Chapter Text
There was a certain freedom when you got your license, you could literally drive wherever you wanted whenever you wanted. It was amazing and every teen with their fancy cars and shiny licenses would tell you that without a hint of hesitation. All throughout Piltover you would see kids laughing and screaming along to songs on the radio as they drove on the streets and freeways-it was common because just half an hour ago you’d see them in parking lots comparing car keys.
Viktor could somewhat understand the hype, but he wasn’t one for bragging about a basic concept. He had a license, drove on occasions and that was that, end of story. Plus it’s not like he was one of his classmates whose parents got them cars just for bragging rights, his family had one and that was all they needed, even when there were three drivers in the home now.
However-Jayce had his own car, a red truck he adored more than anything. It was a few years old, needed some tuning up on good days and on the rare bad days it needed a jumpstart from his neighbors. But it was still his, and he loved it and made it shine like it was new.
Most days he’d get a ride from Jayce, the red car parked right in front of his home as his partner made his way to the door with some drink in hand for him. It was their routine and he loved it, even when Jayce drove like a old lady but he didn’t mind that much. It was cute really, with music playing on the radio, an iced coffee or sweet milk carton in the cup holder and a little hammer hanging from the rear view mirror it was all perfect.
Granted, on the rare occasion they gave Mel and Sky a ride as well-one of them would coo and tease him for being a passenger princess, because it was always Jayce driving them around. Viktor would flip them off and get more laughter in response but Jayce took that joke to heart. Soon enough he had an extra blanket in there for colder mornings, he would hand the old ipod he used for music over to Viktor and let him choose what they listened to-on the rare chance he drove him home he would even have his favorite snacks waiting for him with that stupid perfect gap toothed smile of his.
Safe to say, Viktor was putty for this man. Which explained why they were sometimes late to first period-he let people pass him on the bridge and only go about half a mile above the speed limit like a maniac. However it did give them extra time to be alone together without nosy siblings, parents or teachers who wanted them to work independently. It was nice, their own little bubble that no one could pop.
The old red car was their sanctuary, every morning was theirs. It reminded him of the summer nights they spent in it before they almost got caught-hours spent listening to whatever was on late at night and sharing a bag of chips or cookies and starting at the moon. The pollution in Zaun was still pretty bad, so even trying to see the stars without a telescope but that didn’t matter to them on those nights.
Viktor wouldn’t hesitate to admit he misses those nights as he worked on equations in math class, robotically getting up for his next class, he liked being with Jayce-in the quietness of the night with only a jacket covering his shoulders and surrounded by darkness. He would have to wait for the security cameras at Benzo’s to be down again or to erase the footage somehow. There had to be a third option right?
It hit him one night though, the option that gave them the perfect cover-projects. Two people group projects where they needed to work all weekend and often times without his younger siblings running in and out of the kitchen you know? Besides most if not all weekend his baba would be out of the house working. And if he wasn’t at his office then he’d be downstairs, helping in the bar so Viktor was in charge.
When Viktor was in charge, they fell into a simple routine and knew better than to interrupt their brother when his bedroom door was closed because Jayce came over to do “homework”, which usually left Vi in charge. And her rules were even simpler, don’t do anything stupid, don’t look at her phone and don’t make Powder cry. Easy.
Most weekends went like that, and it was actually nice-a little weird but that’s what happened when you’re babysitters are your older brother and sister who were stuck in there own worlds. They didn’t get paid for it either, which might have something to do with the rules. Who knew, Mylo didn’t care because he was left to entertain himself on weekends-which was getting more and more harder every weekend.
First it was fine, Viktor would take over the kitchen with Jayce so they could “study”, Vi would take over either her room with Powder or the living room. Then Viktor took back his room and hissed at them if they barged in with no warning, which was fair-what was unfair is if he threw something at him to get him to leave. Fine whatever, high schoolers were weird.
