Archive of Our Own

A lot could change in five years.

Five years ago, Enforcers would turn their heads at the sight of neon makeup or worn, makeshift clothing. Five years ago, the only wealth that trickled down into the Undercity would go straight into Glasc’s pocket.

Five years ago, Silco was in charge, pushing his city forward with unwavering resolve, stopping at nothing in pursuit of his nation of Zaun.

And now, it seemed like everything had changed.

Enforcers were nowhere to be seen. In their place, Wardens stood on duty, both Piltovans chosen by Caitlyn for having an open mind and no biases toward the lower of the twin cities, and Zaunites handpicked by Vi who were passionate about making both cities a safer place free of discrimination.

At least, that’s what the two had claimed to have achieved, the night Jinx and Lux had shown up, announced, at the Kiramman mansion.

Jinx still smiled every time she recalled the look on Vi’s face when she’d seen her ‘dead’ sister on her doorstep, hanging off the arm of a literal princess.

Even looking around now, with Zaunites lingering on the crowded street outside the fancy Piltovan ballroom in droves, Jinx could see that some level of equity had been reached. Back in her time, there wouldn’t be this many well-dressed sumprats in the entire city, nor would any self-respecting Zaunite be seen caring for any event as senselessly wasteful and posh as this one. Having Sevika on the council must actually be making a difference, if hundreds of their people had the wealth and capacity to attend tonight.

And as for Silco? The man whose ideals had shaped Zaun for a decade, spreading Shimmer through the streets as a necessity in order to demand respect, and blackmailing or killing anyone in the way of his vision?

Once, it had been all Jinx had ever known. She was still trying to unlearn his teachings, as Lux helped her to separate the good of Jinx’s relationship to her father from the bad.

But it was a start. And this? This was the kind of progress that neither Silco nor Vander had ever dreamed possible.

Jinx shivered—probably just the evening chill—

But Lux, as usual, didn’t miss a thing.

“Darling,” she chided, pouting down at Jinx. “I told you to bring your coat. Here…”

“No,” Jinx protested good-naturedly. “You don’t have to—”

But Lux’s overcoat was already slipping off her arms, and being wrapped snug and warm against Jinx’s bare shoulders.

Jinx was ready to protest further, already halfway through rolling her eyes—

But then she realised that the jacket smelled like her. Bright. Floral. Sunny.

Lux.

And Jinx, sinking slightly into the collar to take a discreet whiff, mysteriously found herself far less eager to part with her new outerwear.

And if the knowing smirk Lux gave her was any indication, then the highly observant woman hadn’t missed that little movement, either.

“Comfortable?” Lux asked smugly, almost fucking purring with satisfaction.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jinx grumbled, but she couldn’t keep the stupid, lovesick smile off her face; not when Lux was looking down at her with those damn sky-blue eyes, full of affection and adoration and love.

Lux hummed. In a smooth display of grace, she lowered her horizontally outstretched forearm—the one Jinx had been politely offered before she’d even finished opening the door to her side of the carriage in a, quite frankly, exasperatingly endearing show of Piltovan chivalry—and slipped the selfsame arm around Jinx’s waist, pulling her close to Lux’s side.

And, as she always did whenever Lux pulled that move—a shameless, candid declaration of how loathe she was to be physically apart from Jinx, even for a moment—Jinx genuinely couldn’t stop herself from blushing.

“Babe,” Jinx muttered, hiding her face—and her smile—in the side of Lux’s suit. “You’re going to ruin my reputation! These people used to be scared shitless whenever they saw the colour blue.”

“As they should be,” Lux replied smoothly, like she’d practiced it. Like she’d known exactly how Jinx was going to complain before she’d even moved. “Let them underestimate you on my account, darling. I do so like to see you run circles around the nobility.”

Jinx peeked out of her hidey-hole, grinning up at her. “You’re a fucking thirst, you know that?”

Lux smiled back at her—not the radiant ray-of-literal-sunshine smile, but a darker, hungrier expression, the one that came out on rare occasions and always sent a shiver of anticipation down Jinx’s spine.

She brought her other hand up to Jinx’s face, gently stroking a few windblown strands of blue hair behind her ear. “Only for you, my darling. And always for you.”

And then she pulled that same hand away, hovering it in front of Jinx’s face and showing her a glimpse of the pale golden ring adorning her fourth finger, glinting gently under the streetlights.

Jinx bit her lip around a giddy, growing grin. She rubbed her own fingers together in her pocket, feeling the familiar curve of her own silver wedding ring, placed there by Lux only a few short months ago. A Demacian tradition, but one that Jinx had happily accepted, because it was a promise. A promise of them, together forever.

And she wouldn’t take her wife for anything less than forever.

Suddenly, the portly man they’d been following in line for the last twenty or so minutes shuffled to the side and began ascending the venue’s marble stairs—

And then it was their turn.

As they’d agreed, Lux took point with the doorman.

“Luxanna Crownguard, a diplomatic representative from Demacia. I’m here with my wife.”

The man’s eyes widened slightly in recognition of the internationally prestigious household name, not even sparing a glance at the woman by her side, a woman his city had once trembled in fear of. He hurriedly flipped through his invite list, swiftly scanning for a guest that didn’t exist. He slowed down—then flipped the page back and forth a couple of times, hands starting to shake with nerves—

“Is there a problem, sir?” Lux asked, all smooth manners and faux worry. “I must admit, we were a late addition—some turbulence on the airship, I’m sure you can understand—”

“Yes, yes, my lady!” The poor man stammered, abandoning his book in favour of bowing his head. Jinx stifled her amused giggle. “Of course, my lady, please forgive my disorganisation—our doors are, of course, open to you and your wife, and if I may be of any assistance—”

“Oh, you are too kind,” Lux said, smiling sweetly. She tugged gently on Jinx’s arm, pulling them away up the stairs and toward the doors. “Please, put the matter from your mind. I’m sure they’ll take good care of us inside.”

“But of course, my lady,” he professed, bowing once more. “Only the best service—"

But they were already gone, past the private guards and halfway up the stairs to the grand double doors, arm in arm.

Wordlessly, Jinx and Lux shared a quiet laugh, but it wasn’t anything they hadn’t seen before—Jinx knew her wife’s homeland well enough by now to know that if the number of balls, galas and tournaments Lux had snuck her into were known to the other noble houses of Demacia, the name Crownguard would be publicly associated with the scandal for a generation.

The foyer was, of course, needlessly grandiose; all gilded tapestries and marble columns, climbing high enough toward the vaulted ceiling that a thousand Zaunites could live comfortably within this very room.

As always, Lux drew a variety of curious stares from loitering guests; even if next to none of them would recognise her, Lux’s commanding height and natural confidence, paired with her radiant show-smile, would always turn heads whenever she entered a room.

Once, it had bothered Jinx. Lux could wrap anyone around her finger with a dazzling smile and a few light words.

But it was all fake; a mask, masterfully crafted to get Lux what she wanted. And the only one who was allowed to see the other side was Jinx herself.

The real Lux, the woman behind the façade, was Jinx’s alone.

And Jinx couldn’t help but wear a proud, satisfied smirk as every perfumed lady and wistful bachelor had their eyes drawn to her. The woman who got to hang off Lux’s arm, wear her coat, and go home with her at the end of the night.

And still, none of them recognised her. Something Jinx had learned very early in life, while being shown how to avoid being seen by Enforcers or rival Undercity gangs, was that people only tended to see what they expected to see. And to these perfumed aristocrats and bootlickers, the idea that the Loose Cannon of Zaun herself might be among them was entirely absurd, even as Jinx stood among them, not hiding a thing.

“Try not to look too smug, darling,” Lux murmured softly, leaning down to press a sweet kiss to Jinx’s temple. “People are staring. You’ll make them jealous before we’ve even begun.”

Jinx only smirked wider, staring right on back at their onlookers until they looked away, one by one. “Of course they’re jealous. They know that you’re mine.”

Lux huffed. Jinx could hear the smile in her voice. “It’s me they should be jealous of. Look, here’s the cloakroom.”

Jinx pouted, even as she let herself be pulled along. “But I want to keep wearing it. Smells nice.”

“You’re adorable,” Lux laughed. “But you’re also stunning in that dress. I want to see their jaws hit the floor when we enter.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jinx rolled her eyes.

