Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sitting in your well organized office, at least until this moment, you lean over Babette's books. They're spread out over a massive mahogany desk, shelves overflowing with binders, every flat surface taken over by documents.

And there you are, mumbling under your nose. “Substitute bookkeep did a shitty job managing all those funds…” With a deep sigh, you rub your temples.

When Boss gave you two weeks off from your regular work, you engaged more in arranging parties and managing schedules. Now the enjoyable moments turned into stacked up piles of invoices, checks and bills next to you, giving you a massive headache. Hearing doors crack open you raise your gaze from above the documents. Miguel's standing in the jamb.

He's fidgeting with his fingers. “Hello Raven. Uh... Babette wants to see you.”

“Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?” You glare at him, clearly annoyed.

“I'm sorry, b-but she said it was urgent. Someone wants to meet you.” Miguel hunches over as if he’d be bracing for an impact.

“Who?” You question and close the binders.

He shakes his head. “She didn't say.” You walk towards him as he moves aside to make room for you.

Shutting the doors and locking them you sigh. Passing by the girls serving customers, running your hands over your face, you think to yourself:

What could be more important than fixing up this mess?

Walking into the Babette's office, you don't bother to knock. Entering, you see an astonishing view. Sevika is spreading comfortably over the burgundy red couch to your left and taking a drag out of her cigarillo.

So, fucking cocky.

“Dear, Sevika has some information to share with you. Would you like to hear?” The boss asks, smiling.

“Yes ma'am.” Agreeing with Babette and turning your head to Sevika you cross your arms over your chest, firmly planting your legs to the ground in a wider stance.

You saw her multiple times here. Always so fucking confident. You know that's because of her position as Silco's number two. All the girls cling to her, not only girls to be quite honest, but as far as you know, only they were able to get with her. Some of them are heartbroken, because she never booked with them again. You constantly hear her name on their lips in the dressing room. Bragging what she did with them. The Big Scary Lady. The Terror of The Lanes. Having fun with the girls.

“Silco wants to recruit you to work for him.” She speaks bluntly. Raising your brow as your eyes wander between her and Babbette. 

So this is what it was about.

“Ma'am?” You question, turning your head to your Boss.

“I think you should give it a go, dear.”

“Do you have someone to help you in my place?”

“Nobody will be as good as you, but I'll manage to get somebody. I know you wanted something new. So, isn't that... something?” She says, waving at Sevika with a smile.

“Yes ma'am. That is something.” You glance at Sevika and her impossibly overpowering frame. “But the expenditures and revenues are a fucking mess. Accountant did a shitty job. You need to find someone better for that.”

You pinch your nasal bridge and look at both women with irritation. Babette giggles. “But if so, I'll go and pack myself then. When does Silco want to see me?” You ask Sevika.

She stands up towering over you, her eyes narrow. “The sooner you show up, the better.”

Shit, she's tall. Like a head taller.

“Babette, I think we have it all established.” Sevika’s eyes spare a look at Babette.

“Yes dear. You're free to go.” Babette waves you both away with a smile.

The moment you are out of her office, a weird feeling creeps out on you. You force yourself not to peek at Sevika and just walk down the corridor to your room. Entering through the doors marked STAFF ONLY, you slip inside and continue your walk. They don’t close as quickly as they should.

“That's staff only.” You address Sevika, not turning around.

“You're no staff, neither am I. Let's grab your things and go. I don't have a whole damn day.” She exhales a bit louder at that.

“Wait here.” You hear a scoff and roll your eyes, walking down the hallway and unlocking the doors with a key from your carabiner. You've got a bunch of them. After all, you basically run this whole mess.

I need to return the keys to Babette.

You enter the small room with barely any light. A small bed in the corner, duvet, pillow, blanket, chair, desk and a dresser. You’re unable to even live somewhere else, given the fact that you spend all your time doing various jobs around.

Besides, there were only perks. She had you on a shift all the time. You took care of safety and looks, both the workers and the place. You liked that. It wasn’t hard. It didn't pay bad. You managed the books and kept an eye on everything. For the very first time, you had stability, but it was monotonous and there was no challenge. So you just drifted here away.

Where the hell am I gonna be staying? I need to ask Sevika.

With a huff you start to gather your belongings. You don't have many. Some clothes, a few books, toiletries, shoes and other smaller items. You pack that all up in a bag, giving this place one last look and walking out closing the doors behind you.

Sevika looks at you with confusion. “You changed your mind?” She questions with a snarl.

“No, I packed everything.” You're quick to respond.

Sevika rolls her eyes. “We can go now?”

“I have to return the keys to Babette.” You walk through the STAFF ONLY door and back to the main corridor. This time Sevika stays there.

Reaching Babette's office you knock and enter.

You put the keys on her desk. “I wanted to return them.” Your carabiner stays on your harness loop.

Weird feeling to not have something jingling here.

“Oh dear, thank you.” Babette hides them in the cupboard. “Sweetheart, I know you'll be better off there. You're too smart to keep hanging out here. You deserve something more.” She comes closer to you, grabbing your hand and patting it.

“Did you suggest that?”

“Oh, no, dear. Sevika and other employees of Silco saw you a few times in action. They know some about your past, too. He was looking for someone for quite some time and you are just perfect for that!”

You frown. “But you knew. That's the reason, this guy you want to hire, took over the books for two weeks.”

“Yes dear, I knew. Sevika showed up some time ago with the proposition.”

“So it's not much of a choice for me, huh?” You smirk under your nose. “Either way, thank you ma'am.”

“Oh sweetheart, call me Babette. We'll be doing business together soon enough.” She laughs.

“Thank you for everything, Babette.” She squishes your hand, as she lets go of you, you walk out of her office.

She’s a shrewd old yordle, but she has this calmness, maturity and know-it-all type of personality. She's been long enough around to navigate the complexity of this business. She's actually sweet towards you. Those years ago, when she saw you unloading the cargo at the docs and keeping order of the crew, she offered you a job without hesitation. She saw something in you that her brothel needed. And you took it.

You come up to Sevika where you left her. Now, she's not alone, but with one of the girls, Jackie. She’s smirking and flirting with the worker.

“Oh Rav! You're going somewhere?” She says sweetly as she pushes herself off Sevika, still trailing marks with her fingertips over Sevika's bicep. Sevika's mech hand on girl's hip.

“Yeah. I'm heading to the Last Drop. Silco asked for me.” Jackie’s smile drops instantly.

“What?! No! You can't!” She lets go fully of Sevika and claws at your harness. “You can't leave us! What Babette said? Do you have to? What will girls do?” One of your hands goes up to stroke the lower of her back lightly, the other stays occupied by your bag.

“Babette has someone in my place. So don't worry too much, doll. You'll be just fine. Besides, there are others.” She buries her face in the crook of your neck with pathetic sobs.

You definitely weren't that much of a help. Did they come to you whenever they needed help, to talk or someone to comfort them? Yes, but that was a part of your job. That’s what you were supposed to do. Making sure everything was in the right order. You protected them from creeps and took care of them. Again, work. But honestly, you’re not so sure about that anymore…

Maybe I enjoy being here for them after all.

You cared and provided comfort to the workers. It was almost two years since you started. You have no relatives left, no friends. It’s as close to a family as it could get for you at this point of life. Of course there is Zaun. Kind of a whole community, but yet divided.

Jackie sobs. “No Rav!” She turns to face Sevika, but still holds tightly onto you. “Sevika, can you change the decision? We need them here!”

“No.” Sevika declares, now annoyed by the show that Jackie is putting on in front of her. Her eyes are burning holes in your head.

“I have to go. Greet all the girls from me.” You push Jackie slightly away, raising your hand up to her face. “It's not like I'll be far anyway.” You wipe a tear from her cheek.

“Yeah, you are right.” She sniffles. “I'll greet the girls. Good luck.” You nod and start walking with Sevika. “Come around soon!” Jackie calls after you.

The area outside Babette's is as loud as usual. Lights flashing everywhere. Bootleggers, vendors, and various stands lining the streets, with someone always shouting, trying to push something on you. Small fast food stores. People of different races. This is the quintessence of Zaun. Vivid and booming.

The whole way to the Last Drop, both of you were silent. She was basically power walking through the Lanes. Nobody dared to cross her. Everybody moved out of her way in a cold sweat. Just a few steps before reaching your destination, you see a long queue in front of the main entrance of the club.

“Does Silco provide temporary housing for his employees?” Sevika raises her eyebrow at you, a questioning look on her face.

“Ask Boss about it.” You nod in response. Sevika walks up to the side wall in an alley, right next to where bodyguards stand. Pulling out a cigarette, she looks at you and holds out her hand with a package. “You smoke?”

“Yeah.” You recently ran out of yours.

Reaching for one as you roam for the lighter over your body. You realize that she follows your hand with attention. She's studying your every move. Eventually you sigh without luck in your little quest, she ends up lighting it up for you. “Thanks.”

“There are a few things you need to know before I walk you there.” She speaks exhaling loudly. “First of all, you call him Sir. Second, answer only when he asks and last one, no stupid jokes.” One of her brows darts up. “The rest you have to figure out for yourself.”

