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Jinx slumped into one of the ridiculously fancy chairs at a table a good distance from the growing crowd. All there to congratulate the two swept up in the centre, radiating so much joy it almost made her sick, happily chattering away with the swarm of well-wishers.
Why had she even agreed to come in the first place? She must have been possessed by something to think it was a good idea to accept her sister’s wedding invitation. Maybe it was the surprise of even receiving it after everything that had happened, especially between her and Caitlyn.
She hadn’t missed the stunned look that had appeared on Vi’s face the second she’d caught sight of her, replaced by one of pure happiness that almost hurt her to see. Jinx wasn’t used to someone looking at her like that, much more used to Caitlyn’s tense look or the nervous ones from some of the other guests who knew who she was.
The only reason she hadn’t left entirely was the fact that every so often she’d feel Vi’s gaze shift towards her direction, nervous until relaxing at catching her figure skulking in the shadows. Like she couldn’t stand the idea of Jinx just leaving without saying anything,not when they’d finally gotten the chance to talk after years of nothing.
So there she sat, unable to escape like she wanted, left to watch the merrymaking of the joyful ceremonies while unwilling to join them. It would only ruin things, her being brought into the mix, best to simply sit quietly and not cause any disturbances. That would be her wedding present, being there like Vi seemed to want for some reason and leave without making the mess she was known for.
Her gaze drifted towards Vander’s direction, clearly overwhelmed with seeing his little Vi all grown up and getting married, trying his best not to think about her being there too. Not when it would just remind him of the messy divorce and its fallout, the custody battle that tore their family apart or her ‘betrayal’ of actually leaving with Silco all those years ago.
He hadn’t made a single comment about her arrival, nor the fact Silco had been the one to drop her off. For that matter, Silco hadn’t said anything either, simply agreeing to drive her when she’d asked. Neither Mylo or Claggor had given more than a stiff greeting, at least the former knowing to keep his mouth shut when it came to his taunts now.
Probably more to do with knowing about her track record since she’d left, not wanting to find himself on her shitlist .
“Is this seat taken?”
An unexpected question snapped her focus from the crowd, shifting her gaze up towards a pretty blonde smiling down at her. Naturally she grew confused, the place full of empty seats that wouldn’t put her anywhere near Jinx, yet she was acting like there wasn’t.
“....Who the fuck are you ?”
Her words were harsh for the situation, but Jinx wasn’t known for her pleasantries nor anything close to a charming personality in the first place. She expected that to be enough for the blonde to realise it would be in her best interests to run away, yet instead her grin only grew.
“The name’s Luxanna, but you can just call me Lux. May I sit?”
“....Knock yourself the fuck out.”
“Thank you.”
The second her butt hit the seat Jinx bolted up from hers, ready to leave herself, only to be stopped by a firm grip around her wrist. Her gaze once again landed on the blonde who continued to watch her with that dazzling smile, intent on keeping her there for some reason.
“Why are you leaving?”
“Never said I’d stay.”
“But I wanted to talk with you, that’s the entire reason behind me asking to sit in the first place.”
“.......”
She squinted down at the woman who, once again, only smiled deeper at the attention as if not at all phased.
“....What’s your angle Blondie?”
“I want to flirt, that’s my angle.”
Jinx couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the forwardness.
“.....At someone else’s wedding?”
“I don’t understand the issue? I’m not flirting with the bride or groom am I? Or I guess in this case it’s bride and bride ….”
“....You often do this?”
“When I meet someone my type, rather rare however. Such a pity, flirting helps pass the time while having to wait for all…. this to wrap up.”
Lux gave a disinterested wave at the large group that had now moved onto the cake cutting, never letting her focus leave Jinx nor her hand still wrapped firmly around her wrist.
“You know, I’ve been invited to many weddings and they all go the same, so it’s rather boring now. Flirting with someone single is also much better than being trapped in couples conversations, less likely to get caught in awkward fights.”
“......”
“Think of it as just a way to pass the time, you’ve been oozing enough boredom for the both of us for a while now.”
“You’ve been watching me?”
“I told you I have a type.”
“.....What kinda fucked up type includes someone like me ? Don’t tell me you don’t know who I am…”
“Jinx. Daughter of the notorious crime lord Silco that makes a constant mockery of the sheriff’s office. Criminal record taking up several cabinets just for those they’re able to link back to you. You’re a constant headache for Caitlyn, especially since there’s nothing really she can do against you given your connections. Many a frustrated rant about you that I’ve had to listen to”
Now she had Jinx’s attention, finding herself slipping back into her chair with a gaze that implored Lux to go on. Her grin took on a victorious shade as she finally released her grip on Jinx’s wrist, no longer needing it to keep her there.
“Before you start wondering, I was invited to the wedding as a friend of Caitlyn, who gets rather chatty once drunk enough. Of course, she only allows herself to get in such a state with a select few, but I happen to be one of those people. The privilege of being a long time friend.”