To be fair, Lux had a point—the dress she’d had made for Jinx was a work of art, and nothing like anything she’d ever worn before. Royal blue—the Crownguard colour—it fit snug over Jinx’s skin, highlighting her modest curves and ending at her upper thigh. High-necked, with only one sleeve on her left arm, the dress left the tattoos on Jinx’s right arm exposed.

And then there was the cutout—beginning near her lower ribs and ending underneath her hip bone, the blue clouds spread across Jinx’s side and waist were also on full display.

She’d barely been able to try the damn thing on before Lux’s mouth and hands had been all over her. And Jinx couldn’t even blame her—seeing her reflection next to her wife’s, tall and handsome in her tailored suit, matching the colour of Jinx’s dress with her slim trousers and cropped jacket over a fitted cream shirt, and with her golden hair falling around her shoulders in waves; it had done something to Jinx, flipped some hidden switch that had made her want to run her hands all over those smooth, toned arms while she kissed Lux into the nearest wall.

They’d dressed up before, of course; but this was their big debut in Piltover. Lux had wanted to make an impression, and she’d gone all out.

Approaching the desk, Lux cleared her throat for attention. The cloakroom attendant hurried over.

“Luxanna Crownguard,” she said again, putting on that charming smile of hers like it had never left. “Priority hangers for my wife and I, please. No accessories.”

The attendant snapped to attention—that is, straightening his posture even further than it already had been. “At once, my lady.” He procured a pair of wooden hangers from below the desk.

“Come on, my love,” Lux murmured, stepping behind Jinx to tug at the top of her sleeves. “Let’s not keep them waiting.”

Jinx grumbled, but allowed the warm, heavy garment to be taken. She shrugged out of her own lighter jacket, too, handing it to the attendant before snuggling back in against Lux’s side.

“You can’t hide in there all night,” Lux chided, rubbing Jinx’s bare shoulder to warm her up. “Come, it’ll be much warmer inside.”

Jinx took her wife’s outstretched arm again, placing one hand just above her elbow—and, in all honesty, often creeping slightly higher to feel up her wife’s bicep—and wrapping one hand around Lux’s forearm, just like the Pilties did. She knew that it made Lux happy, to have Jinx on her arm, and that was more than enough reason for her to play along.

Still, Jinx wasn’t above a good pout. She had been very comfortable in Lux’s jacket. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Lux looked down at her. “Try not to sound too enthusiastic,” she joked, raising an eyebrow and smirking again.

Jinx scoffed, rolling her eyes. “For a Piltie party? Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Sunshine.”

Lux hummed, flexing the muscles in her upper arm, right where Jinx was hanging on. Jinx’s mouth went dry at the feeling of taut, toned flesh.

“I know you don’t want to be here, darling,” Lux soothed, placing her free hand over Jinx’s, holding her there against her bicep. “And it means a lot to me that you are. But say the word anytime, and we’ll leave, remember?”

Jinx nodded, breathing deep. She allowed herself one last moment before they re-entered the foyer to close her eyes and take solace from Lux’s safe, comforting presence. And when she opened her eyes again, she was ready.

“Okay. Let’s do it.”

Lux cupped her cheek, gently tilting Jinx’s face up for a soft, sweet kiss. She held it until Jinx smiled back against her lips, then pulled away with a playful grin of her own. “That’s my girl.”

Fanart by @ori..250

Jinx rolled her eyes again, fondly this time. She did love it when Lux got a little healthily possessive.

And then they turned as one, and stepped back into the crowded foyer, moving slowly but steadily as they made their way to join the line of nobility waiting to be announced to the floor.

Tall double doors stood open before them. More warm light spilled out from within, along with the sound of classical music and the constant murmur of hundreds of voices.

And despite the usual swirl of anticipation exciting her blood, preparing her to move, to run, to fight if need be—

Jinx wasn’t nervous. Not with Lux by her side.

The Pilties didn’t scare her, though admittedly, she was a little worried about the guests from Zaun. Jinx had hidden herself away for months while they were oppressed and imprisoned, only to show up right at the last second. She’d stood by Ekko and Sevika; stirred up the crowd; rallied them to fight; for Zaun, for Silco’s vision, for their lives and what was left of their families and their shitty, shoddy homes…

And then she’d left. She’d faked her own death, apparently becoming some sort of iconic martyr in the process, and she’d abandoned them all to seize equality on their own.

Silco would have been disgusted in her. Even now, after all she’d done, all she’d healed, she could feel his one good eye glaring at her from behind, as shadows crept into the edges of her vision—

“Hey,” Lux murmured, stepping in front of Jinx to shield her from the room with her body. “Are you okay? Do you want to leave?”

“No,” Jinx rasped, shaking her head; and she meant it, too. “Just—voices—”

“Come here,” Lux breathed, pulling closer. She raised her hand, placing her open palm on Jinx’s chest, right over her heart.

And then—just subtly—that hand began to glow.

It wasn’t enough to notice under all the gaudy chandeliers and Hextech downlights, not unless you knew what to look for—but Jinx did. She watched as the soft, pale underside of Lux’s hand started to shine, steady and constant—

And then Jinx felt that familiar warmth bleed its way into her chest. Comfort. Safety. An eternal, loving embrace.

Lux.

Jinx closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing and the soothing warmth, just as Lux had taught her, and just the same as she’d done a hundred times before.

And as always, it worked. Jinx’s brain stopped hissing before it had even begun, and her heartrate slowed, and she felt Silco’s ghost fade from the corners of her mind.

When she opened her eyes again, Lux was there, meeting her gaze. There was concern in those pools of blue, yes—but it was steady. Calm.

Jinx exhaled, leaning into Lux’s embrace. She was okay.

They were getting really good at that.

“Can you tell me what you can feel?” Lux whispered, featherlight.

Jinx’s mouth quirked up in a small smile. Lux never failed to remember this part. “You. Your arms. My dress.”

“Good,” Lux hummed. “Hear?”

“Snobby voices and some shitty Piltie band,” Jinx snarked, earning herself a huff of laughter.

“And what do you see?”

Jinx pulled away from Lux’s chest, just a little. Enough to be cheeky.

“I see a hot blonde in a suit. Great tits, too—”

Lux snorted. “Alright, you lecher.” Her voice softened. “Are you okay? We can still leave, if you want, anytime at all—”

“I’m okay,” Jinx interrupted. She met Lux’s gaze, letting her wife read her face for any hint of self-sacrificing dishonesty. “Really. Just…” Jinx sighed, lowering her voice to a mutter. “Guess I am a little nervous.”

Lux leaned in, pressing a long, sweet kiss to Jinx’s forehead, in that way of hers that felt so nice. “Just remember that you don’t have to do this. But…” She pulled back again, raising Jinx’s face with the gentle press of a finger under her chin. “If you do feel ready? You’re going to steal the breath of every single person in that room.”

Jinx scoffed, rolling her eyes again, but she could feel a blush creeping forward, brought on by the shameless compliment. Lux had never passed up an opportunity to flatter her—

But she wasn’t done, leaning forward one last time to whisper directly into Jinx’s ear.

“And they’ll all know that you’re mine. My wife and mine alone, forever.”

Jinx shivered, biting back a wanton grin as goosebumps spread over her neck, where Lux’s warm, measured breaths were falling. If seeing her in this dress got Lux this possessive, Jinx would have to wear it more often—

And then, suddenly, Lux was pulling away, resuming her position by Jinx’s side and guiding her to take her arm again. Lux had that winning smile on again, beaming brightly at the world; but Jinx caught the playful glimmer in her eye, and the hint of a real smile in the line of her mouth.

And then Jinx realised that they were next.

She swallowed hard. Breathed deep. Squeezed Lux’s arm.

Lux leaned into her side, just a little, enough to be felt. Enough to say I’m here.

And Jinx felt ready.

The announcer, a thin, wiry older man in an indistinct black suit, cleared his throat as the couple before them in line stepped up to wait atop the grand staircase.

“The lady Margarethe Meyer, head of Meyer Industries, and her husband Nicholas Meyer.”

The announcer’s voice, surprisingly, carried extremely well over the crowded hall—at least, from what Jinx could see, as those guests in her vision, draped across balconies and mezzanines as they were, turned their heads to assess the new arrivals. Meyer Industries must be a recognisable name.

Jinx bit back a smirk.

It was their turn now.

The announcer turned on his heel and stepped toward where they waited, swiftly, with practiced grace.

“My apologies, my ladies. Your faces are unfamiliar to me,” he admitted, looking up at Lux expectantly.