After a while, you both flick the cigarette butts onto the ground. Walking into the club, before all the people in line, for the first time in Janna knows how long, you feel overwhelmed at first. With loud music, noise coming from people, strong scents and lasers shooting through the crowd. Walking behind Sevika, a woman built like a brick wall, you feel small. She parts the crowd as if by an invisible force.  Among Babette's crew, you were the most masculine and the strongest. Now, you're no longer sure if that will be true anymore. 

Huh, we'll see about that.

Rushing up the stairs, you're finally standing in front of Silco's office, Sevika knocks and he grants entrance. You feel slightly anxious at what is about to happen.

Walking into this room you spot a huge desk. Silco's sitting in his chair, fully invested in documents. A long, blue braid is dangling above the desk.

He lifts himself from the paperwork spread across his desk, sitting up straight in his chair. “Welcome Raven. You came quite earlier than I expected.” Sevika walks up behind him looking visibly bored and cocks an eyebrow at the beam supporting the ceiling.

“Hello Sir.” You greet him, standing in the middle of the room, legs slightly apart, hands behind you, holding the bag. Your back straight and head up. Silco crosses his arms over his chest as he looks at you. He slowly stands up, walks up to you and circles you.

“I thought they would be... Well, more impressive in stature.” He says, standing in front of you making a comment to Sevika. An insult. Sevika and child"like voice snorts.

Theory of mind.

He’s waiting to see how you’ll respond. That’s what you’re supposed to figure out. The reaction you give is what matters. So you raise your head to look him in the eyes and smirk slightly at the corner of your mouth, not intimidated by his scar. You've seen worse. And you wounded others worse.

People always underestimate you because of your frame, but that’s your element of surprise. Being compact, agile and fast.

Silco turns to his desk, giving a slight nod to Sevika, she smirks. So far, you've passed.

“For now you will be in training, taking part in basic transfers as a guard and work around The Last Drop. Sevika and Ran will be your supervisors. I've heard you were handy with bookkeeping for Babette?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Later we will make use of that.” So the trust must be earned to go through the papers. “Do you have any questions?” Silco raises his eyebrow, gesturing with his hand.

“Yes Sir. Is there a possibility of quartering me on a temporary matter?” Your demeanor remains unchanged.

“Yes. Who'd I be if I didn't take care of my employees? Sevika, show them room 5.” He sways his hand at her. “You are both dismissed.”

As Sevika walks you out of his office you hear a thud inside and a muffled giggle. You see many doors along the way.

How many goons are living here?

She leads you to your new room. It’s more of a studio apartment than an actual room, not enormous but still better.

Well that's definitely an upgrade.

To your left are doors most likely leading to separate bathroom. To your right, a small kitchenette, two chairs at the kitchen island, a small sofa opposite to the glass wall that separates the sleeping room with a full sized bed and the rest of the place. 

“This one's yours. Go to Thieram after the club’s closed, ask him for the key. I'll pass him the information. Tomorrow, 10 bells, meet me at the bar.” She conveys and heads straight to the main hall of the club, unbothered if you answer or not.

Walking up to the couch, putting the bag on the ground, you kick your shoes off, burying your face in your hands.

Who the fuck is Thieram? Shit. What will I be even doing here? Certainly not books for now.

You lean back over the backrest with a grunt.

It's not bad. Way better than the one at the Babette's.

You sigh deeply and stare blankly at the ceiling for a moment. Pushing yourself up you go to grab a glass of water. You are pleasantly surprised that in fact all necessities are here. Hesitantly you turn on the tap to fill the glass.

Well shit, water is drinkable. That's amazing news. They must've prepared everything. When will the club even close? Maybe around 5 bells?

You turn your head to take a look at the clock.

It's only 11 PM. Plenty of time.

Not wanting to go downstairs, you throw yourself on the bed. A clock on the bedside table.

Punctuality is important here. Good.

Setting the alarm for approximately 5, you drift slowly away to sleep.

______

The sound of an alarm clock is heartless, rousing you from your sleep. Sitting up you shut it down and look around the room.

Nothing changed. Still alone.

You go to the bathroom to wash your face and freshen up. Finally looking at yourself, you see what everybody does: emaciated, permanently tired scarred face with a few piercings.

You got most of them in the prison, along with your tattoos. What could you do? You like body modifications. Chasing the rush of adrenaline. The time while you were in prison and right after your release, you were the most tense. Always looking for the fight to pick at Stillwater. Getting those needles in your body to feel something. And when the opportunity of leaving prison came along in a form of working for some jackass, kicking other asses, you were in.

Later on, in Babette’s all those years caught up to you. Even if you were still active, it wasn't enough. Now, a new opportunity appeared.

You put on your boots and walk out of the room, heading to the heart of The Last Drop. Going down the hallway you hear that music is way quieter, there are no more lasers shooting through the crowd. Only a few passed out people, gamblers and patrons.

Standing at the base of the stairs you see Sevika in a far corner booth tinkering with her mech arm, smoking and drinking. You look around hoping to find a guy named Thieram, but he beats you up to it.

“Raven?” Thieram calls from behind the bar.

“Yeah.” You walk up to him sitting on the bar chair.

He stretches his hand over the bar. “Hi, I'm Thieram.” You shake it.

“Hi. I've got room 5 up.”

“Here, I have your keys.” He hands them to you.

“Thanks.” You hang them on your carabiner.

“Fancy a drink?”

“Yes. Whisky on the rocks.”

Thieram smiles. “Coming right up.” 

You turn your head over your shoulder. Sevika is staring at you. You give her a small nod. She doesn't bother. Her eyes still glued to you with furrowed brows.

The fuck she is up to?

You turn back to Thieram disregarding this thought.

“I know you from the pit fighting. You were good back then, smashing others. It was pretty gory watching you destroy them like that.” He laughs and passes you whisky. You smile at that memory.

“Yeah it was. Thanks. How much do I owe?” you reach into your harness pocket.

“Oh, nothing. You're the crew now. One of many benefits.”

“Thanks then.” Thieram picks up on cleaning the bar.

“Hi!” You peek to the side and see a black-haired, pale skinned person smiling as they come up to you. “I'm Ran.”

“Hi. Raven.” You say, taking a sip of the liquor.

“Hell yeah I know. Silco's newest acquisition. We heard about you for a while now. I didn't expect you to come around so quickly.”

“Well, you can't deny this kind of invitation.” At your scoff, Ran laughs.

“Shit, yeah. You can't. Not from Silco.” They mumble. You smirk at that. “We're supposed to show you around with Sevika right?” Thieram, without asking, passes them a glowing green shot.

“That is correct.” You confirm.

“Shit, no need to be so formal here. Believe me, the faster you'll become familiar, the easiest it's going to be to rely on each other during the broil.” They laugh and swing liquor.

“Yeah, I guess you're right.” You say finishing your whisky. Thieram refills it straight away.

“I've seen you at pit fights and in the Babette's. You've made quite a name for yourself.” Ran wiggles their eyebrows at you.

“I wasn't aware.” You shrug.

“How come? People were always voting for you. You disappeared for quite a while after your biggest fight when you knocked that guy out and almost ripped his arm off. I wonder if he's alive. I'm pretty sure you broke his neck.” They laugh with all their might. Sevika comes up to the bar, putting empty glass on the counter and takes a seat next to Ran. Thieram, as a good bartender he is, pours her another.

“Yeah. I've seen it too.” She smirks.

“I wouldn't exaggerate that much. He didn't end up that badly injured.” You scoff, swirling your drink and chugging a generous amount down your throat. It burns your insides nicely.

“He did not?! Of course he did! You weren't there to witness it. He was nowhere to be found after that, so he might as well be dead.” Their laughter resounds. “Regardless. Why did you quit? You were on a roll. Always giving people the show they came for.”

“I guess I've gotten bored.”

“Shit! You hear that!” They turn to Thieram and Sevika. ”Raven got bored of beating people to death. That's a fucking good one!” Now Ran gets back to you. “What were you up to after that? Nobody has seen you after this.”

“Went looking for something new.”

“And what was that?” They lean towards you grinning.

Dear Janna, they are so inquisitive…

“Okay, that's enough for now.” Sevika says, patting Ran on the shoulder, but she doesn't disappoint in cocking an eyebrow at you. “We've got shit to do in the morning.”

“Yeah, yeah. What are you good with, Raven? Blades? Guns? Fists we're sure of.” Ran laughs.

“Melee weapons. Daggers, stilettos, dirks and sgian dubh. Brass knuckles will do too.” Ran with a slight shock on their face, Thieram stops polishing glasses and Sevika's gaze sharpens.

“So you know your way around weaponry. Good. I'll prepare them for you to pick something tomorrow. And some harnesses. You got knives of your own?”

“I have one. It's dull. I need to sharpen it.” You finish the whisky.

“I'll sharpen it for you after we're back.” They say standing up, you do too. “I hope I'll see you in action!”

“Don't be late.” Sevika shoots. You stare at her for a moment, and without bothering to say a word, you walk to your room.

So it's going to be an interesting first day.

You end up unpacking your belongings and finding new destined places for them. After that, you take a quick shower, set the alarm and go to sleep. At least you’re trying to. The past reaches you in your wakefulness.

