enough for his food to come from the synthetic teat over his Dam’s breast. “Admit it, you liked it too damn much.”

“It would have been nice to have a night off once in those years,” Silco says because he isn’t going to deny he enjoyed nursing his pups. “Let Vander feed them for a change.”

Vander hadn’t thought about it at the time but it was an experience he had missed out on because it had never even been a possible option for them.

Silco returns to the reason Sevika was there. And Vander tires to return to cleaning up the bar but can’t help but be distracted by his mate and their grandkid. Even with the years that had passed Silco is still a natural at it all things babe. Easily burping Naph over his shoulder while he finishes up his business with Sevika. The alpha women woman heading off to execute their decision.

“You were very good,” Silco says to Naph once she’s gone. Nuzzling into the pup’s hair as he keeps Naph’s face by the scent gland on his neck.

Vander knows what his mate smells like right now without needing to get closer. He will never forget how wonderful Silco’s maternal scent was – a soft reassuring one that could calm even the most distressed pup.

Naph makes a soft, content cooing noise as he weakly nuzzles closer to Silco’s neck.

Silco shuts his eyes at it like he is at peace.

“They are so sweet when they are little,” he says.

“They are.” So innocent. Unaware of the difficulties of life so long as they have the care and affection of their family.

Naph nuzzles against Silco’s neck again before yawning. His eyes blinking as if he’s trying to fight off sleep.

“I think it might be bed time for him,” Vander says walking over. “Do you want me to take him? I know you have some paperwork you wanted to finish tonight.”

“It can wait,” Silco says. “I want to enjoy being with my grandson tonight.”

“Fair enough.” Vander isn’t going to argue with Silco taking a night off. His mate works too much keeping the Uppercity happy and managing the hidden illegal revenue sources they maintain to fund Zaun’s growth. “But we should probably take this little one to bed.”

Naph giggles when Vander softly ruffles his hair before blinking tiredly up at him.

“We should,” Silco agrees, heading down beneath the bar to where their bedrooms are.

Vander isn’t at all surprised when Silco heads straight to their room. They’d always had their kids sleep with them until they were old enough to want their own bed.

Silco places Naph in the middle of the bed between their pillows. The new location apparently more interesting than sleep as Naph’s eyes explore the ceiling as he fights their want to close.

“He’s a curious one,” Vander says as he changes into sleep clothes.

“What else could be expected of Viktor’s child?” Silco asks, starting the longer process of changing himself. Vander does appreciate the fine look of his mate’s style but he’s never fully seen the value of going to the extra effect every day of one’s life.

But maybe Vander was biased – he always thought Silco looked his absolute best when he was far enough along in his pregnancies that Vander’s shirts were all they had to fit him. A shame they never did get a photo of it.

Silco heads back to the bed once he’s changed. Settling into his side and reaching out to gently tickle Naph’s stomach. The pup smiling up at him for it.

“He’s not gonna’ go to sleep if you keep playing with him,” Vander says, getting into his side of the bed as Silco leans over to nuzzle at Naph’s stomach.

“I know,” Silco says only drawing away after peppering Naph’s face with kisses. “But he’s my grandson so I can let him stay up after bedtime.”

Vander snorts. As if Silco had ever been the one to actually enforce bedtime for any of their own pups – letting them all stay up in his office whenever asked until they more often than not fell asleep on the couch in there. And then expecting Vander to carry them to bed. 

Naph seems to be losing his battle with sleep though. So Silco lies back down next to him, gently rubbing his stomach as the pup drifts off.

“I would have had another if I could have,” Silco admits quietly as he watches Naph sleep.

“I know.” Vander never doubted Silco would have. Even with how difficult his pregnancies had been at times Silco had always loved their pups something fierce and always seemed happiest when they were small enough to be held in his arms. “But we had the girls as well.”

And they had loved them as much as any of their boys.

“We did,” Silco agrees. “But I would have liked one more.”

Vander is sure he would still be saying it even if they had of had six. But he understands because he feels it too – he would have loved another. Maybe a beta girl so they could have the complete set, although he knows they would have adored them regardless like they did the others.

“At least we have a grandkid to spoil now.”

“Yes, we do.”

Chapter Text

“Mylo, let me in,” Silo calls through his son’s closed bedroom door.

Vander had told him what happened when he arrived home. And while Silco is already tired from trying to convince Piltover’s Council that producing word-heavy safety pamphlets to distribute to the miners of Zaun was grossly overestimating literacy levels while also ensuring one of their larger Shimmer shipments of the year made it through the Port’s without Piltover knowing, he knows letting his situation go until morning was only going to make it worse.

He knocks again and this time the door opens. His son staring up at him with red-rimmed eyes before shuffling back to his bed.

Silco shuts the door behind him when he enters. They don’t need the other children joining.

Mylo buries his face in his pillow as Silco walks over. Sitting on the edge of the bed and resting his hand on his pup’s back.

“You hate me don’t you?” Mylo asks, his voice muffled.

“I could never.” There were a lot of people Silco hated but he knew for a long time that his children would never make that list.

“But I’m a bully and I’m mean to Powder,” Mylo says, shuffling over so his head is buried into Silco’s lap instead.

“You are not a bully.” At least no more than any other siblings are to each other. “But you can’t hit your sister over trivial things.”

According to Vander it had started over what they were having for dinner. The youngest two arguing about dessert until it escalated to Mylo slapping Powder across the face hard. Vander sending him down to his room basically immediately and Mylo had refused to come out since.

“She’s not.”

“Not what?” Silco has a feeling he knows but he will give his pup the benefit of the doubt.

“My sister, not really,” Mylo explains. “You and dad didn’t make her like you did us.”

“That’s Piltite thinking,” Silco says, getting cupping his son’s face to make him look up at him because this is important. “Family is not decided by blood but who you take responsibility for.”

“You had us though. You didn’t need to take them too!”

It is true they already had their three boys when Vander found the girls during their last violent confrontation with Piltover. But they had had the space and the means to take on two more and had never regretted that decision.

“What is this really about?” Silco asks, running his hand along his pup’s cheeks. While all siblings have their tussles normally Mylo enjoys being in the chaos of Silco and Vander’s younger four’s mischief.

“They all hate me and don’t want me around because they like Powder better.”

And yet the family’s youngest would hide in Silco’s office claiming her older siblings hated her and didn’t want her around because they were so mean to her. Not that Silco was going to tell her brother her secret fears told to him in confidence any more than he would be telling the other’s Mylo’s fears.

“You know what hatred looks like and it is not your siblings.” As much as Silco tried to protect his pups from Piltover’s cruelty there was only so much he could do considering their want to understand the work he did and why and Piltover’s hang ups about how one’s family is as much a part of their politics as their actual words meaning it necessary for him to present his family to them to be judged along with his work.

For all Piltover’s claims to class they were apparently as incapable of watching their tongues as the worst gossips one could find in Zaun’s street markets. And while Silco had raised his children to endure even the cruelest of words it didn’t change the fact they had had to endure that cruelty more than most Zaunites do.   

“I know,” Mylo agrees with a hiccupy breath and wet eyes. “I just want them to let me help and not keep telling me I’m too weak or too stupid because I’m not!”

“My poor pup,” Silco says, opening his arms for his boy to fall into, nuzzling into his hair as Mylo buries his face into his shirt. “Your gifts are just not meant for childhood.”

“What do you mean?” Mylo asks, peering up at him with eyes desperate for validation.

“Vi and Claggor are strong like you dad is. It is always easy to find use for muscle and strength even if it is just being the toughest kid on the street. Powder is like Viktor, they can build things that are better than anything their peers can even consider,” Silco says, running his hands through his pup’s hair. “But you see the world as it really is far better than any of them. You see how people really are. When you are young it is hard because you are lacking the full knowledge you need to understand all the facets of the situation. But when you get older people will see the value of your eyes.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Why do you think I got as far as I did?” Five brilliant thriving children, control over most of Zaun, and the ability to have Piltover at least listen to his proposals despite being born among the true slum-rats of Zaun. “You just have to get your temper under control or else you will end up in more trouble than you solve.”

“Did you have to get yours under control?”

“I did. When you are older I will tell you some of the things your dad and I used to do.” Vander wouldn’t be happy if Silco gave their pups too detailed or graphic ideas of how to handle oppression like their parents used to.

Mylo stares up at him with an analyzing gaze and Silco can’t help but raise his eyebrow because does he think Silco doesn’t know exactly what he is doing? That Silco isn’t the one he inherited off of? Whatever his son finds apparently satisfies him though because he rests his head back down.

“Can you sleep with me tonight?” Mylo asks before quickly adding. “I know I’m in trouble but-”

“You’re in trouble with your dad,” Silco corrects. “And it has been much too long since I have slept with my pup.”

Mylo grins at it. The two adjusting so they are in the bed cuddled together, Mylo pressed close to Silco’s chest and Silco wrapping an arm around his pup.

He knows he should have changed into more comfortable clothes than his work ones first but his pup is settled and he can sleep in them for one night for him.

Chapter Text

The midwife presses a hand against Vander’s shoulder as she goes to leave their apartment.

“Congratulations. It’s a healthy boy.”

“And Silco?” It hadn’t sounded good but Vander would admit he knew nothing about birth.

“He’ll be fine,” the midwife assures him, before her face twists into something more sympathetic. “Do be gentle with them both though. It wasn’t the easiest entry into the world for that pup of yours.”

“Of course,” Vander promises. Whatever he needs to do.

“Good alpha,” the midwife says, patting Vander’s shoulder before leaving.

Her words do make him pause outside the bedroom door. Has him knocking instead of just walking in like his first instinct was to do.

“Sil’, it’s me—can I come meet him?” He doesn’t know what he will do if his mate says no. After all the months of waiting and work to carve out as good of a life that they could he can’t help but want to meet the pup it was for. Be able to meet the baby he’s only been able to feel through Silco’s stomach. But he knows how much Silco hates to be seen when weak or injured. His mate like one of the alley cats that live along the river, hiding away to heal or die.

Thankfully his mate tells him to come in.

“How are you feeling?” Vander asks once the door is shut behind him. Realizing how stupid a question it as soon as he says it.

“How do I look like I feel?” Silco asks, managing his glare even with exhaustion-filled eyes.

“Like shit,” Vander answers honestly. Just Silco’s face reveals the ordeal he had been through—messy hair sticking to his face, tear-stains down his cheeks, and lips swollen and bloodied from where he had apparently bitten into them. Vander can see the shakes in his mate’s arms as well despite their bundled up pup in them. “Is there anything you want me to do?”

Silco shuts his eyes and takes a handful of steadying breaths, finished with a soft whine and a wince, before opening them again. Making Vander’s heart clench and want to somehow protect his mate from any more pain.

“Come tell me he was worth it,” Silco says, inclining his head to the side.

Vander comes over even before Silco can finish giving him permission. Silco adjusting their son so he can see him for the first time.

He almost can’t believe how tiny their pup is. How delicate and weak despite the strong kicks he’d been giving the last couple of weeks. Completely depending on them for protection and care in the cruel cold world they live in. But all theirs to care for. Their pup that they made together. That Silco carried and bore.

“Can I hold him?” Vander asks, despite feeling slightly scared he might hurt him.

Silco doesn’t say anything, just hands their son over.

“Keep his head supported,” Silco instructs as Vander settles the bundled babe in his arms as gently as he can.

“Right.” Vander adjusts his grip to make sure he has a hand under the pups head.

The boy looks even smaller in his hands. Vander swears he could almost fit him on one arm if he tried.

“Are we going with the name we discussed?” Vander asks as he takes in his son as the pup seems to take him in as well. Hopefully all the time he spent talking to him through Silco’s stomach paid off and the boy knows it is his dad holding him.

Silco gives a hum of agreement to the question. “Unless you have another idea?”

“No. No I think it fits him just fine. What do you think Viktor?”

Viktor just furrows his brow at it as if in consideration before relaxing his face again.

“Yeah, I think he likes it,” Vander says, before bringing Viktor up to his face. Taking in the pup’s scent for the first time.

He can smell Silco and himself on Viktor, mixed with the milky scent that all young pups have. It too early for the boy to truly have his own scent yet but Vander is sure he could pick him out of a crowd from scent alone if needed.

Viktor flinches as water drops on his face. Vander realizing it’s his own tears landing on his son.

“Are you crying?” Silco asks as Vander tries to wipe his tears on his shirt without disturbing his pup.

“He’s just so little Sil’. So tiny and perfect. We made him. You made him. I- thank you. You are amazing.” Vander knows he’s babbling. But he doesn’t know how else to get across what he means. The gift his mate has given him.

“Come here,” Silco says, reaching out to them.

“Do you want him back?” Vander has had his chance to meet and scent his son. Silco must be missing him seeing it was only hours ago Viktor was still safe inside him.

“I want his dad as well,” Silco says.

It takes Vander a second to realize Silco means him. Because he’s a dad now. He’s Viktor’s dad.

And his mate and the mother of his pup wants him.

“Right.” He hands Viktor back to Silco before gently climbing into the bed, mindful to be careful not to jostle Silco.

He lies on his side next to his family, slipping an arm behind Silco’s head and his other around Viktor as he leans in to press a kiss to his mate’s lips.

“I’ll look after him while you rest,” Vander promises, pressing his forehead against his mate’s. It’s only fair considering to this point there had been little he could do besides ensure Silco was fed and safe while their pup grew in him.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” Silco asks.

“Do you?” It wasn’t like there was anyone around to tell them what they needed to do. But they were hardly the first new parents in the Undercity without anyone to help. “We’ll figure it out. We have with everything else.”

“We’re going to give him a better life than we had,” Silco says, so softly Vander doesn’t know if was meant to hear it.

He completely agrees though. He will not allow his son to face the same oppression they all still live under and will do whatever he has to to ensure it.

“How are they both?” Benzo asks from the couch as Vander steps out of what had once been his room.

 Benzo supposes it still technically is Vander’s room. But with how Silco had moved into it and now hadn’t left since the birth of the pup of theirs, well, it was starting to feel more like the omega’s room that Vander was allowed in so long as he stayed in his new mate’s good graces.

Sure, that was how things were apparently meant to be, what with how omegas were better at building nests. Still felt unfair.

“Silco’s feeling better and Viktor’s starting to settle.”

“That’s good.” The birth had apparently been a rough one even for how much of a tough bastard Silco was. And while Benzo might not be counted as the omega’s biggest fan it didn’t mean he wanted him or the pup of his and Vander’s to suffer.

“Actually, do you want to meet him?” Vander asks.

“Who Viktor?”

“Well you’ve already met Silco a few times now,” Vander jokes causing Benzo to snort.

“True I know more about him than I would care to.” The walls to their apartment were honestly much too thin for Benzo’s liking these days. And whoever said that pregnancy was supposed to make people less interested in sex was clearly a liar. “Is he okay with it? I won’t have him saying that I’m causing him unnecessary stress.”

“Like I said, he’s feeling better,” Vander says as Benzo gets up. “And he wants you to meet our son.”

“Alright but if he starts yelling at me I’m telling him it was your idea,” Benzo says more to break the tension.

Vander rolls his eyes at it.

“Just get in there before I change my mind and decide to kick you out of the apartment instead.”

“You can’t do that I pay half the rent,” Benzo jokes back but opens the door to the bedroom. He tries to be quiet about it just in case the pup of theirs is sleeping. Staying at the edge of the room and nowhere near the bed-turned-nest.

“I thought you said he was feeling better,” Benzo says to Vander as the alpha shuts the door behind them.

Because Silco looks worse than the times he’s gotten himself into real shit with the Enforcers and Vander brought him back to their apartment to patch up before sending him home. Sure, there’s less visible wounds on him but the bags under his eyes are practically black and his hair is plastered to his head from how greasy and unkept it is. How bad must he have been that this is considered ‘better’ Benzo doesn’t want to know. 

“Nice to see you too Benzo,” Silco says, proving that at the very least his attitude is still intact. “I’d like to see you waking every few hours to try and get a pup to latch while you’re still bleeding from having them.”

“I’m sure I’d look twice as shit as you do,” Benzo says. “You have more grace in your left pinky than either of us combined.”

“Bastard,” Silco says, but there’s a hint of a smile of his face so Benzo takes it as win. “You going to come see him then?”

“Just waiting for my personal invitation.”

“Well you got it – now get over here.”

Benzo’s careful not to cross the border of the nest itself even with coming over. Close enough to see the pup without intruding into Silco’s space.

“Oh he’s just a little thing. I hardly see how he can cause you any problems.” Sure Benzo will admit he doesn’t know much about pups nor does he want to learn. But Vander and Silco’s new pup looks smaller than any Benzo’s seen. Granted, he’s likely fresher as well, still being kept safe at home with Dam.

“Well to start with he decided to come out feet first. And he refuses to go back to sleep easily when he does need to feed in the middle of the night,” Silco grumbles.

“I don’t believe it. I think you’re just jealous that he’s cuter than you’ve ever been. Don’t know how you did it considering you decided to breed with that ugly mug,” Benzo says with a nod towards Vander who has settled into the nest next to his mate and pup.

“I ain’t that ugly!” Vander protests. “Certainly no more than you.”

“True enough, but you ain’t that cute,” Benzo says with a nod at the pup. “You better hope he ends up an alpha else you’ll be beating them off with sticks.”

“We have a few years before we’ve got to worry about that,” Vander says with a nervous laugh.

Right now the biggest concern is keeping the pup fed and safe. Is making sure his parents are even alive to see him reach presenting age and that Enforcers haven’t hauled them off to Stillwater for either real or false crimes.

It certainly makes things more complicated. But Benzo supposes it can’t be helped. Wasn’t like they had much of an option after it became clear that the heat of Silco’s that had been spent in Vander’s room had gotten him with a pup on the way.

They’ll just have to figure it out along with everything else.

Chapter Text

Ximena watches Silco braids the long blue hair of his youngest daughter as he and Vander sit across from her in the hospital waiting room.

Ximena thought Powder’s hair looked lovely when she had showed up like it always did. But Silco had deemed it needing to be redone and the girl had sat in front of him to let him undo her hair and start again. Powder fiddling with some toy in her hands as he did.

Jayce had once told her that Viktor had a habit of fiddling with things when he was anxious or unsettled. Nervous fingers he had called it.

Clearly it was a trait shared by the other omegas in her son’s mate’s family.

Ximena wouldn’t judge them for it. Modern medicine had done wonders but there was still stories of those lost in birth. And Viktor was frailer than most for all he had never let it stop him.

Ximena was worried about him and she was neither his parent nor sibling.

“Where are you going?” Silco asks when Vander suddenly stands up. Both his and Powder’s heads shooting to the alpha as he does.

“For a smoke,” Vander says. “Do you want to join me?”

“No. I’ll stay.”

“Ximena?” Vander asks.

“Ah, no. I don’t smoke. Thank you for the offer though.”

Vander seems to shrug at it before heading for the side door that leads to the courtyard filling the middle of the hospital. Silco watching his mate until he is outside before returning to his daughter’s braids, clipping the gold bands into place when he’s finished.

“Better?” Powder asks when Silco gently tucks her hair down so it isn’t in the way of her hands.

Silco hums in response. Sitting back in the chair and reaching into his coat pocket.

If Ximena had to guess she would say there is something in there he is now fiddling with.

Vander returns after another minute looking clearly unhappy.

“The Kirammans are here.”

“What?” Silco snaps, already up on his feet.

“I saw them coming in through the windows to the front. None of them looked like they needed a hospital visit,” Vander explains. The implication of why they are here clear to even Ximena.

“How did they find out?” Ximena liked Cassandra well enough and is grateful for all the Councilor has done for her son. But Jayce and Viktor had wanted a couple days with their child themselves before letting the world know. And Cassandra tended to publicize things throughout her social circles if she thought they were worthy of publicity.

“Vi must have told her girlfriend, who told her mom,” Powder says, her tone surprisingly vicious.

The fact one of Viktor’s sisters is apparently dating Caitlyn is something Ximena will process later.

“I can see if I can convince her to come back later,” Ximena suggests. Not that she knows how. Cassandra is hard to deter once she has made up her mind.

“No,” Silco says, his tone not offering room for argument. “I will go tell the Councilor her presence is unneeded and unwanted. And later Vander can have a discussion with Violet about what she’s sharing with the woman’s daughter.”

Vander doesn’t say anything about his apparent future task, just steps out of his mate’s way as Silco heads towards the main entrance like he is going to war.

Ximena would feel sorry for Cassandra but really her presence was, as Silco put it, unneeded and unwanted.

