Chapter Text
Was there a difference between having daughters than having sons? If you asked Silco then no-there was no difference. Daughters fight, sons fight. Daughters cried, sons cried. Sons could eat whole boxes of fruit snacks if you let them and daughters helped as long as they get some as well, even offering to hide the evidence. As long as sons and daughters had full bellies and soft beds by the end of the day then everything was ok.
And as long as he had wine-then that was better. If Silco had a glass or two before bed then that’s his business, maybe even three on bad days when Mylo would be so determined to tease and pick on Powder to the point of tears or one of the older kids decided they were done being nice and would throw something at their siblings so they would stop yelling at each other, although it caused more yelling, those bad days were few and far between, only happening after a few days of being stuck inside because of the weather. In Zaun it seemed to almost always be cloudy or raining, sunny days far and few between.
Tonight wasn’t a three glass night, thankfully, as he sat at the kitchen table with the recites of the day in front of him, the bottle of wine a little under halfway done as he worked on his first glass. Vander, his husband, was finishing up the dishes for the night as the TV played in the living room-some movie or other playing. It was Powders night to choose something for them and it was possible she was making her sibling suffer through her current fixation of Toy story once again.
But she had good siblings who will happily watch the damn movie once again, it was her turn after all and it was better than having to go to bed early or having her cry.
He was joined at the table by his husband, glass of whiskey in hand as he looked over Silco’s shoulder with a hum. “We’d be up a creek with no paddle without you darlin’.” He hummed next to his head which made him roll his eyes.
“And you’d have to deal with all five children alone.” Silco hummed back looking at his bearded husband with a raised eyebrow. “And as much as you can handle them, you’d be an alcoholic in a week.”
“You as well darlin’.” He leaned forward and captured him in a soft kiss, which was given back with a softer noise.
The sweet moment was soon interrupted with a series of knock on the door-the front door actually of the apartment. Were they expecting anyone? It was 8 in the evening, the restaurant and bar below was closed for the evening-they had no reason for guests with no notice. With raised eyebrows the two detach before leaving the kitchen to the hallway-whoever was there was still knocking persistently.
“It’s for me-do not answer that its for me!” That came from Viktor as he did his best to run to the stairs from the couch, and nearly slip on the top stair.
Vander grabbed his collar and tugged him back, despite the boy being 15 years old and nearly the same height as Silco he was very easy to pick up and carry around like any of the other kids. “Woah there-don’t go messing up both legs now Viktor-”
“Let me go-I'm fine!” Their son protested before calming down and going still. “It’s for me,”
“At this hour?” Silco questioned, easily side stepping his husband and son and going down the stairs. “Who could be coming down this area at night?”
“It’s probably Viktors booooyfrieeeeend!” Vi called from the couch in a sing song voice-it was Toy story for the night, which was paused so all children could pay attention to their eldest brother.
“I don’t have a boyfriend-be quiet!” Viktor called and struggled to be put down. “Ba-ba don’t!”
Silco ignored that, even though a warning about yelling at each other was on the tip of his tongue as he opened the door, and saw quite the sight. A boy, no older than 15 like his own son, wrapped up in a red coat with a collection of books in his hands. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he stares at Silco; possibly expecting Viktor to answer the door.
“Uh…hi?” The boy offered weakly, shrinking in on himself from Silco’s steely look.
“Who are you?” Silco asks, eyes narrowed.
“J-jayce? Talis?” The boy, Jayce, mumbled as he looked everywhere but Silco’s eyes, rather rude if only because of his blind eye and scared side. “I…I-im-I-”
“Speak up boy, stuttering isn’t very becoming.” Silco warns already going to close the door, even if it was pouring rain, but was stopped by his son who hobbled down the stairs. “Viktor-”
“It’s for me ba-ba. This is Jayce he’s in my classes at the academy.” Viktor explained, panting softly from climbing down the stairs so fast. “If i may?”
Silco narrowed his eyes, looking down at his son and glancing at the boy in his doorway who shrunk in on himself. “I suppose…”
“Thank you,” With a twist, he went out the door and closed it behind him-effectively shutting away his father and leaving Silco standing there wondering how the hell that happened so fast.