Chapter Text

Morning comes later than you hoped for. After tossing and turning in bed, you finally get up, unable to sleep. You turn off the alarm that didn't go off and go through your morning ablutions. Quickly getting dressed in shapewear top and cargos, jamming your boots on and fastening the harness. Walking out of the room, locking it behind, you rush downstairs.

The Last Drop is at peace. Chairs put on tables, no left bottles or glasses. You have to admit that hieram definitely does his work well. A few of Silco's crew members are sitting at a table playing cards. Feeling a slight growling in your stomach, you hear footsteps behind.

“You hungry?” A girl with a clean shaved head asks, as she walks up to you. “I'm Léone. There’s a bakery down the street. I’m going to grab some food for us, since those fucking bastards ate everything from yesterday.” She gives them a menacing look.

“Yeah. Raven.” Her purple-coloured lips dart up in a smile.

“Believe me, I know.” She says, beckoning you to follow her.

______

Leone greets the seller, says that you're Silco's fresh meat and you'll be around more often. He hands her a package of freshly baked goods for which she doesn’t pay. On the way back, she tosses a peach pastry at you. Sanking your teeth in it and salivating, you can’t help but hum at the taste. You don't remember when was the last time you ate something this fresh and sweet. Raising your gaze you see Sevika smoking at the door. She smirks. It’s the kind of smile you give someone before you finish them off. Vicious and haunting.

“Hi!” Léone greets and roams around the package to give something to Sevika. “Peach brioche. Your favorite!”

She gave me the same thing...

“Thanks.” She flicks the cigarette butt, glances at your mouth and bites into hers. “You an early bird?” She asks, chewing.

You lick your lips with a wolfish grin. “Yeah, something like that.”

Entering the club you see Ran chatting with Thieram as they spread the brin on the table, seeing some straps put aside. Everybody gathers around the table. Leone offers baked goods to others. Sevika starts with dividing tasks until you're left with Ran and her. They explain to you the layout of the club and where the individual rooms are located. Ran devours pastries from the box and tosses another peach brioche at Sevika.

“You want some more?” They ask, stuffing their face with cherry delicacy and shoving the box your way.

There's not much left. Avoiding Sevika's favourite, you pick cinnamon roll. You haven't eaten so much sugar in ages.

“We'll start with the brace.” Sevika states. “You're gonna choose what you want, show us some moves in a preparatory fight and then we go run some errands.”

You shrug off your harness and toss it aside, eyeing through the ones displayed on the table.

You eventually end up choosing something similar to what Ran is wearing. With holders on the back, although this one has similar features to your old one. Hidden openings on the inside to put smaller blades. Now it's time for a bag. You see a thigh piece, slide it your way and unbuckle your belt, that has been hanging onto its dear life for way too long. Your bottoms sag on your hips.

Sevika's eyes narrow as she takes in your frame carefully to assess your strength and speed. The way your muscles move underneath your skin. Looking for your weak points, any signs of hesitation. There's nothing she can find fault with. Your hands work efficiently on the straps. Any useless movements spared, no fumbling. But she'll keep looking.

You thread the belt through the loops and adjust it. Fastening the piece to your thigh, you see a perfect place for brass knuckles, lighter and cigarettes. You have to get your hands on them.

Shit, need to buy some.

You see a pair of leather gloves and your gaze lingers on them for a while. Finally you slide your hand in slowly to check if it's a good size. You stretch it over your hand and move your fingers. Leather caresses against your knuckles, snug as if it was made for you. It wrinkles faintly as you flex once. Not stiff or clumsy, just thin enough to move like skin over skin and crack a jaw without slipping. You pocket them in the hip bag.

Now it's time for the equipment. You lazily run your hand over the weaponry. Starting with the knuckle dusters you finally see the ones you like the most. Taking a pair and checking if they fit, you clench your fists around them and throw shadow punches in the air. Steel is pleasantly cold against your skin.

You approve with a hum to yourself. Fidgeting with them and placing them in a pocket on your thigh bag as you secure it with a metal snap. Now the grand finale. The blades. You take a long stiletto in hand touching its end with the tip of your finger. You smirk at Ran, they grin. It’s satisfyingly sharpened and glinting in a low light. Taking the second one in your other hand and grip them hard. They have nicely finished handles with leather straps wrapped around them.

They sit in your palms like old friends. Cold steel that shines brighter than the future. Tight wrapping that feels more reassuring than most people you’ve met.

Time for the sgian dubh. You choose two broader ones with carved wooden hand grips. Now final touches, the dagger. Your eyes immediately dart to the blade with a silver handle, beautiful engravings and metal loop. Placing scabbard and securing it on the back of your thigh bag, where your thigh meets the piece, you slide the dagger in. You place sheath with stilettos on the harness holder at the back and you put in sgian dubhs in the hidden pockets.

Pulling out your old knife from your worn out harness you place it on the table as Ran promised to sharpen it. Taking your keys, money and lighter out, you place them in their new designated slots. Now fastening your equipment, you can feel the rush of adrenaline. Nothing’s happened yet, but this just feels so good. As if you’re a kid in the candy store, freely roaming around.

“Well this felt rather intimate. Maybe we should've left you alone with the knives.” Ran jokes, smiling from ear to ear. “It's nice to see someone having a good taste.” You grin, lurking at them.

“Okay, so enough with the pleasure for now.” Sevika looks up at you laying her palms flat on the table. “You're going to show us you won't get yourself killed.” She snarls, cocking her head to the side. You take it as a challenge.

Ran helps you out with moving furniture away from the center of the room. As you finish they stay on the opposite side. Sevika is in the back, leaning on the bar counter, devouring the last peach pastry. You both take your positions. They quickly reach into their pockets and throw stars at you. You manage to dodge some ducking down and others sliding to the side.

Ran rushes at you with their ryvk blade. Swinging over your head as they overestimated your frame. You evade it, hitting them with your shoulder in their abdomen and you knock them off balance over a swift movement of your leg. They fall over with a loud thud and grimace on their face. Sevika tilts her head analyzing how you managed to get them down so quickly.

Taking a few steps back you take a deep breath and feel a bit of rush in your blood system. Your nostrils flare. Ran scrambles off the ground with a grunt. Running towards them, getting your dagger out, you twirl it on your index finger and grip it tightly in your hand. You charge at Ran's left side with the holder up front. They ghost step to their right to avoid the hit. They do as you predicted. You swerve to their side and thrust the back of the knife to their ribs, holding your other arm over their throat.

Standing like this for a hot second before you let go of them. Ran turns around with amusement on their face and holding their hands up. Sevika, who’s been on the sidelines so far, pushes herself away from the counter and walks over to you.

“My turn.” She hisses, ripping her cape off.

Throwing your hands down and relaxing your shoulders, you smirk at her. This made her eyes glister. You hide the blade, wanting to take her out without any weapons. You'll see how it goes, though she does have a whole-ass mechanical arm and that works to your disadvantage. Speaking of the devil, she puts out her mech arm and waves that claw at you.

Quickly assessing the situation, the best move would be to go for her right side, but that's what she’s expecting. So you dart forward at her left, she throws a punch at you, but you scrape down punching the left side of her ribcage. She quickly gathers herself facing you, swinging with her right again and lands it on your forearm that protects your face. Taking a step back because of the force, you see another one coming your way, unable to avoid it, you sacrifice your left shoulder, brought up to cover your profile. Without hesitation, seeing an opening, you punch her right into the guts with your fist. The force sends her a few steps back.

Both of you are now slightly panting. A grin tugs at her mouth, but her eyes sharpen. It’s not a smile so much as a warning.

Your palms tingle and a flicker of adrenaline rushes through your body as you brace yourself for another charge. You adjust your stance and guard, but to your surprise she straightens her back and cracks her neck to the sides.

“So you won't die.” Sevika retorts.

Ran jumps up to your side. “Yeah! They're good! Where did you learn that? Your fighting style is actually calculated.”

“Here and there.” You answer bluntly and massage your shoulder, glancing at Sevika.

“So mysterious.” Ran laughs. “And where's-”

"First, we’re going to collect some overdue insurance.” Sevika cuts in, interrupting Ran.

Ran rolls their eyes and yells. “Léone! Put the weapons away! We're going to gather some of Silco's receivables.” They grab the notebook that was lying on the bar, pick up their stars and almost skip towards the door.

Walking through the Zaun, now as one of Silco's goons, you feel multiple eyes hesitantly wandering your way. Or maybe the reason for this is because Sevika and Ran are by your side.

“I haven't done this shit in ages!” Ran bleats. “It's so easy to just go and take what's his.”

“Easy for us. Others have to work for it. That's the reason we're assigned to other things. That requires some brains for a change.” Sevika riposts.

______

After a few easy collections of shitless scared business owners, you come up to the pawnshop. Cashier at the sight of you, with fear in their eyes, runs to the back room. The owner is a huge peixen man, with sharp fangs sticking out of his muzzle. Upon seeing you, his fins twitch and scowl comes up on his face.

“What do you want?” He asks curtly, walking up to the counter.

“What do you think Geroo?” Ran scoffs, glancing from above the notebook.

He slams his fist on a benchtop. “I paid last week.”

“No.” Sevika says dryly. “You were due last week.”

“Fuck you! I paid.”