“One that spills shit like that to someone they’ve just met?”
Lux giggled in response, leaning forward to capture Jinx with an impish look.
“I needed something to get you to sit back down, the odd embarrassing detail about Caitlyn is a small price to pay for that in my mind.”
“.....You’re cracked in the head….”
Her insult seemed taken as a compliment going off Lux’s giggle, a surveying gaze sweeping Jinx that grew increasingly pleased the more she took in. Apparently something about Jinx’s appearance was up Lux’s alley, though she wasn’t really sure what.
Currently she was wearing a borrowed suit from Silco, something he’d insisted on upon hearing she was going to a wedding. He’d been super annoying about making sure everything looked perfectly acceptable, only being able to loosen her tie and undo a couple buttons after he’d left. What annoyed her most was how the suit hid the cool tattoos she’d begged Silco to let her get a couple years ago for her birthday, a pretty blue cloud pattern she couldn’t get enough of.
“It’s been bugging me, but what even is your type, Blondie? Can’t be anything good if I fall into it…”
“Hmmm, do you really want to know?”
Lux’s question back sounded perfectly innocent, but something about it rubbed Jinx the wrong way.
“ What, you one of those types that likes the bad girl for the thrill of it? Or you one of those bleeding hearts that thinks they can fix a poor unfortunate soul? Make me a model citizen with a little love, is that it?”
Slamming her fist down in annoyance she carefully watched for Lux’s reaction, once again baffled at the lack of one, back to that annoyingly smug smile that made Jinx’s eye twitch.
“....It’s nothing of that sort, though it does add a lovely…. spice. ”
“The fuck does that mean?”
“Jinx…..”
She leaned forward to match how Lux drew closer herself, that fucking grin only growing further, loving the building suspense.
“.....I think you’d be a truly lovely bottom.”
“........a what….b-bottom?”
“In the bed.”
Blush exploded out from her like a volcanic eruption at Lux’s matter-of-fact elaboration, completely not having expected that when she’d first asked out of curiosity.
“H-How….I….y-you can’t… know something like th-that from–”
“Oh please Jinx, you positively radiate it just like that sister of yours and from what Caitlyn’s told me Vi is–”
“No no no, do not tell me that shit! Why do you even know it!?"
"Like I said, Caitlyn gets incredibly chatty when drunk enough. Any topic is free game at that point even if she regrets it afterwards."
"And again you just casually spill this embarrassing shit to a complete stranger!? Are you sure you're actually Caitlyn’s friend?"
"Since elementary. She even picked me as her bridesmaid given how close we are, along with the fact I'm always perfectly honest with her."
“And she doesn’t mind you hitting on her guests? I mean, I’m probably the farthest she’d consider a guest but still .”
Lux released a soft hum at her self-deprecating words.
“Well I’m not too bothered by Caitlyn's opinion of you, we’ve never really seen eye to eye on my tastes.”
“.....That you like b-bottoms?”
Her stuttered question got a quick head shake from Lux.
“Oh, she has no problem with that part, rather understanding in fact. It’s the other parts.”
“L-Like what ?”
Once again she leaned closer, causing Jinx to give a nervous gulp at her stare.
“Do you really want to know, Jinx?”
“....M-Maybe? I mean, yeah! I’ve heard way worse from the fucks that frequent Silco’s place, nothing you say could equal up to them!”
"Mmmm?"
Her showing of false bravado wasn't lost on Lux, amused sky blue eyes matching her grin.
"You're like a cat."
".....a cat?"
"The mangeist little wild thing that would rather claw someone's eyes out than receive a petting. One that looks down on all the good little kitties playing nice."
Jinx felt somewhat insulted at the description, yet couldn’t rebuff it somehow.
"Do you know what makes those kinds of cats special?"
"N-no?"
"They are the most affectionate little devils once they find someone they want to be with. Far more than all those good little kittens."
"....."
"Your sister is a similar breed, though unable to match your adorable scruffiness. She just managed to find the one for her in Caitlyn, very clear in how she looks at her."
She found her gaze drifting back over Vi, really taking a good look, now easily spotting how much affection brimmed from her every time Caitlyn came into view. It was a look she’d only ever seen back when they’d still be kids, one that had been replaced with angry betrayal as she’d left with Silco.
A look that had haunted her since then, destroying any chance of them fixing their frayed relationship.
No letters.
No visits.
Just years of silence until that wedding invitation had shown up in the mail. What she had almost torn up right then and there at the audacity of it all after nothing between them for so long. Yet here she sat anyway, still unable to figure out why she hadn’t thrown it in the trash where it’d belonged.
“Jinx? Are you alright?”
“....Just peachy. Y’know Blondie, I don’t think you’re all that good at this flirting thing because I’m about the opposite of interested after all your yacking.”
Her irritation seeped into her voice, Lux raising an eyebrow at the sudden turn in her attitude, only needing a moment to piece the cause together.