“Sil-love-you alright?” Vander called from the top of the stairs, “You look like you saw a ghost.”
Silco doesn't answer, staring at the door like he was expecting his son to open it and apologize for closing it in the first place. When that clearly didn’t happen he blinked and looked up to see his middle son poking his head over the banister with Powder right next to him. “Who was that?”
“Ba-ba, Viktor can count the amount of friends he has on one hand.” Mylo reminded him, “You should be jumping for joy he won’t become a shut in!”
“Or a hobo!” Powder adds, sticking her head between the banister. “He’s Viktors booooyfrieeend!”
“Boyfriend?” He repeats like it was curse, looking back at the door.
“You send him to the rich people school and look what happened!” Vi joined her siblings, shaking her head in a disapproving manner. “For shame ba-ba.”
“Shame!”
“Girls-that’s enough.” Vander warned, no heat behind his words as he walks down the stairs. “You can tease your brother when he’s back inside-but you can’t tease your father.”
“Boooo-”
Vander chuckled, putting a large hand on his husbands shoulders. “Sil?” He gently shook him. “You ok love?”
“I…i highly doubt he’d date someone without permission.” Silco seemed to shake himself out of his shock, straightening his shoulders. “I know our son, don’t i?”
“He could be troubled, you might be loosing him-you have to start focusing on your good son.” Vi pipes up, “Clagger.”
“Hi.” Their bespeckled son joined his siblings, waving down at his parents.
“Wait-how come I'm not the good son?” Mylo frowned, glaring at Vi. “They have three!”
“You stole my gloves-you’re no ones good son.” She snapped back, sticking her tongue out at him.
“Ha!” Powder mimicked her sister, which caused them all to start bickering. As they did Silco internally spiraled-just a little. What his children were saying couldn’t possibly be true-Viktor was introverted sure, but he had everything he could need. Good siblings, loving parents, going to a very well known school that was technically yes, in the “rich neighborhood” of Piltover but he earned his place there. Zaun was the way it was because it was closer to the docks and mines-only one of which was still active, thankfully. He and Vander worked their backs to the bone for the life they’ve given their kids, Viktor more than knew that when he started at the academy.
For all he knows, this Jayce Talis boy was trying to undermine his son, make him stumble and fall in his studies as a sick joke to laugh at with his friends. No-no that will not be happening on his watch.
“-well you’re adopted!”
“We’re all adopted idiot!”
He’s snapped out of his musings as his children start to raise their voices, and he lets out a sharp breath and looks up. “Enough-all of you!” He calls, making them stop and look down. “It’s getting late, start getting ready for bed.”
“Ba ba noooo-” Powder pouted immediately, having been told to pause her movie so they could listen to whatever was going on with Viktor. She pulled her head out of the banister and gave him her best puppy dog eyes. “I’m not done with my movie!”
“You’ve watched it like 50 times pow-pow.” Vi points out, “If you didn’t know how it ended by now i’d be concerned.” Her sister turns those puppy dog eyes to her, a trembling lip and glossy eyes added to really drive her point home. Although she was used it, her older sisters resolve was quickly fading and she sighed. “She only has like 30 minutes left of it.”
Silco sighed and shook his head, these kids.
Vander, ever the peace maker pointed at them. “Pajamas on-once you brush your teeth then you can finish it. Now go on and git.” He compromised, which seemed to please them as all four rushed away with the sound of socked feet on hardwood. They’ll fight about the bathroom soon enough but that’s what happens with siblings.
So caught up with negotiations they nearly forgot about their eldest son, who opened the door-his friend still holding the books before handing them to Viktor with a gaped tooth smile. “I can’t wait for Monday then!” He laughed, turning pink in the cheeks when Viktor laughed as well.
“I look forward to it too-get home safely.” Viktor hummed, holding the books to his chest.
“I will-bye Vik!” Jayce waves bye before turning around and walking to a waiting car. Viktor kept the door open, watching as the car drove away before he closed and locked it, a shy smile spreading on his face.
It immediately dropped when he saw his parents, sighing like a man from war dealt with a heavy hand. “Hello baba, hello dad.” He greeted, holding the books close to him as he tried to walk away.