“Either you pay willingly or you're asking for trouble.” Ran threatens.

“You chem-punks!” Geroo yells. “Go pund a sump! I'm not paying you shit!”

“So by force it is. Rav, show us what you got.” Sevika looks your way with a devilish smirk.

Hmm... Rav.

You like the way it sounds on her lips. Almost like a threat.

“How badly?” You smile smugly, your eyes narrow as you pull out one of your knuckle dusters.

“What is this little punk gonna do? Tickle me?” He laughs, bopping his head back.

At this, you dart on the counter and jump on him, throwing a punch to his ear. He claws at your harness, stunned. You land a few more to his temple, tugging at his garters. He falls flat on his back, knocking bits and bobs off the shelves along the way. Landing on his chest, as you straighten yourself up, you shoot your knee up and kick his face with the heel of your boot. Blood splatters over the floor. 

“Impressive.” Ran grins.

You huff hooping over the desk. “If the moron would keep his mouth shut, he wouldn't end up unconscious.” Taking off the brass knuckle you spin it on your blooded finger.

Filthy.

You grimace at the mess. Sevika watches you, from the way your chest heaves to the frown of your forehead and grimace playing at your lips.

“Hey! Teller! Come here!” Calls Ran. Seller ushers to the front curling in their frame.

“Y-yes? What can I help you with?” Their voice shakes at the view of Geroo laying in a puddle, his blood dripping from your hand.

“Two weeks pay. It's…” Ran taps a pen on their chin. “20 golden hexes and 62 silver cogs.”

“Umm... Sir... Ah, ma'am!” They stutter. “I-I'm not sure if we have this amount!”

Sevika cuts in. “Better go and find out.”

______

After this last gather, you head back to The Drop. It's gotten late. Spotting a stand with various types of cigarettes, you stop by and ask for a package of combustibles. As you reach into your hip piece for some money, the seller shoves the package into your other hand, insisting you take it for free.

“What was that about?” You ask, catching up with the rest.

“Have you seen your hand? Also you have some on your face.” Ran snorts.

“Shit.” You grunt.

“Besides, we're here.” Ran shrugs. “Now everybody knows. Prepare yourself for people both sucking up to you and looking for beef.”

______

In the club, crew members are sitting in various places looking at you. Some with amusement, some unruffled taking care of their own matters. Coming to the bar, Thieram pours you the same drink as you ordered at night. Sevika stands near the stairs, Ran takes a seat at the bar, on your other side

“I see the collections weren't that smooth?” Thieram chuckles.

“Nah, the usual fucker got a problem.” Ran puts the notebook and sack with coins down. Immediately drinking their liquor.

“Geroo?” Questions Thieram.

“Yeah. Rav did him good though. He won't be kvetching anymore.” They chuckle. “If he does, we send them again.”

“You need to tell me how it went.” Ran launches into the story again, exaggerating every detail while Sevika leans towards you. She swings her drink in one gulp and licks her bottom lip.

“Finish up and we have to report to Silco.”

“I've got to clean myself up first. I won't go to him like this.” You snort.

“Believe me, you're gonna be worse. Besides, your first experience. Gotta show off to the Boss, right?” She raises her brow with a light smirk on her lips and gathers all the things from the day.

You feel all eyes glued to your back as you walk up to his office. Was it anxiety? Did you imagine it? Is it fear of feeling judged by someone superior to you? You always answered only to yourself. No one was the boss of you, even if you worked for someone. Always getting the job done, but never being estimated.

Sevika knocks on the door.

“Enter.” You hear a muffled voice.

“We've made the round for today.” Sevika informs as she puts the bag and notebook on his desk.

Silco's eyes slowly raise to you. He watches you carefully, stopping at your hand that beat the shit out of Geroo and shooting to your face apparently splattered in his blood.

“I see it went well.” He drags money his way, throws up a sachet and catches it with a clink of coins. “How did they do?” Asking as if you’re not there.

“Well, Geroo had some problems, but Raven explained it all to him nicely.”

A praise coming from her? Better not get used to that.

Silco raised a brow at Sevika’s comment. “Good. Is there anything else?”

“No Sir.”

“Then you're dismissed. Keep it up Raven.”

Let's not disappoint the Boss then.

Thanking him, you both leave. Sevika closes the doors behind you and leans over your shoulder to whisper in your ear.

“See. Told you that evidence matters.” She circles you like a predator. Eyes narrow. A dangerous smirk plays on her lips. “Come downstairs after you'll sort yourself out. Show-off.” On the way down, she jabs you with her shoulder.

Show-off, huh?

You shake your head, go to your room and start with cleaning your taken off shoes. You hate to have something getting dirty. Then you walk to the bathroom as they dry out polished. Washing the knuckle duster, then hands and your face, lifting your head to meet your reflection in the mirror. You see your eyes twinkling.

Long time since I saw that look staring back.

You smile to yourself. Maybe this is something for you, after all. Despite Sevika starting to behave like a duchebag and Ran chatting you away.

Putting on your shoes, you head to the club. It's slowly filling up. You see now Léone and few recently met people serve others, chattering with customers and laughing. Newcomers at the bar order from Thieram and some other guy. Sevika's with Ran at the corner booth.

So that's their spot.

You see a free glass filled with whiskey.

An invitation.

You head there making your way through the groups of people.

Sevika bats her eyes at you and exhales the smoke. “Took you long enough.” A girl sitting in her lap, turns to you as you slide onto the couch, opposite Sevika.

“Oh my Janna! Ravi!” Jackie leans over the table. “How was it? Girls are going to be stunned to hear how you are!”

“Hi.” You smirk at Jackie and shift your gaze to Sevika. “I think that the first day went well so far.” Saying as you rest your back and sip on the drink.

“Oh my God's! Is that blood?!” Jackie jumps off Sevika's lap and rushes to you. Her hands on your chest. “It's not yours?! Right?” Pure concern on her face.

“Of course not, doll.” Your fingers graze her chin. Sevika glowers at you. Frustration is building up in her eyes. The fact that the worker rushed up to you so quickly unsettled her. 

“You should have seen how Rav thrashed Geroo. It was a hell of a show. Just pure rage.” Ran guffaws. “He called them a little punk and asked if they gonna tickle him.” Jackie looks at you with surprise and a wide smile creeps on her lips.

The worker giggles. “I've seen it multiple times at the brothel.” Ran’s nervously glaring between you and Sevika.

“So you like it bloody, huh?” Sevika asks, her eyes locked on yours, a scowl twists her face.

“Yeah. I guess you can say that.” You usher Jackie off your side back to Sevika with your head. She slowly rises herself up as she hears your stomach rumbling.

“Did you eat?” The girl questions.

“Oh shit! Yeah. We ate.” Ran blurts, as they hurry out of their seat, jumping over you. “Come on Jackie, you'll get them something from the kitchen.” They take speechless Jackie under her arm.

“You know. Ravi.” Sevika mocks the girl, as they walk away. “I don't like someone touching what's mine for the night.” She growls at you, swirling the liquor in her glass.

Your eyes lower as you light your cigarette, take a deep inhale and blow smoke straight into her face. “I don't know what you're talking about. Just an old friend.” You tease.

She wrinkles her nose and huffs with a snarl. “I guess no one taught you not to.”

“Take it easy. Sevi.” You bite back leaning in closer. “I teach others how to behave.”

The silence falls between you. Sevika’s eyes narrow and her lip twitches, but before she can rebuke you further, Ran and Jackie come back with a stone pot filled up with stew and some bread on the side. Jackie puts it in front of you and Ran basically shoves her back on Sevika's lap. You make room for Ran to get back to their spot and dig in.

Sevika, clearly uninterested in Jackie anymore, is talking with Ran about tomorrow's business. The girl tries to make it up to Sevika, snuggling and coaxing her. Running for next drinks and lighting her cigarillos. Your dish is cleaned and another whisky in front of you. Jackie occasionally throws a glance at you. Someone comes up to your table. Another girl from the brothel.

“Hi!” She greets everyone waving her fingers. “Oh! Ravi! I've heard you work for Silco now.”

Before you are able to respond, Sevika snaps. “It was only one fucking day.” She starts to look pissed. You chuckle at that, anger looks good on her.

“Girls! Ravi is here!” The girl yells over the loud music and starts waving over other workers, completely ignoring Sevika.

As they gather around and start taking up spots, lingering on you, you wave some of them to Ran.

“So how was it?” One asks.

“I heard you killed someone.” Another blurts.

The next ads. “I heard you bashed someone's head.”

“Hey, girls! Slow down!” Ran yells over the workers. “I'll tell you everything. Rav spilled some blood for sure.” And they start the story again.

Dear Janna, they're such a chatterbox.

The whole time, Sevika doesn't take her eyes off you. You no longer know if she’s annoyed with you or if it was something else. She’s clearly agitated, but there is something more to it. You can't put your mind around it. Is this confident woman shaken by you? Does she feel threatened in some way? Surely, she is always the center of attention. The way people turn their eyes away from her, move aside to not cross her.

Surely, she’s your focus now. How could she not be, while looking like that. Tall, muscular, confident and strong, with a high position in society. You are no one special compared to her. Sure, you aren't the worst looking, muscular, nice face but lots of scars, that are covered with tattoos and some impossible to hide. You are a mess inside.

