Aiko

I look at the cup. and the heat that it produces, enlightens me, as my mind immediately drifts back to when I was little.

“Dad! Dad!” My voice was high and sweet at those times… my dad, he never lied, not even about a simple thing. If he found a coin on the ground, he would leave it on the counter of the nearest shop. His voice rasped like sandpaper, yet it felt like home. He was always checking on my health even when the money wasn’t there, even if he was sad or tired. A sound that would never leave my head, his face gets blurred as the years go on and I can’t forgive myself for that.

The workshop always smelled of grease and iron, thick with dust and effort, as I used to play there with my dad’s tools; he gave me the easiest repair jobs and I was so happy to do it, but one day I felt bored, and that was the start of a life full of regrets and resentments. I was playing around with a little car made of small metallic scraps, when it hit dad’s counter: on top of it there was an electric kettle, since my father was used to drink a tea after a tiring day of work, he always said that it was for sleeping well, but only old people could drink that, never knew why… the only thing I know is that, that day, the kettle fell. A second of silence. then the scream—mine, not his.

The hot water poured onto my back, burning almost the whole of it, a burn that transformed into a scar through time… the scar has spread across my back like a map I never chose to carry.

It hurt, but what hurt even more was the look on his face, fear mixed with disappointment. from that day, i stopped bring his little helper, but just his fragile child… after that day my dad didn’t let me go into the workshop anymore and while walking around in the city, I’ve found this place, a calming and beautiful bar, the owner became like an uncle to me, but after some time she died of old age. I still recognize this place as my second house, lighthouse in the fog of my wandering city days.

Again I look at the cup and every sip tads of both comfort and regret, an emotion that I did try to hide for all my life, through a tattoo on my back. It’s messy, made on a long trip on the ship, but still beautiful. It represent two seahorses, as much as I wanted to forget that story, I was to weak for not choosing something for him, the lines are thin but still complete around the two main seahorses, I have some bubbles and decorations that let the tattoo have a full and harmonious look.

With these thoughts I finish the cup and I place that on the counter. “That was good, as always” I say smiling and the girl in front of me grabs the cup “Find some spare time to come back, you disappear too much” Her hair is red, wavy like the waves of the best sea, a small gold piercing on the middle of her lips. Her name was Layla if I remember well. I did meet her two years ago, on my last visit back in Zaun city. She was new and all shy, you could definitely see that she formed a lot of confidence this year and that is great.

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You’re back to your room but as soon you open the door you notice Helen, sleeping on your bed. You snort and you sit next to her taking the piece of paper or letter that Sevika gave you before.

“This Paper explains to you how this job will work, if you fail I will have no problems to send my men to kill you and if you try to escape I will find you, at that point will yourself regret of having made a single error So read carefully and don’t make any mistakes.

You are going to start working on Monday, Sevika will be with you, not because she needs you, but only because she is the only person that I truly trust. You will accept every job I give you, I don’t want to hear any hesitations or questions from you.

I did already spoke to your Boss this morning, we did agree on some details. After this I expect seriousness and respect from you. -Silco”

His signature give you goosebumps but before you could even start to demoralise yourself Helen calls you.

“You’re awake” You ask softly, as you two were alone “Yeah..” She says in a yawn, you giggle a little. “Were you sleeping here?” Instead she snorts “I wasn’t sleeping ! Just resting my eyes… You’re so annoying” You shake your head looking away “Anyways.. ” She began seriously this time and your gaze goes back to hers, her eyes move as she takes your hand. “You know how much I care about you…I really need you alive so, let’s pack everything for another day and focus on the following weeks, do a good job and come back to me alive, I will have to go back to Nexus but I will never be away from you” She slowly caress my hand and emotions overwhelms me, almost suffocating me. “I won’t tell this on the ship, but as soon I will know, you’re done here. I will bring everybody and there will be a big party, with Jack playing like old times… promise me.” My voice get shaky and I hold her hand “I do, i promise” she inhales deeply and basically jump on me to hug me “I cannot lose you…” She whispered, My hands go directly on the small of her back as I hold her “I won’t…I won’t” I repeat more to myself, rather to her.

That night we did fell asleep like that, close, scared of loosing each other in a world that take too fast the people that you love.

Hello! This was the second chapter a bit smaller than the other one but still full of secrets.

Meanwhile your boss was sitting next to you, she was beautiful, always had been.

Her copper hair shone as they restedagainst her muscular back, her sharp gaze, scary, but still so majestic, covered by that unforgettable hat, too vintage to be on the head of such an important person. She was wearing a simple shirt that left her shoulder blades exposed and a corset that enhanced her curves. Her waist was decorated with golden jewellery, coins, and a small, practical handbag.

Perfect for Zaun city, always ready to steal something or run… Her outfit was completed by baggy trousers, elegant yet still practical.

You knew exactly what you'd done and why you'd done it, and as bizarre as it was, you didn't regret it. The morning before, you'd arrived here from Noxus on your captain's ship. 

You were here to protect her while she conducted business. 

The confused looks from your companions at her choice to bring you, were getting on your nerves, so you'd left as quickly as possible to get on the ship, heading for Zaun. 

You were sitting, looking around when a man, or maybe a boy if you think about it, approached you. “Hey…What’s a girl like you doing around here?” He laughed at his own line; you don’t.

