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Jinx:
Notes:
HUGE thanks to CodenameCarrot who provided the coding for the text format and the unicode emojis. This wouldn't read nearly as nicely if not for their code!
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Jinx:
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Chapter 6
Notes:
Big shout out to Riot Games TM for their newest Marvel comic and letting me know I've been characterizing Lux correctly. Y'all the real MVPs.
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Chapter 7
Notes:
Thank you for your patience with this chapter, I'm sorry it took so long! I had a back-to-back, out of state funeral and wedding, which made life a little hectic. I'm happy to be writing these two again!
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.... .... .... ....
Hello?
Heyyyyy Lux!!! It's been SOOOO long since we've spoken, how is everything!!!! So listen, I'm in town tonight and--
Oh, um, you-- you don't have to do that act. Thank you. Um--
What happened?
What?
You asked me to call, what's up?
Oh. Um... [clears throat] I... I dunno why I asked you to call, I'm sorry, I just.... I needed to hear from.... someone... I guess.
Lux, what happened?
Sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm-- I'm sorry, I'll just--
Don't hang up on me. Do not hang up on me.
...god.
Please.
[sniffs]
Look, you... you don't have to tell me what's wrong. Just don't hang up, okay? Just talk with me. Are you still at the party?
Mm-hmm.
Are your girls still there?
Mm-hmm.
...You sound like you're probably still drunk?
I... [heavy sigh, clears throat] yeah, probably.
Are you alone?
Yeah.
Are you somewhere safe?
Yes, Jinx.
I'm just checking. I'm.... [sigh] I'm worried, okay? And I don't worry for just anyone, just so you know. So you're pretty special.
[small laugh]
I got you to laugh! I win, right? I win! What do I win?
[continues to laugh] You really are so dumb.
Well duh, compared to someone as insufferably smart as you.
Your voice sounds different than I'd imagined it'd be.
Oh yeah? What'd you think I'd sound like?
I... dunno, actually. But you know how you have like, certain voices in your head when you read things?
Poor, poor Lux, hearing voices in her head--
[laughing] Oh, will you shut up!
--poor, poor Lux, whatever will we do with her.
You know what I mean, though, right!?
Yeeeees, Luxy, I know what you're talking about.
I have no idea to describe what that voice was for you, but when you started talking--
In my horrible Posh Demacian accent.
--it just wasn't what I imagined. I don't know how to explain it.
Well for what it's worth, you sound exactly as proper and bouncy as I thought you'd be. Maybe a little higher in pitch, though.
In, like, a bad way?
Nah. Nah, it's fine.
...
[quietly] It's um... it's... nice. To hear your voice.
...huh?
You heard me.
....um! So um! What are you up to!
Just hanging out. Talking to you. People watching.
I never would have taken you to be a people watcher.
Eh, it has it's perks. Boring sometimes. But I've got a pretty good spot tonight, and I'll probably stick around a while longer.
Huh. Even I don't really like people watching, and I figured that was more up my alley than yours.
People are just so weird, sometimes I have to watch them. Sometimes they're so... ORDERLY, like... like they know all the rules and follow them to the letter. The LETTER, Lux.
For the most part, that's how society functions.
Something-something we live in a society.
Huh?
Never mind. So it's like they do this... weird dance around each other and around all these unspoken rules. And sometimes it's soooooo BORING. But sometimes it's like... kind of mesmerizing? If that makes sense. And then SOMETIMES humans try and bend their rules, and that's interesting to watch. And then SOMETIMES, they throw the baby out with the bathwater and do WHATEVER, and that's ALWAYS interesting because like... what are they gonna do next!?
I really don't think you understand how turn of phrases work...
I understand exactly as much as I need to know about everything, don't you worry about that.
Basically what I'm getting from your people-watching story is that you're an agent of chaos because you get excited when you see other agents of chaos?
Oh, pfft, no. Good guess, Lu-Lu, but I'm an agent of chaos because it's more fun to be one than an upright, orderly citizen. [laughs] GOD, could you imagine me as anything even close to being orderly?
[laughs] Not in the slightest.
GOD. I think I'd die, actually.
[laughs, sighs] Thank you.
Any time, chickadee. Anyone I need to pants for you?
Nope. No, we're all good on that front, thanks though.
Damn.
It was honestly just that I got too drunk and... couldn't handle myself.