Suddenly, you feel the weight of it all. Breaking your little staring contest with Sevika, you stand up to get some fresh air. You aren’t sure if it is because of the situation or the whole ass crowd of people being suddenly interested in you. Or so you think.

Maneuvering through the dancing Zaunites, you make it outside through the back door and take a deep breath. Walking into the nearest alley, you pull out your cigarette and inhale sharply, hoping to soothe the nerves. That’s when you notice a shadow creeping over you.

Fuck.

Sevika snarls. “I don't know what it is about you, but you like to get on my nerves.”

“I literally don't do anything Sevika.” You retort, looking into her stormy eyes. “I just am.”

She frowns and lights her cigarette. “I suggest you don't annoy me. It'll make your life easier.”

“Look, I don't mean to start shit. I'll be out of your way, minding my business.”

“Be wise enough to not make me repeat myself.” Her tone is pure threat, but you’ve bled under worse.

You almost want to laugh. Almost. She’ll have to do more than just bark at you to get you to heel. Flicking your cig butt on the ground you head straight to your room pissed at her.

Who the fuck does she think she is? Telling me what to do with others. I can't fucking help it that girls trust me and feel comfortable around me. For the two whole fucking years I walked them through shit, she has no idea of…

Trying to put yourself to sleep, after getting settled, your dreams drift to the shittiest time of your life. It's going to be a long night following another long day with fuming Sevika at your back.

