Chapter Text
This might actually be a good Valentine’s day after all, considering they never really done one before.
Vander remembers a time where he toasted every shift well done, he remembers dragging himself to the last drop and chugging a drink that tasted like spiced honey and water going down a parched throat before flopping somewhere for a short rest before doing it all over again. Then of course, the cave in happened, with the companies settlement money he bought the last drop and things changed.
Suddenly he was the one pouring the drinks, he had his partner on a stool who managed the books-and then that partner turned to his husband, instead of a ring on his finger was a fountain pen with ‘Blisters & Bedrock’ engraved on the side, it made sure they kept their heads afloat and fueled a dream told on quite night. Next thing he knows they have a kid in their arms, one with health problems that kept growing like a shopping list but that never stopped their son, one kid turned to two, then three…then another cave in happened, and now they have two more running around.
In what felt like no time they had a full house, where mornings are spent waking up kids for school, making sure they had everything before heading out for the day-and the two husbands had a moment to themselves. Even that felt fleeting really as those moments felt shorter and shorter, having to clean, to open up for the day, chores what have you. In Zaun there was no such thing as a day off, you worked and worked till you couldn’t. Things have changed, but it was never done in a day-and if they did then they were lying.
Because of that there wasn’t really anytime for things like Valentine’s day, or anything that celebrated the small things like that. You had a birthday, new years, and if you could fit it in-anniversaries, and other holidays and that was it. If you had time then you needed to work.
But…you work so hard, for so long, you’ve more than earned at least a few hours right? Vander knew that, considering now that they had more stable footing. The only question was did Silco know that? Maybe…but maybe he also needed a little push in the right direction. They weren’t spring chickens anymore, soon enough their oldest will be out the house and in college-and like hell they’ll make sure the other four at least try to get in as well. Hey-it sounded mean but they knew their kids, they were smart and creative…and kinda a mess but it’s fine they’ll grow.
Once the front door was closed, they had a moment to themselves. Coffee still warm in their mugs, dishes in the sink that were supposed to be done before the kids left-it was Mylo’s turn dang it-and the radio in the window still gently playing a tune both were familiar with. It was nice, the calm before opening up downstairs.
“You know..” Silco began, presenting himself like he was at a city council meeting, “You never really told me why you had the sudden urge to celebrate this little holiday.” It was tomorrow after all, and outside of buying extra groceries and having a child free home, he knew nothing of what his husband planned.
Vander just hummed, taking a long sip of his coffee. If this was a movie or show then this was a serious, or at the very least a dramatic, discussion…hard to take a beast of a man serious though when he was holding a mug that had a “Best bozo #2” printed on practically every surface on it. “Don’t worry about it dove, i’ve planned things for you before.”
“A day to get a marriage license at city hall does not a wedding make.” He scoffed with no malice, they were broke and young-it was the second best wedding they’ve been to. Well first really, they had attended the little dinner when Felicia and Connol had tied the knot, but it was drinks at the last drop and eating from the fish stand afterwards.
“I will have you know they gave me options on what color we wanted to sign it in-black or dark gray.”
“Couldn’t pitch a fight for blue at least?”
“I wasn’t made of money Sil.” There was a grin on his face as he gathered their breakfast plates. “I sprung for a nice bottle of whiskey didn’t i?”
“How could i forget?” Silco cradled the mug in his hands, “Best Bozo #1” staring back at him. “We drank, fucked in the truck and came back to do it all over again in bed.”
“Our wedding bed.” Vander corrected, “Don’t go rewriting it now love.”
“Yes, our wedding bed.” He smiled, more soft than he meant for it to be as he finished the last of his coffee. “Well-whatever it is your planning i hope it doesn’t constitute going out into town or janna forbid, Piltover.”
“I wanna knock your socks off love, not send those people into an early grave.” Like he would plan anything in Piltover. Things have changed some yes, and they can’t really bad talk the city their kids go to school in. Ok well yes they can but a lifetime of resentment and acknowledgement of how unfair the two places are doesn’t go away in a day. Not even a year of your kids going to school there can change it, and that was just a fact.