Vander sits back down and Powder settles next to him. Leaning against her father as she continues to play with the toy she had been fiddling with. Vander watching her out of the corner of his eye.

“Why is it taking so long?” Powder says, dropping the toy into her lap and leaning more into her father. “I want to see my new nephew!”

“These things take time,” Vander says causing Powder to snort.

“I know, I know. It took Dam two days to push Claggor out but it’s so boring just waiting,” Jinx says, twisting and collapsing into her father’s lap.

Vander gives Ximena a sheepish look at it. Not that she knows if it is over his daughter’s actions or words. It did answer her brief wondering over how Silco had been with his children considering the difference between him and his mate’s frame and explained even more his concerns over his slighter son.

“You should go back home,” Vander tells his daughter. “We will come get you all when Viktor is ready for guests.”

“No!” Powder says sitting up. “I want to see them when they’re all fresh and gross looking.”

“Powder,” Vander says with clear alpha authority in his tone.

“Dad,” Jinx says with playful teasing in her tone.

Vander just raises an eyebrow at it.

“Alright, fine. Jeeze,” Powder says, making a big deal of dragging herself to standing. “Just don’t let anyone like the Kiramman’s see the baby before we do.”

“Wouldn’t dare,” Vander says earning him a grin from her daughter before she heads off.

“She always seems to have unlimited energy,” Ximena says once the gone is girl. Every time she’s met Viktor’s youngest sister the girl seems to almost bounce around her family with endless enthusiasm.

It earns her a laugh.

“She can be a handful when she wants to be,” Vander says. “But her hearts in the right place.”

“Where’s Powder?” Silco asks as he returns. Carrying himself like he has been in heavy negotiations.

Knowing Cassandra he likely has been.

“I sent her home,” Vander says.

“Probably for the best,” Silco says with a sigh and a slump of his shoulders. The Zaun Representative giving way to a tired parent.

“You got rid of the Councilor?” Vander asks.

“For now,” Silco says, sitting next to his mate. “She wants to know as soon as we do that the baby’s born.”

“Honestly, that woman.” The boys’ need privacy and their families’ support as they adjust to being parents. Not every person in Piltover in their space like their child is some public commodity.

“I take it you won’t tell her until they want us to either?” Silco asks, his gaze assessing.

“Of course not.” Cassandra can wait with everyone else who isn’t family.

“Good.”

They spend a couple more hours waiting in silence before Jayce hurries into the hallway. All of them up on their feed when he does.

“He’s perfect,” Jayce says. “I’m a dad!”

“And Viktor?” Silco snaps. Harshly in Ximena’s mind even if she understands where it is coming from.

Jayce just takes it in his stride.

“He’s great as well. I mean, he’s tired but good. You can come see them both.”

Silco clearly doesn’t need to be told twice. Heading into the hospital suite immediately. Vander gesturing for Ximena to go next before following last.

Ximena isn’t surprised that Silco is immediately at the bed’s side checking on Viktor with hushed tones clearly not meant to be overheard. Despite his intimidating presence she has seen how much he cares about his children.

She will give them their moment while she checks on her son.

Jayce practically collapses on her when she offers him a hug. His strong arms squeezing her so tightly it makes it almost hard to breathe. Not that she dares tell him because he clearly needs it.

“I’m a dad,” he tells her again, like he can’t believe it’s true. “You’re a grandma.”

“You are. I am.” Ximena gently pulls away to look up at his face. To look up at her boy all grown up. Who has already achieved so much and she just knows will be a great father like his own had been in the time he had with Jayce. “I’m so proud of her.”

“Viktor did all the work,” Jayce says with a nervous laugh and a glance back at his mate and child. The baby now cradled in Silco’s arms as he and Vander no doubt are telling him how proud they are. The boy’s working so hard to get where they are. “Do you want to meet him?”

“Only if Viktor is comfortable with it.” Ximena remembers when Jayce was born. The mix or hormones making one irrationally protective of the tiny defenseless human they had created.

“He wants you too as well,” Jayce says, guiding her towards the bed.

Silco gives the baby back to Viktor as they approach. His expression the softest Ximena thinks she’s ever seen it as he traces his finger down his grandchild’s face before pulling away.

“How are you feeling Viktor?” Ximena asks because while the answer is obvious it is still polite to ask.

“Glad it is over,” Viktor jokes. “But I am, ah, happy with the results of all the effort.”

Ximena turns her attention to her grandchild. Still pink and soft and so delicate.

She knows all too well how quickly he will grow up but also knows she will never forget this moment.

“What’s his name?”

“Naph Talis,” Jayce answers. It isn’t the name she would have predicted for her grandchild but it is still a good one. And fair enough considering Viktor has no house name to give despite the power his family has gained. “Do you want to hold him?”

“If Viktor is okay with it.”

“Please do. I would like to eat something,” Viktor says handing his baby over to her easily. His parents and Jayce helping him adjust and settle with the food the hospital provided in his lap.

It gives Ximena time alone with her grandson.

His parents are right to be proud of him. Naph is a healthy adorable baby boy who right now seems to be taking more after Viktor just as Jayce had hoped.

She wishes her mate and Jayce’s father would have met him. But that is a wound she has long carried as she watched Jayce grow up and thrive without him.

At least Naph has three grandparents to spoil him as he deserves. Her son and his mate lucky in that as well.

Viktor is sitting up in the hospital bed when they enter. He looks tired, but fine, and has a bundle in his arms that Vander is fairly certain is the baby that officially makes them grandparents. Jayce sitting in the chair beside the bed staring down at the bundle with such intensity he doesn’t even apparently notice their entry. Viktor having found himself a good partner.

Silco crosses the room first to their son and grandchild. Running a hand through Viktor’s dump hair to push it out of his face.

“How was it?” Silco asks as Vander makes his way over as well.

Viktor twists his head in false contemplation.

“Painful but Jayce is very sorry for getting me pregnant and I think I will forgive him,” he says, causing Jayce to rest his head on the hospital bed and groan. His hand reaching out towards Viktor’s as Viktor continues. “Do you want to hold him?”

“Only if you’re comfortable,” Vander says as Silco just reaches for his grandchild having apparently forgotten how possessive he had been about his own pups the first few days after they were born.

Viktor does seem fine with it though.

“He looks like Viktor doesn’t he?” Jayce says as Silco runs his good eye over the babe.

Vander watches as Silco’s expression softens. Watches his own partner fall in love with their grandchild as quickly as he had all their own children.

“What’s his name?” Silco asks as he pulls the boy closer into the crook of his arm to hold. Looking as natural with him as he did their own.

“Naph,” Viktor says with a glance at Jayce who just smiles back reassuringly, “Talis.”

Silco slightly curls his lip at the second name but at least Naph had a Zaunite name as his first. Silco thankfully not making comment about it, instead sitting down next to the bed and settling Naph in his arms.

“Can I have him or are you planning on keeping him?” Vander asks because the new parents will probably want their pup back and he would like a chance to meet his grandchild as well.

 Silco hands the bundled babe over to him despite the clear reluctance to let go of him.

Vander holds Naph out to where his eyesight is best, keeping the newborn’s head supporting while he examines him.

“He does look like you Vik.” Not exactly the same as Vander remembers his son had looked when he had first been handed him all those years ago but the resemblance is still clear even if he can see Jayce in the boy’s face as well. “You made a good pup.”

“We are happy with him,” Viktor says reaching up for his son.

Vander hands Naph back down to him, letting Viktor resettle his son in his arms. Looking down at the baby with an already deeply fond expression.

It’s clear that the babe will grow up surrounded by love. Which is what a kid as cute as he is deserves.

Chapter Text

“I can finish this up and we can stop for the night,” Jayce says after Silco has left the lab in the same hurry he had entered it only minutes before.

“Why would we need to do that?” Viktor asks as he finishes tying his baby brother against his chest and reaches for his cane again to stand up.

“Uh- your brother,” Jayce says gesturing generally at the baby in Viktor’s arms who Silco had dropped off because the rest of the family were unavailable and the Zaun Representative had been asked to a meeting that would no doubt involve yelling, cooing at his pup that his brother would take care of him before leaving. “You need to look after him right?”

“I can keep working with him,” Viktor says. “He will likely fall asleep anyway.”

“If you’re sure.” Jayce figures Viktor would know his brother and how to care for him better than Jayce would.

“I am,” Viktor says. “You were going to show me something before my Dam came?”

“Oh, right!” Jayce had almost forgotten about it with the interruption. “I think I figured out a solution to our battery-limitation problem.”

Viktor comes over to look at Jayce’s work over his shoulder, keeping his brother steady against his chest with his hand not holding his cane. The pup’s eyes darting around the lab as if to take it all in while safely snuggled against his brother.

Eventually the boy’s eyes find Jayce’s face and Jayce smiles at him, earning him a toothless grin back.

“How does it work?” Viktor asks, pulling Jayce’s attention back onto him.

“Huh? Oh, it should dispense the energy from the Hex Crystal over its full surface so it doesn’t overload any of the parts.” The problem having caused all the explosions that unfortunately had been a common occurrence in their lab for the last few weeks.

“And have you tested it?” Viktor asks, eyes darting over it, looking for any faults obvious to him.

“Not yet,” Jayce says, noticing Viktor’s brother trying to twist his head and body to look as well. “And what do you think?”

Viktor glances down, his expression softening at his brother’s curiosity.

He rests his cane against the desk before undoing the ties of the wrap to turn his brother around to have a look. Jayce moving the new prototype to give the boy a better look, fully aware that there isn’t anything a baby can actually offer in terms of assessment or advice.

The prototype seems to only interest him for a moment. Viktor’s brother glancing at Jayce and then his brother as if looking for some cue as to what to do.

When he reaches up to Viktor with a distressed whine Jayce can’t help but stress. He knows Silco will find it his fault if he returns to his baby crying.

“It is alright pup,” Viktor says, pulling his brother close so the boy’s head is by his neck.

Viktor switches to the Zaunite language Jayce sometimes hears him and Silco talk in. And while Jayce may not understand all the words, the tone is clearly soothing and Viktor’s brother settles for it, clinging tightly to the omega.

“Did I do something wrong?” Jayce would like to know so he can avoid repeating it in the future.

“No, you were fine Jayce. He is just getting irrational from tiredness,” Viktor says, gently running his hand through his brother’s hair as the boy scrunches up his face. “I might try and get him to fall asleep so we continue?”

“Of course.” Jayce had suggested Viktor could stop until Silco came back.

Viktor limps over to the couch they keep in the lab, sitting down with his baby brother cuddled close as Jayce brings the cane over for him before going back to the workbenches to pack away what needs to be for the day. They should probably stop for the night anyway, go get a real dinner for the first time this week and think about something other than batteries.

Jayce finds he struggles to keep his focus on task. His eyes and attention keep going back to Viktor and his brother.

Viktor has his brother lying against his chest as he rubs along the baby’s back. The boy’s head pressed into the crook of his neck where the omega’s scent-gland is as Viktor presses soft kisses into his brother’s hair.

Jayce abandons his task when the soft lullaby fills the air of the lab.

Viktor softly singing words Jayce does not understand but finds himself captivated by more than any performer he has heard.

He hopes that one day he will get to hear Viktor sing it to a child of their own.

He shouldn’t think things like that, he knows. Viktor is not his mate just his partner. But there is a part of Jayce that wants that to change despite the risk of potentially ruining their relationship by bringing it up. And seeing Viktor with his new brother only makes that part of Jayce grow. Makes him want to build a life and maybe, hopefully, eventually a family with Viktor.

Viktor peers down at his brother when he is finished the song. Gently brushing the boy’s dark hair aside to check if he is actually asleep. Going by how he relaxes Jayce figures he is.

“Can you get me the blanket?” Viktor asks quietly with a nod at the blanket they keep in the lab in case either of them end up staying too late and decide to sleep there. “I do not want to wake him up by moving.”

Jayce doesn’t say anything from fear of waking the baby. Just quietly getting the blanket from the other end of the couch and helping Viktor cover himself and his brother in it.

He presses a kiss against Viktor’s forehead as an afterthought.

He realizes what he’s done when Viktor stares up at him with wide eyes.

“I’m sorry-“ Jayce starts because he knows he’s overstepped and doesn’t want to lose Viktor because of it.

Viktor brings a finger to his lips to stop him from continuing.

“We can discuss that later,” Viktor says quietly and Jayce can only mutely nod.

He knows if he woke Viktor’s brother it would only make it worse. Even if he doesn’t know how he’s going to stay calm until that later time arrives. Especially seeing it will likely be after Silco comes back to pick up his youngest pup from his eldest.

Chapter Text

Silco doesn’t know how he isn’t dead.

The baby the apologetic midwife hands to him is huge. Not that Silco hadn’t known that from the hours of agony he had spent pushing the giant brat out. Vander’s genes strong despite the fact one would think the babe should have been somewhat limited by the room available in Silco’s womb.

He had done it though. All that’s left is to stitch him up from where the babe had torn him in half and then he can sleep it off while Vander does the proud father thing.

Silco’s job is done.

Right?

“Why do I feel the need to push again?”

“Oh that would just be-“ the midwife starts, sticking her fingers up and in him not that he feels them from how stretch out and ruined he is down there. “Oh.”

“What?” Silco demands because her expression is one of shock and he can’t think of anything good coming from there.

“Where were you hiding this whole time?” she asks and clearly not to Silco.

“Where was what hiding?” Silco isn’t an idiot, he knows what it most likely is but he really hopes to be wrong.

“Ah, um,” the midwife says, not meeting his eyes as she goes and gets another towel. Which- no. No no no no no no no. “You’re going to want to brace yourself because I need you to push again.”

“How!?” Silco demands as he yells through the next contraction and unfightable urge to push.

“I’d say they were hidden behind their brother,” the midwife says. “Explains why you were so big.”

No. The fact the first one was giant explained why he had been so big. There was no need for there to be a second one.

But even through the blinding pain he can definitively feel something else coming out of his womb. Not that he had any idea how the fuck he was supposed to have the energy to do it again so soon.

“Get me Vander!” Fuck the logic that alphas were more hindrance than help during birth. Or that they didn’t need to see this part of the creation of life. Vander had gotten him into this state he can see what his lust had done.

The midwife nods to her assistant who goes and gets the requested alpha.

Vander looks sheepish at first but grins when he sees Silco and their first, gushing about how perfect he is and how good Silco did. And Silco is listening to none of it. Instead wanting for his mate to get within grabbing distance to drag him close by the collar.

“Fucking twins,” Silco snarls, making sure Vander cannot misunderstand him. “You knocked me up with fucking twins.”

“Oh,” Vander says, only apparently now taking in the full situation. The fact Silco’s legs are still spread and the midwife between them ready to catch the next one assuming Silco can actually manage to push them out. The assistant taking the first from his chest so he doesn’t accidently hurt them while pushing out their sibling.

“I’m going to fucking kill you!” Silco promises as the next contraction hits him and he has little choice but to try and squeeze the second one out. And Vander, the bastard, just kisses his forehead and takes one his hands like it will help at all.

“He doesn’t mean it,” the midwife assures. And while she’s done a great job so far and is probably the best in Zaun she’s really starting to get under Silco’s skin.

“Yes I do.” As soon as he’s able to walk again from the destruction the two had done to him Vander is as good as dead.

“Don’t worry,” Vander assures the midwife. “I’ve known Silco a long time, I know when he’s being serious and when he’s just talk.”

“I’m at least going to cut your fucking dick off.” That should at least prevent Silco or anyone else having to ever push out another of Vander’s giant brats again. Really, he’d be doing the public a service.

“Okay,” Vander says like he isn’t actually taking Silco’s threats seriously but just letting him vent his pain.

“Oh fuck you.”

“If you cut off my dick that’s going to be a bit hard,” Vander says because he’s fucking clever and Silco is definitively going to kill him after this.

“Fuck- Bastard- Ah!” The pain is getting worse which can only mean one thing.

“They’re crowning!” the midwife confirms. “Looks like they’re smaller than their brother so this should be a bit easier for you.”

“And I suppose I should be grateful for that?” He shouldn’t be having to do this at all seeing there was supposed to be only one in there.

“For what it’s worth I am sorry love,” Vander says. And while he does sound apologetic Silco doesn’t care.

“Don’t even think about asking for another.” If Vander truly wanted his brood he can find another omega foolish enough to scream out some more of his giant bastards.

“Of course,” Vander says. Silco gives it a year tops before his mate is making pathetic faces at every pup that comes into his bar in their parent’s arms, making Silco start wanting another against his own logic. Fucking bastard.

“You’re doing great Silco,” the midwife says, a phrase that has truly lost all meaning over the course of the labor. “Their head’s nearly out.”

They must really be smaller than their brother then seeing they are coming significantly faster. Or maybe he’s just that stretched out from their brother’s giant head.

“You’re nearly done,” Vander says.

“I should already be done,” Silco reminds.

“We can’t change that now,” Vander says. “You can do it.”

“I haven’t exactly got a choice otherwise,” Silco snarls, before groaning with the next contractions.

“Head’s out!” the midwife says. “Rest for a moment while I check for the cord.”

Silco lets his head fall back, only realizing Vander had positioned himself behind him when he hits his mate’s chest. Vander massaging his shoulder with his free hand in what Silco assumes is meant to be support.

“I’m tired,” he admits. He has been doing this for two days now. The only sleep he had gotten stolen between contractions.

“I know,” Vander says, running his free hand through Silco’s hair. “And once you’re done you can rest all you want. I’ll hold back the crowds.”

Silco laughs at the image of it but he knows there will be plenty of people keen to see their baby. Both their friends and every damned busy-body in Zaun. And Silco doesn’t have the energy to play nice with even the former.

“Alright, you can push again,” the midwife says gently.

It’s just the shoulder’s Silco knows from the first. A couple more pushes and he’s done for real this time.

He struggles to find the energy for even that but manages it, feeling his second-born slide from him. The midwife handing the baby up to him like the last.

“He’s tiny,” Vander says and it takes a moment for Silco’s exhausted mind to process how right Vander is. This one looks half the size of his brother.

“Is he-“ Silco starts. Suddenly terrified he went to all that extra effort only to still end up with only one son.

“Oh he’s healthy,” the midwife says, knowing exactly what he’s fearing. “He’s a little small but still what I’d expect. His brother is just-“

Huge. Massive. Much larger than any reasonable omega should be expected to push out.

“You’re going to want to take it especially easy while you heal,” the midwife says instead of finishing. Going to get what she needs to literally stitch Silco back up.

At least Silco’s part is done.

Of course it’s with that thought he feels another contraction. The panic of there possible being a third setting in immediately.

“It’s just the placenta,” the midwife says, clearly reading his thoughts from his expression. “Your body should be able to pass it with just the contractions. Just don’t fight it.”

“Oh thank fuck.” He doesn’t have the energy to push even once more.

Silco turns his attention to find where Vander had gone to only to see his mate holding their two sons.

They look like Vander. Which Silco’s Dam had always said it was important babies came out looking like their Sire and Silco had always thought was massively unfair because it hadn’t been their sire carrying them for 9 months or pushing them out.

Vander looks proud though.

Which – good.

He better be fucking happy with the two of them because Silco is serious about these not being any more.

And Vander had better have had been serious about keeping the crowds away. Because Silco needs at least a day to get over what just happened. Maybe more.

He will admit the boys are cute though. And probably worth it.

He’ll come back to the decision after some sleep.

“You’re a big brother now,” Vander tells Viktor when he comes back after being apparently needed by Silco. “How does it feel?”

“I don’t feel any different,” Viktor says because he really doesn’t. “Am I supposed to?”

His dad just shrugs, giving over an arm for Viktor to help steady himself onto as he stands up. His knee hurting from being bent for too long as he was working on his boat in one of the booths of the bar.

“Do you want to meet them?” Vander asks once Viktor is up.

“Yes.”

“Alright,” Vander says. “But only quickly, you’re Dam needs to rest after having them. It took a lot out of him.”

Viktor nods at it. Silco had seemed awfully keen to have them the last few weeks but Viktor figures two days of uninterrupted work would be tiring no matter how much you were looking forward to doing it.

He follows his dad to his parents’ room. Waiting patiently as Vander knocks and asks if they can come in.

“You ready?” Vander asks him when Silco calls back that they can enter.

“Yes. Open it.” Viktor had waited long enough to meet his sibling. Silco had even said the pregnancy took longer than it should.

“You’re as impatient as your Dam at times,” Vander says with a chuckle. “But alright, after you.”

The door opens and Viktor is met with the sight of his Dam looking more tired than Viktor remembers him ever being. But more importantly is the baby in his Silco’s arms. The two of them. Which doesn’t make sense.