What do you-- are you okay?
Yeah! Yeah... [laughs once] I just... gotta be careful with my secrets when I'm drunk.
Count-point, maybe you just don't keep so many secrets.
Counter-counter-point, that's not my decision to make.
Count-counter-counter-counter point--
[snorts]
--maybe, maaaaybe you'd feel better if you told someone about it. It doesn't have to be me! Even though I'd LOVE the juicy details. But, y'know. Someone.
Someone DOES know, and it's not helping. [pauses] Sylas knows. Sort of. He found out some of it. Because I messed up. And him knowing... doesn't help.
...Well shit. I'm sorry, Lux. I... well, to be straight with you, I was trying to get you to tell me about it.
Oh, I know that.
But now I kind of feel like a dick. [scoffs] You're good at that!
At making you feel like a dick...?
Yeah! I've never really cared about like... how bad I looked to people before. But now I do, and that's a really weird thing to have to worry about all of a sudden.
The Grinch's heart grew three sizes that day.
Are you saying you think I'm a big ugly green monster?!
[cheerfully] You could be! I would never know.
I bet you've seen me before and just don't know it.
I would never know.
Feeling better?
A bit, yeah. Thank you.
Don't mention it! Rambling aimlessly is one of my special talents.
I already knew that, goof. I should get back, I had to hide pretty good to keep anyone from finding me. I'm sure Roki is worried sick.
Have fun, be safe. And I NEVER ask this, but text me when you're home, okay?
I will. Thanks for worrying.
Feel special. I hardly even worry about myself.
Oh, don't you worry. I know how special I am.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, smart mouth. Go enjoy the party.
[laughs whole-heatedly] Bye Jinx.
Yeah, yeah. Bye.
click
...Fuck, man.
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Notes:
Thank you so much for your patience for this chapter; I know it's been a bit of a wait. Like pretty much everyone, I've got Some Stuff going on in my life, so I can't thank you all enough for your support through comments and kudos. This was a fic I started really self-indulgently; its my favorite ship, in my favorite au, in my favorite writing style. The fact it's been so well-received by so many people means a lot to me, and has really helped me look forward to writing, which is something I've lacked for several years. I really cannot thank you enough for even just clicking on my fic and reading through the first (very short) chapter. I can't tell you how much it means to me.
This sounds like a "thanks for reading, that's the end!" note, but it's not, I promise! This is just a quick little thank-you for reading my fic, and for letting me know you enjoy it. It really means the world to me. I'll do my best to live up to your expectations!
Chapter 10
Notes:
Quick life update! November is National Novel Writing Month, and I will be participating! I know I don't really have a schedule for updates (and kudos to those who follow posting schedules) but it's much more unlikely for me to post updates in late October and through November. I will be coming back to this fic afterwards. Thanks for understanding!!!
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Chapter 11
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You see this map of Runetera? You see it? I'm throwing it in the garbage. Runetera is like, one country now. And all the territories are cities. Or states. Or something. I'm throwing the map away, it's in the trash can now.
(Riot really only uses it when it's convenient for them anyway I'm just taking a page out of their book and also how does it fit into the SG world?? Scientists are still figuring it it out.)
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Why are you calling meeeeeee
So it'll feel more like a sleep over ask-in-the-dark-before-you-fall-asleep question session!
You're making me feel even more silly though, Jinx! I'm just... I feel dumb. I feel like I'm being dumb.
Are you embarrassed?
Yes!
Why though! I told you I'm an open book, I'll answer, like, anything. Even earlier when it totally made me the bad guy.
I don't know!!! I just feel embarrassed!!! It's like... it's.... like... like I'm asking things I shouldn't be asking, probably. Things that aren't polite to ask.
[laughs] Luxy, do I seem like a polite person to you?
I mean--
No. The correct answer is no. I'm not a polite person, Luxy, so don't you worry your pretty pink head about that.
Okay, but like... I just... it feels weird.
Okay. Maybe we make things a little more moody, yeah? Let me just... [shuffling sounds]
What are you doing?
Putting away my leftovers, hang... on... kay. Are you in your room?
Yyyyyes? Why?
Okay I'm headed to my room too, hang on, hang on, hang on...
What are you even doing! What are you getting at!
...hang on, HANG ON, hang on, hang on, hand on... oh shit. I'm gonna put you on speaker.