The last drop wasn’t very busy today, it never was when they first open up, but that was ok. It gave Silco a chance to work in peace as Vander set up the kitchen and went through the motions. It’s been a good month for business so far, they weren’t behind on payments-the Noxian wine was coming in on Monday so they need to do inventory sooner rather than later, and from the tab a few of their regulars had they had to pay up by Saturday. His fountain pen was a steady weight in his hand, each stroke calculated and precise in a way that only he could write.
It was the early afternoons that Silco cherished the most, how they were the calm before the storm of regular drunkards and other regulars who possibly knew too much about their personal lives-some of them having seen their kids grow up and others who knew the last drop before Vander bought the place. It’s a little weird without context but that’s just what happens when a community is tightly wound like it was here. He thinks back to when Vander first bought the place, how it became a little beacon to the mine and dock workers that you could actually do something outside of the back breaking labor or the sketchy businesses.
The cave in, after the fact, had to be one of the best things that’s ever happened to Vander. He missed his brothers in arms at times, yes, but here? Pouring drinks and watching hard workers finally take a load off their feet was more rewarding than others would think. “Top you off Sil? Felicia?”
“Eh-another one can’t hurt.” Felicia chuckled, sliding the glass back to the larger man. “But that’s it for me-i have a hot date.”
“Oh? Someone looked at you and decided they wanted more of you?” Silco teased, swirling the amber liquid around.
“You’d be surprised how others drool over me.” She flicked his side, rolling her eyes. “It’s more subtle than you i might add.” One the glass was filled she drank it like a shot,
“Ha ha.” Silco rolled his eyes, nudging her with his elbow as Vander took care of costumers who came up to the bar. It was just a little busy tonight, the others who had an early shift already filed out but he liked it like this rather than the hustle and bustle. “Doing rather well for yourself Vander.”
“It’s a living Sil.” Vander chuckled, tossing the bar rag over his shoulder. “You need it topped off? Glass of something else maybe?”
“Depends, you have any red hiding back there?” He leaned forward against the old if sturdy bar top.
“Only red we got is the box kind-and even then you’re the only one who likes it.” He took the heavy bottomed glass for a second and crouched down. “But i know how you prefer it.”
“The only way to drink it truly.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice, blue eyes trained on the mountain of a man as he pulled out a box of wine. There was barley a sip of whiskey left, a normal bar tender would get a new glass-but it was Silco, said man watched as he tipped whatever was left into his mouth before filling it with the wine. “How sanitary.”
“Knowing you, it might be the cleanest thing in your mouth.” Vander clipped back, making him smirk.
“You think so low of me yet you crawl back like a mutt.”
“You’ve conditioned me dove.” He slid the glass to him, which he caught easily enough. “Look at whatcha done to me.”
“Poor you with a bar, friends and no beard.” Silco sipped the drink easily enough, their banter making Felicia roll her eyes and leave money for her drink.
“If it’s any consolation Vander, you might actually have the face for a beard.” She chuckled with a shrug, “See ya bozos later.”
“See ya Isha.” Vander collected her cup, leaving Silco’s side to put it in a dish tub. In the two minutes he was gone, some young thing slid into the empty seat, winking at Silco.
“Hey there pretty thing, need a drink maybe?” The boy asks, looking around as he scooped up the money left for Vander and tried to deposit it in his pocket.
“I think you need your eyes checked.” Silco deadpanned, clearly holding his full cup and glaring at the boys hands. “And a lesson on stealing.”
The boy had scoffed, some sort of insult or other on his lips when Vander came back, large arms crossed as he stared him down. “There a problem here.”
“No-”
“Put the money back then, and get out. A face like that has no business in a bar.” He stated coldly, a hand that could possibly choke a man in one move rested on the bar. “You can keep it or you can keep the hand that stole it, your call lad.”
The boy froze, looking between Silco and Vander-he even paled slightly when he noticed something on Silco’s hip. “I…i-i’ll just get going then…” He mumbled, putting back the money on the counter before stumbling away from the bar and out the door.
“Could’ve handled that myself you know.” Silco hummed, sipping from his glass. “No need to go all pitt fighter on the man.”