“So-who was that exactly?” Silco asks, letting his son through to the staircase. “A friend from the academy?”
“Exactly.” Viktor slowly made his way up the stairs, “I leant him some of my books for class-he wanted to return them.”
Made sense, their son was more than smart enough to help the students around him-they attended the academy because of the silver spoons born into their mouths while Viktor worked hard for his scholarship. “I see, are you tutoring him then?”
“Why would i baba?” He asks, raising an eyebrow from the top of the stairs. “He’s on honor roll alongside me.”
“Ain’t that nice-isn't that nice Sil?” Vander chuckled, patting his husband on the back before doing the same to his son. “Just remind him to do during the day alright lad?”
“I will,” Viktor promised, walking off and away to his room. The apartment above the Last drop was a little small, about three bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and one bathroom. In fairness when they had bought the place they never expected to have five kids-maybe one or two at most but that’s fate for you.
The boys shared a room, it had a bunk and a twin bed smooshed on either walls with one desk in the middle. Since Viktor has a bad leg, and more recently a very fragile back, he got the single bed while his younger brothers shared the bunk. He was more than fine with that as he settled in for an early night, resting his cane against the desk, and just laying down. That was…interesting, more or less. He had told Jayce that he can take his books back at school tomorrow, there was no need to come all the way to his home to drop them off-but the golden retriever of his friend had insisted it was no problem to come by after his mom finished work.
Viktor looked down at the books on his chest, science, math, history-wait…one was missing. He sighed and sat up, looking through his book bag to see which one he was missing. Science, math, history, English-he was missing his notebook which had the equations, notes and anything else he wrote for his science project. He sighed and picked up his phone, about to text his friend to ask if he still had it when it started to ring in his hand and Jayce's name popped up.
He blinked, taken aback before answering it with a hello.
“I’m sorry!” Jayce started in a rush of words, “I kept your notebook I'm sorry-i didn’t mean to it was in my bag-i can give it to you on Monday! I’m sorry don’t be mad at me!”
Viktor blinked again, he wasn’t even on speaker phone.
“Viktor?”
He shook his head, this boy. “I’m here Jayce-it’s fine.”
“You promise?”
“I promise, it was my idea to bring them back on Monday.” He reminded him, putting his books back in his bag. “You’re ok Jayce.”
There was a noise on the other end, it sounded like a sniffle almost, was Jayce crying? “Ok…i’m sorry Viktor.”
“You don’t have to apologize Jayce.” He mumbled, bag on his lap. “It’s ok.”
“Ok. I-um…have a good night.”
“Good night Jayce…you could’ve texted me this as well you know?” He had a teasing tone in his voice, a smile on his lips.
“I know…but still.”
“Good night Jayce.”
“Night Viktor.” With that they hung up, Viktor’s cheeks a dark pink as he bites his lower lip. This boy…he zipped up his bag, the dark red material decorated with painted pictures of pink and blue and various buttons that clink gently against each other. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts he jumped when the door opened and his brothers came tumbling in, even dropping his bag onto the ground.
He nearly glared at them, dressed in their pajamas and bickering before they noticed Viktor. “Do you mind?” He sighed.
“Not really-going to bed already?” Mylo asks, climbing up the ladder to his top bunk.
“Clearly.” He got up on shaky legs, hobbling to the dresser for something more comfortable to wear-aware of his brothers eyes on his back. There had to be a saying about the eldest sibling looking out for their younger siblings or something, which seemed to always be the opposite whenever he went without his cane. His family never treated him like something fragile, that a gust of wind would break and shatter him like glass-but that didn’t mean they forgot he needed help sometimes. “Were you eavesdropping again?”
“No, we had to fight Pow and Vi for the bathroom.” Clagger huffed, tilting his head. “Who were you talking to?”
“No one.” He shrugged, gesturing to his cane which was handed to him without another word. “Don’t worry.”
Once he’s gone, the two share a look and sigh, Mylo grabbing a small piggy bank from the desk and pulling out two 5 dollar bills. “Can’t believe Vi was right.”
“I can.” Their sister was in the door way, a smug grin on her face. “Hand them over-I'm getting the good snacks after school tomorrow!”