Then Vi started taking over the living room with phone calls that lasted all afternoon, glaring at him if he tried to put on a movie or loud show-even resorting to throwing pillows at his side and head.Today, in retaliation Mylo raised the volume on the tv to spite her-even when she was smacking his side with the pillows. His little game had to stop early though when Vi snatched the remote from him, turned the tv off and popped out the batteries before smacking his shoulder with it. “Get out.”
“Fine-hey-Im leaving!” He was whacked with a pillow several times as he escaped from the living room to the kitchen where Powder was with Claggor-both were at the table and looking at the fish bowl in front of her.
Not that long ago, she was able to pursue their baba into getting her a fish-shown a little contract she written up and everything and came home with a bright orange fish with yellow stripes on it’s body and named it ‘Sharkbones’. When asked why he caved this time, Silco just hummed and retorted that a contract was a contract, and he had to fill in his end of the deal like anyone else. Now there was a fish who would go from room to room, Powder happily explaining what things were, how things worked, even who was in the room-at the moment she was explaining how cool Claggor was to the fish as he read a comic.
“-And they were older boys! Even older than Vi!” She explained enthusiastically, watching the orange fish swim around slowly.
“What about me Pow? Did you tell it how cool I am?” Mylo asks as he grabs a drink and goes to her side. “I’m a pretty great shot too.”
Powder made a face and giggled, “If i did it’d be a short story.” She hummed, watching as Sharkbones swam around his little model tank she picked out. “But he likes all stories, like when Viktor was learning to drive and he ran over his own cane-or when Vi was flirting with Cait and fell in a puddle.” All of which happened last year-nearly back to back in an almost fun comedy of errors.
“I’m having that story stricken from the record Powder.” Viktor huffed as he came into the kitchen, Jayce following after him like a lost puppy. “We promised to never speak of it again, remember?”
“Sharkbones wasn’t apart of that-so he’s the exception!” She pointed out, pouting at him. “And it was funny-you thought you hit the curb.”
Viktor just rolled his eyes, glaring at Jayce as he snorted at the idea of Viktor of all people running over his own cane. “Don’t encourage her.”
“I’m not!” Jayce defended himself, but his grin said otherwise as he looked at the table. “Whose this?”
“Sharkbones!” Powder exclaimed happily, “He’s my new fish that baba got me-and even though he’s not super fast, he’s still awesome.” She tapped the rim of the bowl, making the fish pause before going back to swimming around lazily.
“Not if he can’t be faster.” Mylo argued, pressing his chin to the table so he got a full eyeful of Sharkbones swimming. “He can go faster if he could.”
“Let him be Mylo, Sharkbones can go as fast as he wants to.” Claggor kicked him under the table, “Besides, bubbles make him go faster.” He was joking of course, smirking and shaking his head, making Powder giggle and Viktor scoff but ruffle up their heads.
“Bubbles?” Huh, that sounded right, boats made bubbles before they sped off, and they were super fast. Made sense that for a fish to be faster, so what made bubbles? Sparkling water, but only baba drank it for a bad stomach-but you can get the same results with those white tablet things! Just drop them in a glass of water!
Fish lived in glasses of water, and they kept those tablets in the cupboard above the microwave. Well that’s a story to tell, how he made the fish ten times faster because of an obvious solution only he figured out!
Powder looked away from her fish, glaring at the older boy still in her kitchen. “Did you stop smooching cause you were hungry Vik?”
Jayce turned red in the face, stuttering an answer as Viktor scoffs. “W-we-we-uh-no-no-uhh…”
“We were studying Powder, we have projects due in the week.” Viktor explained, flickering her forehead. “Excuse me if i’d like some privacy.”
“If you wanted privacy go to his house and eat all of his food then!” She countered, glaring at Jayce as he was given a package of Tim Tams-aka only the best snack dad got every other month! And Jayce was just eating them.
“Calm down, there are plenty of Tim Tams for everyone.” Her brother shook his head before making his way out of the kitchen. “If you can convince baba to let me out then i’ll get you a whole box of them.”