“Wouldn’t have been entertaining then.” Vander shrugged, taking the money. Besides, a big deal for about 5 bucks and some change. “You loved it.”
“That’s between me and Janna.”
“Course it is dove.”
The jingle above the door snaps Silco of his musings, he nearly made a large mark on his ledger from his shock. How unbecoming. “Welcome in-oh. Hello Sevika.”
“Such a warm welcome.” Sevika mused with an eyeroll, sliding into her normal stool at the bar. “When you get a chance, just a sandwich.”
Silco rolled his eyes, going back to his work. “What brings you here so early, woke up before noon for once?”
“I got a security gig-some fancy festival thing topside.” She explains, shrugging. “They’re paying more than my rent-might as well get something.”
“Hmm, they better be paying it consider the pedigree of the damn place.” He scoffed, moving away from the bar to fix himself a coffee. “Coffee?”
“Irish?”
“Maybe later.” He placed a mug in front of her and poured some in. “But good for you, even if the offer for bouncer still stands.”
Sevika shrugged a shoulder, taking off her coat. “We’ll see, considering that spitfire kid of yours thinks shes more than ready.” She smirking, showing she wasn’t serious as she takes the coffee cup.
“Vi’s only had a few boxing lessons-let’s wait till high school at least for her.” Vander joked, putting down a plate with a sandwich on it. “But Sil’s right, spots open for you anytime.”
“Maybe.” She thanked him for the food, the place being filled with the scratching of pen on paper and the ticking of the clock.
Around 2:30 Vander offered to pick up the kids, already dropping the bar rag on his husbands shoulders. “Maybe get them a treat or two~.” He teased, dodging the rag that came flying at his head.
“You’ll spoil their dinner-and i’m not dealing with a stomach ache at 2 in the morning.” Silco called to him, no heat behind his words as he settled behind the bar. They would always deal with stomach aches-no matter the time.
“I know love-i know.” He called back, chuckling as he grabbed his keys, making sure he had his wallet before he’s out the door to the car. Did he have ulterior motives when it came to picking up his kids today? Maybe, if only because it was one of the few chances he had to pick up his gift for his husband.
Honestly it was an adventure to buy things for that man, he appreciated everything he was given, yes, but he was also so…picky. That’s the best word for it really when it came to him. With fancy dinners, the one they took when Viktor was barely a year and a half old, there was a small comment about how the money could’ve been used on their son or their business. A nice suit? ‘Where would I use it?’(He now used it for city council meetings every now and then.) It wasn't that he was ungrateful…just pessimistic.
The first time they decided to have something for themselves, no kids, no work, nothing of the sort…it wasn’t a great time.
They had just had Claggor a few months ago-the poor babe was two months old and had colic and refused to be put down on good days. It was overwhelming for them because Viktor hadn’t been like that. He cried yes but that was for food, changings and later they learned pains in his leg and hips. That was another reason these past two months had been hard for the two parents.
In Zaun-it was common for people to be exposed by toxic chemicals and pollution, it just trickled down to the children as well. Many of them had asthma or lung diseases that kept them inside or with a more watchful eye…Viktor was not the case. A premature baby, a weak immune system and now they could add a bad leg and hips. It was a miracle they even decided to leave his side. He was ok for the most part, just needs an extra hand for somethings and keep an extra eye on him.
At least that was the reasoning Felicia had given them one day, baby Violet wrapped around her back and napping, girl was about a few months older than Claggor, technically by a year. “You both are going to be elbows deep in diapers, paperwork and gods know what else before you realize you need a break.”
“We don’t need a break.” Vander felt like a broken record, standing at the bar and pouring a drink for Benzo.
“You’re pouring creamer into Benzos drink. He has a beer.” Connol pointed out, the man in question just staring at Vander like he was suggesting another “big night” out. Last time they had one of those, Connol had a tattoo of a fucked up looking bird and Vander woke up with a new piece of metal he doesn’t remember getting.
“Oh shit-sorry Benz-”
“I…if i try it and it’s good then i’m castrating you Vander.” He did try it twice before deciding he’d rather have a coffee. It had brought up a good point at the time, and they tried going out.