“Not at all,” Lux assured him, all bright and sunny. “I’m a foreigner. Luxanna Crownguard, heiress to House Crownguard of Demacia.”

The man’s eyebrows shot up all the way into his hairline, as he straightened in recognition of the surname—

“And this is my wife, Jinx Crownguard of Zaun, the daughter of Silco.”

—And then his eyes, widening in shocked horror, snapped to Jinx—swiftly traced her tattoos, shot up to notice her hair—

The announcer paled.

Jinx could see the gears turning in his head—for Jinx to be here, she had to have been allowed in and past the guard—and according to Caitlyn, the public all knew of her pardon, which meant that he should, too—

The man swallowed thickly, setting his posture ramrod straight.

“Of course, my lady. My lady.” He bowed his head shakily at each of them in turn, clearing his throat again. “With me, please.”

Jinx smirked up at Lux. Lux met her gaze, eyes flashing mischievously even as her mask stayed in place.

And then they stepped up the platform, side by side, and faced the bustling room together.

A thousand bodies milled about below, chattering and politicking and dealing and sipping their champagne. Perhaps half a hundred of them happened to glance up at that time, before the announcer spoke, and saw Luxanna Crownguard herself, with a suspiciously familiar woman on her arm—a woman that, inexplicably, matched the rumours that had been circulating the twin cities all week; rumours that Jinx had returned.

To his credit, the announcer’s voice rung loud and clear above the din, his words heard by all willing to lend an ear.

“The noble lady Luxanna Crownguard of Demacia, heiress to House Crownguard…” He hesitated, just for the slightest moment, long enough for large swathes of conversation to hush to a gossip’s whisper.

Long enough to build suspense. Long enough to get everyone’s attention.

“…And her wife, Jinx Crownguard of Zaun. Daughter of Silco of Zaun.”

In an instant, the entire room fell deathly silent. Every murmuring gossiper’s theory on the ever-reclusive wife of the youngest Crownguard went still. Every red-faced drunkard looked up from his place at the bar. Even the orchestra halted in their recital.

Lux waited for a good, long moment, standing tall and proud with her dazzling, unabashed smile. Jinx matched her wife, channelling her newfound confidence after years of being the eye of Demacian balls and galas.

And then Lux shifted, almost imperceptibly, and as one, they stepped forward and began to descend the grand staircase.

And then the rest of the room unfroze, too, and the orchestra hastily resumed playing; and harsh whispers gave way to outraged murmurs, which gave way to an absolute cacophony.

“…blew up the Council!”

“…dead, but they never found a body…”

“…wedding statement didn’t give her wife’s name…”

“…killed my father! He was an enforcer…”

“…saved the Sheriff from the Noxians…”

It was almost overwhelming—not just the noise itself, surrounding and invading Jinx’s space, grating on her senses—but the reminders of everything she’d done, back before Demacia—before Lux—

But Lux was right there beside her, squeezing her hand reassuringly; a constant comfort; a bright, endless source of strength.

Lux had wanted to make an entrance to remember, placing herself front and centre in the minds of every Piltovan socialite and noble, wrapping them all comfortably around her finger—not for standing, or riches, or power, but just to say that she could.

And Jinx could already tell that they had succeeded in doing just that.

The crowd parted before them as noble lords and ladies alike stopped and gawked, tripping over each other in their haste to make way. Luxanna Crownguard, known by name and reputation, with her head held high and the Loose Cannon herself upon her arm, and apparently her wife; Jinx wasn’t too humble to know they made quite the spectacle together.

Bewildered, terrified, scandalised and enraptured gazes followed them on their path, drawn to Lux’s impressive presence. Jinx saw them looking at her, too—tracing her tattoos and figure in the custom, form-fitting dress.

“You were right,” Jinx murmured, low enough that only Lux would be able to make out her words. “They can’t stop staring at us.”

“Believe me, darling,” Lux replied, just as privately. “They’re all staring at you.”

And Jinx didn’t quite know what to say to that.

Instead, she held her tongue—even as her smirk grew just slightly more smug.

They really did look amazing tonight.

One woman was bolder than the rest, stepping out in front of them with a big, fake smile. There was steel in her gaze as it passed over Jinx, before settling enthusiastically on Lux. “Lady Crownguard, an honour to make your acquaintance. My house congratulates you on your marriage.”

Lux beamed back at her, just as artificially. “Thank you humbly. You are too kind, Miss…?”

The woman’s smile tightened. “Kortier. Rowan Kortier. We manufacture engines in partnership with houses Talis and Ferros. You must know of our Silverwing Hexengines, named after the beasts native to your own homeland.”

Lux gave an exaggerated nod of understanding, her expression turning apologetic. “Madam Kortier, my apologies. My wife and I have been away for some time, I’m sure you can understand our disorientation.”

“Of course,” Rowan replied, relaxing somewhat under her mask. She glanced at Jinx again, her expression tight but inscrutable, before continuing to address Lux. “I must say, this comes as a surprise. A woman of your station—I’m sure the world over expected a less… controversial match.”

Jinx’s smirk widened, even as she felt Lux’s arm stiffen with protective fury. Still, she was an expert; none of it showed on Lux’s face.

“Yes, well,” Lux exclaimed happily, “Many sought to place their expectations upon my name and character. I’m so very fortunate to have found my heart and soul. Marrying for romance is too rare an occurrence in these times, wouldn’t you agree?”

Unwilling to directly contradict her, Kortier nodded along, appraising Jinx once more. “Well, I should certainly think so. Apologies, my dear—I know of your reputation, but I don’t believe we’ve met.”

Jinx grinned back up at her, letting just a spark of her old, feral arrogance shine through; just enough to make the Piltie flinch slightly. “Unlikely, unless you happened to wander down to Zaun when my father ruled the streets.”

Kortier’s eye twitched at the mention of Silco’s reign of terror. “Yes, well—my business never ventured so deep, I’m sure you can understand.”

Nodding in mock understanding, Jinx hummed. “Uncomfortable place, too. Never know who you might’ve wronged down in the Lanes. It all comes back around eventually.”

The house matriarch’s eyes narrowed. She opened her mouth—

Lux cut in before she could respond. “Madam Kortier, you’ve been such a delight. I must say, I find my network sorely lacking after so many years away—would you be so kind as to make some introductions for us?”

Jinx’s grin widened as Kortier recovered from her near-outburst, composing her expression once more into a polite, political smile. “Of course, Lady Crownguard. It would be my honour—oh, look, just there, there’s Benson Brune, you’d know him from the antiquities trade…”

On and on they went, as Kortier passed them off to a pharmaceutical investor, who introduced them to a textiles manufacturing tycoon, and on, and on. More names and faces than Jinx had been introduced to at a dozen Demacian galas combined; and each of them looked at her with little but barely-masked disdain, if not fearful respect. Still, their apprehension would soon give way to acceptance as Lux worked her magic flawlessly, charming and flirting and wrapping every last Piltie around her little finger.

Eventually, they would be tentatively smiling at Jinx, too, and she’d recite her apologies and condolences, and they’d go on and on and redemption and time healing all wounds. It was a little sickening, as they’d expected when preparing for tonight; but now that she could actually see Zaunites in the crowd, mingling with the Pilties and sharing small talk, their forgiveness felt a little more genuine.

Not that their apologies meant much to Jinx at all after all the shit these houses had done to Zaun for centuries, but Lux needed her network, and Jinx needed to clear her name, and both of them needed to work out if the supposedly reformed Piltover was worth sticking around for.

And speaking of Zaunites, they were here in droves, too, and while the Pilties didn’t introduce them to many from the Undercity, Lux didn’t discriminate. Neither did the announcer—Jinx heard ‘of Zaun’ several times when she happened to tune into the background noise.

They met a pair of inventors who’d expanded their business to Piltover and beyond, mass-producing Chemtech-powered portable heaters for Freljordian tribes, and water purifiers for Ionian villages whose water supplies had been poisoned by Noxian invaders.

There was even someone that Jinx did recognise from home. She dragged Lux over to chase after the very distinct prosthetic leg of an old friend.

“Hey, Scratch!”

The Zaun Diva turned, eyes widening in recognition. “Holy shit, I thought you were dead!”

Jinx grinned, pouncing forward to embrace her old friend. “You wish, Tremble Clef!”

Scratch scoffed at the old nickname, pushing Jinx off with a smirk. “Yeah, yeah. Who’s the hottie?”