Chapter Text

~~~~~~

Doing as you said, for the past weeks, you didn't ruffle her feathers. Learned more about Zaun's hierarchy, who’s with Silco and against him. You did everything Sevika ordered you to. Despite that, she's constantly dissatisfied, always finding something to pick on. She treats you like a rookie grunt and saddles you with garbage work. She's flexing her authority in the pettiest ways possible. Ran is basically your babysitter while she's being a snarky boss.

You have the need to prove yourself. To show her that you're more than any man Silco has. That you're capable of managing crucial matters.

But here you are, in the Lower Lines that reek of rust and rot. A place where mold sweats out of the walls. You know this place too damn well. Ran leads the way, navigating easily, used to the shadows that clings to every corner. Sevika's trailing behind. Like she's hunting.

You walk beside Ran, jaw set and fists ready to strike a blow at any moment.

“You’ll get used to it.” Ran mutters.

“Used to what?”

As if to answer, a shimmer junkie crawls out from an alley. Thin as a corpse, eyes glowing faintly in purplish undertones, deformed face, nails black and clawing.

“Spare it- spare shimmer- just a sip, just a-”

You barely have time to react before the junkie lunges at your leg, scrabbling for your hip bag. Your knuckles connect with hollow of his cheekbone. The body hits the ground with a crack.

You wipe your gloved hand against the trousers. “That’s what you meant? I've seen worse.”

Ran gives you a long look, one brow arched. “Not the first time?”

“Not planning on a comeback.” You snarl.

But the Lines have other plans. By the time you made the rounds, collecting debts, prying coins from trembling hands, fending off half-dead addicts, you're worn off patience. The stench got into your lungs. It almost feels like it's running through your bloodstream. Again.

You adjust the gloves. Ran nudges you towards the half-rotten door to some shady mechanic shop with a grin that’s a little too wide. “Sevika says this one’s yours.”

Of course she did.

You push the doors open with a frown. Inside, bodies sprawl, laying and twitching against the walls, eyes burning holes under skin too thin to hide bone. There's no sight of the owner of this ‘estate’.

“Hey!” You yell into a void. “Trader!”

One of the shimmer heads lurches forward, clutching at your arm with cracked nails.

“Got payment?" You ask, voice flat as you wrench your hand out of his grip.

A hiss of laughter answers, then a knife flashes. You duck down, slamming your palm up into a jaw, teeth cracking against tongue. The room comes alive. Junkies are clawing at you. One grabbing at your boot, another pulling your arm.

You fight like you’re back in the Sump. Dirty, efficient, teeth gritted. Knee to ribs, elbow to head, headbutt to nose. A blade cuts your arm, heat spreading, but you don’t stop until the last corpse hits the ground wheezing.

The dust finally clears and you look over your arm. Sevika’s leaning in the doorway.

She watched the whole fucking time.

Her smirk is slow, curling. “You fight like a rat.”

“Better a rat than a coward in the doorway.” You spit back, chest heaving.

For a beat, her eyes burn hotter than the cut on your arm. Then she steps inside, as if it all was a game. She heads to the back, knocking at the steel door. They screech open, and a geitian man peaks out. He's thin, graying, eyes lacking any glimmer of life left in him.

“Payment for Silco.” She barks at him.

Without further ado, he caves back and emerges with a stack of coins in his trembling hand. Sevika snatches it from him and turns on her heel.

“Don't forget what we came here for.” Snarling, she pushes past you, hands the debt to Ran and strides away.

They quickly count the amount, pocketing it and scribbling down, marking the last collection for the day.

“We're done!” Ran jumps and pats your shoulder.

“Great.” Snarling, you look at the cut on your forearm.

“Oh, don't be so gloomy Rav!”

“If you’d be the cannon fodder, you wouldn't be so happy either.” You wipe the blood leaking from the wound with the back of your hand.

“You’re fuming." Ran says finally, voice flat as ever. As if they would state the most obvious thing in the whole world.

You snap your gaze at them. “I’m not.” Straining through teeth.

“You are.” Ran's mouth twists into something caught between a grin and a snarl. “And it’s not the junkies… Sevika?” Your lips twitch.

Rolling your eyes, you mutter. “…she dumps everything on me like it’s funny.”

Ran gives a soft hum of agreement, eyes glued to Sevika's back. “She’s testing you.”

“She’s grinding me into the floor.”

“Same thing.”

You bark a laugh, humorless. “Guess she’ll be really disappointed when I push by.”

“Disappointed?” Ran laughs.

"I wont back down." A frown twists your face. “You clearly knew what was inside. Heads up would be nice.”

Ran doesn’t answer. They just shrug and lunge after Sevika leaving you behind. With a huff you pick up your pace after them, not wanting to stay longer in the Lower Lanes than necessary.

__________________

The Drop is alive when you get back. Lasers shooting through the crowd, smoke clings to the walls. Laughter and shouting bubbling up from gambling tables, bodies pressed tight.

Sevika shoulders through the door first aiming for the bar. Ran tosses the pouch of coin onto the counter. Thieram snatches it one-handed, weighing it with a practiced ease. His eyes slide to you, blood on your arm, dirt on your jaw.

“You’re leaking.” He says. Not a jab, just a fact. Then he nods to the back room. “Kegs need moving.”

Ran peels off upstairs, fetching the documents to Silco, muttering something about ‘good luck, Rav’ and leaves you alone in Sevika’s shadow.

She says sharp, almost barking another order at you. "Boss needs report. Now."

And with a huff you follow. It's not like you have any other choice. She's striding like she owns the place, shoving the door open. You greet Silco and Sevika runs briefly through the earlier events. Silco's not happy with the amount collected, but the people that live in the Lower Lanes didn't have anything more on them.

How are they supposed to manage to get more? They're in debt for a reason. But who am I to argue with the Big Boss? He certainly knows his business.

Sevika briefly mentions you managed to deal with a group of shimmer-heads.

How kind of her to actually acknowledge my work.

“You don’t break easily. That’s useful. But reckless men die before they’re of value.” Silco's gaze flicks to you. Briefly, but you don't miss to acknowledge the slight nod he gives to Sevika. To her disapproval of course.

Silco dismisses you. Sevika hates the small smirk you're leaving with. After all, at least he sees potential in you, unlike her. His approval, if this could be called that, pisses her off. You're nothing more than a grunt, crawling out of nothing. Trying so hard to stand out, to go against her, to shove your usefulness down her throat and smother her with it. She needs to crush you. To put you in your place. You can't be equal, you haven't been through nearly as much as she was.

And seeing you walking down the hallway, to the common room, makes her skin tingle. She needs to burry your pride in the bowels of the Sump.

With a click of the door behind you, you quickly get to cleaning the wound. It's not deep, but the blade might have had some vile germs that can be crawling into your bloodstream just now.

So you scrub. Making the wound bigger, redder, more raw, but you don't care. The need to make this shit sanitized is stronger than anything. After the smell of disinfectant bites at your nostrils, you know that you're done. Slapping one the bandage, you head down, straight to the storage room.

It smells of wet wood and stale ale. Barrels are stacked like crooked teeth, waiting to crush your ribs if you slip. You crouch, roll one out. It’s heavier than your shoulders want to admit today. Your cut stings as the wood digs into your palms.

Thieram comes in halfway through your second keg, crouches without ceremony to lift one with you. He doesn’t grunt, doesn’t smirk, just helps guide it into place behind the bar.

“She does this.” He says. “Piles the weight on the new ones. Likes to see what breaks first.”

"You're the second person to tell me this today." You snarl, wiping sweat from your brow with your wrist. “I won't break.”

“Maybe we don't want you to.” He gives you the smallest smile. Kind, but sharp around the edges and disappears back behind the bar.

__________________

You’re dragged into bar work before you’ve caught your breath. Tankards, bottles, glasses, always another hand reaching, another shout in your ear. Some try grabbing more than drinks. You learned quickly how to jab a foot without spilling a drop or slap a wrist in the middle of serving drinks.

You move through it all like you’ve mapped the place vein by vein. Tray balanced steady in one hand, the other already swiping empties off a table before the drunks can realize they’re gone. Someone barks for another round, you’re there before the shout fades. Two glasses, bottle cracked, splash poured, set down without breaking stride.

No pause. No complaint.

The crowd parts for you now, half-respect, half-wary recognition. And still you don’t slow. Spilled drink? Mopped before it stains. Broken glass? Swept before someone cuts themselves. The bar’s chaos, but under your watch, it flows. As if you're fused with it.

And you keep working, tray sturdy in one hand, the other shoving back grabby fingers. A patron gets in your way, and you shoulder him hard enough to spill his drink. He snarls, but one look at you, steady, jaw locked and he thinks better of it. But there's one gaze that doesn't falter under your frown.

Her.

Sevika stretches out at the gambling table like she owns the air. Cards in one hand, cigar smoke curling from her lips, boots planted on the wood. Mech-arm propped, gaze cutting through the haze. She doesn’t miss a thing. The sharp way your eyes scan the floor, the way your jaw stays locked, the way you keep order with nothing but that gut wrenching scowl on your face.

Most of Silco’s men muscle their way through this place. You? You run it. Like the Drop belongs to you, not to him. Like every damn table, every damn bottle, every damn, reckless drunk is your fucking responsibility.

By the time you slide another tray across the counter, sweat running down your spine, Sevika’s smirk has sharpened. You’re relentless. Tireless. And that stubbornness, refusal to yield. No matter how many bells grind you down. It unnerves her in the most obscure ways.

Sevika doesn’t glance at you when she snaps her fingers. Just holds up her empty glass like a Queen expecting tribute. Your jaw aches from grinding teeth. But you fetch her drink. Again. And again. Patrons start whispering.

‘Sevika’s dog.’

'Sevika’s pet.’

This time, you lean on the bar for a moment, cloth slung over your shoulder. You watch her wave the glass, lazy, expectant. And most importantly, fucking again.

Frowning, gritting your teeth, you grab the bottle and walk over. Set the flask down harder than necessary, wood rattling under the weight. Then lean down, so only she can hear you.

“I’m not your servant.” Your cutting remark brushes her ear like a perfectly aimed blade. And you walk away, not waiting to see her expression, but you know it's not the last bark from her. That this won't shut her up.

The silence that drops around her table for half a breath is yours. She frowns and slams down her remaining hand out. She won a decent amount, but you had to destroy it for her. You and your fucking ego. Digging your heels in and refusing to back down. Of course you make her choke on it.

Despite that, she'll push harder. Saddle you with so much, you'll prove her wrong. That you're not worth the effort. Deep down, even though she denies it, she sees herself in you, when she was at the very beginning. Maybe that's the reason she needs you to prove her right. That she pushes you to the edge because you've got spine.

Her sadistic side shines harder around you, because she sees the potential simmering underneath and she knows how hard it is for anybody to step up.

On the surface it's covered with her fear of you out-performing her. Kicking her out of her spot she worked so hard for. And that's clawing at her pride.

__________________

The night runs long. Two drunk miners slam fists over a bet, one smashing a bottle over the other’s head. You’re in before others can blink. Almost dropping the tray on Sevika's table and dragging one off by the collar, taking a fist to the ribs for your trouble.

She watches it all from her booth. To everyone else, she looks bored. Detached. But her gaze tracks you, sharp and measuring. Every time you dodge a drunk. Kick or plant your fist in some idiot’s ribs when a fight breaks loose. She's watching, enjoying.

Only when a knife glints too close to her table, to your throat, she rises. One punch, claw to face and the fight’s over.

That was the third brawl you broke out before the bell’s over. Knuckles already scraped, shirt damp with sweat. You’re still standing straight, though. Still moving, still working.

She grins at you.“Good practice, rookie.”

You wipe the blood from the cut on your mouth. “Next time you can play bouncer.”

Her grin only widens. As she turns and shoots over her shoulder. “Another bottle.”

Of-fucking-course.