At the time they didn’t have much, and they didn’t want to leave Felicia and Connol with three kids under five for too long so the went for a bite to eat at Jericho’s, maybe a walk to the docks before heading back. The whole time they were at the fish stand Silco felt his eyes wander to every mother and father holding a baby or child who even resembled their Viktor.
“Dove.”
“Hmm?”
“Soups going cold.” Vander pointed out, but he wasn’t much better with his beat up phone on the counter next to their untouched bowls of soup.
“Hmm.” Silco nodded, not listening as a young father held his daughter's hand, and was baby wearing her younger sibling came next to them and ordered their food. “I miss them.”
Vander just sighed, but he couldn’t exactly disagree with him either. “So do i…” He mumbled, opening his phone. No new messages, nothing from their friends-not even an update about how their boys were doing. “We should go.”
“What?” His husband raised a confused eyebrow. “I…why?”
“We’re not having a good time, neither of us are.” He gestured to their full bowls, how he was looking at kids passing them longingly-all of it. “Let’s go home.”
Silco looked conflicted, on one hand he wanted to agree, get their food to go and get the next trolley to go back home…but on the other hand…Felicia was right one way or another. They were so wrapped up with everything he can’t recall a conversation that didn’t center around their children. “...No.”
“What?”
“We should stay here.” He didn’t even sound sure himself, it was hard to tell with that man as he tried to eat. “I…we said we would.”
“Sil..dove look at me.” Vander nudged his shoulder, getting those blue eyes of his love on him again. “We aren’t having a great time…we can try again maybe, when one of them is in school.” He tries to crack a grin to make him feel better.
“Is that…healthy?” Silco asks softly, “For us?”
“…probably not.”
“Huh…”
The silence between them stretched for a long moment, like realization mixed with minor sleep deprivation. This wasn’t healthy…but no one around them was, were they? There were plenty of sleepless and exhausted nights that their friends had complained of, they offered to take Violet for a night and by the next day they were well rested. Thinking back to how tight they held their baby though…they had a point about all of this.
“Let's finish here, and go home.” Silco finally offered, “we can have a proper night out when the youngest one can talk at least.”
“Only two of them anyways, no harm in that.” They were only planning one or two at least anyways.
A Year-ish later they had Mylo.
And now he was here, parked in front of the school and waiting for all five of his kids and thinking of a good gift for his husband. Honestly…he said he wanted something practical. What does that constitute then?
“Daddy, he’s doing it again!” Powder's voice cut through his thoughts, her little face set into a very upset pout that verged on tears.
“She’s lying! She’s a lying liar!” Mylo immediately came to his own defense, getting shoves from Vi and Claggor as they climbed into the car.
“Ok-ok what happened?” Vander looked to his oldest who rolled his eyes and looked away. Alright not getting anything from him then.
“He’s been embarrassing all of us all day!” Vi explained, scowling at her little brother. “He called Powder a jinx, almost ruined Claggors science homework, and embarrassed me and Viktor in front of our friends.”
“She’s lying-!”
“No she’s not!”
“Be quiet Jinx-!”
“Stop it!”
“You are so dead!”
“Ok-ok! Enough all of you!” Vander finally stopped them, giving his kids a pointed stare and making them stop and pout. “Mylo, apologize to your siblings. Properly.”
“But they’re lying dad!” His middle son lamented, grabbing the passenger seat. “At least hear me out?” He turned those big old puppy dog eyes to him, making him sigh.
“Alright, explain.” Which his son did, very animated in a way only he knew how. Apparently it was all a misunderstanding, ranging from wrong place at the wrong time, spilling a drink on Claggors homework, stepping on the foot of Vi’s friend Caitlyn, getting a shove from Powder and nearly knocking down a friend of Viktor’s-the Talis boy apparently. When all was settled he snapped at Powder sharply and called her a jinx twice. Vander nodded, listening as they drove not to home but to a store.
“Alright, here’s what’s gonna happen. I’ll talk to your baba about this but you are going to apologize-all of you to each other. You can’t call your sister a jinx, we talked about that.” Vander decided, parking in front of the store.