Lux schooled her amused smile, stepping forward to grasp Scratch’s forearm in the Zaunite way. “Luxanna Crownguard of Demacia. But, please—any friend of my wife’s can just call me Lux.”

Scratch’s mouth dropped. She turned to face Jinx again. “Wife?! How’d a sumprat like you pull a princess like her?”

Jinx giggled, punching her on the shoulder. “I have game, you know!”

Lux hummed sweetly, her smile softening. “She practically fell into my lap and hasn’t let go since, my sweet little monkey.” She turned back to Scratch before Jinx could even try to defend that one. “But I’m sorry—I don’t believe we’ve met, Miss… ‘Tremble Clef?’”

Jinx guffawed as Scratch stammered to introduce herself. “No, no, that’s just a nickname, please don’t call me that in front of others. It’s Scratch, actually—”

“And tell her why it’s your nickname,” Jinx cackled, slinging an arm around Scratch’s shoulder. “Luxie, you won’t believe how we met—”

“Alright, alright,” Scratch cried, shoving a hand over Jinx’s mouth, and cringing away with a muttered “ew!” when Jinx licked it. “Yeah, alright, I’ll tell the story. So you know about her old man, yeah?”

Lux, who suddenly seemed to be standing a little straighter, widened her smile again. “Silco, yes. I’ve heard so much about him. I’m told he was a very influential man.”

Jinx was barely listening, studying Lux’s body language intently to try and see if something was wrong—

“Uh, yeah,” Scratch agreed, nodding along. “Yeah, you could say that. Well, one day I was in the studio, having a jam with the guys, and in walks two big, tough guys—Silco’s guys. They told me to come with them to The Last Drop, you know?”

Attentive again, Jinx raised an eyebrow at the missing details. “Don’t censor yourself for me—”

“—That sounds terrifying,” Lux offered, holding back a laugh.

Scratch breathed a sigh of relief. “Fuck, girl, you have no idea. I mean, no disrespect, Jinx, but that guy was fucking scary—”

“No, go on,” Jinx assured her. “That was like, his whole thing, he wouldn’t be offended.”

Scratch rolled her eyes. “Yeah, it was. Well, his guys took me into the Drop, right? And there were people around and shit, so I wasn’t that scared, even though they all worked for him. But then the guy opened the door to the fucking basement, and pointed me down the stairs—”

Lux snorted, covering her smile. “Oh my god, I would have bolted.”

“Right?!” Scratch exclaimed. “But one of the guys was behind me, so I went down there, trying to work up the balls to ask them if I could at least write some last words first—” Jinx chuckled at the memory. “—But then I got to the bottom and this teenager was there, banging away at a couple of pots and crates and shit.”

Jinx frowned. “Hey! My setup was robust, and—”

“You sounded like an Enforcer falling down the stairs,” Scratch corrected with a smirk. Lux blew Jinx a kiss to wipe the pout off her face. “Anyway, the door closed behind me, and this kid—Jinx—she’s looking me up and down like I’m the one who doesn’t know the difference between a kick and a snare—”

“They all make bang-y sounds anyway,” Jinx grumbled—

“—and then fucking Silco himself stepped out of the literal shadows in the corner, and I nearly shit myself—but then, you won’t believe it—he tells me he wants to pay me to help his daughter make a fucking song!”

Lux gasped, eyes widening with excitement as she turned to Jinx. “Wait, you made a song?”

“I was like sixteen!” Jinx protested, cringing at the memory. “Silco wanted me to make, like, a brand for myself—you know, recognisability and image and stuff?”

“I get it,” Lux assured her. She bit her lip, fighting a big, real smile. “That’s adorable, Jinx.”

Jinx felt her cheeks start to flush under the open affection and love in her wife’s gaze—

“Yeah, Jinx,” Scratch drawled, nodding along sagely. “You were just the cutest little kid—”

“Shut it!” Jinx cried in mock outrage, shoving her old friend away. “You want to tell her about that nickname, now?”

Lux’s eyebrows flew up as she turned back to Scratch. “Yeah, what was it, again?”

It was Scratch’s turn to look embarrassed. “Oh my god…”

Jinx grinned, ecstatic that her distraction had worked. “You see, Scratchy here was shitting bricks while Silco was yapping on about ‘legacy’ and ‘anthems’ and whatnot, and she was actually shaking, right?” Scratch glared at her, but Jinx wasn’t done teasing. “And there’s apparently this thing in music called a ‘treble clef,’ right, Scratch?”

The Zaun Diva rolled her eyes all the way to the roof. “Yeah,” she admitted. “And Jinx here thought she was so clever—”

“Tremble Clef!” Jinx exclaimed, pulling Scratch close again while she grinned up at Lux. “What do you think, doesn’t it suit her?”

Lux was fighting an amused smile that was trying to break out on her pretty lips. “Darling, I don’t think you can tease someone for being scared of your dad, of all people.”

“But, Luxie,” Jinx whined, pouting at her wife—

“Yeah, exactly!” Scratch agreed enthusiastically, gesturing wildly at Lux. “Fuck, am I glad you found a girl with some sense about her.” She nodded respectfully at Lux, sweeping a wild bang out of her face. “You’re doing the whole fucking world a service by keeping her in line, you know?”

Lux’s eyebrow rose—just one of them—and as her jaw tightened, Jinx hurried to step in.

“She’s joking, babe,” Jinx rushed to clarify. “It’s just Zaun banter.”

Scratch’s eyes widened as she took in Lux’s stiff posture and the flash of righteousness in her eyes. “Oh, shit, yeah,” she assured. “Nah, no one keeps any Zaunites on a leash. Respect for standing up for her, Lux.”

Lux nodded, visibly deflating, and smiled softly at Jinx again. “Always.” Her expression changed into something almost innocent, wide-eyed and excited. “So when do I get to hear the song?”

Jinx blanched, looking up at Lux like she was crazy. “No fucking way—”

But Scratch pulled away again with a laugh. “I’ll let you two work that one out—be back in two secs.”

Lux barely acknowledged her, stepping closer to Jinx and taking her hand, stroking softly at the back with her thumb. “I’d really like it, you know. I want to get to know that part of you.”

Jinx blubbered for a moment, mouth opening and closing uselessly. “But—it’s so embarrassing, I’m cringing just thinking of—”

But then Lux’s smile was gone, and in its place was a soft, sad pout, complete with her fucking puppy dog eyes.

“Baby, please? For me?”

And as always, at the sight of that illegally cute face, Jinx’s brain switched off entirely. She only had one thought—give the sad Luxie exactly what she wanted.

“S-Sure,” Jinx agreed, blushing under the weight of her wife’s intensity. “I—I might remember some of it…”

Lux beamed at her—a wide, true smile, tinged with no small amount of smug satisfaction—and Jinx smiled, too, because sue her, she’d made her wife happy—and Lux leaned down to whisper a thank you against her lips, and seal them in a sweet, happy kiss—

“Holy shit, you’re so whipped!” Scratch crowed from beside them.

Lux took her time breaking the kiss, letting Jinx hide her face for a moment, fucking mortified that her old friend had seen something so private—

But when she turned back, it wasn’t just Scratch there. There was a girl on her arm, someone Jinx didn’t recognise.

“Jinx, Lux,” Scratch began, gesturing to them each in turn. “Meet my adorable and very drunk girl, Seraphine.”

Seraphine beamed, all sweetness and dimples and nearly bright enough to compare to Lux’s own radiant smile. “Hi, guys,” she squeaked—or maybe that was just her voice—

Jinx snorted. “Wow, Tremble,” she grinned. “And you were giving me shit for pulling a princess.”

But Scratch frowned. “She’s not a fucking—”

“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you!” Seraphine rambled on, lurching forward to take Jinx’s hands in her own before she could react. “Gosh, you look amazing in that dress—oh, and your tattoos, they’re so pretty—!”

Lux cleared her throat loudly, stepping forward into Seraphine’s space and holding out her hand. “My apologies, Seraphine. Sir Luxanna Crownguard of House Crownguard of Demacia, Radiant of the Order of Illuminators, Sword-Captain with first-class honours and the founding Governess of the free state of Terbisia.”

There was a moment of stunned silence. Seraphine’s eyes widened—Scratch’s jaw dropped at the litany of formal titles and honorifics, so different to the introduction she’d gotten—

And Jinx gawked at her wife. Lux only ever pulled out the full list when someone was—

Oh.