WHAT is going on???
I'm just getting changed into my pajamas. You should too! If you're not already- no, you probably already are, this is late for you. Oh! You should put me on speaker, too! Like, put your phone on your pillow and--
Oh. Ohhhh! Oh, I get it. Like a sleep-over. Okay. God, YOU'RE the silly one.
--that way it'll be like-- Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!!! No, shh, I'm brilliant, okay--
You sound like a child who is having their first-ever sleep over Jinx, oh my god.
ShhHHHHH this is a great idea, this is the greatest idea in the world. Are your lights out?
Oh, hold on...... yes.
Okay okay okay okay cool cool cool. Cool. Okay.
...
...
Wow, just like a real sleep-over!
YOU'RE the one with the questions!
[laughs] No, I mean the awkward silence is authentic. Like, how you pretend you're asleep but really wanna talk, but don't know how to bring up you wanna talk about.
OH. Oh. [whispers] Psst. Are you still awake?
[laughs]
Psst. Psst. PSST.
[still laughing] Yeah! Yeah, I'm awake. You awake?
Yeah, can't sleep.
Me neither. [pause] What're you thinking about?
Hm. I don't know if I wanna tell you.
Oh come ooooon!
You sure you wanna know?
Yes!
You.
...Huh?
Thinkin' about you.
Wh... okay, that wasn't--
[laughs] You're so easy to rile up.
Oh, I hate you.
You don't.
I'm gonna hang up on you.
Nooo, don't mention the phone! Don't break the sleepover illusion!
I'm gonna go sleep on the couch then!
Don't do that! I'll miss you. It's dawk and scawwy, and I fowgot my teddie beaw.
You're so different than you are over text.
Am not! I'm just excited is all. I wanna hear your questions, and it's been, like, FOREVER since I've had any kind of sleep over anything. Even like this. It's nice.
...Okay, it is kind of nice.
HA!
And it's good to hear your voice again.
Oh, stop. You'll make me blush.
It is, though. The last time I heard it, I wasn't in a great place mentally. It's... nice to hear it when I'm like... I dunno. When I'm in a better place.
For what it's worth, it's nice to hear your voice too, when you're not having-- not that I minded the last time I called you, you--
No no no no no, I get it, I totally get it, it's okay.
...
...
So what are YOU thinking about?
Um... gosh, where do I even start.
Anywhere!
I guess... I'm thinking I'm glad we're friends. I'm glad you had the idea for this, and I'm kind of wondering why... you... go to such lengths for me? I guess, I don't know, I didn't mean for that to sound self-depr--
Oh please, Lux, you bought me pizza because you knew I was feeling bad. Don't talk about the lengths I go to.
I mean! I guess I'm just... I have friends who are kind to me and everything. But you like, you super go out of your way for me, it feels like.
And I can count my friends on one hand, and you are the nicest person like, ever. So I think it's safe to say we both think we're getting the short end here.
I guess so, yeah. I guess so. [pauses] Okay um... [paper shuffling]
Oh my god, how many pages do you have?
Just one, I have it in a notebook where I put random other thoughts. Not like, not a diary. Cause I have one of those. This is different.
You're not just gonna read to me out of your diary??
NO. No no no no no. Not happening.
Aww, I wanna know all your dirty little secreeeeets!
Keep dreaming. Okay, um... do... you have a girlfriend?
Nah. I mean, come on, do you think anyone would put up with my crazy ass on a daily basis? Like, willingly?
Okay, first of all, I put up with you on a daily basis willingly, and second of all, don't you talk about my friend that way. You really don't give yourself enough credit, you know that?
Okay, sure, but knowing what you know about me now, can you like... blame me? I am a highly fucked up person, and until recently, I've been super okay with that. But it's also like... it's not always great for your self-esteem. You know?
I guess, I nev--
It's just like, hard sometimes. I'm alone a lot. Because no one wants to be around me, for obvious reasons. And like, a lot of times it doesn't bother me. A lot of times I don't even think about it. But sometimes it sucks! Sometimes it does things to my head! And like... I'm... I don't know. I don't want to be such a downer, sorry.
No, no no no, Jinx, it's okay! I don't mind at all. This... it... you haven't told anyone else about this, I'm guessing?
Who is there to tell?