Powder pouted, a deep frustration burrowing itself in her but it did give her a light bulb moment. Let him out? Baba was strict about his rules and stuffs, he didn’t like Jayce but he listened to them. And well…she got sharkbones didn’t she? Very easily she will add, Powder grinned to herself before getting up and skipping to her room-stopping in the kitchens doorway to look both of her brothers in the eye. “Don’t go spreading lies or bad stories to Sharkbones you hear? Else there would be hell to pay!”
“You should stop watching those movies with dad-last time you spoke like an old prospector for a week.” Claggor sighed but gave her a thumbs up. “We won’t say a thing to him Pow pow, don’t worry.”
“Good. Thank you.” She nodded in determination before skipping off to her room for her plans. Once alone she pulled out a blank sheet of paper and started to hum to herself as she drew out her plan-it was really simple too! Convince baba that Viktor should start going to Jayce’s house, eat his food and come back by dinner-granted she didn’t want Viktor hanging around a Piltie like Jayce so that was also a problem…Hmmm…A problem for later her maybe?
So wrapped up in her little plans she didn’t notice that Viktor had accidentally left his door open just a crack, enough for a cat to slip through. They don’t have a cat, but anyone could listen in on their conversation-or lack of it.
The bedroom was barley dark, the only light was the glow in dark stars that lined the ceiling and string lights on the bookshelf-but that’s all the two teens needed as they…studied. Technically they were studying each others mouths like most dumb teens do, sitting on Viktor's bed, all the stuffed animals he had turned around so they wouldn’t see them making out and the snacks forgotten on the desk because no one wants a bed full of crumbs.
Jayce had his hands on Viktor’s shoulders, eyes closed as he started to embrace his partner who tangled his hands in his red hoodie like a lifeline as he leaned as close as he could to the other-merging their gravities into one like a planet. He groaned slightly but quickly tensed when he heard feet walking by-pulling away from Viktor and clamping his mouth shut like a misbehaving dog.
“What was that?” He whispered, looking over to the door and tensing.
There was just the sound of walking, a little shuffling before the tv turned on in the living room and then silence. “It was nothing.” Viktor sighed, lightly smacking his shoulder. “And now i feel nothing.”
“You don’t mean that Vik.” Jayce pouted, sitting up properly, “I’m sorry-it’s just-literally anyone could walk in on us.”
“I understand, but when you pull away with no warning it ruins a mood.” He mumbled, not really upset or angry, just annoyed that things went this way…again. “Maybe we should just actually study-we have a calculus test on Monday.”
“Which you could ace in your sleep.” He reminded him, nudging him as he turned on the main lights. “I’m sorry-i really am!”
“You can stop apologizing Jayce-it’s not your fault.” Viktor assured him, giving him a soft if defeated smile. “This is the most privacy we can get anyways-outside of maybe your car or home, but you know my father. He’ll burst a vein if it’s just us.”
“I know…Hey Vik? When are we going to tell your parents?” Jayce finally asks as he sits cross legged on Viktor's bed, worrying his bottom lip to oblivion. He knew it would be hard for his partner to even talk to his parents about them-his dad liked him well enough, but his father…he just didn’t like Jayce. Even if he never said it, it was clear from day one the man just didn’t like him-he sneered at the mear mention of him, rolled his eyes when he talked, didn’t reprimand Powder when she bit or tripped him up. But surely he can put that aside for his sons feelings. Right?
Viktor sighed heavily, leaning against the door and shutting it close. “I…soon. Soon, i promise.” He wasn’t a stranger to the clear malice his father had for Jayce, but ever since their argument he stopped actively saying anything against the other. More or less, still huffed if he was brought up in conversations but that was dying down some. Kinda.
Jayce furrowed his eyebrows but nodded after a moment, opening his arms for the other who smiled and moved to sink himself into the hug. Thank whoever was out there that Jayce had hit a growth spurt, he was taller now, and wrestling camp really helped his core and arms-although Viktor loved Jayce’s embraces long before this growth spurt had hit-whenever they embraced before they burrowed into each others necks like swans, it was nice and comforting.
Now though? It was like hugging a body pillow or large teddy that wrapped his arms around his shoulders so good-pressed against collarbone and neck in an almost comical way. But Viktor loved it, mostly because they were on his bed and Jayce was laying down so his full body was on top of the taller. It was beyond relaxing for both of them.