Pulling her hand away from Seraphine’s limp grip, Jinx snuggled up nice and close into Lux’s side, nuzzling underneath a strong, lean arm and wrapping it around her shoulder. “And, she’s my beloved wife.”

Lux hummed, squeezing Jinx tighter and leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “My most important accolade of all, darling.”

Seraphine snapped out of her stupor. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” She blinked. “Woah—Luxanna, your soul sounds so growly, that’s really hot—wait, I mean, sorry, oh my Janna—”

“Alright!” Scratch exclaimed, stepping forward to tug Seraphine away. “Great that you two very monogamous ladies got to meet Sera here—great to see you again, Jinx—”

“Likewise,” Jinx gritted out, suddenly understanding exactly why Lux was bristling so much—

“Sorry!” Seraphine squeaked over her shoulder, before her gaze caught something on the other side of the room. “Oh, Scratch, do you see them over there, in the red dress? Their soul sounds so fun—”

And then they were gone in the crowd, and Lux finally relaxed.

Jinx looked up at her with a cheeky grin. “Damn, baby. You didn’t hold back.”

“Neither did she,” Lux grumbled, but her expression softened.

Jinx shimmied around in her arms, putting them face-to-face as the orchestra began playing something slower.

“You know I love it when you get like that?” Jinx murmured, leaning in and melting her body against Lux’s larger form. They began to sway side to side in a slow dance. “Have to admit, she had a point. You’re hot as fuck when you get possessive.”

Lux hummed, sliding her left arm down. “Sometimes the world gets a little too comfortable. Sometimes, they need a reminder.”

Jinx gasped quietly as Lux’s hand settled on the bare skin of her waist, stroking softly with her thumb. It seemed absent, almost mindless, but Jinx knew better—Lux was very particular when she touched her like this, and right now, it could mean only one thing—that thing that Jinx loved to hear most in the world—

“A reminder of what?” Jinx breathed, tilting her face upwards as her body shivered deliciously.

And Lux, her eyes bright and sharp, leaned down to meet her, rubbing their noses together—pulling Jinx closer with a gentle, guiding hand behind her neck—

“That you’re mine,” Lux whispered, as true and confident as any simple truth of the universe.

And then she closed the last remaining distance, and stole Jinx’s breath in a scorching kiss.

This kiss was assertive. Lux pushed deeper, claiming her, taking space that Jinx couldn’t give—and so she melted entirely into Lux’s arms, giving herself over entirely to the addictive feeling of being wanted, of being owned, and of owning in return—

But all too soon, the atmosphere shifted, and Jinx realised that the slower song had ended. Lux chased her lips hungrily for a moment and Jinx pulled away.

She smirked up at her wife, not caring how well-kissed she must look right now. “You look pleased.”

Lux actually licked her lips around a smug smile. “And you look flustered.”

Jinx only grinned wider. “I’m not ashamed. It’s like you said—they could use the reminder.”

Lux’s eyes flashed, her pupils dilating. “That’s my girl.”

They stayed there for a long moment, cuddled close together, enjoying the comfort of each other’s warmth until Lux shifted.

“You ready to continue, baby?” She asked, smoothing Jinx’s hair back into its place with gentle strokes. “We must be halfway through the night already.”

Jinx grumbled, burying her face further into Lux’s shirt and tucking underneath her open jacket. “Don’t want to.”

Lux hummed in understanding. “That’s alright, darling. Will you come with me?”

Jinx obliged, taking her place on Lux’s arm again, but this time, she felt far more relaxed. They pushed through the floor again, set on some destination that Lux could see above all the people thanks to her height. This time, nobles and businessmen and investors stopped to wave at them, with faces Jinx recognised from earlier in the night. Somehow, Lux remembered each by name.

But one of the people who recognised them was not like the others.

Some big guy stepped to the side, just as the guy behind him—tall, in a white suit, with shaggy blond hair and a cocky smirk—happened to look their way. His eyes landed on Lux, and widened in shock.

And then he was pushing through the crowd, and Jinx noticed he was wearing some kind of armoured, golden gauntlet—

“Lux!” He called, shouldering through a group of complaining nobles. “Sorry, ladies—hey, can you hold my champagne, here you go, thank you—hey, Lux!”

Lux turned to face him. Jinx saw her wife’s face light up happily, but something about it didn’t sit right with her.

“Oh! Jinx, wait—”

And so they stopped, and then the guy was standing in front of them, beaming up at Lux like she was his whole world.

Jinx blinked in surprise and confusion as something ugly reared its head inside her chest, and hissed.

The man—who looked suspiciously similar to Lux herself, with his eyes, and hair, and figure—barely spared Jinx a glance as he lowered his head in a formal bow. “My lady. Looking as radiant as ever.”

Jinx’s lip curled—

But Lux just laughed it off, high and happy. Not her political laugh, but the real one, the one she used for friends.

“You’re incorrigible,” she giggled, leaning forward to lightly punch his shoulder.

Jinx didn’t miss the way his eyes lit up at the contact—

“This is Ezreal,” Lux introduced him. “A really old friend. You remember I told you about him?”

“Yeah,” Jinx replied casually, swallowing down her… whatever. She did remember. “Guy crashed a party pretending to be a Sentinel of Light, right?” She didn’t mention the other thing that she remembered, about how he’d apparently—

“Oh, I was bored out of my mind that night,” Lux complained—and she didn’t use that tone around people she was trying to charm, or manipulate, but around people she trusted—

“Nothing like a moonlit stroll in the Lightshield botanical gardens to help let your hair down for a bit, am I right?” Ezreal continued for her. He actually winked, tossing his hair to the side with a suave little grin. Jinx wanted to shoot him. “Especially in the company of the most charming bachelor in all Runeterra—”

Lux snorted. Actually snorted, like that had been funny at all—

“Hey, baby,” Jinx cut in, keeping her voice low and smooth. She snuggled closer into Lux’s side, wrapping an arm around her to pull her close. “You going to introduce me to your friend?”

“Oh, yes!” Lux exclaimed, shifting a little to let Jinx fit more comfortably against her side. “Ezreal, meet my wife—my heart and soul, but you might know her already as Jinx of Zaun.”

And then he did look away from Lux to properly notice Jinx—

And a flare of smug satisfaction burned inside of her as his eyes widened in recognition.

“What—wait, the Jinx?” He glanced between them, mouth falling open. “Your wife is the terrorist who killed—”

And suddenly, Lux’s tone turned cold, but the arm pulling Jinx closer didn’t become any less warm. “I’d watch the way I speak about people I don’t know, if I were you.”

And it might have been wrong. It might have been petty. It might have even been a little pathetic.

But damn, did Jinx like how ‘stunned, disbelieving shock’ looked on this twink’s face.

“R-Right,” Ezreal stuttered, blinking and searching their faces like he was missing the joke—but then, to his credit, he recovered, nodding his understanding.

And then that arrogant smirk was back, and Jinx prepared herself to—

“Hey, congrats,” he said—and it actually sounded genuine. “Always knew you needed a wildcard to show you how to have a bit of fun every now and then—”

“Ugh,” Lux groaned, but she sounded like she was smiling again, and her posture had relaxed. “Yeah, yeah, you told me so, get over it.”

“I’m just saying!” Ezreal laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Demacia had you caged in, you know?” His cocky expression softened, and he looked Jinx dead in the eyes. “Got to admit, I only know you from the news and the wanted posters. But if Lux vouches for you—well, she’s always been a great judge of character.”

There was a pause for a moment. Jinx blinked in surprise—did this Piltie just accept that she’d changed, just like that? And Lux cooed, pressing a happy kiss to Jinx’s scalp—

And Ezreal opened his mouth a couple of times, like he had something to say. And, apparently, the intrusive thought won, as a cheeky grin fought its way onto his face.

“I mean—you know, except for Sylas—"

“You little shit,” Lux hissed—probably good-naturedly—and she lunged forward while Ezreal scampered out of reach—

But Jinx held her back. And, to her surprise, she was actually, really laughing.

“Wait, babe—” Jinx cackled, gripping her wife tight. “He actually has a point—"

Lux spun around, mouth agape in mock offence. “You two are the worst!”

“Nah,” Jinx retorted, leaning up to kiss her on the cheek. “You love me.”

And Lux’s face softened immediately, like butter over a fire—

“You guys are grossly cute, you know that?” Ezreal teased, already fixing his hair after having apologised to the older Ionian man he’d run into while trying to escape Lux’s wrath. Again, he met Jinx’s gaze, this time with a serious nod. “You seem good for her. Don’t you ever let her down, alright?”