[deep breath] Me. Tell me. Tell me everything, to get it all out.
Lux, I--
No, listen. It's important that your feelings are heard. And it's important to me that you know, after I hear them, that you know that like... I'm still here. I'm still behind you. And I'll prove your insecurities wrong.
.......
Okay?
I... guess. It's just not... something I've ever done, I guess.
If you really don't want to, you don't have to.
I kind of do. I just... don't know where to start, I guess.
From where you left off, if you want. You were saying how being alone messes with you.
Yeah. Yeah, it... it does mess with me. Like, I KNOW why people don't want to be around me. I know. But it's still like... I'm not worth being around. Which, like, obviously. But knowing that, sometimes, is... I mean, how can I not feel like shit about it sometimes? I'm... I'm worthless, Lux. I'm a worthless good-for-nothing, chaos-causing maniac. That's all I am. And that's all I'll ever be. And sometimes I'm okay with that, and sometimes I'm not.
Okay. You're not worthless. I'm sorry you feel that way, but you're not worthless. You mean a lot to me.
Thanks. I... [sigh] I appreciate that.
And there's so much more to you than you're giving yourself credit for!!! You're much more multi-faceted than just being an agent of chaos. You like people-watching, and pizza, and city life... you're good at giving advice and you're a great listener. A great friend. You're someone I don't know how I lived without, really.
[snorts]
Actually, I do know how I lived without you; I was someone who was... very up my own butt, and didn't have a great grasp on reality. But you helped me change, Jinx. You made my life better.
...
You helped me see and grow. And I'm still growing. I have... [laughs once] a LOT of growing to do. But it wouldn't have started without you. And I'm happy for it! And I'm happy you're still here, helping me grow, and learn, and understand things beyond my little bubble. You are... so important to me, Jinx. I can't tell you how important you are to me.
... [sniffs]
Jinx... you're not...
[voice cracking] No.
Jiiiiinx!!! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to m--
I'm not crying, don't say it! [sniffs]
...
[voice wobbling] Okay, so I am, so what? Y...you can't just...
I'm sorry...
No! Stop it. It's... you're... don't... be sorry. Don't be sorry. You just said the nicest things to me I've ever heard in my life. The fuck do you have to be sorry for...
[muffled shifting, mic rubbing up against something]
What are you doing?
[muffled but loud] Hugging you.
...what???
[muffled but loud] I'm hugging you. This is a hug. If this were a real sleep over, I'd come over to your sleeping bag and hug you and tell you how happy I am that we're friends, and that you're a worthwhile person.
[wobbly laugh] You better stop or I'm gonna start crying all over again.
[normally] You've had it really rough, while I've... lived a very charmed life in comparison. I wish I could like, split the difference with you. So we could both have live semi-normal lives. But I can't do that, so all I can do is tell you that I'm here, and I love you, and that you mean so much to me. Thank you for being my friend, Jinx.
You... better s... stop...!!
Don't plan on it, cause I don't plan on stopping being your friend. You're stuck with all my mushy-gushy friend love.
You fuckin... [sniff] sap... god. How did I get...
A sunshine-y leech stuck to you?
...so lucky, is what I was gonna say. How did I get so lucky?
We'll call it fate and persistence.
[laughs loudly] Yeah, I guess so!
[laughs] ...Hey.
Hey yourself.
I do love you, you know.
...Come again?
I love you. A lot. I'm really glad we're friends.
OH. Oh. Yeah. Yeah! [clears throat] Yeah. You too. Er, me too. You, you know what I mean.
[laughs, then yawns]
Nooo, don't... [yawns] do that... fuck, Luxy, don't you know yawns are contagious?
[laughs again] My bad.
Bed time for baby?
You tell me, you're the baby.
YOU are the baby.
No--
Yes, I am going to sleep. My big emotional cry took a lot out of me.
One last question.
Ugh, fiiiiine.
Do you have any stuffed animals?
What? No!
What!!!!
Do you have any?
Yes, duh!!!
This proves my point that you are a BABY!!!
You know what? I'm going to give the pizza girl one of my stuffed animals to give you. And you better treat her well.
Why???
Cause at some point I'm gonna want her back!!!
No, WHY are you giving it to me???
Because it's the closest thing I can do to hugging you when you feel down! Just give her a squeeze and know that I care about you.
...Lux.