Jayce was humming softly as he turned them just so, making the bed creak just slightly because of both of their weights. He sees his opportunity and gives a large, exaggerated kiss to Viktor’s cheek-making him squawk and giggle as he smacks his shoulder-which made him press the kisses to the other cheek and neck.
Vi was talking to Cait on the phone, giggling as she made her way to kitchen, but paused when she heard…squeaking? Like how the mattress springs sound-but she peaked into her and Powder’s room and saw her on the floor with her markers and paper, so that just left Viktor’s room-which was closed. She pressed her ear against the door, holding her breath as she heard muffled giggles, the bed springs and…smacking? Oh dear Janna… Her eyes widened as she took a step back, scandalized and horrified about what she heard-and wanting to bleach her ears if she’s right.
“Vi? Hello?” Came the small voice on her phone, Cait was still on the line and possibly confused.
She nodded, realized that Cait can’t see her, and scurried off to the bathroom before pressing the phone to her ear. “Y-yeah cupcake-i’m still here!”
“Are you alright? You sound shaken up actually…” Cait asks, concerned and Vi can already picture her sitting up straight at her pristine white desk in her room-all of her supplies lined up by size and color, the lamp would be on as well because she hated the main light in her room and liked smaller, personal ones.
“Just…heard my brother being gross is all-you’re lucky you’re an only child Cait, you don’t have to hear half the shit i do.” Vi huffed a laugh, leaning against the door, able to have a moment of privacy. “And not share a room-i swear Pow tries to become a koala whenever we talk.”
“Hmm, i suppose it’s nice, a little lonely if i’m honest though.” She sighed, tapping against her desk. “My mother does all she can to mold me into…perfection. It’s frustrating, but i like how you listen.”
“That’s what i’m here for cupcake, day or night-but if it’s night i gotta sneak out to the roof or something cause like hell i’m letting them know about us like that.” She chuckled at her joke, biting her lower lip. “It’s gotta be just right.”
“Hmm like a batch of cupcakes?” Cait joked, voice light.
“You know what-maybe. Powder would loooove cupcakes, anything with sugar really. Kids feral on a good day.” Which was true, Halloween really was scary when it concerned Powder. They found her in the rafters once when they forgot to hide her candy away-almost used a broom to get her down like a bat stuck in an attic.
“Oh dear, however do you manager?” She asks teasingly, having not seen the full extent of the families youngest child. How could she? Almost every time she’s tried to sink her teeth into her, be it on her hand or wrist-she somehow misses! (To make up for it, Powder bites Jayce every time she misses Caitlyn-no one but him has noticed.)
“I call you.” Vi smirks, giggling when she hears how Cait sputters and giggles-possibly pressing her palms into her face to muffle her giggles, which was always cute. She finally walks out of the bathroom, and passing the kitchen oblivious to her younger brother pushing a chair to get to the cupboard.
Vander yawned deeply as he locked up the bar from the inside, it was almost 8 in the evening now-Silco was still in his office, wanting to take care of the books before dinner and he wasn’t allowed to bring work to the dinner table.(They needed to set a good example after all-and last time he did, Viktor argued he should be able to bring his projects-and subsequent partners-as well. That was an entertaining argument.)
So that left Vander to take care of dinner on his own tonight…and lately most nights, which was fine, but he missed his husband's cooking, how he would hum a song in Italian as he mixed and diced things together to make amazing sauces and dishes that had the kids fighting for leftovers. Don’t get him wrong, he can cook too-but it wasn’t the same.
Progress though took time, and Silco was on the council now, he had a voice for a whole nation, one that was more than well earned even when the idea of independence was a drunken mess in an abandoned mine. But yet here they are, a beautiful home, amazing kids, a spot on the council and soon-dinner on the table. (Silco would be horrified to see it was frozen pizzas but it had been a long day and neither remembered to tell the kids to defrost the meat for the stew.)