“Do we have to put one back?”

Vander makes a choking sound behind him and Silco’s face twists to an almost horrified one. Which Viktor doesn’t understand because his question is very reasonable considering they were only supposed to be having one baby.

Clearly there was some mix up and it would need to be resolved.

“No,” Vander says, his hands coming to rest on Viktor’s shoulders as he laughs. “We’re keeping them both. You have two new brothers Vik.”

“Ah.” Well that didn’t make sense. But it might be part of the baby making process his parents promised to fill him in on once he’s older. “Can I go see them?”

“Yes but you have to be good and let your Dam sleep after,” Vander says. “You can help me organize clothes for them.”

“Okay.” That seemed reasonable enough. Twice the babies would need twice the clothes.

Viktor carefully heads over to his parents bed. Mindful not to trip in his excitement. He peers over at the babies wrapped up in his Dam’s arms.

He can’t help but curl his nose at what he sees.

“They’re ugly.” He doesn’t remember any other baby he’s met looking like these two do. Pink squished faced that look like they have a layer of skin flaking off them.

“That’s just what newborns look like,” Silco assures him. “You looked the same when you were first born as well.”

Viktor wants to deny ever looking like his new brothers do but he supposes he doesn’t remember.

“Give them a couple days to get unsquished and they’ll be looking much cuter,” Vander adds.

Being squished doesn’t sound pleasant so Viktor supposes he can forgive them their ugliness for a little.

“Do you want to hold them?” Silco asks.

“What if I drop them?” He would try not to but Viktor knows he sometimes loses his balance because of his bad leg and drops things as a result.

“If you sit up in bed you won’t,” Silco says and Viktor glances up at Vander to help him up. His parents bed much higher than his own and he doesn’t want to hurt either Silco or his new siblings in his attempt.

Vander picks Viktor up from under his shoulders. Gently putting him in bed on the other side of Silco Viktor sits himself up so his legs are spread out down the bed and his back against the headboard.

“Are you ready?” Silco asks and Viktor nods. “Give him Mylo first.”

Vander takes one of the babies from Silco and brings him to Viktor’s lap.

“You gotta’ keep his head supported,” Vander instructs as he keeps his hands under Viktor’s own as Viktor tries his best to keep his brother safe.

Babies are especially fragile he knows.

Once his brother is settled his dad moves his hands away, leaving Viktor to hold him alone.

“He’s your youngest brother,” Vander says as baby Mylo looks up at Viktor.

“Are they both not my younger brothers?” Viktor had been told he was having a younger sibling. He did not understand how there being two of them made that different

“They are. Mylo was just born second. So he’s the younger one. Do you want to hold Claggor as well?”

“Yes.” Viktor would like to meet his other new brother.

Vander carefully takes Mylo back. Trading him with Silco from Claggor before gently settling Viktor’s older-younger brother in his arms.

“He’s bigger,” Viktor says. Claggor looks similar to his brother – squashed and pink and flaky. But he’s also noticeably heavier.

The only thing Viktor can think to explain it is that he’s older than Mylo.

“He takes after your dad,” Silco says with a glare aimed at Vander that Viktor doesn’t fully understand. He thought babies were meant to look like their dads.

“Some babies are just bigger than others,” Vander says. “You were a little bigger than Mylo is when you were born.”

Viktor looks over at Mylo and tries to imagine himself at that size. He doesn’t remember being that small but his parents wouldn’t lie about that.

“You wanna’ give your brother back so your Dam can sleep,” Vander says and Viktor nods. Handing Claggor back to his dad to give back to Silco.

“Will you be able to sleep with them?” Viktor asks because babies are noisy.

“That’s why I need you to keep being good Vik. So I can come look after them to let your Dam rest once we get clothes for them,” Vander says, ruffling Viktor’s hair.

“I promise to be good.” Viktor is good at being good. Quietly working on his projects and only disturbing his parents when it is something really important.

Silco gives a tired hum at it, reaching out to cup Viktor’s face. Viktor immediately leaning into his Dam’s touch.

“You will be a good big brother, will keep them both safe.”

“Of course.” His parents had already told him he would need to protect his younger siblings like they protected Zaun.

Viktor had no plans on letting them down.

Chapter Text

“Okay. I can admit this is pretty cool Vik,” Jinx says when she finally gets to talk to Viktor after the Big Presentation where he and his now not my boyfriend my husband unveiled the project they had been working on for the past couple of years to their impatient public. The result of all the times Viktor had been too busy to hang out with her because he nearly had it figured out I don’t have time right now Powder.

The end result is pretty amazing though. They had managed to figure out those little blue gems of Jayce’s HexCrystals Powder, they’re called HexCrystals and they are really dangerous so you shouldn’t play with them to create gates that could transport things across the world to both Piltover and Zaun.

Even Silco was excited about the possibilities of them. Although to impatient to have one built in Zaun because they promised and once we have that we can worry less about Piltover eyes on our goods.

“Yes, it is rather impressive,” Viktor says, looking up as the gates officially open for the first time. The fancy purely decorative ship, that actually looks boring if you ask Powder not that anyone did, disappearing through. “I wanted to show you something.”

“Is it some new trinket you’ve picked up for me?” Don’t get her wrong, Jinx does love the little gifts her brother brings home for her every time he visits even if she is much too old for this she’s just cluttering up her room with them Viktor! But sometimes she wishes for something bigger.

“No, something I think you will find to be much, ah, cooler,” Viktor says walking off towards the backend of the gates. Nodding to the Enforcer standing guard as he lets them through.

 Jinx nods her head while pointing to Viktor to make it clear that she’s with him and that the Enforcer better not stop her from following her big brother. It earns her a raised eyebrow but the Enforcer doesn’t move to stop her.

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here? I mean I don’t care or anything but I don’t want you to get into trouble because you’re letting me back here.” Jinx doesn’t want to be the one who brings nothing but trouble onto us can’t you just not cause problems for a day.

“Of course – you are my sister,” Viktor says. “And I can let anyone I want back here. I built it.”

“Well, yeah, I know that. But we all know that Piltover won’t do something just because it’s the right thing to do.” If they did their parents would not have had to fight like they did to get justice for the sons and daughters of Zaun and Zaun would already be independent.

Viktor glances back at her and Jinx waits for the chastisement to come. You should think before you speak; Should be more careful Powder; Stop trying to seek out danger!

There is no chastisement just Viktor carefully making his way down the stairs to the side of the platform they are on. One hand on the railing while the other remains on his cane.

Jinx could slide down the railing to get to the bottom fast but that would hardly be fair to her brother. Instead she follows at his pace but cranes her neck to try and see what exactly he is leading to. She’s not completely impatient, and can totally let the situation develop before you act Jinx.

A blue light encircles them as they hit it.

The underworking’s of the Gate are huge in how they surround them. Glowing runes and massive twisting steel structures that cause the supposedly simple transfer about them.

A good machine is never as simple as it seems Powder. The inner workings are complicated in their interconnectedness. But once you understand them those surface actions make much more sense. I’ve found people to be the same. 

“Now this is really cool!” Jinx says, leaning over the railing to try and get a closer look. “Can I?”

“That is why I brought you down here,” Viktor says with a gesture at the machinery.

“Have I told you you’re my favorite brother recently?” Jinx says, rushing over to hug Viktor tight.

He’s the only one in the family to truly get her. To understand the need to create and hold onto things because you never know when they could be useful it’s not clutter! Vander and Silco are encouraging, and she knows Silco expects her to follow Viktor into creating greatness for Zaun, but they don’t get it. Don’t get that sometimes the science is more important than anything else – food, relationships, social politeness.

But Viktor always has and while she knows she’s frustrated him to no end because don’t touch that Powder you’ll break it he knows the drive and knows what kind of things she actually needs. And he gets the others off her back when they’re being mean to her about it.

“Ah, that feels unfair to Claggor and Mylo,” Viktor says but Jinx isn’t really listening anymore. Already climbing down the sides of the stairs to get a closer look at the workings. “Please do be a little careful. We want this first display to be a success.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Powder says as she pulls out one of the coolants to see how they connected it.

She’s pretty sure she can hear Viktor sigh as he continues to make his way down the stairs.

“It really is amazing you made all this,” Jinx says as Viktor reaches the bottom of the stairs.

“I didn’t do it alone,” Viktor says because he actually likes his dumb Piltite Partner Husband we’re married now, you were at the wedding Powder, “But, yes, I am rather proud of what our work has resulted in.”

“You should be.” Jinx hopes she can build something half as cool in her life. Or maybe twice as cool – Viktor has set a high bar but Jinx is really smart as well. Silco keeps saying how she’s smart like your big brother but not as caught up in the morality of your creations and her inventions keep getting more stable with each iteration.

“Actually I was wondering if I could get your assistance with my work.”

Jinx’s attention is immediately on Viktor at that. Her brother gripping his cane tight like he does when he is trying to steel himself. Like he had been during the whole presentation where his Piltite husband seemed to be trying to show him off as much as their work.

“Don’t you have that Piltite Partner of yours to help you out with things?” Jinx jokes because it does make her a little worried. “I mean you did marry him.”

“Jayce is in support of these projects broadly, he wants to help better the lives of everyone in the city.” Viktor sighs. “But the Council want him, ah, want us, to prioritize things that will bring Piltover more wealth. Not things that will help the people in Zaun. And we do not have time to wait for them to be satisfied first.”

“And where do I fit into all this?” Powder asks because she jumps to the conclusion you want and miss what is actually happening.

She likes where this seems to be going though.

“I was hoping you could assist me with some side projects,” Viktor says which is exactly what Jinx was hoping he would.

“Of course! I love secret projects!” The ones she did for Silco were the best. But Jinx is sure Viktor’s will be as well because her brother is so bright and she could learn so much from him you are so much like him in many ways.

“It’s not a secret project,” Viktor clarifies because he likes to ruin her and their other sibling’s fun. “It, ah, is just projects that do not have the Council’s backing.”

Viktor can call them whatever he wants, Powder knows a secret project from any other.

“Of course. I won’t let you down!” It’s nice to know Viktor trusts her enough for it.

“I do not think that would be possible,” Viktor says. Because he doesn’t think she’s a jinx who will never be as good as Viktor you’re too impatient and reckless I know you are smart but you need to actually think sometimes Powder.

Viktor wants her as an assistant and he does not have any patience for incompetents so wouldn’t be asking if he didn’t think she was up to the task.

“Just, ah Jinx,” Viktor says and Jinx forcers herself to focus on him despite the excitement bubbling in her. Because that is what a good assistant does. “No weapons.”

Chapter Text

“So when are we putting the tree up?” Mylo asks sitting on the foot of the bed that Silco is recovering in. The kids all needing the time with Silco to reassure them that they aren’t going to lose him.

If Vander’s being honest he and Silco need it too. Spending time as a family again even if Silco is on bedrest, half his face covered in bandages laced in the doctor’s glowing ‘medicine’ to try and fight off the encroaching infection thanks to the waters of the Pilt getting into Silco’s blood and split eye.

“I already told you, we won’t be putting the tree up this year.” What with Silco still recovering and everything else they needed to organise for him to take his new role as representing Zaun in Piltover. Setting up a tree in the Last Drop just didn’t feel worth the effort. The patrons would understand and if they didn’t Vander couldn’t give a shit about their opinions. All things he had explained to the kids the other five times they had asked.

And yet, like those five other times he is met with a chorus of protests.

“We can’t not have a tree up. Where will our presents be!?” Powder says, sitting up suddenly from where she had immediately cuddled into Silco’s side as soon as she was allowed in the room.

“Powder careful,” Vander says because, as much as Silco tried to hide it, Vander caught the pained gasp his husband had made.

“I’m alright,” Silco assures when Powder immediately turns around to check on him. “And of course we will have a tree for your presents to be under.”

“Sil-“ The kids can go one year without it. They’ll still get their presents – more than a lot of kids in Zaun will be getting.

“Vander will go get one and you can all decorate it,” Silco continues, ignoring Vander’s attempted interruption.

“You’ll help right?” Claggor asks.

“That is probably above my current capabilities, but I can come up while you do it.”

“You’re supposed to be staying in bed.” The man who had saved Silco’s life had been very clear that if Silco didn’t rest his condition would deteriorate again. Vander can’t almost lose his husband again.

“It’s just upstairs. A booth isn’t that different to a bed,” Silco says, running a hand through Powder’s hair, watching Vander closely with his uncovered eye. “Go get a tree Vander.”

“Oh! Can Ekko join?” Powder asks before Vander has a chance to argue against the idea and how it isn’t worth risking Silco’s health for.

“Of course. Vander will go get Benzo to help get the tree and Ekko can come join,” Silco says, looking down at their youngest before meeting Vander’s eyes. “It has been a stressful year for us all. We should celebrate that we made it through.”

“Vander, go get a tree,” Silco repeats when Vander doesn’t move fast enough for his liking.

Vander knows there isn’t any convincing his husband off this plan. Once Silco’s made up his mind about something like he has there is no budging him no matter how Vander tries. His only option to try and mitigate what he can.

“How about I carry you up before I go?” Better that than Silco overstrain himself or trip as a result of his changed eyesight.

Silco stares at him defiantly but Vander just meets his gaze. If Silco wants this so bad he can accept the compromise.

“Any excuse to have me in your arms,” Silco says finally, breaking his gaze from Vander, as close of a surrender he will give.

The kids give a mixture of laughter and dramatic gags at it.

“Of course,” Vander says, coming over to the bed. Powder scrambling out of his way. “You know I want to hold you.”

Silco snorts at it but reaches up to wrap his arms around Vander’s neck as Vander reaches down to pick him up. Trying to be gentle as he settles his husband in his arms. Trying not to think about how Silco feels thinner than he normally does. Tucking his head into Vander’s neck, the fabric of his bandages rubbing against Vander’s skin as he does.

Vander nearly lost him and he wants to take a moment to remind himself that his husband is still here. Silco safe in his arms where he can protect him from those who hate the new deal with Piltover and want them dead for their part in it.

The kids have already racing up the stairs. Vander doesn’t give it long before they impatiently come and demand he hurry up – wanting the tree Silco promised them.

He’s mindful of Silco in his arms – climbing the stairs carefully and making sure he doesn’t bump his husband into anything on the way to the booth. Letting Silco brace himself on the backrest and table before putting him down.

Even with his care Silco gives a hiss as he settles into the booth. Adjusting the pillows the kids offer to him to prop himself up.

“Go get the tree now,” Mylo demands as soon as Silco’s sitting.

“Do you need anything else before I go love?” Vander asks Silco because he needs to know he’s okay before he’s going to leave.

“Nothing the kids can’t get for me.”

“We’ll take good care of him,” Vi promises, with the other three nodding around her.

There’s no point stalling any longer, he’ll only be met with frustration from them all. Vander still gives Silco a kiss before he leaves, gently cupping his husband’s face, his husband’s unbandaged half softening at it.

Benzo doesn’t look surprised at Vander arriving at his shop. His expressions shifts to it when Vander tells him why.

“Thought you weren’t doing that this year?”

“I got outvoted.”

“More like put in your place,” Benzo says as he starts shutting up the shop. “Can Ekko join too?”

“’course. Powder’d probably be disappointed if you showed up without him.” She’s always preferred hanging out with Ekko more than her siblings and doesn’t even try and hide that fact.

The boy in question scurries down from somewhere in the shelves at it. Clearly having been listening in.

“Go ahead while we get the tree,” Benzo says. It’s not that Ekko wouldn’t try and help them but it’s the kind of job that’s easier done without a kid underfoot. “But remember Silco’s still recovering. No getting into trouble with the others while you wait.”

“We won’t,” Ekko promises before hurrying off to the Drop.

“Always listening that one,” Benzo says once the boy should be out of earshot. “Gotta’ watch what I say sometimes. How is Silco?”

“Recovering.” Thankfully.

“You shouldn’t be surprised. He’s too stubborn to die, especially now he’s got a new group of people to go be a pain in the ass of,” Benzo says as they start heading towards the docks. “Is he joining us or is he still stuck in bed?”

“He’ll be supervising from one of the booths.”

“I’m sure. Right where he’s able to tell us how we’re doing it wrong then.”

“He just wants to feel like he’s in control of something.” The year had been a tough one for them all. Even Piltover’s olive branch didn’t feel like the win it actually was, just more work for them to find the time for. And it definitively wasn’t close to what Silco actually wanted from the Topsiders.

“Good to know even a near death experience can’t change him,” Benzo jokes because Silco had always liked knowing how all the things they were involved in were going. If Vander had to guess his husband probably knows Benzo’s shop’s books better than Benzo himself did.

They mostly talk about business for the rest of the trip to buy one of the trees the ships bring in this time of year. Most are destined for Piltover but Zaun money is just as good to the sailors, especially when it comes from the owner of the bar they frequent while in port. Dragging it back to the Last Drop was a pain but at least most got out of their way as they passed.

The kids had clearly worked themselves up in their excitement. All five of them impatient at the door as Vander and Benzo drag the tree in. Practically dragging them over to the spot it usually goes – tables hastily shoved out of the way to ensure there is enough room.

Vander looks over to the booth he had settled Silco into. Making sure his husband is still there and unharmed.

Silco meets his gaze for a moment. No extra pain in his eye from what had been his current state since he returned him.

“Remember to secure it down properly,” Silco says, breaking Vander’s gaze to survey the situation. “I don’t want to pay for anything it breaks if it falls down.”

“We’ll do it the same way we have every other year,” Benzo says because it has never fallen over in the past.

Silco makes an unhappy sound at it but thankfully drops it. Letting them get the tree up and secure before being shooed away by the excited kids so they can decorate it with anything shiny they could get their hands on.

“How you feeling?” Vander asks Silco, coming to his husband’s side to check on him.

“Same as I would if I was still lying in bed,” Silco says, watching as the kids all flock around the tree to decorate it. Hard to tell if they are working together or in competition as they shove and help each other.

“Do you need me to get you anything?”

“I’m fine Vander,” Silco says, his glare still harsh even with only one eye.

“You look better than I thought you would,” Benzo says, wondering over to join them. “Vander made it sound like you nearly died.”

“I did. And it will still more than likely take me eventually,” Silco says with a gesture to the bandages covering the damaged infected skin the Pilt-water left him with. “This is just to get me as much time as possible.”

“Right,” Benzo says, clearly uncomfortable with the idea that Silco now has a time bomb in his head. “At least it hasn’t taken you yet. Vander’d be lost without you bossing him around.

Silco gives a small laugh at it, watching the kids as Powder sits on her sister’s shoulders to reach the top part of the tree.

“He’s not the only one who needs me alive for a while yet.”

Chapter Text

“He will be alright love,” Vander says, reaching over to run a hand along his mate’s arm to comfort him as they wait for their first grandchild to be born.

“You don’t know that,” Silco snaps, brushing Vander’s hand off but not moving away like he would if he truly did not want Vander’s company or comfort. “I should be with him.”

“He has Jayce with him.” Viktor’s mate and the sire of the child he’s carried.

Silco snorts.

“Alphas are more hindrance than help when it comes to birth – Viktor doesn’t need to be worrying about if that boy has the stomach for it. He needs someone who knows what he’s going through.”

“He has the doctors with him as well.” The best in Piltover had to offer thanks to the money and power the boys had because of their inventions.

“And you trust them to care about Viktor and not just the Piltite pup he’s carrying?”

“They have taken good care of him up until now.” Had given Viktor drugs to help with his morning sickness and monitored his back to make sure the pregnancy didn’t cause it further damage. Nothing about the care indicating they were only doing it for the baby or Jayce.

“I still don’t trust them. And I don’t trust Talis not to get caught up in his own excitement and fail to realize what Viktor is going through.”

“Give the boy some credit Sil, he can focus when it’s important.” Despite their concerns about Viktor’s business partner-turned-mate Jayce had always stressed their son’s importance in Hextech’s success. Had always been aware of Viktor’s limitations without treating him as less. And had spent the whole pregnancy doing anything he could to ensure Viktor was as comfortable as possible.

“Not about something this important,” Silco says. Vander does agree with the sentiment of it but Viktor chose Jayce to be his mate and they need to trust his choice.

Before Vander has a chance to respond their other pups arrived. Finished shutting up the bar so Vander could head straight up in case things happened faster than expected and to be there to keep Silco company as he waited. 

“Any updates?” Vi asks.

“Not past what we already knew.” Viktor had gone into labor and he and Jayce had headed straight to the hospital.

“So we just have to wait?” Mylo asks as the four of them settle in.

“Yep.” And if it’s anything like the wait when their boys were born it will be one of the longer ones in Vander’s life.