What?
You're... super gay.
OKAY, BUT--
G'night, Luxy-loo. Thank you. [click]
Chapter 12
Notes:
Yes, it's finally here, I'm so sorry it's been so long!!! Thank you for your patience!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
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Notes:
Sometimes I'm sad I wrote this in textfic form because some of the inner thoughts that these two have that I can't feasibly put into the story (because they would never SAY them to each other, they're trying to pretend they aren't catching feelings) are golden. It creates a really interesting challenge for me to like, clue y'all in how these two are feeling, without breaking the illusion that they both are tiptoeing around the situation.
Chapter 13
Notes:
Systems were down at work today, and these two have been bouncing around in my head since the last update. Pluuus, the last update was incredibly short and filler-esque, so here's a surprisingly speedy update for yall. Enjoy!
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Chapter 14
Notes:
So so so sorry if you got the notif for this chapter early, guess who hit post instead of preview? This kid!
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Chapter 15
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(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
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Notes:
Hey! First of all, sorry for the deleted update - I was wrestling with the code for the undelivered message (for the drama!) and I could NOT get the ! to go in there, but while messing around I hit post too early.
Second, sorry for the silence - there is. A lot. going on right now. Just, in The World, there's A Lot. I've been diving into work and projects to try and distract myself (I'm writing and coding a dating sim???) and my fics were on the low end of the "importance" scale. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this may be a time when y'all really kind of need this escape. So, I can't promise on how swiftly this'll be updated, but I can promise I haven't forgotten about y'all.
Third, since I don't want there to be any doubts: Black lives matter, don't trust cops, the first pride was a riot started by BIPOC, there is no justice for one until there is justice for all. Happy pride!
Chapter 16
Notes:
Thanks to Azdaema Codes (Azdaema) for the base code!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
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And now for something a little different!
Chapter 17
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
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Lux art and social media profile done by @dillard.abbey on instagram!! Thank you so much Abbey for the beautiful art, please check her out on her instagram here!
P.S. if you’re here on update day, there’s another short chapter after this one! Don’t miss it! :D
Chapter 18: 17.5
Notes:
This is chapter 17.5! It updated at the same time as chapter 17! If you haven't read the last chapter, go read that first :D
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Chapter 19
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
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Notes:
Short chapter as a sorry for the early post, next one will A) be longer and B) have some Content™ I've been wanting to put in for a while.
Chapter 20
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Remember when I said there was content I'd been waiting to put in last chapter, and that it'd be in this chapter? I'm sorry I lied its not this chapter I'm sorry I prOMISE its coming but I had to shelf the original iteration of it because it didn't fit narratively and also it's replacement ALSO doesnt fit naratively yet AND I'm wrestling with the code but I swear to you it is coming
pantser/plantser writers put your hands up and scream with me
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Chapter 21
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Surprise, I’m alive!
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Chapter 22
Notes:
Hi. I'm alive. So here's a quick rundown of why this fic has been abandoned for so long. (Feel free to skip, no hard feelings!)
November 2020, I went through a really bad breakup. Without getting too into it, I lost my entire support net, my home, and the future I'd spent almost 10 years building. It became really hard to write anything ship-centric, and it became really hard to make, consume, or do anything with any Riot properties, as my now-ex was the one who introduced me to League.
Since then, I've grown a lot and healed significantly, but coming back to this fic is still really hard. I'm going to try to see it through to the end - it's what you all deserve, and more than that, it's what I want for myself - but I cannot make any promises.
I have not watched, and do not plan to watch, Arcane. I don't expect I'll be incorporating any Arcane-flavored canon into this fic. I've already established a loose in-fic canon, and I'm going to keep building on that. I'm really sorry for those who came in the "post-Arcane-need-content" wave and were expecting otherwise.
Thank you all for the support and patience you've shown during my hiatus. When I tell you I get emails on the daily for kudos for *just* this fic, and comments every week or so... I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you all so much. It means the world. <3
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Chapter 23
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
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Notes:
Thank you all for the absolutely astounding outpouring of love for both me and this fic after the last update. I was absolutely blown away; I really considered this fic extremely niche since the style is very hit or miss amongst most readers. To have such a loud and supportive reaction to both my writing and my healing... I can't tell you how much it means, truly. Y'all aren't "strangers on the internet" to me - you're my readers, and I'm unspeakably thankful for every last one of you.