The house was almost suspiciously quiet, which was concerning but he saw one in the living room, two in their room and the other one was held up in his room so that left one more…oh janna. He squared his shoulders, hopping that maybe Mylo was just poking around for snacks or something-maybe trying to find the chocolate Silco kept hidden from them before he heard something ripping and a plop-please just be something normal?
Mylo was kneeling on a chair, a box of alka seltzer next to him and the fish bowl which was now overfilling with bubbles and water as he stared at the bowl confused.
“Mylo!” Vander called, eyes wide as the bubbles eventually stopped and his son froze. “What the hell did you do lad?!”
“Uhhh…” Mylo was still holding the little package for the tablet, staring up at him with wide eyes like a deer in the headlights. “...Making sharkbones faster?”
“Oh lad.” He sighed and quickly went to the table and picked up the overflowing bowl. “Ah shit…” Once the bubbles had died down, all he saw was poor Sharkbones at the top of the bowl on his side and a little puffed up. Well shit…he really didn’t think he was going to have to conversation after two weeks of the fish being here. He bet at least a month before this talk.
“Did i mess up?” He asks after a moment, eyebrows furrowed as he realized that the fish wasn’t even moving anymore-just floating sadly on his side. “...i messed up didn’t i?”
Vander heaved a sigh and nodded, putt the bowl in the sink as he racked his brain on how to explain this to Powder. She’s been wanting a fish for so long, every birthday, holiday-the very first thing she’s asked for was a fish. Knowing that it died after two weeks, and it was accidently killed by her brother? He wouldn’t want to be around for that conversation, but he might have to because that fish won’t be moving anytime soon unless it was down the toilet.
“Dad?” Mylo was at his side, lip quivering. “Did-did i kill Sharkbones?” He asks, despite knowing the answer.
“...you didn’t mean to squirrely, i know you didn’t.” He sighed, shaking his head. “But you didn’t…think this through, at all. I-why? An alka seltzer in the fish bowl? You knew what would’ve happened right?”
His youngest son just whines but slowly nods, crossing his arms and curling around him. “I-Claggor said that-that bubbles would make him go faster! And-and Powder was-was telling him stories about how cool everyone was-and-and…I’m sorry…” It made sense to him before ok?! And then the water kept rising and rising-he was so sure it would work ok?!
“I know you are…just don’t know how to explain this to your sister.” He ran his hand through his hair, “She won’t be to happy about this.”
“Cause she’ll kill me?” He pressed against his arm with a defeated sigh.
“She won’t…she won’t be happy about this.” Vander just repeated.
Mylo looked into the sink, frowning before a better idea came to mind. “We can always get her a new fish-like before she notices.” He offers, “I can pay for it-i haven’t used my allowance yet.”
Vander considered it, looking down between the dead pet and his son, but slowly nodded. That might actually work, Powder doesn’t even know about this and this sounds better than hoping she would forgive Mylo about this. “That’s…a good idea lad. You do know you’re in trouble though right?”
“Figured…i’m really sorry though dad.” Mylo apologized sincerely. “I-i won’t ever do something like that again-i promise!”
“I know lad…You’re grounded, i hope you know that.”
“...all weekend?”
“All weekend.” He grabbed a ziplock bag and plucked out the fish. “Alright, we gotta hide the bowl from your sister, and we’ll step out now. Get the pizza’s out of the freezer for me ok?”
Silco was properly locking the place up, a deep tiredness in his bones as he longed for his bed, some wine-and maybe a foot rub from his husband sounds nice. He knows things have been lacking between them, happens when work takes over for quite some time, so maybe they’ll have to just lock the door and hope no one needs them, he’ll even turn his phone off so no pesky calls can interrupt them.
He was already thinking of grabbing those chocolates he kept in the cupboard, the good wine that was kept up there-his husband who was at his beck and call… He knows he has a stupid smile akin to a lovestruck puppy but he’s allowed that after all this time working, especially as he thinks he’s been neglecting his husband. As Silco is about to unlock the front door, it opens and out comes Vander and Mylo-holding the boys backpack to his chest-it was quite the sight to see.