Lux tensed. “Ez—”

“I wouldn’t,” Jinx promised, just as serious, but this time with a soft little smile, the one she only ever found when talking about her wife. “Never again. I’d give her the world.”

Lux let out a quiet oh under her breath, before leaning down for a quick, sweet kiss to Jinx’s lips—the kind of kiss that contained multitudes of their love. “You already have, darling. Every day.”

Jinx hummed, nuzzling into her wife’s neck, where it was warm and comfortable and sweet-smelling—

Ezreal cleared his throat, almost uncomfortably, and Jinx noticed a flash of something in his eyes before it was quickly masked again under that cocky smile. “Well, uh—PDA isn’t really my thing, but I’ve got to get going, anyway. There’s this girl over by the bar making lovey eyes, and I think I know just what she needs tonight.”

Lux scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, prince charming. Go show her that ‘smoldering smirk’ of yours.”

Jinx snorted. “I’m sorry, the what?”

“Long story!” Ezreal blurted, already three steps away. “Great to see you, Lux, lovely to meet you, Jinx—hey, stop by the museum sometime—”

And then he was gone, bumping into a waitress and slipping away with a guilty grimace when she spilled her tray all over a bellowing, red-faced man with an enormous moustache—

And Jinx had to admit—first impressions aside, Ezreal was pretty cool. In an endearing, twinky boyfailure sort of way.

But there was one thing that felt off about the whole thing.

“Hey,” she said softly, just for her and Lux to hear. “You know he’s in love with you, right?”

Lux exhaled, stepping behind Jinx and wrapping her up in both arms. “Yeah. Has been for a long time.”

Jinx didn’t miss the note of wistfulness in her wife’s voice—but here, warm and safe in Lux’s embrace, she was always able to voice the difficult thoughts. “Tell me about it?”

Lux hummed, thinking for a moment. “Well, we met when I was about seventeen, at that fundraiser at the palace. I think he was a year or two older. He was all chivalrous and charming, just like in the romance books I loved so much.” She cleared her throat. “And he was nice—genuinely, a good person. And he wasn’t shy about being into me.”

Jinx’s heart twinged a little, but she nodded for Lux to continue.

“And, I mean,” Lux laughed, burying her face in Jinx’s hair and breathing deep. “What was there not to like? Except I didn’t. And he kept showing up, with these tales of adventures and a life—free of my parents, and the court, and the expectations. And I wanted it, just… not with him. Not the way he did.”

And then she spun Jinx around in her arms again, and looked her dead in the eyes—and Jinx didn’t see a single scrap of regret there.

“It was tempting,” Lux whispered, stroking Jinx’s bangs out of her face and tucking the stray hairs behind her ear. “But I’m glad I said no. I’m glad I waited. Because now, I get to live that life with you. Because you found me.”

And suddenly, Jinx’s lip was wobbling—and fuck, she was about to cry, she needed to crack a joke, or something—

But when Lux was looking at her like that—like Jinx was her world, too—like she was worth holding, and fixing, and cherishing and loving?

Jinx had learned not to shy away from how much she needed that. From how Lux made her feel.

“I love you,” Jinx whispered, and it didn’t matter that her eyes were watering a little—because Lux was smiling, too, soft and private and true, and there was never any judgement in her gaze—not even when Lux saw all the way through her, and her past, and her problems. There was only understanding, and affection, and the warmest love Jinx had ever known.

“And I love you,” Lux promised—and after all this time, Jinx didn’t even doubt it anymore.

They stood there for a moment, chest to chest.

Jinx giggled against Lux’s throat. “You know, he’s actually not a bad guy. Wanted to shoot him in the face for a minute there, but… I honestly kind of like him.”

Lux hummed in agreement. “I’m glad. He a bit too flirty for you, though?”

“Heh,” Jinx scoffed, but she was still smiling. “Maybe a little bit.”

Lux chuckled for a moment. “You want to go get something to drink?”

Jinx nodded, pulling away to take her arm again. “Yeah, could use some fancy, clean Piltie water.”

Finally, at the other end of the floor, the crowd parted one final time before the island bar; and seated there, wearing a white suit, an amused smirk and a raised eyebrow, was Vi.

“Enjoy your dramatic entrance?” Vi’s voice was a little too light; Jinx knew they still had a long way to go before they could drop the masks fully.

“Don’t know what you mean,” Jinx drawled, not bothering to hide her satisfaction. “All we did was walk down some stairs.”

Vi scoffed, rolling her eyes, but Lux cut in before she could respond with more banter.

She leaned down, pressing her lips to Jinx’s ear, lingering knowingly for a moment against the sensitive skin. “Are you alright if I leave you with Vi for now? I want to do a couple more rounds.”

Jinx hummed contentedly, tipping her head further to give Lux access to her neck—and was rewarded with a short series of light kisses before Lux pulled away too soon. “Yeah, yeah, go do your thing,” she teased. “They’ll love you even more without your wife in the picture.”

Lux’s eyes darkened, an expression Jinx knew well as protectiveness. “They’d better not,” she remarked.

She reached down between them, gently taking Jinx’s hand and raising it to her lips. Jinx’s heart flipped—she might actually swoon at all these acts of chivalry—

“I’ll come find you soon,” Lux promised, stepping slowly away. Jinx felt the sudden urge to call after her—

And then she was gone.

“Oh, yeah,” Vi drawled from behind her glass. She was leaning back against the bar. “I’m right here too, by the way.”

“Shut up,” Jinx muttered, smiling down at her still-tingling hand. Fuck, the way Lux could still make her feel like this even after years together—

“Nah, don’t think I will,” Vi replied, sporting a wide, shit-eating grin. “My tough, scary sister, blushing like an Academy schoolgirl—”

“Yeah, because you’re not whipped at all,” Jinx snapped back at her. “’Oh, my pig girlfriend with mummy issues broke up with me so I’m going to get wasted for months on end—”

And then she realised what she was saying, and promptly shut up.

“Shit,” Jinx mumbled. “Sorry Vi, I didn’t mean that—”

“No,” Vi cut in, swallowing the last of her drink. “It’s okay. Well—it kind of isn’t, but… we’re learning, right?”

Jinx nodded rapidly, grateful for the lifeline. “Yeah. Still… working it out.”

Vi nodded, too. She cleared her throat. “Hey, get me a refill? I’m just going to find Cait, actually. I think we should spend some time with you together, you know?”

“Yeah,” Jinx agreed, licking her lips and trying not to spiral about how quickly she’d regressed to that. “Good idea, I’ll wait here.”

Vi exhaled, setting her glass down. “Okay. Cool. Just be, like… a few minutes.”

“See you.”

And just like that, Vi had slipped away, too, and Jinx was alone, at a Piltie bar—

And her head was starting to whisper again—scratches of colour at the corners of her mind, just outside her vision—

because you’re a jinx

nothing will ever change that

no amount of good deeds can undo

powder, p̸o̵w̵d̴e̸r̷, p̵̣͛̍͒o̵͍̥̐̿w̸̠̣͔̅̄̕d̷̯͔̳̀̚̚ẽ̶̡̱̫r̴̞͎͐

She was in the crowd. Everyone was too tall, too loud, looking down at her, whispering, smirking, taunting, someone stumbled into her, her blood was boiling, adrenaline pumping—

She was on the other side of the room, past the food tables, somewhere a little more quiet—

break the cycle

“—Jinx?!”

A voice cut through the din—not a ray of sunshine piercing the fog, but something more grounded—a voice that used to be familiar—

A warm, calloused hand on her bare arm, covering her goosebumps. Dark skin—

It was him. Ekko. Wide-eyed, mouth agape, searching her face for something—

But the static and the voices were gone, so Jinx stared right back, and didn’t pull away.

“Wh-What—” Ekko stuttered, gripping her arm tighter. “It’s true, you’re back—you’re alive—”

And it all came out in a breathy laugh, mixed with a grin, mixed with a sob.

Jinx smiled up at her old friend.

“Hey, Little Man.”

And then he was laughing too, and pulling her in for a crushing hug—

“What the fuck,” he laughed, or maybe he was crying, too. “Where were you—? I mourned you—”

“Nawww,” Jinx teased, discreetly wiping her eyes on his jacket and entirely unable to wipe the stupid grin off her face. “For little old me? You shouldn’t have.”