“This isn’t home.” Powder pointed out, pressing her face against the window and tugging at the seat belt. “Are you selling us?”
“No i’m not selling you.” He chuckled, “I’m getting a gift for your baba. We’re doing something for Valentine’s day this year.”
“Ohhh…why?”
“Because we love each other, that’s why.” They all got out of the car, Vi unbuckling her younger sister and helping her down. Once safely down she scampered to the closest person who wasn’t Mylo and held onto Claggor. “Come on now.”
They were supposed to be home by now, Silco thought to himself as he served drinks. It was almost 4:30, if you accounted for the normal school traffic then they should’ve been back by 4 at the latest. He’s not worried per se…just impatient? No, that would imply it was busy and he needed an extra hand. It was somewhat busy-the regulars just coming in for a drink and a sandwich at most.
But it was concerning his kids and husband, he’s allowed to be a little jumpy. Last time they were late coming home…he doesn’t even want to think about it. He ran a hand through his hair, blowing away his bangs. Gods he should cut his hair at some point, it was always a battle managing it alongside Powder’s-and the girl was growing it out too.
The bell above the door jingled, showing not his family but Benzo. “Welcome in, just a beer?”
“To go order actually.” The store owner hummed, taking a seat. “Nothing fancy, the kid got a pretty good grade on his work actually. Didn’t want to cook.”
“A miracle the boy can stomach your slop Benz.” Silco hummed, smirking as he wrote an order. “The usual then?”
“You know it.” The bell jingled once more and in came his children-all of them greeting him with hellos and hugs before going upstairs.
“What took you all so long?” He asked as Vander heaved up their middle son so he was on a bar stool. “Is something the matter?”
“This one was being a scamp today.” Vander explained, ruffling up Mylo’s hair. “And he wanted to explain it to you.”
“I see.” Silco gave his full attention to his son as Vander started on the order. He heard him out, shaking his head before tipping up Mylo’s chin. “Alright then, you apologized though?” A nod. “Good, then this weekend you’ll be helping us down here till the dinner rush. Weather it be busing tables, mopping, or refiling anything it’ll be your job.”
“Yes baba…” Mylo muttered, a pout threatening to form on his face.
“Don’t start with that, you know you can’t start fights and not end them. And stop calling your sister a jinx-we’ve told you a million times.” He pinched his cheek, smirking. “Now go upstairs and do your homework.”
“Ok…i wasn’t trying to be mean or a brat you know…” He looked deflated, resting his arms on the bar counter. “Just happened…i felt bad though…”
Silco sighed and ran his hand through his sons hair lovingly. “I know my dear, sometimes things are just…out of our control.” His lips quirked to a smile. “But we learn from these things, and that’s important.” He leaned forward at the same time as his son, gently bonking their foreheads together. “There’s my boy, now go upstairs.”
“Ok.” He looked a bit better as he spun around on the stool before scampering off upstairs.
“He’s a good lad, just a bit…wild.” Benzo offered, paying for his food. “You were like that once.”
“Suppose i was, but now look at me living like the fat cats topside.” He scoffed, “Now go and feed your own son before i get the broom.”
“Aye aye captain.” Was a laugh before he left the place, the bell above it jingling but bringing with him a small swarm of people.
Vander was taking the last of the orders for the night, the night was finally coming to an end down here, when Silco bumped his shoulder, a curious look in his eyes. “Yes love?”
“Why were you late today?” He asked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall of liquor. “You never told me, just made me judge, jury and executioner.”
“Technically just the executioner, lad was already in trouble.” Vander corrected, “Just had an errand to run before we came back-place was pretty busy.” He wasn’t looking at him though, just looking at the orders in front of him intently instead.
“I see…and what did you get?”
“Candy for Powder’s class, some stuff we needed.” He shrugged, “Kids brought it upstairs-gave the candy to Viktor for safe keeping.”
Fair enough actually-the girl was a menace when it came to sweets. Silco just hummed, going back to work himself. There was something up though, and he knows it…just doesn’t know how to prove it just yet.