“Why are you out here and not with Viktor?” Powder asks Silco as she sits beside him. Likely unaware of how dangerous the topic is right now.

Hopefully unaware. Although Vander can never be completely sure with his youngest who seems to enjoy seeding chaos.

“The hospital policy is that only the sire of the pup can be there to support,” Silco says. How unimpressed he is about the policy clear in his tone.

“That’s a dumb policy,” Powder says sitting up on her knees to lean against Silco. “You should just go in anyway. What are they going to do throw you out?”

“Viktor doesn’t need any extra stress right now,” Vander says because Powder is so much like Silco when it comes to not liking being told she isn’t allowed to do something. “Jayce will be enough for him.”

“I still think you should just go in,” Powder stage-whispers to Silco, earning her a tight smile from him as she slips down to lie across the chairs, resting her head in Silco’s lap.

She gets knocked to the floor when the doors to the birthing suite swing open and Silco practically leaps to his feet as Jayce walks out.

“Good you’re here.”

“Of course we’re here,” Silco snaps. And where else would Jayce think they would be? “How is Viktor?”

“He’s okay. I mean nothing that isn’t to be expected apparently,” Jayce says, running a hand through his hair. “He wants you though.”

He must truly be stressed past the point of clear thinking because that was probably the worst thing he could say to Silco right now.

“And I should be with him. It might be safer for him to have your child here but there is no value in denying him the person who bore him to be there for support.”

“I know,” Jayce says. “I’m working on it.”

“How?”

“Just don’t go anywhere,” Jayce says before heading off in the opposite direction to the birthing suite.

“Uh, did he just leave?” Claggor asks.

“Looks like it.” There is only so much benefit of the doubt Vander will give Viktor’s mate.

Going by the rage settling on Silco’s face Vander knows the boy has lost any favor in his eyes.

“Where is he going?” Vi asks when Silco heads in the direction Jayce just went.

Powder giggles because she will be assuming it will be to maim or kill the alpha. Something Vander isn’t sure isn’t completely off the table to be Silco’s intent.

Hopefully he knows better than to do it in the middle of a Piltover hospital.

“Are you going to go with him?” Mylo asks. Vander doesn’t know if their pup means to prevent or help Silco in whatever he’s going to do to Jayce.

“No.” Someone should stay in case there are any updates on Viktor.

“Can I go with Dam then?” Powder asks because she has long been looking for an excuse to beat up her brother’s mate if only to prove she can.

“Just let Silco handle it.” Vander’s mate is more than capable of making the boy regret his decision to walk out no matter how he justified it to himself.

Powder clearly isn’t happy about it. But she doesn’t go to leave like Vander half-expected her still to anyway.

With the excitement over they settle in to wait. Vander finding it as difficult as it had been when his own pups were born.

In some ways he envies Jayce in that he had at least been given the opportunity to be there to support his mate instead of being forced to wait until he’s told his pup has been born. Only knowing how rough it had been by how Silco looked after.

On the other hand clearly the boy couldn’t stomach it. So maybe it would have been better to just keep him out altogether.

A minute later Jayce and Silco are back.

“What happened?” Vander asks because Silco looks a lot less angry despite Jayce not looking at all harmed. Vander would say Jayce had just won a fight going by how the alpha carries his head high and shoulders back. Although it certainly couldn’t be with Silco.

“I talked with the Director and convinced him to give us an exception so Silco can come in as well,” Jayce says which explains it all.

It’s reassuring to see the young alpha is willing to fight for what Viktor wants.

“Let’s not leave Viktor waiting any longer,” Silco says. His impatience hardly surprising.

“Of course,” Jayce says, having to jog a little to catch up to Silco who is already heading towards the suite.

“At least Viktor has Dam now,” Mylo says, stretching out on his seat so his feet purposely press into Claggor. And Vander already knows where that will go.

“If you’re going to play around or fight I’m sending you home and you can meet your nephew tomorrow.” Vander knows just waiting around must be boring for them but they are in a Piltover hospital and will probably get kicked out anyway if they get too rough. Better for him to lay down that law than the staff. His pups might actually listen then.

Mylo sheepishly pulls his feet back to himself without saying anything.

The hours pass slowly. Vander eventually leaning back and shutting his eyes, dozing off to pass the time. He wakes to the pups asleep around him, Powder’s head using his lap as a pillow. He carefully takes his coat off to cover her without waking her up before drifting off again.

The sound of the door opening wakes him. Silco walking out of the suite into the hallway with them.

“Is everything alright?” Vander asks as the pups all start to wake up as well. “Is Viktor-“

“He’s as fine as one can be after giving birth,” Silco says.

Vander can feel a weight lift from him at it. 

“That’s nice,” Mylo mutters going to roll over as if planning to go back to sleep until Vi violently shakes him.

“How’d Jayce go?” Vander asks, ignoring the antics of their younger pups as the excitement of a nephew settles on them.

“He was crying by the end,” Silco says before sighing. “But he didn’t make it about him and Viktor seemed reassured having him here so I supposed he wasn’t completely useless.”

“We don’t care about Viktor’s dumb mate; we can meet the baby now right?” Powder interrupts. You wouldn’t believe she had been asleep only moments before by her energetic excitement. Looking ready to bolt to the suite as soon as she is told she can.

“If Viktor is up to it?” If he’s not Vander will take the others home. It completely understandable if his son needs time to recover from the birth with just his mate and Dam.

It had always taken Silco a couple days until he had been up to facing anyone after their pups had been born.

“He wants you all to meet him,” Silco says. “But only to meet your nephew. Then you are going to go home and let him rest.”

“Of course,” Claggor says. “It’s not like we’re going to break in later just to see them.”

Vander would not put it past Powder at least to do exactly that.

And he wouldn’t put it past Viktor to be letting them see their new nephew now in an attempt to prevent it.

They follow Silco into the suite. Crowding around the bed where Viktor is with his son in his arms, Jayce squeezed in next to him.

“He’s so ugly!” Powder gleefully squeals. “Can I hold him?”

“Uh-“ Viktor says, his hands instantly tightening around his pup. Jayce tensing next to him in response to his mate’s clear discomfort at the idea. “Not right now.”

“Come on Vik please!”

“Jinx,” Silco says, his tone sharp.

“What?” Powder asks looking to Silco who only has to raise his brow at her. “Alright fine. I just wanted to look at their ugly little face up close.”

She slumps away and Mylo is quick to take her spot closest to the bed.

“He’s not that ugly,” Mylo decides. “What’s his name anyway?”

“Naph Talis,” Viktor says earning him a snort from his brother.

Before Mylo gets to say whatever his sharp comment is he’s being shoved aside by Claggor.

“I want to see him too,” Claggor says as Mylo goes to shove back before relenting. Claggor forgetting all about his brother when he looks down at Naph. “Oh wow.”

“Wow what?” Vi demands, squeezing in closer to Claggor to see her new nephew as well. “Oh.”

“Viktor made that,” Claggor mutters.

“Him. I made him,” Viktor corrects. “Bu, ah, I am proud of my work.”

“You should be,” Vi says. “I think he’s your best creation yet Vik.”

“I don’t know if I would go that far,” Viktor mutters. Because he is incredibly proud of his scientific achievements and inventions.

“Come on you lot, go wait outside for a minute and then we can go home and let Viktor rest.” Vander wants a moment to meet his grandchild without feeling like has to keep an eye on his own pups.

The four pups file out with only minimal grumblings and Vander finally takes the space closest to the bed to have a good look at the newborn.

“He looks just like you did when you were born Vik.” It’s almost uncanny.

“I thought so,” Viktor says, leaning into Jayce. “Looks like you got what you wanted.”

Jayce just grins at it. Leaning in to give Viktor a soft kiss.

“We should head off.” Let the two of them have time alone together with their new pup. Time to get used to being parents before sharing it with those outside their family. Time for Viktor to rest before he returns to the busy schedule making of building a better life for everyone in both halves of the city.

Chapter Text

“You do not have to do this with me,” Viktor says because he must be able to feel how clammy Jayce’s hand is holding his as they walk towards the Zaun Representative’s office. How tight Jayce’s grip is to try and stop his hand from shaking. “I can talk to Silco first.”

Viktor can maybe talk Silco down from how mad he’s going to be at the news.

“No. We’re doing this together right?” How is Jayce meant to be staying at Viktor’s side for the whole pregnancy if he can’t even be there to tell Viktor’s parents that they are going to be grandparents? “Just – are you sure we can’t tell Vander first?”

“Dad will just tell him,” Viktor says which is kind of the point – avoid the conversation altogether. “And Silco will be, ah, unhappy that we did not tell him ourselves.”

“Right. You’re right.” Jayce knows Silco already thinks he’s a coward. Not owning up to his role in the situation is only going to solidify that opinion.

“Jayce I am fine with talking to him first,” Viktor says, now they are stopped outside the door to Silco’s office. The last opportunity Jayce has to back out if he’s going to. “This is not something I need you for.”

“I want to do this.” Jayce wants to be there for all of it. Has wanted to be by Viktor’s side for everything for a while now. And maybe this would be a little less terrifying if they had promoted that fact a little more. “Just, if he kills me for this make sure they know I loved them.”

“He will not kill you,” Viktor assures. “Threaten yes, and, ah, maybe maim a little. But not kill.”

“That’s not exactly reassuring Vik,” Jayce says as he pulls Viktor into a hug.

He feels calmer with Viktor in his arms. Both from Viktor’s warmth and scent. A reminder that they are in this together. That this is just another part of the future they are building together.

Viktor lets out a huff of breath against Jayce’s shoulder but leans into him, his eyes shutting as he breathes deeper to take in Jayce’s scent.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Jayce says, pressing a kiss to Viktor’s forehead before pulling away and squaring himself.

Viktor doesn’t say anything. Just knocks on the door and calls out in the language he and Silco share. Opening it when Silco calls out that they can enter.

Silco takes one look at Jayce and his expression immediately hardens.

“What have you done now?”

Jayce bites his tongue to stop himself from pointing out that every time there has been trouble in relation to him and his work one of Silco’s children have been the actual source of it. As cold as Silco is his children are the one area where he will allow no threat, perceived or real, to target. And Jayce does not want him any angrier than he is going to be.

“Jayce and I have news we wanted to tell you before we told anyone else,” Viktor says. Silco’s gaze immediately switching to his son, his good eye running over him as if he expects him to be injured.

“You’ve agreed to marry him,” Silco says after his eyes settle on his son’s face.

Jayce wishes it was that even with how unimpressed Silco’s tone is about it.

“Not yet,” Viktor says. “Although I think that will be not far off.”

Because that’s what Jayce should have done first. Even if they hadn’t intended to skip that step before starting a family together, Jayce knows he should make it right.

“Then what?” Silco asks before the realization clearly settles on him and his gaze returns to Jayce. This time filled with more anger and hate than Jayce has ever seen on him. “No.”

Jayce manages to stand firm despite every instinct of his screaming to run. Or at least hide behind Viktor because he knows Silco would never hurt one of his children.

“I’m pregnant,” Viktor confirms. And for a moment Silco glances at his son, his expression almost soft, before he is right back glaring at Jayce. “Jayce is the father.”

“How?”

“I did not think I would have to explain that to you,” Viktor says.

When Silco glares at Viktor Jayce immediately revises him plan to include grabbing his partner before fleeing the room.

“You assured me your relationship with him was only professional,” Silco says and Jayce does feel guilty agreeing with Viktor that they would hold off telling people about their relationship developing into a different direction to merely work partners. He shouldn’t have encouraged Viktor to lie to his parents just to avoid their reaction.

“It has not been, ah, purely professional for a while now,” Viktor says with a shrug. “I lied.”

Jayce doesn’t need to understand the words to know that an argument breaks out between the two. The angry tone of the words more than enough to get that point across.

As much as he wants to defend Viktor he knows better than to interrupt. Viktor is much better equipped to deal with his family and Silco would only perceive it as Jayce talking over Viktor.

“Don’t,” Viktor says, his tone suddenly harsh and firm. His hand gripping his cane tight to the point Jayce thinks he can see it shake and there is an almost wet edge to the words that immediately has Jayce worried. Silco might have a soft spot for his kids but that doesn’t mean he can’t be cruel in his words even to them.

Jayce reaches out to Viktor’s hand. Running his thumb over the knuckles of it.

When Viktor glances back at him Jayce tries to communicate his support with expression alone. Checking in if Viktor needs him to get involved. Because Jayce will if Viktor needs him to no matter how much meaner Silco is to him.

Viktor softly shakes his head so Jayce leaves it.

Silco’s anger seems to have calmed with it. Viktor’s dad looking more tired than mad as he pours himself a drink and leans back in his chair.

“I remember you once thought even just kissing to be disgusting and swore you would never be interested in it,” Silco says, downing the whole glass in single drink. “What happened to that?”

“I grew up,” Viktor says and Silco’s mouth curls into something that almost resembles a smile at it.

“You did,” Silco says, putting the empty glass down before getting up and coming over. Jayce has to remind himself that he knows Silco would never intentional hurt his children to prevent himself from grabbing Viktor and running. “And now you are going to be a parent with a child of your own.”

“I am,” Viktor says and Silco reaches out almost tentatively to cup Viktor’s cheek. As if he is afraid of hurting his son, or perhaps that Viktor will shun his touch.

The fact Viktor leans into it has Silco’s expression softening.

At least until he glances over at Jayce.

“I assume you are not going anywhere?”

“Of course not.” Even if the child was not his Jayce would still be there to support Viktor however he would allow him to.

Silco’s expression twists into something Jayce can’t read.

“He will be a good dad,” Viktor says.

Jayce doesn’t know what to say to it. He wants to be a good dad. The best dad. But he will admit that he is kind of terrified of it. But the kind of terror like when he is waiting to see if one of his experiments will work or collapse. Just this is one he can’t afford to mess up the first time.

“He certainly has the energy to keep up with any child,” Silco says and Jayce takes it as the closest he’s going to get to acceptance from him.

Now he just has to survive telling Viktor’s siblings. 

Chapter Text

“Looking for the next omega whose life you’re going to ruin?”

“What are you talking about?” Vander asks, turning to look at where Silco spoke from behind him in the alley. Far enough away where Vander can’t pick up his scent over the alley’s filth.

One of these days he’s going to hit the omega thinking he’s a threat and not, well, whatever their relationship is these days. “I haven’t seen you for weeks – I was starting to get worried. Thought you might have pissed off the wrong person-”

As he takes Silco in he realizes his worry might not have been unfounded.

Silco looks like shit.

“What happened?” Whose head was he caving in?

“What I guess I should have realized would happen after spending a heat in an alpha’s bed,” Silco says, his voice heavy with venom, although he seems unwilling to meet Vander’s eyes. Unusual for Silco who normally will challenge anyone his pissed off at, no matter how seemingly outmatched.  

“I’m pregnant.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?” Silco repeats his gaze snapping to Vander’s face and so filled with anger. “Is that all you’ve fucking got – oh.”

“Fucking give me a second before you start jumping down my throat! It’s a lot to take in!” Neither of them were exactly well set up for something like this. Vander living in a shithole of an apartment with Benzo and a job in the mines that hardly seemed to cover that. And Silco still living with his family despite spending most of his free time at Vander’s dreaming of revolution. And yet despite all that they had apparently made a baby together.

Vander is going to be a dad.

He and Silco are going to have a pup.

“You better not ask me if it’s yours,” Silco snarls. Correctly assessing that Vander plans on asking a question even if he’s completely wrong about what it is.

“No. I know it’s mine.” It had been Vander’s bed Silco had spent his heat it. He’s pretty sure there hadn’t been anyone before, and, well, it’s not like there had been anyone sneaking in through his window during it. And Silco hadn’t headed home until days after it finished. “You’re moving in right?”

There’s a flurry of emotions that crosses Silco’s face at it. So fast that Vander can’t even read them all despite how he’s starting to learn how to read the omega. Doesn’t even know if he’s seen some of them before.

“So that was the plan?” Silco asks, finally walking closer. And Vander wants to reach out and touch him, reassure him. But he knows better than to until Silco’s not likely to stab him for it.

Silco stops just out of Vander’s reach his scent barely making it over the alley stench. Vander just able to catch the scent of Silco, not anything more than the edge of pregnancy that must be on it now considering how long ago his heat was.

“Trap me with a pup?”

Vander snorts.

“Like I could do that even if I wanted to – you’d stab me if I even thought about it.” Vander had always loved how vicious his omega way. Only willing to submit to him and Vander had had to prove himself first.

“I can assure you stabbing is still a possibility,” Silco says taking a step back as Vander moves closer. Holding his head up and shoulders back, trying to make himself look bigger and more intimidating.

He’s scared, Vander realizes. Which should have been fucking obvious if Vander hadn’t been caught up in his own jumble of emotions. Because if Vander doesn’t step up Silco’ll have to figure out how to care for himself and his pup alone. And likely without a job seeing the foreman doesn’t like pregnant ‘mega’s around.

“I’ll look after you both. Whatever you need I’ll get it. I promise.” Vander’ll do whatever it takes to be a good mate and date.

Silco laughs at it.

“With what? Look around Vander. You’re working a job that barely pays enough to survive and will have you dead in ten years if you’re lucky. The air we breathe is toxic and the water’s even worse. Our pup will be lucky to make it to adulthood and will be working by the time they’re ten. And all this so those Topsiders can sit around in their lavish homes finding new ways to steal the wealth from our labor.”

“So we’ll change it.”

“And how are you suggesting we do that?”

“We go around the topsiders to make our profits. You know who’s bringing what in through the ports and whose interested in what to take back home with them. I know who might be interested in buying or selling what in Zaun. If we’re taking a smaller cut than Piltover’s tariffs and aren’t as restrictive in the kinds of goods we deal in I’m sure we can make some lucrative deals for all involved.”

It’s what they had already discussed – Zaun looking after Zaun’s business. Get rid of the Piltite middleman and seize the means of production for their own as well. Just no longer whispered ideas as they wait for a knot to go down but a reality they are working towards for themselves and their pup.

Silco seems to contemplate it even if he doesn’t drop his guard.

“The Enforcer’s won’t be happy,” Silco says. Vander knows he doesn’t actually care about keeping them happy.

No, Silco wants to know how Vander plans on dealing with the unhappy ones.

“Ain’t like either of us are gonna’ tell them about it. And if anyone else does we’ll make sure they don’t make the same mistake twice and that any Enforcers they did tell won’t be feeding it up the chain of command.” There’s no way he’s letting any threat to his family stand.

Silco finally cracks a smile at it. His face softening.

This time when Vander reaches for him Silco lets him. Let’s himself be tucked into Vander’s arms.

This close Vander can smell the pregnancy on him. Silco’s scent changing so all can know he’s growing his and Vander’s pup in him.

Vander finds it intoxicating. Feels even more willing to do whatever he has to in order to keep them both safe.

“We’ll give them a good life Sil,” Vander promises, nuzzling into Silco’s neck where the scent is strongest. Breathing as deep as he can. “Give them all of Zaun to inherit.”

“A free Zaun,” Silco clarifies, looking up at Vander with determined eyes. “We will give them a free Zaun to rule over.”

“Of course – no-one but us will dare tell them what they can or cannot do.”

Chapter Text

Silco wakes when the bedroom door opens.

In the past he would have reached for the blade he keeps on the bedside draw, assuming it is someone coming to try and kill him or Vander or at try and steal what they have built for themselves.

Now he assumes it’s one of the kids.

Sure enough when he looks over its Powder’s tiny frame blocking the light coming in the door. Her shoulders shaking from muffled sobs.

“What happened?” Silco asks, getting up and out of bed to go to the girl as Vander wakes from his own slumber next to him mumbling a she alright?

“I puked,” Powder says. And sure enough as Silco’s eyes adjust to the limited light coming from the hallway he sees the vomit now covering the front of the girl’s nightdress. Her long hair plastered to her face and neck.

It at least explains why she was out of sorts at dinner, having to be carried to bed and falling asleep nearly right away.

“I’ll get a bucket,” Vander says, rolling out of bed to do so as Silco kneels to the girl’s height.

“Are you feeling better now?” Silco asks, silently hoping it was just a one off vomit in the night. He pushes blue hair from the girls face, confirming she managed to get vomit in there too.

Powder shakes her head and that is all the warning Silco gets before she’s vomiting again. This time over the front of his own night-shirt.

“I’m sorry!” Powder sobs before vomiting on him again. Vander really needing to hurry up with the bucket.

Silco forces his face to relax from the scowl he knows has settled on it. Powder can hardly be blamed for getting sick and clothes can be washed.