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Chapter 25
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
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Notes:
We now have a Russian translation in progress of this fic! Thank you to 6chromosomes9 for their hard work at translating.
Translations of this fic are allowed, and I'll provide the raw code to anyone who would like to translate! ♥
Chapter 26
Notes:
Four chapters today! :D
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Chapter 29
Notes:
For those here on update day: there are four total chapters that just came out! Make sure you start at 26.
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Mm... what.
Oh thank GOD. Listen, I have, I have, I have, a... a situation.
Breathe. [pause] Am I on speakerphone? You never use speakerphone.
I'm driving.
You're what?
I have a situation!
Okay, fine, I'm awake, I'm paying attention, what's going on?
I have Lux passed out in the back of my car. I--
[cross-talk]WHAT?
--let me explain! Let me explain! Whatever you're thinking--
--X, I swear to god--
--it's wrong, okay, I don't care what you think is happening, just shut up and-- just shut up! Listen to me! Okay! Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, okay, no cops saw that, we're fine, it's fine.
Talk.
I don't know what's going on. I don't know what's going on! I don't know what's going on. Lux randomly texted me that she needed help and sent me her location, which was in this shady part of town, and that's when I started calling you the first time because I was trying anything I could to keep my nerves under control while just flying out the door, I had no idea what I was walking into, I... I took one of my guns, just for safety--
Stop. You didn't shoot, right?
No, I didn't, I didn't need to, I didn't need it at all, but I didn't know what was going on, Lux basically said "help" and then went completely dark, it could have been-- I didn't know what it could have been, I thought I should-- it doesn't matter, no, I didn't shoot!
Okay. Take a deep breath for me, okay? Ten in, ten out. [pause] Again. [pause] Go ahead.
I pull up to her location marker, and as I'm getting closer, there's lights. Cop lights. She says "get me out of here." I see her, she's... bad, Kaze, she's bad. Banged up to hell. Nothing broken that I could immediately tell, but like, bruised to all fuck, leaning heavy on a wall, looking like, just, bad. Looking like bad. I jump out, help her to the car, get her situated in the back seat and as soon as we're on the road she just passes out. Exhaustion, I think. I hope. God, I hope. I don't know what's going on. I don't know where I'm going. The cops aren't following, they weren't like, close-close to where she was, but there's no way they weren't involved somehow, right? Why did she even think to call me when it came to running from the cops? I--
Breathe.
[beat] I don't know what to do. I don't know why I called you. I needed to not be alone with this.
No, you absolutely cannot be alone with this, you're right. I'm glad you called.
Shut up, you're pissed.
You're right, I'm pissed, but I'm also glad you called. Find a safe place to pull over.
I can't, Kaz, I have to keep driving, I don't know if--
Where are you going?
I don't know!
What's your plan from here?
I don't know!!!
So you're going to drive in circles, fending off a panic attack with sheer will, until you, what, run out of gas?
I'm--
X, you listen to me. Find. A. Place. To. Pull. Over. I'll stay on the phone with you. We will figure out your next steps once you've chilled out a little.
...Okay. Okay. Okay. Hold on. Okay. Um... Yeah, okay. [sound of engine being cut] Okay. ...Okay.
Breathe.
[voice cracking] I'm breathing.
If you need to cry, cry it out.
I don't want to, I don't want to, I can't, I have to-- I have to figure out--
Cry. Take the endorphin rush that comes with it and just cry X. It'll help with the come-down.
I don't want to! Not while you're on the phone, not while Lux is in the back seat, not-- not-- [silence]
[long pause] Feel any better?
[thickly] Shut up. [beat] Yes.
Five things you can see.
I hate you.
I know. Five things.
Steering wheel, diner sign, um... my phone, streetlight... gear shift.
Good. How's she doing?
She's... still asleep. Breathing. Thank fuck.
I don't think she's hurt bad enough that she'd stop breathing, X.
I don't know!
I know you don't, I'm sorry.
God... This is so stupid, but this isn't how I wanted to meet her. Not like this.
We don't always get to live out the life we scripted in our heads. You can mope about it later.
I'm not moping! ... Maybe I am, a little bit. Fuck. Okay. Okay! What am I doing. What am I doing.
Do you know where she lives? Any contact info for anyone else she's close with?