“Yeah,” Ekko said, seriously. He pulled away, enough to search her face again, like he didn’t believe she was real. “Of course I did.” And before Jinx could begin to process what that meant to her, he pressed on, shaking his head a few times. “Dude, what the fuck happened—wait, did you get stuck in another universe?!”

Jinx giggled. “Nah, man. That’s a you thing.” She swallowed, suddenly feeling a wave of old guilt. “I guess I just… left. Like you all told me to.” Ekko opened his mouth, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, or maybe challenge, so Jinx quickly continued. “You know, what you said to me, that night. You know the one. When you… came back.”

Ekko went a little pale, but quickly nodded his understanding. “Yeah. We… said a lot, that night.”

“Heh,” Jinx chuckled. “Don’t have to sugarcoat it with me, Little Man. I was messed up.” Again, he looked ready to interrupt. She didn’t let him. “But that thing you said, about building something new, and finding someone worth building it for. You remember that?”

“Of course,” Ekko said, frowning a little. “But—you said the plan was to say goodbye first. I thought… I mean, Vi said you fell with Vander, and we didn’t hear from you—”

“I know,” Jinx replied softly. She stepped back, suddenly feeling really awkward. “I’m sorry, man. I just… saw an opportunity. I could do it clean—no Vi, chasing me halfway across the world. Caitlyn could get her closure. And… no you, waiting for…”

Ekko’s face fell. “Jinx… I never should have—”

“It’s okay,” she interrupted, and she really meant it. Hopefully, that showed in whatever sorry excuse for a sad smile was working its way onto her face. “Really, it is.” And then her thoughts turned to her sunshine, and her smile brightened. “And it worked. I found her.”

Ekko, clearly trying to manage a ton of emotions and unspoken thoughts, took a moment to follow her words. “You found—who? What?”

Jinx grinned, wide and unashamed, letting her newfound happiness show openly on her face—an expression that Ekko might not even remember on her, after so many years apart, and everything from before even that.

But Lux had a way of bringing it out of her, no matter what.

“Someone worth building it for.”

“…And so I said, you must be looking up the wrong end!” Albus Ferros finished with a proud, expectant flourish.

Their circle of noble company roared with laughter at his joke. Lux chuckled along politely, smiling wide enough to make up for her lack of enthusiasm—after all, a lady ought not exhibit too much arbour when in polite company. Another of her mother’s lessons that Lux had learned to turn against her.

Lux sipped from her flute, taking the opportunity to glance about the building from her place on the balcony. Were she not actively masking, she might have frowned upon seeing both Vi and Jinx were gone from where she’d left them.

No matter. They could simply have—

“…Lady Crownguard? Excuse me?”

Lux blinked, silently cursing her lapse of attention as she spun back to face the group.

“My apologies, I was miles away,” Lux said, putting on a suitably sheepish little smile, one that had gained her many a favour in times past—and they all ate it right up, nodding along in understanding.

All except for one. Ferros. The man appraised her from behind a mask of his own with eyes far too sharp and clever for Lux’s liking. There was a wolf among the sheep.

“We were just saying,” Lord Holloran continued casually, now that he had her attention. “Your wife, she’s made quite the impression tonight.”

Lux would be a poor politician indeed if she couldn’t detect such an obvious trap from three sentences ago. Still, these people preferred to imagine her as young and naïve, and their comfort was her weapon.

“Oh, I’m sure she’d be just delighted to hear it,” Lux cooed, putting on a dreamy, lovesick sort of smile that met her eyes to anyone who didn’t know her. “Returning to her first home after so long, it means a lot to her.”

A white-haired person, someone Lux hadn’t yet been introduced to, cleared their throat to speak—and Lux already knew from the look in their eyes and the tension in their posture that their next words would be a mistake.

“Would that all of us had a home to return to! My house’s estate had to be abandoned after she weaponised the Gray. Paint everywhere, the servants in coughing fits, taking leave—She’s done a lot of damage, you know!”

Lux felt the curious eyes of Albus Ferros upon her. Still, she didn’t falter, nor did she look away from the person’s seedy gaze as the silence stretched on for an uncomfortable moment.

Finally, just when they were about to speak again in an attempt to dissolve their discomfort, Lux responded.

“The war between Piltover and Zaun started long before Jinx or yourself were even born,” she said softly, enough that they had to lean in further to hear—a petty display of power. “And it would have continued long after her death. It was Jinx who ended the war, and it’s Zaun you ought to thank for this city you call your home. Ambessa would have slaughtered anyone in power whom she deemed too… opulent for Noxian tastes.”

The noble—whatever their profession—flushed in outrage. Seemingly, Lux thought with smug satisfaction, her assumption had struck a nerve, and the offending individual quickly excused themselves to the privy.

Small, excited chatter soon broke out again. Lux could still feel Ferros’ attention on her as she gazed out over the room again, searching idly for a glimpse of her wife’s stunning figure—

And this time, she found her, tucked away by the edge of the floor. Jinx was speaking with someone, a Zaunite by his striking apparel, laughing cheerfully at something he’d said.

Lux smiled fondly. Seeing her wife happy never failed to—

But then her companion reached forward, trying to see the other side of Jinx’s dress—and Jinx giggled along, doing a little spin, and laughing at his reaction—

And suddenly, Lux could taste blood.

Breathing deep, Lux calmed herself, releasing her tongue from between her front teeth. A steely resolve settled over her—a mood that only had a single resolution.

Lux began to shrug out of her jacket.

“Lord Holloran,” she called, rudely interrupting the man midway through one of his stories—but she had him so utterly enamoured by this point that he didn’t even have the self-respect to look offended.

“Lady Crownguard,” he replied happily, turning her way. “Is something the matter?”

Lux fixed him with her most simpering little smile. “Would you do me the favour, my lord?”

Holloran blinked, evidently confused, as most would be when presented with such an empty request.

Still, as she finished removing her jacket, Lux knew she had him right where she wanted him.

“But of course, my lady,” he exclaimed. “Anything at all—”

“You are too kind, my lord,” Lux said, almost truthfully. She stepped forward, placing her folded jacket over his outstretched arm, the one holding his drink. “I’m afraid I shan’t have the time to collect this tonight. Having it washed, pressed and ironed and delivered to the Kiramman mansion at your earliest convenience should suffice.”

Holloran blanched, looking down at the offending garment in utter disbelief, entirely unable to imagine Lux as having the audacity—

But Lux was already gone; rolling up her sleeves to reveal the smooth, toned forearms that Jinx so adored; and slipping downstairs and into the crowd, on a beeline for her wife, and the man who was having entirely too much fun flirting with her.

“Isn’t it so perfect?” Jinx exclaimed happily, twirling around again to show off her dress. “Lux designed it just for tonight, and had it tailored and everything.”

Ekko smiled right back at her. He took a moment to answer.

“You look amazing, seriously.” He cleared his throat, suddenly a little awkward. “Never thought you could pull off the ‘pretty princess’ look, but… it really suits you.”

Jinx scoffed in mock offence. “Fuck you! You’re more of a princess anyway—”

“No, no!” Ekko laughed, raising his hands. “Honest, man, it’s a compliment! You really do look great—”

“Hey, baby,” said a honeyed voice that Jinx would recognise anywhere.

Jinx spun around, and sure enough, there Lux was, sidling up to her to wrap an arm around her waist, and leaning down for a kiss.

But as Jinx met her wife halfway, her heart leapt—this was no chaste peck for polite company. No, Lux’s lips were searing—a little too warm, in that way they only were when Lux willed a little of her magic to the surface—and Jinx gasped, because Lux only did that when she was going down on her—

And then Lux pulled slowly away, and Jinx was confused, chasing her lips for a short moment—

Until she came back to the present, and remembered that there were people around.

Jinx could feel her cheeks burning, and the suggestion of Lux’s lips—which had to have been intentional—had heat pooling between her legs—

“Darling,” Lux purred, pulling Jinx close into her side. She fixed a piercing gaze on Ekko—oh god Ekko had seen all that—and inclined her head. “Who’s this?”

Jinx gaped dumbly for a moment, trying to collect the scattered pieces of her executive functioning skills—

And promptly lost her grip on them as Lux’s hand settled on her waist again, bare skin against bare skin in the cutout—and Lux’s hand was being warmed, too, and her thumb was tracing goosebumps against Jinx’s tattoos—and Jinx looked down and saw that her wife’s jacket was gone, and that her fucking sleeves were rolled up to the elbow like some lesbian thirst trap, and the lean muscles in her forearms were flexing and moving—

Ekko cleared his throat again, gracefully taking the initiative to introduce himself. “Uh—Ekko of Zaun. And you must be Lux.”