“It’s alright,” Silco assures her as the girl lets out hiccupping sobs.

Vander returns just in time before she vomits again. Shoving the bucket under her face as she starts to gag and heave. He hands it over so Silco can sit on the floor with Powder settled in his lap, the bucket under her. Vander looking down at it all with sympathetic eyes, thankfully not making comment on how Silco’s covered in vomit as well now.

“I’ll start pouring a bath,” Vander says.

“Get me a hair tie first,” Silco orders. “And a cloth.”

Vander nods at it and gets the requested items before once again staring over them uselessly.

“Do you need anything else or am I good to go start the bath?” he asks after a second or two of it.

“That’s it,” Silco says, starting to braid Powder’s hair. They will have to wash it to get the vomit out but at least it won’t keep falling over her face as she’s bent over the bucket. Silco wiping off the worst of the vomit from himself and her with the cloth.

“Call if you need me,” Vander says before leaving. Allowing Silco to give his full attention to their youngest.

“That’s it – just get it all out,” Silco tells the sobbing, hurling girl. Rubbing along her back to try and sooth her. Her skin feels warm under his touch and her nightdress is sticking along her back from where she’s sweat through it. She no doubt has a high temperature. 

“I’m sorry,” She mumbles again between hurls. “I got you gross.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” Silco assures her. “It will wash off.”

The girl makes a bubbling strangled noise that Silco doesn’t know if it is acknowledgement of what he said or just a sound of her misery.

“How’s she doing?” Vander asks when he returns to the room. He kneels next to Silco and rubs at Powder’s shoulders as she continues to bring up everything she had had for dinner.

Silco just raises his brow at Vander because how does he think she’s doing?

Vander sighs.

“Poor little one. I got the bath running Powder, why don’t you get into it and see if that makes you feel a bit better?”

Powder weakly nods at the suggestion.

“Do you want me to carry you?” Vander asks.

Powder shakes her head at that, slumping against Silco’s shoulder.

“How about Silco carry you then?” Vander asks and Powder gives a weak nod at that. “You good to take her love?”

Silco doesn’t say anything just adjusts the girl’s weight in his arms so she can pick her up. Vander taking the bucket to make it easy, following behind as Silco carries her to the bathroom where the tub is slowly filing up with water. The whole building being plumbed is one of the advantages of living beneath a bar.

Silco holds Powder balanced as Vander tugs her night dress off her and then transfers her into the bath that she slumps into.

“I’ll go strip her bed,” Vander says. “Do you need the bucket Powder?”

She shakes her head.

“In that case I’ll empty it out and bring it back first,” Vander says, which earns him a weak nod from the girl.

 He gives Silco a worried glance before leaving. Powder never this flat and even knowing the reason they still can’t help but worry.

Silco works on undoing Powder’s hair again. Turning off the taps once the tub is full enough.

Vander returns with the bucket as well as a glass of juice and a bread-roll.

“In case she feels up to it,” he says in explanation before heading off again.

Silco returns to cleaning the vomit off Powder as she stays slumped against the edge of the bath. Wiping her face with the cloth drenched in the bath water and lathering her hair up with shampoo.

“I need to dunk your head,” Silco tells her waiting for the nod until he does. Washing out all the suds and chunks of brought-up food as quickly as he can.

She still comes up spluttering and gagging. Reaching for the bucket that Silco quickly helps her get under face for her to dry heave over. Nothing left in her stomach to bring up.

“This sucks,” she moans after coughing and dropping the bucket back to the ground. Leaning against the edge of the bath again.

“Let’s hope it’s just a 24-hour bug,” Silco says earning him a sleepy hum in agreement. “Do you want something to eat?”

Powder shakes her head.

“To drink?”

A second passes and she nods.

Silco holds the glass as she ships at the juice Vander brought. Putting it back up once she’s finished.

“I brought some new clothes for her,” Vander says when he returns. “And a change of shirt for you. I’ll watch her for a minute so you can clean yourself up.”

“Are you okay with that Powder?” Silco asks, waiting for the nod before he trades with Vander. Using the damp washcloth to wipe the vomit on his skin at the bathroom sink off before changing shirts.

He can take a proper bath himself tomorrow.

Right now it’s more important they get the girl settled.

Vander’s helping Powder out of the bath when he returns. Toweling her off before getting her dressed into her fresh nightdress.

“How about you sleep with us tonight?” Vander asks her, earning a nod.

Vander carries her back to bed, Silco following with the bucket and cloth in case they are required later in the night. They can deal with the rest in the morning, right now they just need to get what sleep they can.

Vander puts Powder down on the middle of the bed and she immediately reaches out towards Silco, cuddling against him when he slips into his side after putting the bucket and cloth onto the bedside draws. Vander settling in on his own side and rubbing along Powder’s back for a little before settling in to sleep.

Silco’s aware it’s him who is in the line of fire should the girl vomit again before morning. But he supposes that’s just part of being a parent.

Chapter Text

“Silco, dear, I need you to stop pushing.”

“What?” Silco’s eyes shoot open to look down at the midwife between his legs ready to catch the baby he’s currently trying to push out, now telling him to stop doing that. “I need to.”

“I know,” the midwife says, her face sympathetic. “But I’m a bit worried about his other leg so you need to stop pushing him out ‘till I’m sure he’s not gonna’ lose it in the process.”

“I- ngh-“ There’s another contraction and the deep-bedded need to push. Silco tries not to but it feels like fighting his whole body to do so. “What am I meant to do instead?”

“Pant through them love,” the midwife says, her hand resting high on Silco’s high. “I’m gonna’ need to get a bit personal with you but I need you to just focus on your breathing and not pushing while I do.”

Silco tries to ignore the extra pressure he feels as the midwife checks on the location of his pup’s other leg. Focusing on panting through his contractions as instructed and trying to refuse every instinct in his body demanding that he push.

He hears the midwife swear and suddenly that is all he cares about.

“What?” Is his pup’s other leg already a lost cause? Or worse – was the pup dead and Silco now delivering a corpse?

All that work they did to try and get themselves established so their pup could have a chance of a better life for nothing.

How was Vander going to take it? Silco not able to provide the expected babe. The alpha so excited to be a father despite how uncertain their position was in whether they would actually be able to provide.

“Your pup’s fine dear, no need to stress yourself into a tizzy,” the midway says. “He’s just positioned himself particularly awkwardly is all.”

“What does that mean?” Silco asks and doesn’t like how pitying the midwife’s face is at it.

“He’ll need to be manually adjusted,” she says, going to get something from her bad. “Now I need you to not fight me because I’m gonna’ need to push him back in a little.”

“He’s meant to be coming out not going back in!” The whole point was to get the pup out of him so Silco can have his body back. And it was exactly what his body was telling him to do as well – something the midwife had been going on about listening to up until this point. Silco really didn’t want the work he has done so far to be undone.

“I know, but it’s the only way of getting that leg of his positioned right,” the midwife says, returning to place a hand on Silco’s thigh either to reassure or brace him. “Now I’m not gonna’ lie to you this is gonna’ be unpleasant but try and not fight me okay.”

“I- fuck.” Silco tries to pant through the contraction. Shutting his eyes tight and grabbing hold of the bedsheets like that might at all help. His toes curling as he fights it.

“That’s it, just keep panting,” the midwife says. “Just focus on that – short breathes.”

Silco slumps against the pillows when the contractions ends. Unable to prevent a whimper from escaping.

“It’s alright love, I ain’t gonna’ judge you for any noises you make. You can curse out that alpha of yours or curse me out if it makes it more bearable. I’ve heard it all before.” The midwife’s hand feels heavy on his thigh. And Silco hates how he feels like he needs the comfort of it. Because he shouldn’t need it – he’s stronger than that. Strong enough to endure something that most omegas will at some point in their lives even if the pup of his is apparently determined to make it as difficult as possible. “I’ll give you a second to gather yourself and then we’ll try and adjust him alright?”

“No.” Delaying it isn’t going to make it go away. If anything it’s only putting his and Vander’s pup more at risk. Still Silco takes a shaky breath to prepare himself. “Just do it.”

“Alright but just remember, the less you fight me on this the easier it will be. Scream as much as you need to.” Siclo doesn’t get the chance to process the words before the midwife’s hands shift and his body is overtaken by the horrible wrong feeling and pain of the pup being forced back into him.

He instinctively wants to fight it. Kick the midwife away and lock his leg so she can’t keep hurting him. Can’t keep hurting his pup.

Instead he digs his heels into the bed. Arching his hips up and wider like he’s trying to give his pup as much space as possible. If he is screaming he can’t hear it over the sound of blood pumping in his ears as he screws his eyes shut.

The pressure suddenly eases and Silco gasps for breathe as he regains himself. His crotch still feeling like someone has taken a lit match to it.

“It’s okay dear, it’s over now,” the midwife says as Silco opens his eyes to look up at the ceiling and then down at her. “I’m sorry I had to do that.”

Silco wants to tell her where she can shove it. He wants Vander even if he doesn’t know if it’s for comfort or so he can hurt the alpha for getting him into this situation. Mostly he wants it over.

“Can you give me a push with the next contraction?” the midwife asks and that feels easy compared to what he just endured. Doing as his body demands instead of fighting it. “That’s it – there’s his hips out. And, look at that, it is a little boy you’re having.”

“A boy?” He and Vander were having a son. Just like every damned busybody had predicted what with how you’re carrying and the fact your alpha is young and I’m guessing proportional.

Silco isn’t going to acknowledge it to any of them.

“Yes. It’s definitively a little boy I’m looking at here,” the midwife says with a laugh. “Just got to get the ready of him out safely.”

The next contraction comes and Silco once again gives in to his body’s urge to bare down.

“No don’t start pushing yet.”

Silco’s heart immediately sinks at the midwife’s words because what now? What more could possibly need to happen other than just pushing the rest out?

“I’m just gonna’ do a sweep for his arms. Hopefully he’s got them by his side where they’re meant to be and not over his head or something.”

Silco hardly even notices it. Too caught up in thinking up what else he’ll have to endure next because his pup has decided to position himself badly. The wait worse than any of the discomfort.

“There they are, tucked up nice and close.”

“That’s good right?” Silco know he sounds desperate but he no longer cares. There is no pride in any other part of this.

“It is. I need you to give me some gentle pushes though, want to make sure they don’t get stuck coming out. That’s the way, just like that. Alright now a couple big ones.”

Silco feels the pressure and pain building, stretching him far past what he ever thought his limit could be. Feels the sudden pop of something dislodging, the pressure easing with it.

“Is it over?” he asks despite feeling like everything between his legs is on fire. He’s sure he’s going to be feeling that for days after. Vander had better not be expecting sex anytime soon or else Silco will be making it so he can never sire another pup.

Silco looks down hoping to be handed his pup. To be able to meet the son he’s putting all this effort in for.

“Sorry dear,” the midwife says her attention still focused between his legs and hands clearly supporting something down there. “Still got the head to go.”

“Can’t you just pull him out?” He’s so close but he’s so tired.

“Sorry love, I can’t without risking breaking his neck. You have to do it.” the midwife says with a sympathetic smile.

 “Fucking hell.” Was it ever going to end? Or was Silco going to be stuck forever in agony pushing out his and Vander’s pup?

“I know. It’s a bit easier when they come out head first like they’re designed to,” the midwife says, sparing him a glance before returning to watching between his legs.

“You’ve done amazing so far though. A lot say the shoulders are worse than the head so this should be easy for you.”

Silco almost laughs at it. Nothing about the birth had proven easy for far so he doesn’t see this bit going any different.

“Come on love, just a little longer,” the midwife says, apparently picking up on Silco’s doubts. “You’re so close to having your pup safe in your arms. You’re nearly there, just a few more pushes. With the next contraction okay.”

Silco doesn’t exactly have a choice. His body instinctively pushes with the next contraction. And anyway it is the only way to get this over with. The only way to end the pain he’s in.

It feels like more than ‘a few’ pushes but the pressure and pain peaks and pops again. Almost as soon as it does he’s having something shoved into his arms. His hands numbly grabbing hold of the bundle it is.

“You gotta’ support his head,” the midwife says, moving his hands to hold the bundle differently. “He’s not strong enough to do it for himself yet.”

It takes a minute for Silco to realize it’s his pup he’s been handed. Blotchy and pink with his face screwed up as if he’s in denial of what happened. His cry more a weak sob than the sharp wail Silco thought newborns made.

“Wasn’t an easy delivery for him either,” the midwife says as she rubs Silco’s pup’s back down with a towel to clean the blood and fluid off him.

“Of course it wasn’t,” Silco says, forcing his arms to bring the pup up to his face, close to his scent gland to try and sooth him. “It’s over now though pup, we made it through. You won’t ever have to go through that again I promise.”

It seems to help. His pup’s sobs turning into soft whimpers that eventually settled down as well as Silco holds him tight to try and sooth him.

“Look at that – you’re a natural,” the midwife says smiling up at him.

Silco certainly doesn’t feel like a natural at it. Looking after the tiny, defenseless pup still a terrifying and stressful idea that has now become his reality. But he is even more resolute in his knowledge that he would do anything to ensure his pup thrives no matter what the world tries to throw at him.

Chapter Text

“The girls seem to be settling in,” Vander says as Silco gets ready to join him in the bed for what is probably the first time in what feels like too long that they have actually had time to be in each other’s company not to immediately fall asleep. Five kids to look after and the settling dust of their failed rebellion keeping their days and nights full.

“They are.” It had been hard at first. The girls were traumatized after what happened on the bridge Vander had found them on. And while Viktor didn’t seem that bothered by two new younger siblings, Claggor and Mylo were taking a bit longer. Mylo clearly and openly unhappy about his new sisters, suddenly possessive of his position as baby. “We will need to expand to make room for more bedrooms."

Four pups were quickly going to outgrow the former storage room turned extra bedroom. The way Viktor had filled the space of the second true bedroom that had been his since they moved into the apartment under the Drop proof of that fact.

Silco had hated having to share his room with a handful of siblings when he was younger. Especially after he presented and wanted more privacy than merely bedsheets provided. It part of the reason he had ended up sending so much time with Vander and definitively contributed to Viktor being conceived.

What was the point of all their work if not to give their children better lives than they had?

The Topsiders gave their children rooms the size of apartments each and Silco’s own deserved as good as they did.

“I know,” Vander says, bowing his head like he’s trying to quell Silco’s temper, not that Silco knows why. “I’m sure you already have ideas of how we’re doing it?”

“Some,” Silco says, stripping off his shirt and replacing it with one of Vander’s. There are other storage rooms that could be taken into the living space if they found suitable replacement storage options.

“’course you do,” Vander says, letting silence take over.

At first it’s just silence – Vander idly watching as Silco works himself out of his pants as well, his mate’s shirt ample to cover what needs to be covered if any of the pups decide to join them in the night. But then he starts clearing his throat and shifting on the bed.

After all these years of matehood Silco would have been a fool not to know what it means – his alpha wants to say something but is worried how it would be received.

 “Can you believe they expect us to believe that the Head of their Council will come all the way down here to talk to us?” Silco broaches the topic for him. He had expected Enforcers at their door after that night. Not a letter on fancy Piltite stationary from Councilor Heimerdinger himself requesting an audience with them at their center of operations. It didn’t feel like a trap but Silco still didn’t feel like they should take it at face value.

“They were casualties on their side too,” Vander says, slowly enough that he clearly has been thinking about it. “Maybe they want to have peace as well.”

“They want to know what they need to have us submit again,” Silco reminds, coming over to stand next to Vander’s side of the bed. Clearly a relaxing night isn’t in store for them now.

“So we’ll tell them we won’t. We’ve never had an opportunity like this before Sil. Isn’t it at least worth giving it a shot?”

Vander wasn’t one to be blinded by optimism or possibilities. He knows the risks as well as Silco does – both for themselves and their pups. The girls an all-too recent reminder of it. His alpha had never shied away from what is necessary to protect their family and carve out a better life for them or Zaun before.

The idea of surrendering under any circumstance feels like a betrayal to the sacrifices made so far.

“If we don’t our pups might grow up in a war that could have been prevented,” Vander adds meeting Silco’s eyes.

“Don’t bring them into this.” His children are not here to be used for their sire’s arguments. Not when Silco had been the one to go through the hell to have them.

“This is all for them at the end of the day,” Vander says, refusing to break their gaze. “Fighting was only ever going to get us so far.”

Silco had always known that. Independence was only half the battle. They needed resources and money to close the gap between them and the Topsiders. Hospitals so they wouldn’t die of curable diseases, schools so all their children could read.

Was it worth it selling one to possibly gain the other?

“They’ll try and screw us over the first chance they get.” It’s the only way Piltites know how to operate.

“So we beat them at their own game for once,” Vander says like it’s so easy and they aren’t playing at a disadvantage. Like they can presume they are going to even be allowed to play at all.

“Fine. We will meet the Councilor and see what he has to offer. But I am not selling our children’s futures away on maybes. It has to be real change or we’re out.” Silco had put in too much effort to see it go to waste.

“We won’t,” Vander promises as if it is at all his choice to make.

It turns out peace is more work than war.

Piltover might be willing to humor their list of demands but Silco knows if there is any way for the topsiders to wiggle out of their end they will take it. And they don’t respect a handshake nor care if other Zaunites know they don’t stick by their word.

Written contracts they at least will honor. So Silco is once again spending his night reading over the proposed treaty to see if there is any clause that might let Piltover slip their duties.

He tries not to think about the role that will be created by the treaty. Nor who is the obvious person to send into that pit of vipers and be able to play their game and fight for what Zaun needs.

Those thoughts are for after the ink dries.

As he goes to turn the page a hairbrush slides up on and across the table. Looking down he meets the gaze of the younger of the two reasons they are going ahead with this whole negotiation to put down their arms against Piltover.

It is slightly unfair to put the entirety of the blame onto the two girls that Vander had found on the bridge that night. There was also their boys to consider, and how if they continued down the path of violence then they would likely leave them similarly orphaned. A previously acceptable risk that now feels harder to be okay with. And Piltover seemed willing to at least listen and offer something even if it is not full independence. Right now they have the opportunity to make real progress for the people in Zaun, an opportunity that may vanish all too easily.  

Powder’s expression is clearly unsure as she stares up at him.

The girl’s seem a little unsure of him generally. The eldest of them sticking by Vander’s side as much as she can and keeping her younger sister close, trying to keep her out of trouble and out of Silco’s way.

He supposes it must be hard to come into the house that already has pups in it on top of losing their parents to Piltover’s violence. The fear of being forced onto Silco as a responsibility despite not being one of his own born.

Vander might have made the decision to bring them home but they are theirs now, blood or not.

“Do you want me to brush your hair?” Silco asks and Powder gives a short nod. “Can you sit on my lap?”

Powder nods again so Silco helps her up onto his lap. Reaching out for the hairbrush as he runs the fingers of his other hand through her hair.

It makes sense she would come to him for this. Vander was hopeless at hair despite Silco’s best attempts to teach him and while Vi had been doing it the last few days it was clearly a new task for the older girl. While Silco’s hair wasn’t as long as it had been when he was younger it was still long enough to braid at times and the pup was clearly smart enough to realize from that he would be the best option to care for hers as well.

Powder reaches out to grab the paperweight from his desk, twisting it in her hands as Silco brushes her hair through.

None of his boys had wanted to grow their hair out. Instead wanting it short like their sire’s. They had all inherited Vander’s curls so perhaps it was for the best.

Powder has thick straight hair though. And, assuming presenting didn’t change it, she would be able to grow it long one day.

For now it reaches the small of her back as Silco neatly braids it. Grabbing one of his bands from the table to tie it off with.

“You can get up now,” Silco says as he lets the braid drop.

“Do I have to?” Powder asks, looking directly up at him with those wide, worried eyes.

“Not if you don’t want to.” Silco is well adapt to working with a pup on his lap. “What I’m doing is boring though.”

“I don’t mind,” Powder says and that settles it Silco supposes as he goes back to the treaty as Powder keeps idly playing with the things on his desk.

The company makes the work slightly more bearable. A reminder of the future they are doing this all for.

The side window to Silco’s office creaks as its pushed open from the outside. A useful security feature for one that is accessible to those in Zaun who know how to navigate rooftops.

Silco isn’t worried. The footsteps that follow are a child’s. And while his enemies wouldn’t be above sending a child attacker he could hardly call himself a parent if he couldn’t distinguish his own.

“What have you done that you don’t want Vander to know about?” Silco doesn’t need to look up from his work to his eldest daughter to know she has been up to something Vander wouldn’t approve of. She would enter through the Last Drop if she had been only getting up to innocent mischief.