No, I don't. Which is one of the reasons I'm a little bit freaked out that she asked for me of all people. She has an older brother, for the love of-- I feel like it's in your job description as an older brother to bail you out of trouble, isn't it? Or she has friends who actually, like, know where she lives. Know her family, probably. So like, the only reason I can think of that she asked for me is that this has to be a secret. And if this has to be a secret, I have no idea what to do next.
Hmm...
Cause like, even if I do figure out where she lives, if I drop her off looking like this, she'll be in deep shit probably. But if I like... If... If I just...
"If you take her home to your place." There. I said it for you.
Shut up, that's not what I was going to say.
Wasn't it?
No, it wasn't. But now that you've said it, fine, if I take her back to my place and let her crash for the night, she's probably still in deep shit because she's stayed out all night and her parents sound like a nightmare.
Mm...
Oh, oh shit. [gently] Hey. [sounds of shuffling] Hey, hey, hey, easy. You don't gotta sit up if you don't wanna, you're good. You're safe.
Ff... ow.
She awake?
Who...!?
It's okay! It's okay. It's a friend of mine, I have him on speaker so I could talk and drive at the same time. Kaz, I'll call you back later, okay?
Nn... it's okay. It's fine.
No, it's okay, I'd be more than happy to get back to sleep.
She woke you up? It's like... Jinx, what time is it?
Such are the perks of being friends with her. Don't worry about it. [gently] You're the priority right now. I leave you in Jinx's capable hands.
[scoff] Go back to bed. And, um. Thanks, Kaz.
Don't mention it. Text me later. G'night.
Chapter 30
Notes:
As a reminder (since this is coming hot off the heels of yesterday's update,) the last update was 4 chapters! Make sure you've read 26-29 before you read this one :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Notes:
Since a few people have asked: I don't have any plans to tie in the new SG characters into this fic. This fic's timeline starts when Lux is the only Star Guardian (that we know of - the cannon timeline says Ahri's first team already exists when Lux gets her powers, we just don't know about them.) The newest skin line(s) imply a post-team-Lux timeline.
Cannon timeline aside, True Damage is already established with Ekko and Senna (though it'd be neat to see a fic that explores a double-life aspect for them) and Taliyah and Sona have already been established as their own characters. Reconciling all the timelines would get pretty messy, pretty fast! I'm happy with the in-fic cannon I've established and would rather continue working within it; I feel like retroactively trying to fit all of the new cannon into this fic would honestly be a less enjoyable read, since it would pull the focus off of the main storyline to make all the puzzle pieces fit just so. ♥
Chapter 31
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Notes:
A very important lore distinction here: you know how in classic Magical Girl genre staples, most people don't know the identities of the magical girls even if they look exactly the same? Common fannon is that there's a glamor around the girls while transformed that obscures their identity just enough that people can't put two and two together. The only way around this glamor is to see the magical girl in question actually transform or detransform. This fic operates off of the same mechanic; without someone seeing Lux transform, they wouldn't be able to go "hey, you look EXACTLY like that Star Guardian that's been flitting around."
Chapter Text
Chapter 33
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Notes:
DELAYED AUTHORS NOTE because nothing escapes y'alls keen eyes: The "Extended Universe" thing is a bit of a tongue-in-cheek name for the series and will probably change because it gives the wrong idea. There are a few scenes I want to write that the girls would never text or call anyone about, but I still want to write. The series is just a way for me to keep everything together. Sorry if it gave anyone the wrong idea!
Chapter 34
Notes:
Thank you to unpredictableArtist/wovenstarlight for the code!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
# secret-channel
Message #secret-channel
Notes:
Clarity note!
Sparrow - Taliyah
Blade - Irelia
Sentinel - Senna
Lightslinger - Lucian
Chapter 35
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Notes:
[drops this on your doorstep like a stray cat with a dead bird]
[leaves]
Chapter 36
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Notes:
[clarity edit: rokki is soraka !]
thank you, as always, to everyone reading this fic and leaving nice comments while I'm gone ♥ it really does inspire me to keep this fic going, even if the progress of said fic is slow. writing has become really hard for me for a lot of reasons, so I'm sorry for the slow updates, especially when they're updates like this one that aren't our two girls talking, but I really do appreciate each and every one of you and hope to keep writing this for you all ^^