So you go. Gather empty glasses, drained flasks and overflowing ash-trays. Not missing throwing her another dissatisfied snarl. You want to tell her off. Shove the tray in her hand, storm to do your work at the bar. Not serving her booth as the main attraction you are to her. But you can't. This would be proving her right. That you don't have the tenacity to push through and give more.

Ran finds their way through the crowd and drops into Sevika’s booth, raising a brow at the sight of you dragging one brawler towards the door and still managing the tray not to tip over the glass.

“They’re not gonna break.” Ran says, nodding in your direction. “Not like this. You’re just grinding them down.”

Sevika exhales smoke, eyes narrowing as she tracks you. “Exactly.”

Ran tilts their head. “You want them for something else. Don’t you?”

Her smirk is slow, razor-edged. “I want to see what they’re made of. Muscle and grit are cheap. Piltover chews out hundreds like that every year. But backbone? Someone who won’t fold, no matter how ugly it gets?” Her gaze flicks back to you, walking behind the bar like nothing happened. “That’s worth testing.”

Ran studies her, unimpressed. “Or you just like watching them sweat.”

Sevika doesn’t answer. Just smirks around her cigarillo, smoke curling lazily, and keeps her eyes on you.

__________________

The Drop is finally gutted. The crowd sprawled out onto Zaun’s streets. You’ve righted stools, swept glass. And now you're scrubbing the counter with stubbornness, like it owes you money. Your shoulders burn, your knuckles raw, but you don’t stop until the wood shines.

Ran lingers at the door, leaning on the frame with their usual smug face. “Ease up, Raven. You’ll wear the wood down before you wear yourself out.”

You don’t look up. Just drag the rag harder, shoulders rolled forward. “At least someone gives a damn about this place.”

Ran’s mouth quirks, not quite a smile. Their eyes snap to Sevika across the counter, and then they shrug. “Suit yourself. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” They shove off the frame and disappear into the hallway, the door thudding closed behind them.

Sevika hasn’t moved. One arm on the bar, cigarillo long dead, her flesh hand still curled around an empty glass. She heard every word you spat.

“You think this is effort?” Her voice cuts through the quiet, rough as gravel. “This is busywork. Fetching bottles, scrubbing tables. Shit anyone with hands can do.”

You finally glance at her. Sweat prickles your brow, jaw set. “Then why keep me at it?”

Her smirk crawls slow across her face, ugly and amused. “Because you're expandable. I know you'll drown. Most do. They get tired, sloppy, start cutting corners. Don’t matter if they can throw a punch, they’re useless if they fold over something as small as a mop.”

Your grip tightens on the rag. You want to bark back, but the words tangle in your throat. And then she snarls again. “Let’s see if you can juggle this without whining. Maybe I should get you a mop permanently.”

You keep your cool, but she pushes your patience. And your indifferent attitude secretly drives Sevika crazy because she wants you to snap.

She pushes up from the stool, rolling her shoulders, towering over the space she’s about to leave behind. There’s something almost feral in the way her eyes rake over you. Like she’s measuring, weighing, testing a blade’s edge.

She lowers her head and rhasps. “You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that.” And strides towards the door. Her back is to you when she adds, voice pitched low, almost swallowed by the silence. "Don’t break, neat freak. Would be a damn shame if you proved me wrong.”

The door slams shut, rattling in its frame.

You stay where you are, rag hanging limp in your hand, heartbeat dragging heavy in your chest. Praise, from her? No. It didn’t sound like praise after all of this. More like a dare, a challenge, just shying away from being a knife slid just beneath your ribs.

And still, you straighten, shoulders pulled tight, and get back to cleaning.

__________________

Outside, Zaun is alive. The streets hum with neon and stink. Steam curls from broken grates, rats scatter under boots, and distant shouting rattles like broken glass. Sevika moves through it all with the kind of confidence only someone who bled the Lanes can carry.

She lights a cigarillo with her claw, flame flaring bright before it sinks into smoke. The first drag burns down her throat, settles hot in her lungs. She exhales slow, watching the smoke curl and fade into the foul air.

She tells herself it’s routine. Another night, another body working too hard to impress. But your face keeps cutting through the haze. That damn stubborn set to your jaw. The way you didn’t flinch when she throws too much on your shoulders. The way you snap back, not enough to disrespect her, but enough to remind her you’re no mutt to kick around.

It grates on her, the thought of you grates, because she should’ve written you off by now. Should’ve broken you down to sweat and silence. But you don’t crack. You bite back. To remind her you’re still there. Standing. Scrubbing. Bleeding, even, without complaint.

A laugh ghosts her mouth, humorless. “Fucking rookie.”

But the word doesn’t fit. You’re not a rookie. You’re capable, and worse, you’re relentless. Purging like the Drop’s your temple. Back straight, jaw tight, looking at her like… Like you don’t know better than to not look. Like you have some say in how things run.

She should bark harder. Should knock that damn rag out of your hand, told you to quit pretending you matter. Not give you encouragement to prove her wrong. Not let Ran's words get in her head.

She exhales, smoke curling upward, disappearing into the night.

But she didn’t.

Effort. Dignity. Discipline. Whatever the hell it is, you got it. Not afraid of breaking skin, not afraid of her either. Too damn steady for someone green. Recognition is a dangerous thing. It gets under the skin. Crawling. Nagging. Somewhere deep she buried long time ago.

She drags harder on the cigarillo, jaw flexing. Your words still echo. Equally stubborn as you. 'At least someone gives a damn.' The kind of line that should’ve slid right off her. Instead, it sticks.

Sevika spits, the wet crack of it hitting the gutter. “Neat freak.” Yeah. Maybe. But neat freaks don’t usually last long in Zaun.

She flicks ash to the paving stones and pushes on through the haze, jaw working, breath harsh. But she carries your shadow with her, tucked somewhere she’ll never name. Burying it under new ideas of how to tame you.

Chapter Text

Being efficient during collections and running the Drop smoothly under your watch was enough for Silco to give you your first mission. However, before the evening you have to go through the sparring session, being pit against Sevika. You know she won't go easy on you unlike the first time. You got under her skin. You're more than aware of that. It's in the way your body aches after a shift at the Drop. The way you're worn out, bruised, sometimes wounded after collections. The way she manages to push more onto you. She's a clever duchebag with ideas thrown your way.

The training floor is sticky with sweat and blood. Sevika circles you, for the umpteenth time this day. Blade shining in low light. You don’t blink, weight easy, that infuriating smirk already forming. And you clash. Metal on metal, grunt against grunt, until your blade skitters over Sevika’s mech-arm and she has you pinned down by the throat. Her knee digging into your guts.

“Bold of you to think you can hold me down.” You rasp, teeth bared.

Sevika leans close, breath hot over your ear. “Bold of you to forget I haven’t already.” She's up before you can bark something back. "Again." So you scrape up.

Her blade thrown to the side. Sevika looks like she wants too kill you with her bare hands. Drag your limp body outside the Drop an leave it to rot. You're no better. You need to win this round. To show her that you stand a chance against her. You've done that with bigger opponents, more brutal, gone in blood-lust. The fury is igniting you. How she treats you like shit, even when you get the job done. Over and over again.

This time you're first to strike the blow. She wasn't expecting you to go this hard, not this fast after she almost crushed your ribs with punches she threw.

Your fist hits her face square and you jump aside. Guard high. Sevika growls and spits out blood. You see the shimmer slot shine in her mech-arm, but she surprises it. If she'd use it, you'd be dead by the second. She lunges at you, reckless, eyes blinded by the fury. Ghost stepping to the side and Sevika misses. Your arm wraps around her flesh one, you writhe it behind her back and she plants face straight into the reeking mat. Other hand presses down her head, knee on her back.

You push her arm up harder than necessary and it drags a grunt, almost a broken whimper. "And look who's pinned now." Your voice barely a whisper beside her ear. To close to her liking. You've overstepped again. This time by invading her private space. And to her dissatisfaction it makes her skin crawl.

Sevika tries to push herself up, using her mech arm, but you yank her head back, with a fistful of her hair, and lean in again. "We're done."

From the outside, it looks like attempted murder. Two fighters trying to finish each other. From the lock of your bodies, it looks like something filthier, breaths hot against each other’s faces, daring the other to break first, strikes too close, grapples that end with you pressed together.

Seeing her this done in, hearing her grumble underneath you makes you feel something simmering inside. It's stronger than hate, but you can't pinpoint it to anything else. So you back up quickly. Her head almost hits the ground. She snarls something behind you, but you're already outside the training room, marching steady to your room to get ready for your first mission.

Getting cleaned up. Washing her off you. Feeling bruises forming and stinging deep, you scrub through it. Teeth gritting, but you need to get her off your mind. How her fury blinds her, but so is your revenge and this fucking feeling clawing at your brain and body when she's near. That's only hatred, rivalry, nothing more.

Quickly putting on your clothes, fastening hip bag and harness you shove on your spotless shoes and head downstairs. You need to eat something before you murder her in pure rage. So you bargain into backdoor kitchen and see Ran bantering with Thieram about something.

They go quiet the second they spot you. "Sparring worn you out?" Ran quips, this self-satisfied grin on their face.

You just shoot them a menacing look and push past to dive into the refrigerator. Ran closes it, pushing with their metal palm. "We figured you'd be." They point to the simmering pot on the stove. "Eat before you slaughter someone." Ran doesn't hide their giggle.

So you pull out a bowl and ladle yourself a generous amount. Almost instantly shoving it down your throat. "Easy there." Thieram laughs. "Nobody's going to take it from you."

"Sevika's not here." Ran joins him.

You just growl and start eating again. Chewing and swallowing like the stew itself murdered your whole family.

"You know you're proving yourself already?" Ran starts, almost soft. Thieram leaves, slipping through the door, leaving the two of you alone.

"Ran." You snarl mid bite. "I don't speak for myself now."

"But it's true." They lean on the counter beside you. "You're wearing yourself thin. You look worse than after any fight you've been in so far."

"Don't start Ran." You huff, side eyeing them. Spoon freezing mid air like you're about to scoop their eye.

"I don't mean bad Rav." They roll their eyes. "You already have Silco's trust."

"No. No I don't. Not yet." You pull your stiff shoulders back and work your jaw. It hurts from the force you're using daily to keep yourself from barking back at Sevika, although you sometimes can't help it.

"Silco's sending you on a mission. Already. What it is? Three months since you're in?" They pat your shoulder. You freeze at the touch. Ran sees it, but doesn't back up, their grip tightens.

"I need to prove myself to Boss… To her." You snarl. "That I can handle worse."

"Sevika already sees it. She knows Silco doesn't trust easily. You always get back with what's his. Never back down from anything she saddles you with. She sees potential in you, but is too stubborn to ease out on you."

You want to shrug them off. Shove their hand away, but you don't. You hear concern in their voice. It's unnatural for you. "Don't go soft on me now." You smirk instead, nothing pleasant about it.

"I weigh you up more than you think of yourself Raven." They pat your shoulder one last time and take a step back. "Think about this as alliance." And Ran leaves you alone to finally devour food, even though the lump in your throat grows, making you unable to swallow anything.

__________________

You're waiting outside, tapping your boot on the pavement and inhaling your cigarette more aggressively than necessary. Finally the Queen of your despair arrives. Gaze sharp, burning her cigarillo as roughly as you go about yours.

"What's the mark for tonight?" You question dryly, flicking the cig butt onto the ground. "I have no details."

She snarls. "You don't need to know every detail. We're in for a punk hunt." She pushes past you and with a frown you follow her like a shadow.

How are you supposed to know how to react, when to step into action and what precautions take before something happens? You need to have more information about this, not scraps. You want to bark at her, if Silco's pushing you into arms of inevitable death, you'd at least want to be aware of that. Instead you grit your teeth.