“I thought you were in Piltover today,” Vi says as she walks across the room. Her shuffling footsteps betraying her guilt.

“The Council finished early and I had reports I needed to review,” Silco says, glancing to his side where Vi is standing. The girl giving him a sheepish smile despite her black eye and split lip. “And you have been getting into fights.”

“They started it!” Vi protests, swinging her arms wide as if it will help prove her point and not just make her look like a guilty child.

“I’m sure they did,” Silco says, reaching into his draw to get out the supplies that had been proven necessary long before they gained their children. Who started it not actually mattering that much. “Did you at least finish it?”

“Yeah,” Vi says with a small smile.

“That’s my girl.” Silco isn’t Vander. He understands there will always be a place for violence in their world and would rather his children be safe than be good.

Vi’s eyes flicker nervously as he pours the alcohol onto the clothe to tend to her lip. Still young enough to fear pain.

She stands straight as he brings it close though.

“You will need to get some ice from the bar for your eye,” Silco says to cover how she winces at the burn of the alcohol.

With anyone else he’d tell them not to be weak. But she isn’t anyone else.

“Can’t you get it for me?” she asks. Wanting to avoid the confrontation with Vander over it.

“Even if I did he will notice eventually. It’s going to take at least a week for that eye to go down.”

“I could always tell him I ran into a table,” Vi says, looking to the side.

She really is as terrible of a liar as her father.

Good thing she is shaping up to be as good of a fighter as him.

“I know he wouldn’t believe me even if I said that,” Vi says with a shrug, her lip curling in annoyance. “Acting like he didn’t get into fights when he was my age.”

“Violence was more necessary when we were young,” Silco says, cupping Vi’s jaw to move her face around so he can check for any other injuries. They haven’t completely removed the need for violence in their lives nor will they ever. But now the violence is for progress not merely survival.

“You’re just saying that because he’s your mate. You have to agree with him.”

Silco clicks his tongue at that comment.

“As fond of as I am of him I have never just agreed with Vander because of our relationship.” There was much too much at stake to go along with something he didn’t fully support. Their disagreements often ending in better solutions than if they had gone with the initial idea.

Silco rubs his thumb along a dark shadow on Vi’s cheek. Confirming it is dirt and not bruise.

“People know you are our child. Your behavior is a reflection of us and our parenting,” Silco says, gently running a finger down Vi’s face before leaning back in his chair, packing away the supplies now he is satisfied her wounds have been dealt with. “Vander wants people to know we are working to aid them and that we are responsible with the power we have gained.”

Having their children be the neighborhood bullies would have people thinking they think themselves better than the rest of Zaun was Vander’s logic. Even if he knows that not even their name can protect their children from their own bullies.

“And what do you want?” Vi asks.

“I want out people to be free and safe. Especially our children. And Zaun will always need people able and willing to fight for it.” Until the day Piltover finally acknowledged them as equals and grants them the independence they deserve his children will need to be strong enough to withstand their brutality. “You should go get the ice, try and get that bruise down before it shuts your eye.”

“Right,” Vis says, looking apprehensive at the idea of facing Vander but still accepting her face with shoulders back.

“Vi,” Silco says when she reaches the door, the girl immediately turning back to him. “Tell Vander I sent you to pick something up for me at the old docks. Something feel off the ships and you didn’t have time to move out the way.”

Vander would no doubt be unhappy that Silco had sent one of their children to the old docks knowing the kind of people who used them and how dangerous they were from the years of disrepair. But Silco can manage his mate. And his daughter’s grateful face makes it worth the inevitable argument.

Chapter Text

“You’re really moving up there?”

Viktor glances up from his packing to his sisters now standing in his doorway. Vi’s expression unreadable as she watches him pack, Powder clinging at her hip like she tends to when not trailing behind Silco.

“I am. The Dean has personally organized a place for me at the Academy. It would be rude not to accept.” Viktor will admit he would take the place even if there was no social reasoning for it. The opportunity to access Piltover’s knowledge and resources is too good to turn down. To be able to build the things he currently can only dream of and hopefully better the lives of everyone in Zaun through it.

“They’re cruel though,” Vi says as Viktor returns to his packing.

Viktor knows his sisters understand better than most just how cruel Piltover can be. They are only his sisters because of it. Their distrust more than justified.

“I know. But I do not believe they are all like that.” Dean Heimerdinger certainly hadn’t seemed cruel from Viktor’s correspondence with him. Perhaps blind to just how wide the gap between the two city-halves had become but not consciously cruel. “Even if they are I am tougher than I look.”

“I didn’t mean-“ Vi starts. She is so full of protective bravado that Viktor sometimes needs to remind her that while his legs are not as strong as hers are he is much older than her and does not need her to come to his defense.

“I know,” Viktor cuts in to prevent his sister’s self-chastisement. “I am just saying – I know what I am doing and can handle whatever they throw at me.”

“He’ll have Silco with him too,” Powder adds. “He won’t let anyone be mean to Viktor.”

“Exactly.” Viktor won’t tell them that he plans on keeping his relation to the Zaun Representative quite. He wants his achievements to be on his own merits and not just because of whose child he is. “And I will visit on the weekends.”

“Every weekend?” Vi demands.

“Most weekends.” Viktor may want a social life separate to his family’s associates.

Vi doesn’t seem happy about it but she doesn’t push it.

“If I hear that anyone is being mean to you,” she says instead.

“You will come hurt them I know.” It is why Viktor will not tell his family if anyone is mean to him. Their peace is too fresh and it would be too easy for them to decide to take up arms against Piltover again.

He is doing this to help Zaun without having to worry about losing his family to violence. He will not have it end in being the cause for more violence.

“Good.”

“Where will you be staying up there Viktor?” Powder asks.

“The dorm.”

“They better give you nice roommates,” Vi says.

“Ah, actually they are private rooms.” In some ways Viktor is looking forward to the quiet and privacy. Nobody able to go through his room and stuff just because they were bored or curious.

“Will you be lonely?” Powder asks and Viktor can only shrug because he might be. He has never known a life without living practically on top of his family. “We’ll have to visit you.”

“Powder you know we’re not meant to go Topside,” Vi says, because despite Silco being up there nearly half of his time their parents still worried about possible retribution for the Rebellion targeting their kids. Viktor knows that is their biggest concern about him studying up there as well.

“But if it’s just to visit Viktor is should be fine,” Powder argues.

“We’ll talk to Vander about it,” Vi says. And Viktor will talk to Silco after he’s settled in because it would be good for his younger siblings to visit Piltover.

If they really are going to bridge the gap between Zaun and Piltover they need to have people travelling between the two halves more. And his parents have always said you cannot expect someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself. 

Vander doesn’t follow his mate when Silco slips off to their bedroom when they return home.

Silco needs time alone and their other kids need to get ready for bed. Vander promising Powder she will see Silco in the morning when she asks for him to come tuck her in and telling the older three he will tell them about his day in Piltover then as well when they try and slip the first of many questions in before going to their rooms. The whole time trying not to think too hard about the kid that isn’t there for him to say goodnight to.

He’s not at all surprised Silco hasn’t changed into sleep clothes. His mate sitting curled in their nests in what he was wearing, his eyes red and wet from his grief.

“Oh love.” Vander hates seeing his mate like this. Silco is strong and confident, never showing weakness to those that may take advantage of it. But he’s still a parent who cares deeply about his kids.

Vander doesn’t waste time changing either. Just slips into the bed next to his mate.

Silco shifts to press against him. But doesn’t say anything, just sullenly stares off towards the dresser they’ve had since they were living in tiny apartment with Benzo.

“We did the right thing,” Vander says, rubbing along his mate’s arm in comfort.

“Did we?”

“Viktor can learn so much more at their Academy.” Viktor is smart. Has been since he was little, taking apart and rebuilding anything his parents could get him before moving on to creating new things from the scraps Benzo let him take from his shop.

Vander hates it as much as he’s sure Silco does but Piltover is better positioned to help Viktor grow and learn even more.

Hopefully he will be the last generation where that is true.

“He could have studied under Singed,” Silco snaps. “The doctor would have happily taken him on to teach.”

Vander doesn’t question that. The doctor has always clearly liked Viktor best of the kids. Viktor often spending hours in his lab helping with the experiments the man is always running.

“Viktor wants to learn about other things as well.” Vander wouldn’t say Viktor had no interest in the doctor’s work on Shimmer and its effects on the body. But it’s clear machines are where his true interest is.

“Because the Yordle convinced him of it!”

“Viktor is well able to know his own mind.” Vander had also been less than impressed when he found out Viktor had been exchanging letters with the Dean of Piltover’s Academy behind their back. But their eldest wasn’t one to do something just because he was told – stubborn and critical. “He is your son after all.”

Silco snorts at it. Sighing and starting to work on unbuttoning his vest.

“We did a good job with him. He’s going to do amazing things.” Vander had known that for years now. That their son will build things they couldn’t even think of.

“He’s still too young to leave,” Silco says, shrugging off his vest.

“You were the same age as he was when you moved in with me and Benzo,” Vander reminds as he takes Silco’s vest from him and gets up to hang it for his mate. He had been younger again when he moved out of his own parents’ home.

“Yes, because I was pregnant,” Silco snaps. It’s a fact that has been looming over their decision to let Viktor move to Piltover to study. The fear he would end up knocked up like his Dam had at his age. Even if they would support him if it happened it doesn’t change how much harder it would make Viktor’s life. “They will see him as something they can play with, or worse, someone to be pitied. The poor Zaunite who was given the charity to be among them. He will have to work twice as hard to receive even a fraction of the credit he deserves.”

“And Viktor will, until they know he’s as brilliant as we do.” Their son had never been afraid of hard work or allowed his physical weakness to prevent him from achieving whatever he set his mind to.

“But he shouldn’t have to,” Silco says, getting out of the bed for more space for his rant. “The Councilors’ children are given private tutors from birth then are considered brilliant for spitting out the same ideas as their parents. And yet my child will always be seen as lessor than them despite the fact he is smarter than all of them combined. All of our work and he will still have to beg for the acknowledgement he deserves.”

“Things are getting better.” Slowly and with both of them having to put in so much work to get the rights of their people acknowledged and the resources they need to better those same lives. But they have a seat at the table even if most of Silco’s proposals get shot down.

Maybe their grandchildren will be seen as the Piltites equals.

“Not fast enough,” Silco says, deflating back into himself. Looking so small without his passion and fury behind him.

Vander goes over to wrap his arms around his mate. Nuzzling into his neck where the omegas scent is strongest. Breathing in the love-based grief.

“He is not facing them alone. You are there too.” And Silco has a talent for always knowing what is happening in their children’s lives. What trouble they are going to get into and exactly what needs to be done to solve it.

“Not all the time,” Silco says, twisting around to meet Vander’s eyes. His gaze hard despite the tears still in them. “If they hurt my son I will throw this entire farce of peace back into their faces.”

“I know,” Vander says, pressing a kiss against his mate’s forehead.

They had agreed to peace for their children. But they would go to for war them as well.

Chapter Text

Vikor’s new sister feels tiny in his arms. Even swaddled in Silco’s coat as she is, the extra fabric trailing over onto Silco’s lap to help cover his bare legs, the collar tucked up under the tiny pup’s head.

Viktor knows that Claggor and Mylo would have been a similar size when they were born and it only because he was smaller as well that they felt bigger in his memories.

It’s horrible design, really, to be born that vulnerable. To be born that dependent on one’s parents, especially considering how birth can prove deadly.

“Are you sure you are okay?” Viktor asks his Dam because he hasn’t been able to calm that fear since he had walked into the office to Silco kneeling on the floor in a puddle of fluid and blood, newborn pup in his arms.

“If I wasn’t it would be over by now,” Silco assures him, reaching out to tuck the strand of Viktor’s hair that escaped in his rush to his Dam’s side behind his ear.

It is a blunt assessment of the situation but they are not a family to soften the realities of life.

Viktor had always known what it meant to have a baby. What it cost.

His Dam had done it four times now.

Viktor’s attention snaps back to his sister when the pup makes a wet coughing noise, tiny eyes cringing as she does. He had never been allowed to hold his brothers this long when they were this newly born. He likely is doing something that’s making his sister uncomfortable.

“She’s alright,” Silco assures before Viktor can hand his sister over to his Dam’s surer hands. “She’s just getting used to breathing on her own.”

Only an hour ago Silco had been doing it for the both of them. Viktor’s sister floating in a fluid-filled world with all her needs provided directly to her.

“She has a lot to learn,” Viktor mutters more to himself than anything. It’s not just breathing his new sister will have to figure out but also nursing and how to view the world around her. A lot to master for one so small.

“Her instincts will guide her,” Silco says, “and soon enough she will be just another annoying sibling bothering you while you work.”

“I have not complained about that for years.” Not since he moved to Piltover and got a workspace that was harder for his siblings to invade on a whim.

Silco gives him a look from the side of his good eye.

“Weeks at least,” Viktor concedes. His parents getting more comfortable allowing his siblings to visit Topside has led to them being a bit too comfortable hanging out in Viktor and Jayce’s labs for Viktor’s liking.

“I don’t think she will cause as much trouble,” Viktor says, drawing the conversation back to his new sister. The pup won’t be able to bother him in the lab for at least a few years. And by then, well, that’s not a line of thought Viktor is ready to go down just yet.

When he glances back at Silco his Dam’s expression is unreadable to him.

Vander sits next to his mate as the Piltite doctor checks him over. Holding their new pup in his arms and trying not to show his worry.

Silco doesn’t do birth well. Never had.

To think he had had their daughter completely alone in his office in Piltover is a terrifying idea. No-one there to make sure both got through it alive and whole.

The pup is fine though, a baby girl that is perfect and theirs. And Silco is still aware enough to tell Viktor what he wants brought back to Zaun with him to keep working even as he rests from the birth. His voice so reassuring for Vander to hear after Viktor’s work-partner came to the Drop in a pant to tell Vander what happened.

“Alright. Everything seems to be as it should,” the doctor says with a relieved smile. She had been told Silco’s history to explain why he would even consider laboring in a Piltite hospital instead of the home he is so proud of. “You can go home if you want.”

“I’ll carry you,” Vander says. Birth is hard he knows. And he is thankfully still able to carry his mate.

“I can walk,” Silco says. “Just help me up.”

“Sil-“

“I can walk to the car,” Silco says, shooting Vander a glare that says he is not to argue.

“If you are sure.” Arguing is only going to stress Silco more. Even if Vander wants to tell him to stop being a stubborn idiot and let his mate help. “Viktor.”

He doesn’t need to say anymore. Viktor knows he needs to take his new sister so Vander can help his Dam. Taking the pup gently and immediately having his grip corrected by the doctor. The last time he held a new born sibling years ago and what skill he had gained then faded with the years.

Viktor is older than they had been when they had him. How awkward and nervous he looks one of those reminders of just how young they had been that’s happening more as their children surpass that age.

Vander pushes that thought aside to stand and offer his hand to Silco.

Silco clearly knows it’s going to hurt but before Vander can suggest that they abandon this plan and he just carry him his mate’s expression hardens and he pulls himself up. Vander catching him as he overbalances, hating the hiss of pain his mate gives.

“Let-“

“Don’t,” Silco snaps before Vander can beg him to let him carry him. He mate looks up at him with desperate eyes before glancing towards the door. “I won’t have them see me be carried.”

Vander wants to tell him that doesn’t matter. That Silco’s comfort is far more important than what the topsiders think of him. That having just given birth is more than enough reason to need help.

“Alright,” he says instead because he knows Silco would sooner die than show Piltover weakness. “Where’s your coat?”

The doctor helps Silco put it on as Silco leans most of his weight onto Vander. Doing it up to hide the evidence of the birth until they can get Silco home and into a bath.

“I will tell Jayce to make sure nobody is around to stop you,” Viktor says. Not mentioning how it will also ensure the young alpha is gone from where he’s hovering just outside the door.

They wait until Viktor slips back into the room, Silco’s head pressed into Vander’s shoulders as Vander keeps him steady with his hands on his hips.

Vander can feel Silco brace himself when Viktor nods. His entire body tensing before he pushes away. Reaching out in silent demand for his pup whom he grips tight when Viktor returns him.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Vander says as he rests a hand on Silco’s back. The only support he knows his mate will allow him to give.

Silco lets a soft hiss escape as he settles into his nest.

It’s just him and Vander now. No employees or business partners or Piltites he has to not show any weakness to. The young kids all having had the chance to meet their new sister under Benzo’s supervision while Silco washed the evidence of the birth off and have been sent on an impromptu sleepover with their uncle for at least a night or two. Silco doesn’t have to pretend he isn’t throbbing anymore.

“Are you comfortable?” Vander asks, holding their new daughter in his arms next to the bed. Their pups always look tiny in his arms when they are first born. Even Claggor, who all agreed was one of the biggest babes they had seen.

Silco curls his lip at the question. Comfortable not something he is going to be feeling for a while until his body heals from both the pregnancy and birth.

“As much as I’m going to be,” he says. Vander will have been stressed from the moment he heard what happened. Right now he needs reassurance Silco is and will be oaky, not a reminder of the cost Silco must always pay for their children.

“Do you want her?” Vander asks, raising their pup up as he does. Comfortably confident in a way only a well-experienced father can be.

“In a minute.” His pup is safe with Vander and he hasn’t had a moment to rest since the moment in the afternoon where he realized his labor was coming a lot faster than his previous ones.

“Tell me when you want her,” Vander says, because none of this is new to him. “Can I come in?”

Vander doesn’t normally need to ask that. Silco’s nest is their bed that they both collapse into most nights. It isn’t most nights though and Vander knows how Silco is when he’s feeling vulnerable like this.

Silco gives him a hum of consent. Vander hasn’t been unwanted in his nest for years now, his mate comforting to have around.

He winces at how the bed shifts as Vander climbs in next to him. Their daughter, balanced in the alphas arms, letting out a small squeal at it.

“It’s alright, I got her,” Vander says when Silco reaches out for his pup at it. Even if he knows Vander would never harm their pup he still has to ensure the pup he carried feels safe after the trauma of being born in Silco’s office in Piltover. “See, she’s alright love, just not used to not having a padded womb around him.”

Silco still scans over the pup’s face where Vander holds her. The girl’s eyes screwed shut in displeasure even if her tiny chest seems to be settling back into regular, even breathes. Her scent more unsure than scared. Comforted by her family’s scents surrounding her.

Her nose curls when Vander gently runs a finger down her front. The squeal this time more joyful.

“See – all better now,” Vander says. “Just startled a little was all.”

Silco still reaches out to gently rest his hand on his pup’s face, running a knuckle along the delicate cheek. Reassure her that her Dam is nearby should he need.

“You did another amazing job Sil,” Vander says as their pups unfocused eyes gaze up at them. “Another perfect pup.”

“Now you can help.” Silco still the only one that can feed their new daughter but Vander can at least help with all the other needs.

Silco knows it will be harder to manage than with the others. His work no longer something that can easily be solely done out of the Last Drop. And until she’s weaned the pup will have to be within easy access to him.

“You know I will,” Vander says, leaning over to press a kiss against Silco’s forehead. Gentler than he normally would.

He’s always gentler right after Silco’s given him another child.

“We have Benzo and Sevika as well,” Vander continues because he knows there’s so much more they have to manage compared to when they had the others. More work to get done as the years have gone along. “And the others are old enough to help out as well.”

“We will work it out.” The point of all their work was to make a better life for their children. Silco will not have one of his own miss out while they do it.

Chapter Text

“Tell us what you saw Miss Kiramman,” Dean Heimerdinger says to her, the closed ceiling of the Council Chamber casting a shadow over him and the other Councilor sitting circled around her staring down at her. Her own mother watching with a carefully blank expression. Jayce not meeting her eyes where he stands to the side with Enforcers flanking him, hands clasped in front of him and head bowed in guilt.

Caitlyn reminds herself it is not her on trial.

Footsteps thunder down the hall before she can give her testimony. The Zaun Representative suddenly filling the doorway, his scared, red eye glowing in the dim light of the Council Chamber in trial as he catches his breathe enough to yell that it is unjust for him not to even be informed such a trial is happening. Caitlyn had never seen the level of rage on a person before. His chipped teeth bared like the dogs some keep to prevent people from breaking into their properties. Looking every bit the demon she had sometimes heard people refer to him as in hissed angry tones.

“We are still determining if there was Undercity involvement,” Councilor Bolbok says. “We can hardly let their representative be involved lest you try and hide your people’s crimes.”

“Get him out of here!” Councilor Hoskel orders with a dismissive nod to the Enforcers.

