#getjinked

As part of their usual routine, Silco’s calloused fingers worked through Jinx's hair, carefully sectioning it into three parts before braiding it together—though, as gently as he could manage.

Jinx winced as he tugged a little too hard, shooting him a glare, but there was no real malice in her eyes. She sighed, slumping her shoulders as she settled back down, picking up her prototype bomb, which was covered in scribbles that Silco could only assume depicted a cat.

"None of these ever work... not even Whisker," Jinx muttered, pouting as she set the bomb aside, the small golden cuff clicking softly when Silco attached it to one of the finished braids.

"They will, give it time," Silco reassured, starting a second braid. Jinx's hair was still short, just past shoulder length, so it didn't take long to tidy up.

"Maybe I could get Sevika to mess with it?" Silco suggested, his gaze lifting to the girl sitting on the floor, her back resting against his knees.

Jinx’s eyes narrowed in thought, first looking at Whisker, then at Mouser, which was lying on its side, screws loosened and faulty wiring exposed.

Silco knew better than to expect a direct answer from her, so he took her silence as agreement, attaching another golden cuff to the new braid before sitting back to allow her to stand.

"I'll let her know," Silco muttered, his gaze shifting back to his desk, cluttered with Jinx's scribbles and scattered tools. His eyes briefly scanned her unfinished bombs. She had potential.

"She can also teach you how to shoot," Silco added, watching as Jinx's expression shifted, her face briefly contorting as her eyes dimmed with unease.

"Don’t argue with me. It’s necessary."

"But—"

"I don’t want to hear it."

Jinx pouted, climbing onto a cleaner part of his desk, crossing her legs as she settled in front of him. She glanced at him, then at the stack of files covering the surface. Her hair fell over her shoulders as she idly fiddled with her hands in her lap.

"Can I paint your nails...?"