With the way she's wearing you down, they'll soon be no more than dust.

She weaves through the alleys, cautious, wary about any possible witnesses. You stalk silently, almost breathing down her back, following each step. This unnerves her. How can you be so swift not knowing where she's dragging you? She wants to loose the tail, you, but she can't. This would sent Silco into pure rage. She knows he already wants you to do more, sees you as promising. This was her idea to send you to this mission, to test you before he actually gives you something important.

Tracking down Kaesslan, a small-time Chem-punk dealer, is not hard. He throws his weight around like he matters. Although he's not major enough for Silco to care personally, but bold enough to cause trouble.

Midway through the Zaun you predicted the direction. The docs. There are plenty of houses and warehouses. Will this be a bargain just to threat someone? Silent slaughter of someone who disobeyed Silco? You don't know until Sevika stops in her track. You halt just before bumping into her.

"There's our mark." She bops her head at the dressy yordle with feathers sticking up his hat, taller than himself. Furry coat, gold shines almost blinding even in low light of lamps. "He’s working in one of the warehouses with a gang."

"You can give me the details now?" You snarl.

"We're already here. Figure it out on your own." Sevika bites and pushes past you to weave back into alley to have a closer look at his actions.

Shaking your head, you follow her. She's so concise in giving you any heads up all of a sudden. So far she was deliberately describing each small thing to you and how you're suppose to do them. You sneak in closer, hearing the punk, but it's not enough. Sevika launches forward. It was silent, but one of the gang members saw her. You stay in your track.

Jabbing your finger in their direction, you see Sevika cursing under her breath. And you hear shuffle of dirt, kicked by approaching footsteps. You curse and pull out the dagger. Grip tightening. She hisses something at you, but you're faster. Jumping over the crate and slicing his throat. And there it begins. Wanna-be Chem-punk scrambles with few of his goons. His men swarm faster than expected.

Sevika's standing right beside you, her arm exposed, scowl twisting her face. She's bracing for a fight and so are you. The alley is too narrow for them to circle you. So you have a clear path. Carving it with your blade, pushing some back to Sevika so that she doesn't get bored.

They crawl out like maggots out of an open wound. With the last body dropping dead before you, grabbing a piling stack of crates near, you drop them on the ground. Buying you some time to scramble away from the rest.

“Outnumbered.” You snap and catch Sevika mid jump by her arm, lunging back into the narrowed alley. Sliding your blade in the sheath to be able to push through.

Brick close in. Goons shouts echo from the street. Their footsteps approach you. And you finally see it. The tucked in corner that saved you more times than you'd want to admit. It's filthy, litter everywhere, boxes scattered, but it's perfect for a temporary hideout.

So you lunge there and with a swift movement you press Sevika into the wall. Your hand over her mouth before she can bark at you, revealing your location.

Her eyes burn holes in your head. You're chest-to-chest, breathing down her neck with nowhere to move. You're pressing hard. Body on body. She tries to push you, shove you back, but there's no space and you're already with foot braced against wall behind you. Thigh pressing into her.

"Don't move." You hiss, voice low, but gravelly.

When you don't hear any shouts and boots hitting the ground, you finally let go of her. Backing up as much as you can. Adrenaline running hot in your veins. Both because you managed to dodge inevitable and how Sevika finally listened to you.

Breaths still mere centimeters away. Chests heaving. And you look up at her. Her jaw works, frown darkening her gaze. "The fuck was that?" Sevika snaps.

"There were too many." You bite back. "Some of them were on shimmer. We didn't stand a chance."

She huffs low under her breath. "Maybe you didn't. And because of you we lost the trace of him."

Rolling your eyes you tilt your head to the side. Smug smirk shows on your lips. "I know each warehouse here better than anyone. You should have told me before. Would have spared us useless brawl."

You want to walk away, but she pushes you back into the wall. Her claw at your shoulder, the same that Ran held. She jabs her finger into your chest, hard. "Don't be a smart-ass now." This stung her pride. She thought this was the perfect plan to trace them and it went sideways.

"I'm not being a smart-ass. I'm trying to complete the mission Silco gave us." You snarl, swatting her hand away and pushing past her.

To get back on this punk's trail, you need to go parkour-style to not be spotted. Running around lines, trying to find them would be idiotic now. It was good before Sevika wanted to hear better. You haul Sevika up onto rooftops and demonstrate how its done. Jumping of one, clawing at the railings, lunging towards another, scrambling up a gutter, swinging over the pipes. Landing gracefully on another.

Sevika's sloppier, slower. You can't blame her, she's a chunk of a woman. You bet she didn't need to go this dirty to scrape by. Although she has more strength when climbing up and jumping over to next spot. Her massive thighs do carry a lot of strength. She's landing further than you. It's almost like if you're racing. You on the other hand show her along the way how to leap gaps and haul herself over edges.

Sevika pretends to hate it. Secretly? She’s furious that following your lead may have saved her life. The moment she realized she trusted you without thinking… She wants to throw you off the roof. But seeing you jumping over the next building, climbing fast and efficient, and finally leading you to one of the warehouses that you had in mind, she's impressed. Actually impressed at your planning.

And she hates herself for acknowledging that. That you are actually useful and Ran might be right in throwing at her face that she wants you to surprise her.

One last lunge and you're over at the safest roof to see if somebody's surrounding the building to move further. Sevika lands right beside you and you catch her. Steadying her with infuriating ease.

"This one." You point, huffing under your breath. Chest heavy, hands blistered, but you made it. Like in the good ol' times. Or not really…

"You sure?" She side eyes you with a frown and rolls her shoulders.

"Positive." You nod. "You mind sharing with me why we need to know the destination?" Coming closer to the edge you crouch behind one of the parapet walls, she does the same.

Sevika lowers her head to husk into your ear. "Silco needs his location."

"So we'll raid them?" Sevika shrugs her arms. "Burn it to the ground?"

"No. We needed to sniff out the hideout and storage." She slumps down the wall, her arm propped on her knee.

"Mind if I check if this is the one?" You grin and bop your head towards the warehouse. Glass ceiling already inviting you over.

"Sure. Just don't die midway." She snorts.

You're up before she finishes. Lunging onto the next building, sliding down the gutter from the higher one. Another rooftop is yours and you pause. Sevika's watching you. Quickly assessing the surroundings you decide to land your next one. A pretty big jump to the concrete part off the roof. You don't want to break through the glass and announce yourself.

You back up and run towards the create stacked up near the low wall surrounding end of the roof. You almost fly through the air, hands back, knees tucked. Grabbing onto the wall, you quickly scrape up and roll over the concrete. Peaking through the hole in the ornamented free standing wall you see Sevika staring. She saw each step you took, how you calculated every move. She's now fully aware that you're dangerous and that agitates her.

With a smirk you peak through the glass roof and there you see it. Shimmer barrels stacked and this punk wandering and gesticulating vigorously. Without further investigation you take longer, but safer route. A bit tired you don't want risk slipping.

You crouch down beside Sevika, panting, but your infuriating shit eating grin thugs at the corner of your mouth. "This is it." You rasp.

She studies you for a second and lets you breathe, before you return to the Last Drop.

How generous of her.

And you lead her again, navigating straight towards your destination. You want to push further, to reach it jumping over rooftops, show her you're agile, but after this all your body is at the verge. So midway, you guide back to the ground. She's right beside you. Both tired, but with job finished.

You're content with the outcome. "Guess we have it." Your grin only widens, eyes glittering with something that makes Sevika’s stomach twist.

She doesn't respond, just walks straight to the club.

__________________

Still tired, you report to Silco. For the first time, not being cut off by Sevika. "This was all by the initiative of Sevika." Your voice flat, you don't want to pamper up her ego, but you know damn well she would be fuming if Silco knew you came up with this idea.

He looks at her, unimpressed, like he expected her to go out of her way to complete the mission. And just like this, he dismisses you. No more details, no other orders. She walks out after you. Doors slam shut and she shoves you against the wall.

Sevika steps in close, looming over you with the weight of her mechanical arm creaking. "You trying to suck up to me?" She snarls.

You snort, smirk plastered to your face. "Don't flatter yourself. I don't want you at my back when Silco gives you shit for that. Consider this an attempt to make up."

For a beat, the noise of the club dulls. It is just the two of you, heat and tension thick enough to choke on.

A dangerous hum passes between you and Sevika pushes you against the wall, again. It's hard enough to rattle the door. “Careful. You sound like you think you deserve more.”

“Maybe I do.” You shot back, low and even, refusing to flinch.

Her breath ghosts your face. “You want my spot? Is that it? You think you can fly through instead of cleaning up?”

Your fists clench, not shoving her off, but not yielding either. “Please. If I wanted your spot, you wouldn’t still be standing here.” Your grin is sharp, mocking, but you rasp, low so she can hear that. "And I wouldn't haul your ass to that alley."

Her nostrils flare. For a heartbeat, it looks like she might swing. Instead, Sevika laughs. It's low, gravelly and dangerous. “You’ve got balls. I’ll give you that.”

You tilt your head, grin widening. “And you’ve got a bad habit of testing them.”

Her laugh cut off like a knife. You’re nose to nose now, close enough to taste the smoke on her breath.

It’s hate and heat. You're enraged she has the guts to order you around like a rag-doll. She's furious, because you refuse to obey her and shoved her into your act. Sevika steps back. She's certain now you're not after her spot, but she knows better than to leave you for free roaming.

__________________

With jaw tight and hands bruised, you throw another drunk out the door. The man’s body hits the pavement with a wet thud. The club pulse slowed down. Emptied now, you manage your closing duties. And there she is.

Sevika leans on the bar with her whiskey, eyes fixed on you. Watching. Waiting. Testing.

You wipe your jaw with the back of your hand, another cut that split your lips from breaking up the fight earlier. You toss the rag onto the counter and snarl. “That’s the fourth time tonight. You giving me this job ‘cause you’re scared your arm might get scratched?”

Sevika’s lips curl. She sets her glass down slowly. “No. I give it to you because you don’t complain as much as you think you do.”

You lean forward, eyes glittering with heat. “Oh, I complain plenty. You just like pretending it doesn’t get under your skin.”

“Don’t slack. You’re still breathing, aren’t you? Means you’ve got work to do.” And Sevika invades your personal space, stepping in close. Too close. "Sparring was Silco’s test to see if you can keep up. The track down was my idea."

You glance at her, jaw tight. She exhales smoke slow, eyes gleaming and she leans to you. Her breath brushing you ear. “Atta girl. Knew you’d last longer than a month.”

The tension stirs up, but Sevika steps back. Her jaw tight, grabbing her glass harder than necessary. Sevika lights another cigarillo, leans against the counter, smoke curling around her smug smile.

You frown at her snarky comment but push off the counter, walk past her, grip the broom tight and start sweeping, viciously. Your thoughts race around today's events.

All of this because of her? Huh… Silco wanted to know if I can keep up? I guess I proved him right.

The broom squeaks against the floorboards. Smoke from Sevika's cigarillo flows around you. Curling and smothering like her shadow never lets you breathe. Every sweep of bristles against the ground feels like grinding your teeth down.

She doesn't move. Just watches with that infuriating smirk like she knows something you don't. You sweep harder, bristles scraping wood like they’re trying to split it. The whole day’s still burning in your body, but it’s her voice that won’t quit.

'Atta girl.'

You snort under your breath, bitter, like the words are venom on your tongue. Still, your skin prickles, traitor-warm, every time you hear it again.

You shove the broom harder. Fuck her for saying it. Fuck you for caring.