“Don’t you fucking touch me,” the Zaun Representative snarls as they near him. Standing tall as he fixes his vest and shirt from where they had wrinkled in his haste. “I have as much of a right to watch as anyone here.”

Looks are exchanged between the Councilors before finally Councilor Medarda speaks up.

“You may stay so long as you do not disrupt the proceedings.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” the Zaun Representative replies with a dry tone and forced smile. Glancing at the Enforcers who step back from him before walking to the gathered audience. He finds the shadows of the room where his eye seems to glow out of it. Caitlyn unable to block its gaze from the corner of her vision. Cannot ignore the feeling that it is watching her and her alone.

Caitlyn reminds herself she is not the one on trial.

“Well, now that that’s settled. Miss Kiramman,” Dean Heimerdinger says, bringing everyone else’s attention onto her as well, “what do you remember seeing?”

What did you see? Sheriff Grayson had asked her. Hands tight on Caitlyn’s shoulders as the explosion still rings through her ears and the smell of fire and ozone fills her lungs.

“I-”

“Spit it out already!” Councilor Salo says.

“Give her a minute. She has been through a traumatic event!”

“It was traumatic for all of us. An attack on our city! In broad daylight!”

“Unprecedented!”

“That is enough!” Dean Heimerdinger says, looking frazzled at the situation. His eyes kind as he looks at her. “I know this is likely overwhelming for you but it is important we get to the truth at the bottom of this whole mess. So please, to the best of your ability, tell us what you remember of the incident.”

All the eyes in the room look at her to tell them what she saw. An almost bored expectation in some, waiting for her to confirm what they believed happened so they can send the Enforcers out to hunt down those involved. Curiosity and sympathy in others for her, the young girl standing in front of a crowd to testify about an event that she isn’t to blame for. Cold judgement from the glowing eye in the corner.

They will believe you over everyone else who was here. Think carefully about what to tell them young Kiramman.

She had thought carefully.

And, so, she doesn’t tell them that she remembers a pink-haired girl yelling at her to get down! Just as she doesn’t tell them how warm her body felt lying over Caitlyn’s, the weird excitement of her scent as she asked are you okay? Nor the callouses on her fingers that brushed the hair that had fallen over Caitlyn’s face before the weight suddenly came off Caitlyn. The sound of yelling and footsteps fading into the distance until suddenly Caitlyn had been pulled to her feet by Sheriff Grayson.

Instead she tells them:

“Jayce told me that the crystals were dangerous and I shouldn’t touch them. But I had never seen anything like them before and I thought so long as I was careful. I dropped one, I think. I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

“No, that’s not right, there were other people there,” Jayce says, suddenly looking up and around the room with scared desperate eyes. And Caitlyn does feel terrible because he is right, there had been others. But there feels like there is something more to this. One of the games adults play that she is too young to understand. And when she looks at the Sheriff watching the trial there is something like pride in her expression. “There had been a girl – she had blue hair.”

Caitlyn feels the eyes of everyone in the room settled on her and her blue hair.

She is sorry.

“Thank you Miss Kiramman,” Dean Heimerdinger says with a kind, reassuring smile. Because he knows it must be hard to betray her friend and tutor like that even if he thinks it is only because she is telling the truth despite how it will harm Jayce. “You can be excused. I doubt we will need anything more from you.”

“Thank you.”

As Caitlyn makes her way out of the Council Chamber, she dares a glance at the Zaun Representative only to find his gaze assessing. And Caitlyn can only hurry from the room in response.

Vi very quickly decides she hates Piltite events. What with the stuffy clothes and fake smiles and oh so you’re the Zaun Representatives daughter? Her curiosity about Topside is quickly replaced with repulsion and a want to go back to the Last Drop where she can go out and see if anyone is doing anything fun that night in the Lanes instead of being kept at her parent’s side like an obedient pet.

“Representative,” someone in the crowd says and Vi braces herself for another round of how amazing Jayce is for his work followed by Silco reminding them that it is just as much Viktor’s work as his partners only for them to laugh like that’s a joke.

“Councilor,” Silco says and Vi follows as he moves to meet the woman, feeling ever bit a dog on a lead.

She refuses to let any of them think her weak so squares her shoulders and meets the eyes of the woman.

The Councilor herself is just as dully posh as the rest of them but Vi is drawn to the girl behind her, looking just as pleased as Vi is about being there. Unmistakably the Councillor’s daughter, and more importantly, unmistakably the one who had been there that afternoon Powder had accidently set this all into motion by nearly blowing them all up.

The girl’s, Cait’s, Jayce had mentioned her name was Cait, eyes go wide when she sees Vi. She clearly remembers Vi as well as Vi does her.

Which is just great seeing nobody still knows that they had even been there that day at all. Because Cait had apparently told everyone it had been her playing with the crystals and that Jayce had imagined the other blue-haired girl to the point of calling him crazed.

“I need some air,” Vi says because she needs to get away.

“So do I,” Cait says.

The Councilor shoots Cait a disapproving look while all Vi gets from her parents is a warning one. Don’t start trouble they’re saying without saying. Which is only mostly unfounded, Vi will admit, especially where pretty girls are concerned.

“Don’t be too long,” the Councilor says and Vi feels like it’s aimed at her as well.

“Of course,” Cait says before tilting her head to Vi in what she probably thinks is a subtle indication to follow.

The huff Silco gives proves how it is anything but. He doesn’t stop Vi going though so she follows Cait out to one of the balconies.

Cait takes much longer to shut the door than necessary. Peering around the hall first as if she’s making sure nobody is following and pressing her ear against the closed door like she’s trying to make sure nobody can listen through. It’s almost entertaining to watch and she is very cute in how serious she is about it all. Vi in no rush to stop her or point out how everyone in the party is so busy being up their own asses to hear what anyone else is saying even if it’s directed at them.

Once satisfied in her checking Cait whips around to face Vi, finger pointing accusatory.

“You’re the Zaun Representative’s daughter?”

“Silco’s my dad, yeah.” Vi doesn’t get why everyone keeps asking that. Why else would Silco and Vander have brought her with them?

“Why were you breaking into Jayce’s apartment then?” Cait asks, voice hushed like she’s trying not to have anyone overhear her.

“We were bored.” And wanted to stick it to the Topsiders. Vi finds herself not wanting to admit that part to Cait even if she had no trouble telling her parents when they quizzed them on why did you even do that? “Wait – you didn’t know who we were?”

“Why would I? The Zaun Representative never has his kids with him.”

Except Viktor, but Vi is quickly starting to think people don’t realise Viktor is her brother but rather think he’s Silco’s pet project.

“Then why did you lie about us not being there?” Silco had been mostly pissed about owing a Kiramman, even the young one, a favour. And Vander had made sure they understood just how lucky they were that the reports of Zaunite kids had been deemed paranoid misidentifications following a shocking explosion.

“I don’t know,” Cait says although how her cheeks suddenly go pink makes Vi think it might be a similar reason to how she had to be dragged away by her brothers before the Enforcers showed up back when she had pulled Cait away from the explosion. “I guess I didn’t want you to end up in Stillwater.”

“I guess I owe you then.” Better Vi than Silco. It was her idea that got them into the mess in the first place, and maybe she isn’t entirely against providing the young Kiramman with a favour. Climbing up onto the balcony railing, VI leans back over the courtyard below before continuing. “So, tell me Princess – what do you want?”

“Don’t call me that!” Cait says, going pinker still and if it’s going to get her that reaction Vi is never going to stop calling her that. “And really – anything?”

“Sure,” Vi says with a shrug. What could a spoilt Piltite daughter want that VI wouldn’t be able to get?

Cait seems to seriously consider it and Vi starts wondering if maybe she will be asked for something Vi can’t get. But before Cait can respond the door swings open revealing her mother.

“There you are. Come back inside – there’s someone I want to introduce you to,” the Councilor says, grabbing her daughter’s wrist to tug her back inside.

Cait catches Vi’s eyes giving a dramatic eye-roll over it. Which is exactly how Vi feels about the prospect of going back to the party herself, finding herself seriously considering just jumping over the railing and sneaking back down to the Lanes.

“When you think of what you want come find me yeah?” Vi says with a wave, ignoring the Councilor’s unimpressed look.

“How?” Cait asked.

“Ask Jayce.” Viktor’s work partner has followed Vi’s brother down to the Drop more than enough times that he should be able to give instructions on how to get there.

And Vi will put the word out that if a pretty blue-haired Piltite happens to be in Zaun she is not to be touched by anyone else or else they’ll answer to Vi.

Chapter Text

“Come on love, that’s your wakeup call too,” Vander says, pressing a kiss to his mate’s temple.

It’s unfair really. That he can’t instead trace the familiar path up Silco’s long, bare legs; up under Vander’s shirt his mate had taken to sleep in and spend the morning making his omega moan. Some sights an alpha shouldn’t have to control himself at.

But their pups are awake and hungry and neither they nor Zaun will wait for them to take their time exploring each other’s well-leant bodies.

Silco groans as he pulls himself up. The nighttime feeding making even him want to sleep in despite all the work he knows has to be done. Vander’s shirt slipping off his shoulder as he sits up.

“You will take Claggor yes?” Silco asks, his true accent slipping through in his tired state.

“’course.” It made sense to do things that way considering Vander couldn’t exactly feed Mylo for his mate.

“Good,” Silco says, gathering Mylo up from where their youngest is now awake in the middle of the bed as Vander gets Claggor from the cot by the side of the bed. Settling the toddler onto his hip, Claggor gripping onto the collar of his shirt.

“I’ll brew us some coffee as well,” Vander promises, earning him a content hum.

Viktor’s already in the downstairs kitchen waiting for them. Their eldest pup sitting up at the table, cane resting against it and half-finished plate of food forgotten about in front of him as he reads through some book Silco brought him the other week off a scholar who had hitched a ride on a ship that happened to stop-over in the port.

“And how long have you been awake for?” Vander asks, ruffling Viktor’s hair as he passes. Silco settling in the seat opposite their eldest and pushing Vander’s shirt off his shoulder more to let Mylo at his breakfast.

“Not long,” Viktor says, only glancing up for a moment before returning to his book, reaching for a pen to copy something onto the paper beside him. Clearly Silco did well getting it for him. “I put coffee on.”

“And I suppose that means you want a mug too?” Vander asks as he puts Claggor down to organize food for their pup and coffee for apparently Viktor as well as them.

“There is enough for three.”

Vander figures they can’t exactly deny their pup his newfound vice considering the ones his parents have.

Plus, it’s adorable how Viktor makes the exact same content noise as his Dam does when Vander puts the mug in front of him.

With a happy mate and eldest pup Vander turns to the task of getting breakfast into Claggor. A messy one as their middle pup seems to like wearing his food as much as he likes eating it.

“I need you to come down to the docks with me after lunch,” Silco says, clearly awake enough to start planning their business for the day. “I’m tired of giving that old sea captain a bigger cut of our profits than he deserves and I want it settled today.”

“I’ll do it after we meet with the representative from Noxus,” Vander says. Said ‘representative’ clearly not an official one if he’d come down to Zaun to meet with them but likely someone they want to impress none-the-less.

“You should probably avoid the Factories with them,” Silco says as he puts Mylo against his shoulder to burp. “Word is the Enforcers are looking for who broke the overseer’s windows.”

That would be them. A little reminder that just because the Piltite owned the building didn’t mean he could cut all his workers’ wages on a whim. And that perhaps he should take up the generous sale offer he had been given.

“Right.”

There’s a knock at the back door of the bar, causing both Silco and Viktor’s heads to shoot up.

“It’ll just be the morning delivery,” Vander says. Not that he doesn’t get his mate and eldest’s caution. Piltover would love to toss them into Stillwater if they could. “Viktor can you finish feeding your brother for me?”

Viktor puts his book down on the table before grabbing his cane and coming to take over. Claggor not minding at all about the change in person feeding him. Grinning up at Viktor as the older pup offers him a spoonful of food.

It’s for moments like this that they are working and fighting for. For everyone in Zaun to wake up in the morning with their family and not have to worry about not having enough food to go around or that someone has been arrested by Enforcers for the crime of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The fact their pups already have more opportunities ahead of them than either Vander or Silco did is just an added bonus.

Vander almost feels sorry for the man sitting in his bar after close when Silco walks in, the omega’s mood clearly already sour. But the young alpha wouldn’t be waiting for his boss if he had been doing his job right.

“Don’t,” Silco says with a sharp look at the man, his hand braced against his stomach from the pup he’s growing. “I have already dealt with enough incompetence for one day.”

“But-“

“If it couldn’t wait until morning you wouldn’t have waited until I got back to tell someone,” Silco says. And Vander had asked, when the man told him he needed to tell Silco something, if it was something he had to deal with but apparently it could wait for Silco. “I would suggest if there is anything that may mitigate the damage, you go do that. But I doubt you are smart enough to even identify what that might be.”

“I don’t have to take this shit from you-”

Vander is already coming over from the bar before the man even has a chance to finish his sentence. Standing at his husband’s side so he can quickly move to protect both Silco and their unborn child should he need.

Not that he doubts his mate’s ability to protect himself of course. Just he doesn’t want him having to do anything risky while he’s pregnant and Vander there to do it for him.

“I suggest you head home and sober up,” Vander says, wrapping an arm loosely around Silco’s shoulder.

“I suggest you start looking for a new job,” Silco adds.

The man seems to contemplate his options for a second and Vander resigns himself to cleaning blood off the floors before opening tomorrow. But the young alpha makes the right call in the end, swearing at them before shuffling out of the bar.

“I’m going to bed,” Silco says as soon as the door swings shut. He shrugs off Vander’s arm before heading downstairs in as close of a storm as he can manage in his current state.

Vander follows after finishing his close. Reaching their room before Silco has even managed to get his shoes off. The omega sitting on the edge of his side of the bed and trying to reach past his swollen belly to get to them.

“Let me,” Vander says, coming over to slip Silco’s shoes off. Much easier for him to bend down and slip then off for his mate. “You just relax.”

“I’m not incapable,” Silco spits as Vander slips off his second shoe. Placing them together at the foot of the bed where Silco likes them and coming back to slide Silco’s socks off as well.

“I know.” Vander has never questioned Silco’s capability. Despite the pregnancy weighing on him Silco was keeping up with all his duties in ensuring Zaun’s progress. “But I want to give you this.”

Vander silently takes Silco’s foot in hand to massage. Thumbs digging into the arch before he moves up to rub Silco’s swollen ankles, earning him soft moans that slip past Silco’s tightly kept guard.

He looks up to see Silco’s eyes shut and the frown on his forehead starting to soften.

“Let’s get you out of these clothes,” Vander says, putting Silco’s feet back down against the bed.

“Of course.” Silco immediately starts working on undoing the buttons of his shirt. An efficiency gained from years of getting dressed and undressed.

“Here.” Vander takes over once all the buttons are undone. Pressing a kiss against Silco’s shoulder as he pushes the shirt down. “You just sit.”

Silco gives a snort at it but stays where he is, waiting as Vander puts the shirt in the pile of dirty clothes.

“Are the pillows right?” Vander asks when he comes back to the bed and Silco shifts back so he is sitting against them, making room for Vander to join him on the bed.

“They’re fine.”

“Good,” Vander says, shifting closer so he can resume his stripping of his husband. Adjusting Silco’s pants until they are under his husband’s stomach and he can rub along the base of the swell. “You’re amazing you know.”

“You’re just saying that because you’ve knocked me up again,” Silco says even as he relaxes against the pillows.

“I’m not,” Vander says, leaning down to nuzzle the stomach currently containing their child. “You carry them so well.”

“I would hardly say that. I am huge with them.”

“You are. You’re giving them so much space to grow in,” Vander says as he runs his hands over the expanse of Silco’s stomach. “So big with them.”

“Only you would be happy to see me getting fat,” Silco says because even before he was pregnant Vander has been trying to get his husband to eat more. To look after himself half as well as he did those around him.

“You’re not fat,” Vander corrects even if he would be relieved if Silco would have a bit more weight on him in generally.

“No – I’m just carrying your huge child!”

Vander laughs at it. Ignoring Silco’s grumble and kissing against the high-point of the swell. He kisses the path up Silco’s stomach to between the swells of Silco’s bare breasts. His hands settling on Silco’s hips, feeling how they have broadened from the pregnancy’s progress, and, as he’s been informed, arching as a result.

“All of this for our pup,” Vander mutters against Silco’s skin. “And you’re working so hard to give them a good life.”

“Nice to see you recognizing my work.”

“I’ve always recognized your work.” Vander’s brilliant husband – vicious and clever and unafraid to get his hands dirty if needed.

Silco hums at it non-committally. His hands coming to rest on Vander’s shoulders but otherwise seeming content to let Vander explore his body.

“Your child’s getting hungry,” Silco says suddenly. It’s always Vander’s child and never him. Silco liking to act as if he is too busy for the basic care his body needs. It all instead because of the baby.

“Tell me what you want and I’ll make it.” Or get it, although Vander has made it his business to learn all of Silco’s favorite dishes.

“Just something simple,” Silco says, his hands moving from Vander’s shoulders to rest on the bed. “They seem to hate most foods and are making me suffer for it.”

“Alright, something simple.” Vander presses a kiss against Silco’s forehead as he gets up. “You just stay here. No more work tonight.”

Silco gives him an unimpressed look as he leaves but does look set in the bed, relaxed against the pillows with his hands resting on his stomach. He might actually still be there when Vander gets back. If Vander’s lucky.

Chapter Text

“Dam what are you doing?” Viktor asks, because his Dam is lying on a pile of pillows in his nest on his tummy in a position Viktor hasn’t ever seen him in before. His head resting against the headboard and butt lightly swaying side to side.

If you ask Viktor it doesn’t look comfy especially with his brother still in Dam’s tummy.

“Viktor?” Silco asks, twisting his head around to look at Viktor before twisting back around to rest his head on the headboard again. “I’m trying to encourage your brother out of me.”

“Oh.” That made a little sense, although Viktor didn’t see how this was going to do anything. “Is it working?”

“Probably not.”

“Then why are you doing it?” Viktor asks, walking over to be around where his Dam’s face is.

Dam twists his head on the headboard and reaches out to play with Viktor’s hair.

“My only other option is to accept that your bother is never going to come out,” Silco says.

“Dad says it's too comfortable in there for him,” Viktor says earning him a little smile from his Dam.

“I’m trying to make it less comfortable for him,” Silco says. “He seems unmoved despite my efforts.”

“How long are you going to be here?”

“Half an hour at least,” Dam says, pulling his arm back to tuck under himself,

“Can I stay with you then?” Viktor will leave if Dam wants him to but he likes spending time with his Dam. Has loved how the pregnancy has meant that Dam is spending more time with him and not off doing business.

“I don’t see why not.”

Viktor nods and pulls himself onto the bed to sit next to Dam with his back against the headboard, tucked under where Dam is leaning against the headboard.

It feels odd looking up at Dam like that and kind of silly as Dam idly sways like he’s uncomfortable.

“Do you hate being pregnant?”

“What?” Dam asks, his eye shooting open.

“You seem unhappy about it.” Viktor doesn’t think he has heard Dam saying anything nice about being pregnant, only bad things.

Dam sighs at it, bracing himself on his arms and rolling over and down so one of his legs is resting on the pillow pile and he can face Viktor better.

“I thought you needed to stay like that.” To help get his sibling out.

“This one is just as good,” Dam says, reaching out to cup Viktor’s face. “And I don’t hate being pregnant. It is painfully uncomfortable and I am desperately in need of a drink or a smoke. But I don’t hate it. I like knowing your sibling is safe inside me and growing healthily and it is nice that your dad will do anything I ask without turning it into an argument first. I am the one that brought you into this world. You are worth enduring some suffering for. Your sibling will be the same I’m sure. Once they finally decide to come out of me.” 

“I can’t wait to meet them.” It’s been months of Viktor only able to talk to his new sibling through Dam’s stomach. He doesn’t even know what they look like – Dam keeps saying they will take after Dad but everyone else says that they won’t know until his younger sibling is born.

“Any day now,” Dam says like it’s a joke. Because it’s a bit of a joke now, Viktor having been hearing that his younger sibling will be here any day now for weeks now.

Viktor doesn’t know what to say so he just adjusts to lie next to Dam. Nuzzling into him as Dam wraps an arm around him to hold him close.

Chapter Text

There’s a splash of something big falling down into the corner of the caves Singed has taken as his own where the Pilt sometimes drains through when the weather conditions are right. A body, most likely by the sound. Either dumped or drowned, it doesn’t change much for whoever it was.