His face had Asian features and hair that looked like a cropped cut. A device in his golden jaw made him look bizarre, almost ironic, in your eyes.

“I’m working”

My voice was still and I looked around always checking but the sound of his lighter that he flicks back and forth starts to annoy me.

Suddenly he switches to my left, too close.

“You know…”

He almost sat down next to me

“I tried to look up information about…what’s her name? Helen?”

His voice sounded calm.

He had an accent that you couldn’t recognise and your eyes met at the exact same moment when he named your boss.

“So what?”

You try to maintain your voice deeper as the conversation continues.

“But everybody kept naming you, bet you’re important?”

He questioned, but your mouth is shut, waiting for him to continue observing every single person

“Aren’t you tired? You do all the work but still… it’s her face the one that goes on all the papers. I can give you what you’ve looking for… but I won’t with her clearly involved".

He promised with a low voice but as soon as he got close to me, I hit his shoulder with my elbow pushing him back

“I’ve tol-“

I didn’t even let him finish the sentence that some Zaun guards snatchmy arm trying to tackle me to the ground.

At first, I didn’t react, but as soon my mind caught up, I kicked one of the guards in the crotch. He bent over instantly.

“Wait—jeez! Stop, she’s with me!”

Helen walked towards me and with her usually warm voice. She grabbed my shoulder, pulling me close.

After that we got inside the rooms we had booked and in the morning, even if without my consent, I ended up into this office.

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“Come on, Silco! That was a mistake!”

Helen verbalized trying to save my ass, then he answered 

“I don’t accept mistakes, i need to know that my workers will not end up dead…because of a mistake”

Silco’s voice was dry almost stoic, audibly different from the one of the lady on my left, warm and soft.

There is a girl on the side of the room, she have a cigar dangling in her hand and she is sitting… definitely not in a classy way, she didn’t say anything yet, but you can’t lie to yourself, she is fine: that nose and jaw…my thoughts got chased by the next sentence.

“Yes! That’s perfect… she will work with Sevika, I swear she’ll do a great job”

I quickly sit straight as I hear Helen cheerful tone

“Wh-“

I try to speak but she kicks me under the table 

“Great”

She says as she stands up

“Come…let’s get some sleep”.

Afterwards I follow her out, walking back to my room.

I sit in the bed I snag the pillow and I screech,kicking my feet.

I wasn’t sure whether i wantto cry of sadness or happiness: you’re single and lesbian!

Going to work with a dream but still, That woman looked like she could kill you. This will be a long and probably deadly experience for sure.

This is your last thought before you fall asleep, already making out a bunch of scenarios of what could happen.

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The following morning you wake up to the artificial light of Zaun whom peaks out from your windows. You groan, turning yourself onto the other side, almost falling back asleep, before someone abruptly knocks at your door.

At this point your sleep routine is already fucked up, you stand up groaning, before the knocking becomes even more forceful and insistent.

You open the door reluctantly and your eyes meet hers: your mouth still about to shout in annoyance stays wide as you observe her jaw and the way that looks so perfect and smooth, but at the same time, your eyes can’t help but glancedown, studying every single part of her body, from her broad shoulders, all the way down to her toned abs.

Then you remember the situation you were in.

The first thought that you have is about your look, wearing an oversized shirt with a cartoon print over, a bit crooked by the time and hard work, then your shorts, almost a second skin on your body, lastly your hair, tied in a spiky ponytail, messy and loose by the long night.

“Hi..”

Your voice is a little shaky and you mentally slap yourself as her eyebrow arches confused 

“Here, this is for your new job”

Her voice, that damn voice, you will probably hear that in your head for months, haunting you like a ghost in your skull. It is firm and still, but if you analyze it further, listening closely, you could hear almost a bit, and I’m saying a bit of irony.

“Just don’t be late”

It’s the last thing she pronounced before you whisper a “thank you”, after shutting the door, right in front of her face.

Subsequently you realize what happened, and your hands are moving faster than your mind, slamming the door open again, but she was already gone.

After that you decide to step out and get some “fresh” air, so you change your clothes.

You go for a pair of black denim shorts with some belts, a tank top layered with a jacket. Then your heavy boots and some accessories. Afterwards you grab your bag and start to walk down the street.

It’s not like you’ve never seen Zaun.

Before Helen arrived you lived here…but yet don’t remember it being like this like this, every corner full of addicts and the Shimmer’s smell gets stuck into your nose almost making you tear.

When you were just a kid you used to walk in these streets barefoot, sign of your poverty, but now you couldn’t even imagine doing something like that without getting a syringe under your skin.

Lost in your thoughts you finally reach the bar

“Tinker’s Respite” the sign doesn’t lights up completely anymore but, as for the rest, it’s the same as ten years ago.

You enter and immediately the sound of some grimey jazz hits your ears and the smell of iron and coffee seizes you completely. The walls were a bit collapsed letting the pipes behind peak through.

You decide to order the same thing as always, just a cup of coffee and milk.

Sweetness isn’t the usual here at Zaun, but some how you can remember the one old lady who used to work here, slipping a bit of extra sugar into your cup when you were younger.

You look at the cup and instantly all your memories resurface..

So…this is my first time writing a fanfic so i really hope you guys can enjoy and maybe text me a little comment 🖤

I accept any tips and if this post reaches an acceptable audience i will post the second chapter,thank you for reading 🖤🐾