“May i ask why-” Silco can barley get the words out before the boy is rushing past him. “Where are you going?!”
“Out-I need some-something for-for school!” Mylo calls, skidding to the stop. “It’s for a project!”
“Foods in the oven love, Viktor’s still in his room studying with Jayce.” Vander explains, which causes the other man to pause and a scowl bloom on his face.
“Are they now?”
“Yeah, but we used to be their age, what could they be doing?” He pulled his car keys out and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be back soon, we’ll have a moment to ourselves i promise love. I’ll explain it all too.”
“Mmhmm.” He nods, watching as he left with their youngest son, driving away with such haste. How…odd. As much as he wants to focus on whatever that was, his words are still ringing in his ears. ‘We used to be their age, what could they be doing?’
When they were that age, they drank, smoked, and fucked wherever they wanted. Whenever he was left on his own, at 17 especially-when he and Vander closed the doors they-!
Silco made his way upstairs quickly, barley making sure to close the door before finding Viktor’s room-and ripping the door open. “YOU’RE HAVING SEX AREN’T YOU?!” He yelled, practically vibrating with anger…except…
Viktor was sitting on his bed, wearing a red hoodie and reading a calculus text book and next to him at the desk was Jayce, confused and in the middle of eating a Tim Tam. “Wha-?”
“We’re having sex? Really Jayce, when were you going to tell me?” Viktor raised an eyebrow, looking over to his friend with a grin. “I would’ve put my book down at least.”
“Wha-Viktor! Stop!” Jayce turned as red as the hoodie the other was wearing, dropping the biscuit to the desk and putting his hands over his ears. “Why-your dad is right there!!”
“He insisted after all-”
“STOP!!” As they bickered, well mostly Jayce did as Viktor teased him, Silco felt his face turn red before he sighed heavily. He needs a drink, maybe three when it comes to…whatever this was.
Meanwhile the father and son were able to find an open pet store and even find a fish that looked like Sharkbones-granted the only difference was the fact the fins and tail was yellow instead of orange. Mylo looked at the bad in his dads hands with a slight frown, just a step behind him as they walked to the car. “Are you sure that Powder won’t notice?”
“Well…who knows if she will.” Vander sighed, fishing his keys out of his pocket. “But i hope you know better now, that you have to take responsibility for things like this. I know we fixed this pretty easily, but i won’t always be there to fix these messes.” He would always be there for his kids, even when they accidentally commit fish murder, but this might be a line to draw in the sand for it.
“I know…thank you for bailing me out though dad…” Mylo mumbled, rocking on his feet. “I’m still really sorry-and-and i’ll-i’ll give up my allowance for a week-no-two weeks and-”
“Calm down lad, listen to me..” He put the plastic bag on the trucks tops before kneeling down to his sons height, feeling him shake under his hands. “You made a mistake, everyone makes them. Adults, kids-all of make them…and i know this was bad-but you’re only 12. You’re bright in so many ways, don’t let this get you down to much.” Hands that could harm a man gently lift up his head. “Oh my boy, it’ll be fine.”
“Even though i’m a fish murderer?”
“A murderer has to have at least few victims, you only have the one. And no more.” Vander chuckles, shaking his head. “Just…you’ll have to tell your father about this too. But till then you’re grounded…alright?”
“I understand…do you think theres still pizza left over?” He finally mumbles out, making his dad sigh and chuckle. Vander doesn’t think much as they get in and start to drive away, the air felt nice-not to warm but not to cold. However, when they were driving away he heard a dull plop, does he freeze and break, making them both lean forward against the seat belts.
“....I didn’t take the bag off the top did i?” Vander asks hollowly, resting his head against the steering wheel. “We’re going back to the store lad…”
“....on you this time?”
“Yeah…”
Much later in the night, when everyone was supposedly asleep, all things locked away the trucks keys are taken off their hook, shoes are quietly slipped on before whoever it was, is gone. The old paintchipped truck drives off in the street soon after, it was only 11 at night wasn’t it? No one would know…except for the security cameras across the way, it was blinking steadily like normal, capturing the driver before they’re out of view.