The timing is in his favor though – he could use a new cadaver.

The body, as it turns out, isn’t a stranger to him like they almost always are.

While it has been a few years since the omega stood in these caves and his eye not a gaping wound like it now is, he still is definitively the same one. He was rather memorable at the time, heavily pregnant and yet still threatening Singed should he approach his son again. A son who had returned barely a month later with a cautious smile and they are distracted with my brother given as explanation despite Singed not even asking only to end up not having the stomach for Singed’s work anyway.

It is a shame that the omega ended up as just another body in the Pilt. But that is the way of Zaun and the omega clearly hadn’t cared much about making enemies with how brazenly he threatened a stranger living in the caves.

There is nothing to be done now and no use just letting the body rot when some gain can be made for it.

The body is still warm to the touch as Singed moves it to the table in the center of his lab. The gash to his eye unlikely enough to kill him but enough for him to drown in the waters before arriving here.

It is as Singed reaches for his scalpel that the body proves less deceased as he initially assessed. A rattling, choking sound echoing as muscles twitch in the fight against death.

It is not far off though. The Pilt-waters have spread deep into his eye and his lungs mostly full with the water. If Singed gave it an hour at most he could return to his dissection of an incredibly fresh corpse.

There is the Shimmer though.

He hasn’t had the chance to even begin the animal trials. But he has created the first of the formula and when else will he get the opportunity of a subject so perfectly near death without creating the conditions himself?

If it fails it is not as if anyone has been lost – the omega will die without it and the formula clearly not correct.

Yes. He will at least try.

“Lanes,” the omega manages to gasp out as Singed moves to restrain him. He doubts this will be pleasant for him. Perhaps he may not consider living worth the agony he will endure. He isn’t conscious enough to be asked. “Vander.”

“Save your strength,” Singed advises him as he fills a syringe with the concoction that may just save the omegas’s life.

The omega goes still as the liquid disappears into his veins. Perhaps the experiment is a failure and an autopsy once again what Singed will be doing today.

A minute later the omega screams. Fighting against the restraints.

He is in terrible pain that is clear but his lungs sound stronger and clearer. The Shimmer helping fight off the infection as the cut around his eye tries to knit itself back together.

Shimmer alone will not save him and the point of this experiment is to prove it works at all. So Singed gets to work cleaning the rivers rot out of where it has taken root. Ignoring the screams as he works.

It takes three days to get the omega into a condition where Singed does not fear he will slip away the moment he is no longer actively monitored. The omega’s breathing consistent even if it is weak. His eye is clearly ruined by the infection but it seems to be stabilizing to something that can be contained even if it will never be defeated.

There is still no promise that the experiment will prove a success but Singed can contemplate things other than keeping the omega alive every moment.

Can contemplate what the omega said in the brief moment of consciousness when he first arrived.

A location and a name.

It is not a lot to go off of but it is also not nothing. And Singed knows the omega has at least two children, likely a mate as well. Assuming they were alive and had not been also part of the attack that led to the omega ending up in Singed’s care.

If they were alive they would likely be worried.

While he cannot provide reassurances to them that the omega is fine or will survive. He can at least inform them where the omega is.

The two pieces of information he proves ample. Nearly all in the Undercity know of the Vander who build the Lanes. They point Singed in the direction of a pub in the center of it as they tell him that Vander ain’t that interested in business talk with his mate missing.

The door to the pub swings open when Singed knocks and the man who greets him is impressive if for his size alone. Singed supposes the omega’s bravado that day makes sense if this is who he has to enforce his will.

“You must be the alpha,” Singed says as the alpha’s gaze hardens.

Singed can see Viktor a bit further in the building. The boy’s expression as if he has seen a ghost. He no doubt hadn’t expected Singed to ever visit him, and with his mother missing fear will be making the worst options fill in the information blanks.

“What do you want?” the alpha demands, moving to block Viktor from view. The father just as protective as the mother. Which makes sense – Viktor is an impressive child.

“I know of your missing mate,” Singed informs. He would tell the alpha then and there the status of the omega’s condition but the fact Viktor will no doubt be listening in gives him pause. It would likely be distressing for him to hear what happened to his mother so bluntly and Singed not interested in or talented at gentle words. Better to let the father tell him later. “We should discuss privately.”

The alpha opens his mouth, likely to demand Singed tell him immediately. He freezes mid-action though, glancing behind himself not just to Viktor but to four other small-child faces that have been summoned by their curiosity. A proper undercity brood.

Singed briefly wonders which of them the omega was pregnant with when he had come and threated Singed.

“We can talk in his office,” the alpha says with a sharp nod to a small room off the bar.

It is intriguing that the alpha refers to it as his office and not theirs. The way he moves around it more evidence that he doesn’t consider it his own space. The seat at the paperwork-covered desk left empty while the alpha instead chooses to stand by its side. The shadows of the room darkening his features.

Singed notices the academy seal on a few of the scattered pages. Even the Dean’s personal signature on at least one.

It appears the omega and alpha are more important that Singed assumed. It may be useful to keep aware of them if only to know whether the divide between the two city halves may be even slightly closing and Singed’s secrecy under threat.

“What did you do to Silco?” the alpha demands. Looming over Singed with his full height and bulk.

It is a display that certainly would send a lot cowering in submission.

Singed long ago stopped bothering to be afraid of common intimidation tactics.

“I kept him alive.”

“What?” the alpha’s brow furrows and some of the aggressive tension in his body drops.

“He was near death when he came into my possession thanks to the acts of someone else. I gave him something that gave him the strength to not perish. He is stable for now.” And his survival, while not guaranteed, seems a little more likely.

“Then bring him here!” the alpha demands.

“Unless you want him to perish I would not suggest that. I said he was stable. But his condition could quickly deteriorate especially if moved.”

The alpha seems to finally be understanding the situation. Holding himself up by the desk and stress and grief take over his frame.

“Where is he? Can I see him?” he asks, desperation now heavy in his tone.

“He is at my lab.” Singed never labored under the delusion he would be trusted at his word when he decided to seek out the omega’s family. As much as he would prefer his location known only to him it would be inevitable he would have to allow at least one in to prove what he has said. “So long as you behave I will take you to him.”

“So long as I can see him,” the alpha agrees because he doesn’t have any other choice. “Lead the way.”

The children are all waiting outside the door to the office. Viktor and the four younger ones. They look either worried or scared. The younger ones all looking to the alpha for protection and reassurance the way children always will with their parents. Viktor however watches Singed, his mind clearly trying to understand how the pieces of information he has fits together. Still remarkably bright for his age.

“I’m heading out, Viktor you’re in charge.” The alpha’s words seem well rehearsed and none of the children look at all surprised by them. “If I’m not back by morning-“

“Go to Benzo and tell him where to start looking,” Viktor finishes with a quick glance towards Singed. He knows there is a slight threat under those words should his father not be returned to him. Perhaps life in the Undercity is started to harden him to the things that must be done.

“That’s my boy,” the alpha says, ruffling at Viktor’s hair. He dwarfs his son when he presses against him in a one-arm hug. Viktor clearly having inherited the slighter frame of his omega mother. Whether he will gain more of his alpha father’s size as he grows will be interesting. Assuming Singed manages to save the omega, the continued care and treatments that will be required will mean he will likely see more of the boy again as he grows.

The walk back to the lab is silent. Not that Singed minds – unnecessary conversation not something he cares for. Nor does he care to try and help the stress the alpha clearly is under. Words will not change the outcome.

The alpha possesses surprising speed despite his size. Crossing the distance of the lab as soon as the omega is in sight. His hulking form leaning over the pale broken one of the omega laid out on the table as if he could protect him from further harm.

“Who did this to you Sil?” he asks, touch surprisingly delicate as he brushes the hair from the omega’s face to reveal the likely ruined eye.

“He will not answer you,” Singed informs as he moves closer to ensure the alpha will not damage his experiments in his distress. “He is sedated to keep him unaware of the pain for now.”

“What happened?” the alpha asks again, and it takes a moment for Singed to realize he is talking to him and not the unconscious body of his mate.

“I do not know.” Nor did Singed particularly care to know. It was convenient for him that the omega was at the exact precipice of death for Singed to use as a subject of his first Shimmer trial and that is all he needs. “That is how I found him.”

“He’ll be okay though?” the alpha asks.

“Perhaps,” Singed replies as he prepares another dose of Shimmer. The alpha eyes him warily as he approaches but doesn’t attempt to impede his work. They will see if that changes once the omega’s body starts to convulse again. So long as he wakes before morning the alpha can be sedated as well if necessary. “I have done what I can. Now it is up to him.”

“He’ll be fine then,” the alpha says as he takes hold of the omega’s unresponsive hand. “He’s a tough bastard. No way he’d give up now when we are so close. He’ll pull through.”

The alpha isn’t actually looking for input. He’s just reassuring himself as he gently pets at the omega. Perhaps Singed should have waited until the omega’s survival was certain before seeking out the family. But he isn’t sure it ever truly will be.

“We shall see.” Singed does hope the omega survives. Only because it would mean the formula a success of course.

Chapter Text

Powder appears as Silco is sitting up in bed finishing reading the last report of the day while he waits for Vander to finish closing the Last Drop. The late hour of her appearance isn’t that unusual, even with Silco doing her hair now almost ritual between them. She can easily lose track of time with Ekko or the little toys she makes. Suddenly racing in because she’s realized even the Lanes are falling asleep and she hasn’t had her hair done.

The way she slams the door behind her and storm over is less common, but, despite her enthusiasm, she can be a sensitive child at times. And her sibling’s words cruel as siblings can be.

She avoids his eyes as she climbs onto the bed, handing him the brush and giving him her back. Fiddling with one of her little mouser toy.

"Powder,” Silco says as he puts his report to the side and undoes the braids he put her hair in in the morning.

She shrugs at it and Silco sighs. He knows pushing her will just result in screaming and yelling. After a day of listening to Piltite Council members doing it he doesn’t want to get it from one of his children as well. So he runs the brush through her hair – she will talk if she wants to, and, if not, he’s working from Zaun tomorrow he can question her siblings about what set her off.

“Mylo said you’re having another baby,” Powder says finally, her fingers twisting mouser in her hand. “He said you’re replacing me.”

“What did I tell you about listening to Mylo?” Silco asks as he parts the left side of her hair and starts the new braid.

“No to. That he only says things because he knows they’ll get a reaction out of me,” Powder says in well-practiced copy because they’ve had this conversation so many times. The youngest two seemingly determined to get under each other’s skins however they can. Mylo with sharp words he knows will cut and Powder through setting up traps for her brother to stumble into and pushing him aside whenever she can. “But you are having another baby, aren’t you? I heard Vander talking to Benzo about it.”

Of course.

Silco can keep all of Piltover unaware of the full extent of his business despite spending half his time amongst them for almost a decade but he cannot keep something from his children for more than a day.

“We are.” Lying isn’t going to help the situation.

“Why?”

Because accidents happen and apparently 42 isn’t old enough to not have to worry about sex resulting in pregnancy.

“Because we are.” Silco ties off the end of a braid and places it against Powder’s back. His hand can no longer completely cover it from how big she is getting. Not far off presenting herself and able to spend the day entertaining herself even if she still needs Vander to remind her to eat proper food and not just sugar.

They’re going to be starting from newborn again soon.

“Are we not enough?” Powder asks, turning to look at him with sad confused eyes.

Silco cups her face, wiping under her eye to prevent the gathered tears from falling.

“No. You are more than enough.” She is so bright and will achieve great things if she is given half the opportunity, he is sure. “This isn’t about you. Or them. Or anyone. This is just a thing that is happening. I thought you would be happy about it – you won’t be the youngest anymore.”

Jinx leans against his hand on her cheek, twisting her lips in contemplation.

“What if I like being the baby?” she asks so quietly Silco has to strain to hear it.

“You are hardly a baby now Powder.” Maturity coming for her faster each and every day.

He reaches out with his hand not against her face to grab hold of one of hers and bring it to his stomach. There is nothing there to really show or see of the pregnancy, still far too early even for him. But it will help get his point across.

“You get to be a big sister instead,” he says and that seems to pull a small smile from her sullen features joined with a small pleased hum. “They’ll look up to you like you do the others.”

“I don’t look up to Mylo! He’s mean!” she protests childishly but her somber mood seems to have faded with it. Brushing his hand on her cheek aside so she can rest her head against his stomach as well, the hand not on it wrapping around him.

“I can teach them all the secret passageways I know that the others don’t,” she whispers against him. “And I’ll show them how I made mouser.”

“It will probably be a few years before that Powder,” Silco says, running his fingers through the side of her hair still down. At least she seems excited about it now instead of scared.

“Are you going to Piltover today?” Vi asks, awake and dressed. Both things she isn’t usually by the time Silco leaves in the morning when he is in Piltover for the day. All of their children preferring to sleep in until Vander finishes his morning tasks and drags them up for breakfast.

“I am.”

“Can I come too?” she asks. Which is also unusual. The appeal of going to Piltover quickly lost for the children after Silco started to bring them to his office and social events. Now viewed as a punishment instead of a forbidden playground. He wishes he had done it earlier – they might have avoided the whole Talis explosion situation if he had.

Vi does have her little crush on the Kiramman girl she thinks they’re not aware of so the request likely has something to do with that. By lunchtime she’ll be trying to sneak off, claiming to be going to see Viktor when caught.

Saying no just encourages them to sneak up there themselves.

“I’ll be in meetings most of the day.” A day full of people gawking at his now showing pregnancy. He’s picked up the habit of starting them off with a now well-practiced acknowledgement that, yes, he is in fact pregnant, and, no, it was not planned, do they need him to walk them through how babies or made or can they begin?

“That’s okay. I can keep myself entertained.”

Silco knows a pointless argument so he agrees. Vi trailing behind him to his Piltover office. His eldest daughter immediately going to lie on the couch and go back to sleep as he starts his work for the day.

Silco shuts the door quietly when he leaves for his first meeting to not wake her.

He returns to her sparring against invisible foes. Moving around the office with quick, light feet, punching the air and dodging imaginary blows.

“I can arrange a car to take you home,” he offers after she realizes he’s there and mumbles an apology for the grand crime of being a bored teenager.

“No, no, it’s fine,” she says, going to sit back on the couch. Hands resting on it either side of her.

She swings her legs over the armrest and kicks at the side of the couch as he goes back to work.

Silco leaves and returns for another meeting to find her still there. Lunch comes and passes with no attempt to leave to get into mischief or visit the Kiramman girl. Vi instead lying on the couch with her eyes closed despite it being clear she isn’t sleeping.

She peaks up at Silco from one eye when he stands over her. What is actually happening clear.

“You don’t need to stand guard over me all day.”

“That’s not what I’m doing,” she protests and he raises his brow at her because she is far from the best liar among his children. “I’m also keeping you company.”

“I have never needed that either.” He has spent many long days in his Piltover office alone with his work.

“Well, you weren’t pregnancy before either,” Vi mumbles.

“I have been pregnant before,” Silco corrects even if he knows Vi means since he took up the position of Zaun Representative. “And I managed without a young alpha following me around everywhere.”

“You had Vander though. And Sevika.”

“Not always.” Silco quickly raises his hand before Vi can get any ideas about Vander abandoning him while he was pregnant with any of her brothers. “We have always been busy people Vi. And we cannot afford to sacrifice progress towards our goals just because I happen to be growing a child inside me.”

Vi mulls the words over with the same furrowed-brow expression that Vander gets. She may not be his by blood but there is no denying she is her father’s child. The almost irrational want to be there to protect him coming from Vander as well.

“You can continue sitting around my office all day if you must but I am sure there are things you would rather be doing than being bored on a couch.” There are things Silco would rather do than listen to the grips of spoilt Piltites and read report after report about how fixing Zaun is just too expensive or too difficult for them to bother even trying. There is at least a benefit for their people for his suffering. “I’ll get a car to take you home.”

“Do I have to go back home? Can I go do something else?” Vi asks and Silco knows exactly where she will be headed.

Telling her no and that she is going home will save him some headache.

“Just don’t do anything that will have Cassandra bitching at me about you,” he says, massaging the bridge of his nose. He blames his hormones for how he can’t say no to her pathetic face. “I’m too pregnant to put up with her shit.”

“Do you need something Powder?” Silco asks when his youngest daughter slips into his office. She probably just wants to draw on the floor while he works.

“Can I give him something?” Powder asks, coming to stand beside Silco’s desk, her stuffed-bunny in hand.

“Give who something?”

“The baby.”

Silco hums at it. Picking the girl up by the underarms to seat her at his desk. It takes actual effort to do now compared to when he could easily settle her on his hip while he went about things.

“That will be a bit difficult considering he’s currently busy trying to break my ribs,” Silco informs her, earning a little giggle from her. His children at times seem entertained by how their younger sibling is making him suffer. “What do you want to give him?”

“Bunny,” she says, patting at the stuffed rabbit now sat in her lap.

“Bunny’s your favorite though.” Even the most unobservant parent would know that from how she screams to high Janna if one of her siblings even looked at the thing wrong.

“I know. But I’m getting bigger,” Powder says, playing with the ears of the stuffed toy. “And what is he going to sleep with?”

“We can get him something of his own.” The plan had been to just take out Mylo’s old things from where they had stored them to hand on to their first grandkid. They could afford a new stuffed toy though.

Powder’s expression tells him it isn’t the right answer.

At least the new one will be easily to understand and keep happy for a few years. Babies needs so much easier to decipher and appease than teenagers.

He reaches forward to cup her face because touch, at least, seems to hold true at providing comfort at all ages.

“At least wait until he’s born and then you can decide if you want to give him bunny. You might not like him any more than you do Mylo.” And the world would have to be ending for Powder to let Mylo even hold the stuffed toy for a minute.

“No! I’ll like him more than Mylo!” Powder immediately protests before collapsing forward onto him. Silco wrapping an arm around her to ensure she doesn’t fall. “Mylo’s mean. He won’t be mean.”

“Babies can be mean sometimes.” Despite his gentle temperament now, Claggor had landed his share of blows as a baby and as soon as Mylo had teeth he figured out how to use them to express his displeasure with whoever was nearest to him.

“He won’t be though,” Powder says, hand rubbing along Silco’s stomach. “He’ll be nice and will want to play with me even though the others don’t.”

“Not for a while Powder,” Silco reminds her before she gets let down by a newborn’s inability to do much more than sleep and feed and shit. “He’s going to be very small at first.”

“Pst, yeah, obviously. He’s got to be small enough you can squeeze him out,” she says, sagging against him as if he’s ridiculous for thinking she might not know that. “But once he’s bigger I’ll play with him. And teach him all the things I know. I’ll be a good big sister. I promise.”

“Of course you will be.” Silco leans over to rest his forehead against the crown of her head. He hopes she will be and doesn’t find her new sibling boring. They’ll need the help of the older ones to be able to balance a new child with their work and responsibilities to their community.

“Mylo move!” Silco can hear Vi hiss as he makes his way into the kitchen in the slow waddling pace that has become his gait in the last few months of the pregnancy. This one no more forgiving on his body than the others.

“What?” Mylo hisses back, lying across the lounge-chair Silco found the most comfortable with the extra weight of the baby, feet hanging over the armrest, before noticing Silco. “Oh shit.”

Vi practically drags her brother out of it to free it for Silco. He possibly would care more about how rough she had been on her brother if the curve of the chair wasn’t the exact thing he back needs to feel actually supported.

“How are you feeling this morning?” Claggor asks as Silco makes the effort to settle himself in the chair.

Vi elbows him in the side for it and Silco gives them both a look because he does not have the energy to deal with arguing children while Vander is still busy with the morning delivery.

“I have started to look forward to the horror that is labor,” Silco answers. Both Claggor and Vi are alphas and one day they’ll be responsible for putting an omega being in a similar state as Silco is currently. They should know what they are signing them up for before they do. “Which is no doubt the point. Make you grateful when the true pain starts because at least it means one way or another it will be over soon.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Vi offers, her two brothers nodding in agreement.

“Not unless you can go back in time and remind your father and I that we are not so old that we do not have to worry about our actions resulting in a baby trying to break my spine while they grow in me,” Silco says. Sighing at the wide-eyed expressions he is met with. His warnings about pregnancy apparently have more weight with him being pregnant while delivering them. “I told you this is the price to be paid for new life. This will be the fourth time I’ve endured it. And I will. Because I know he will be worth it, the same as his brothers were.”

“Still doesn’t seem fair though,” Vi mumbles.

“By now you should know few things in life are.” Despite all the work both he and Vander have put in their children still only have a spec of the privilege enjoyed by those born in Piltover.