“Oh,” Lux said, sounding a little shocked.

Jinx turned around in her arms to look up with a frown, unsure if something was wrong—

But Lux recovered quickly. “Oh—yes, I am. It’s a pleasure, Ekko, really. Jinx has told me so much about you.”

“Likewise,” Ekko laughed. “Jinx was just catching me up on her life in Demacia. Got to say, I thought she was exaggerating with the whole ‘golden sunlight’ thing—”

“Ekko!” Jinx complained with a giggle, squirming around in Lux’s arms—

“—But honestly, I can see it.”

Lux cooed, pressing another sweet kiss to Jinx’s scalp—and then she put on that voice.

“My darling Jinx, you’re so sweet.”

And suddenly, complex thoughts were a lot harder to manifest.

Lux was all around her—her hands on her waist, still stroking, deliberate with every touch—her lips, still warm with the suggestion of sex, were pressed against the side of Jinx’s head, roving down to nibble delicately at the top of her ear—and that voice, the one that always slipped straight into her mind—

Jinx didn’t even realise she’d tilted her head to the side—offering Lux open access to her neck—until Ekko coughed again, and she opened her eyes, and saw that he was standing on an angle.

“Well, uh—I’ve actually got someone I need to find, we have, um, plans and stuff, for the water?”

And Jinx was trying to pay attention, she really was, but Lux was still going—

“So I’ll just leave you two to it,” Ekko laughed, shaking his head slowly a few times. “But make sure and come by, okay? I’m still at the Firelight tree—it’s not really a base anymore, now that—”

“We’ll be there,” Lux promised smoothly, before returning to her attack on Jinx’s cognitive functioning abilities. She latched onto the sensitive skin on the side of Jinx’s neck, sucking gently—and her lips were still hot, with a little glimmer of light peeking out each time she pulled back—

“Bye,” Jinx managed to squeak out, before her eyes rolled too far up in her head to see much at all—

But she could still hear, and over Lux’s heavy breathing beside her ear, Jinx could hear Ekko’s quiet chuckle—

“Lux,” Jinx moaned, finally letting go, slumping in Lux’s grasp, and allowing her eyes to roll closed. “Fuck, babe, you're so possessive—”

But then Lux pulled away, and she stopped—

Jinx whined, arching into her hold, searching for those kisses again—

“He was flirting with you,” Lux rasped, nosing into Jinx’s hair and breathing deeply, unashamedly, wantonly. “With my wife." She paused for a moment. "Is this okay? Do you want me to stop?"

Jinx was far too focused on the possibility that Lux would stop to care much about Ekko at all. “No don’t stop, I fucking love it—” she groaned, shifting her thighs together, chasing any sort of friction. It was almost wrong, after so long together—the familiar feeling of being held in these arms, and horny, but not being taken care of—

“What do you need, baby?” Lux cooed, all smug, nuzzling close again with those fucking warm lips—but still not actually doing anything. “Anything for my pretty girl, my beautiful wife. Just use your words for me…"

And Jinx could not be held accountable for any decisions made under Lux’s attention like this.

“Bed,” she gasped, nearly lightheaded. “Need you—”

And Lux rewarded her immediately with a bruising, claiming kiss, right on the lips.

“That’s my girl,” she whispered, those three words that turned Jinx’s entire world inside out—

And then she was being spun around, and hoisted comfortably up into Lux’s arms, front to front—instinctively, Jinx wrapped her legs around her wife’s hips, and Lux’s hand slipped down to her bum, supporting her weight—

And only a few moments later, Lux had kicked a door open—and Jinx remembered that they were on the edge of the room already, underneath one of the balconies—

And the constant noise of the party faded to a dull thrum as the heavy door closed shut behind them.

Jinx buried her face into Lux’s shirt—just her shirt, this time, with no jacket in sight—and breathed deep in that scent, the one that smelled like home. And her legs were spread, in this position, and she was rubbing just barely against Lux’s stomach, and one of her buttons, enough for Jinx to bite her lip around a deprived, frustrated groan—

But then they were slipping out of the hallway and into another room, and Lux locked the door, and Jinx was being laid out on the bed, her wife’s gestures achingly gentle, enough to heat up her heart a little—

And then Lux was looming over her on the clean, well-made, hotel-style super king, on her knees and forearms—and Jinx’s heady, lust-fuelled gaze traced hungrily over her wife’s collarbone; the pale, flawless skin of her neck; and past the two undone buttons of her soft, cream-coloured shirt, into the first teasing edge of Lux’s cleavage—

Lux leaned down again, lips hovering by Jinx’s ear and neck again but on the other side, the side that was tingling with anticipation as each breath made Jinx shiver—

“Is this okay?” Lux murmured, nuzzling against Jinx’s throat. “I locked the door, and we’re off a side hallway. Are you comfortable here? Do you feel safe?”

Jinx’s heart actually swelled. Lux was always so fucking thoughtful, always putting her first—

“It’s perfect,” she whispered back, reaching up to run her hands over Lux’s shoulders, her biceps, her neck. “You did perfect for me.”

And then, like clockwork—at the knowledge that she’d made Jinx happy, and made her feel comfortable—

Lux’s blushing face broke out into a pleased, satisfied grin, and the tips of her ears started to glow with a dim light.

“Good,” she breathed, running a hand up and down Jinx’s side over the dress. “That’s good.” She exhaled shakily. “Fuck, I want to rip this gorgeous thing off you—you’re so fucking hot—”

“Easy,” Jinx giggled, giddy under her wife’s attention but no more patient than her. “It gets you this worked up, we’ll have to take good care of it.” She sat up, raising her arms. “Help me out?”

Lux didn’t need to be asked twice.

The dress was a little awkward—form-fitting, with a full sleeve on one side—but Lux was focused and had it off in moments—

And then Jinx was in just her panties, exposed to the cool air, and Lux’s hungry, roaming gaze.

And Lux was on her in a second.

A strong, gentle hand came up behind Jinx’s neck, guiding her back down to sprawl out over the pillows. Lux latched back onto her neck again, and now that other hand, the one on her side, was kneading and palming bare, pale skin without shame or restraint, moving and taking as it liked—

“Lux,” Jinx moaned, tensing up under the relentless attention. Her heart was racing, and her chest and nipples tingled deliciously. “Fuck—"

“Relax, baby,” Lux whispered, pressing kiss after soft, loving kiss against Jinx’s throat, her jaw, the corner of her mouth, and the dark veins sticking out by her eye. “Let go for me, just relax… breathe out…”

And Jinx obeyed, letting the tension leave her in waves with each exhale, going soft and pliant under Lux’s strong body, as more tingles spread from her chest and out to her arms and up her neck, where Lux was still peppering kisses—

“Good girl,” Lux praised, taking a petite breast in her hand and gently kneading the flesh. “That’s it, that’s my good girl—"

Jinx whimpered—she might have been crying, she couldn’t fucking tell, but it was the good overwhelmed—

And then finally, finally, that warm, glowing, roaming hand slid down past her hip, taking her waistband with it—

Jinx shivered as her wet lips were exposed to the cool air—she felt so fucking sensitive already—

And Lux slid down, too, pulling the underwear off Jinx’s feet and tossing them somewhere, before gently coaxing her legs into a spread, and settling between them, biting her lip with hunger in her eyes.

Jinx could feel herself clench at just the sight.

“You ready, baby?” Lux asked coyly, her lips glowing warm again, that trick of her magic that made them feel amazing. “You ready to squirt all over my shirt for me?”

Jinx couldn’t keep her eyes open, but she did, she did it anyway, she actually couldn’t look away from Lux when she was looking up at her like that, eyes playful and affectionate and loving, love like Jinx had never thought she’d find—but she wasn’t broken, and Lux was her wife, her fucking wife now—

“Please,” Jinx breathed, breathless. “Yes, please…”

Lux licked her lips, grinning proudly.

“Good girl,” she cooed. She pursed her lips and exhaled, blowing a soft stream of cool air directly onto Jinx’s shivering lips. “My girl…”

“Yours,” Jinx agreed—promised—submitted—

And then her wife dove in, and the only word left in Jinx’s mind was Lux, Lux, Lux...