“.....You don’t get along with your sister?”
“No idea, haven’t talked with her since I was 10. Her wedding invitation was the first contact from her since then. Couldn’t tell you why she even bothered, we’re practically strangers.”
“......”
Lux flicked her gaze over in Vi’s direction before slowly drifting it back to Jinx.
“Completing my role as bridesmaid did give me access to certain behind the scenes details, but I don’t think it’s my place to mention them…”
“You don’t mind spilling a bunch of embarrassing shit about Caitlyn, but somehow that stuff crosses the line?”
“I’ve earned that as a long time friend of Caitlyn and she knows I’d never say anything truly terrible. Vi on the other hand I’m merely an acquaintance of, Caitlyn was pretty private about their relationship even with me. At least I found out before her parents did, but that’s because she needed to know if I wanted to be her bridesmaid….they didn’t find out till the invitation.”
She waved towards the opposite side of the room where a stern-faced woman sat with arms crossed to match her equally unamused expression, all while a bearded man seemed intent on soothing her boiling fury.
“Caitlyn’s mother wasn’t at all pleased at being the last to know, but well……she couldn’t risk her attempting to object given Vi’s background. It is rather checkered, though nowhere near your own.”
“.....That supposed to be a compliment or an insult?”
“A complement of course.”
“......Seriously your tastes are fucked. ”
“I’ll take that as a complement.”
“.......”
It seemed impossible to actually insult Lux even with Jinx’s best efforts, leaving her baffled at something that usually came so easily to her. She was notorious for her mouth, starting a majority of her well-known brawls because of it, except here it did nothing. Silco would even intentionally send her specifically when he wanted to send certain messages and receive certain responses. Even Sevika would begrudgingly admit her ability to piss people off was a talent that she’d been used as a practice dummy for over the years, now largely the only one immune outside Silco.
“.....How the fuck can you just sit there and take all this shit from me? You some kinda masochist or whatever?”
“No? I just find it really cute is all, how could I get upset over it?”
“..... Cute? ”
“Like a cat yowling about having to take a bath or crying for attention.”
“.......”
Terrifying.
That was the best way to describe the woman sitting beside her, viewing Jinx’s attitude as cute of all things when even seasoned crime bosses couldn’t deal with it.
“....What the fuck do you do for a living Blondie?”
“Hmm? That’s quite a random question, not that I mind! I’ll give you a hint! My last name is Crownguard, I never did give it when I introduced myself, did I?”
Lux giggled like it was an honest slip up, but Jinx only paled at hearing the name. If Silco was the top name of the criminal underbelly then the Crownguard was the opposite side of the coin. World famous for their wealth and influence, untouchable unless someone was stupid enough to go against them. Even Silco steered clear of any business they were linked with, more vindictive than even he when it came to those that went after what was theirs.
Dragon Slayers was a common nickname for the Crownguard dynasty given they had managed to crush others than none thought possible to topple with their power and influence. Nothing seemed to stop their increasing dominance that made others bow to them as a modern day royal family.
Their popularity with the public was massive given they were quick to investigate and crush any forms of corruption or malpractice within themselves, incredibly open about their hatred of either. She’d always never cared for celebrity gossip shit, but even she knew that a Crownguard showing up at an event made sure the public would swarm. Many a charity event getting a surprise visit, along with a truly massive donation from a roaming Crownguard.
It had of course made the family a target for intense scrutiny, none being able to believe such a massive and powerful one didn’t house skeletons. Many investigative journalists had tried digging for dirt only to come up empty, the Crownguard’s never saying no to any nor inquiries run by government agencies. Always appearing unperturbed, much to the frustration of those looking for a way of toppling their empire.
“ I’m the youngest and most sociable so I often get invited to bigwig weddings to show their connections to my family. Garen –Ah, my brother– he’s far too serious at such events, much better at dealing with boring meetings that I can’t stand. So if I were to say what my job is, I guess a PR person at the moment? I’m still learning the trade.”
“....the fuck…”
“Awww, now isn’t that an adorable look you’ve got there Jinx!”
“Fucking nuts, like actually, you’re fucking nuts ! You’re a Crownguard sitting down beside Silco’s daughter!”
“Very Romeo and Juliet isn’t it?”
“More like the story of the decade for any gossip rag out there!”
“I hope they go with Star-crossed lovers for the title page!”
“ Fuck, why are you so impossible to deal with!”
“A family trait I assume. Helps in business dealings.”
Jinx gave a groan of defeat at Lux’s peppy response, unable to be the unaffected jokester in this situation. Her general line of attack was completely useless against the woman, all smiles beside her, almost looking like she enjoyed the struggle Jinx found herself in.
“.....You like this with everyone you try and flirt with? Can’t see it winning you many dates.”
“Heavens no, but none so far have been as lovely as you to talk with. I’m able to be far more relaxed in my speech with you than I would with someone else, it’s such a refreshing feeling.”
“Good for you I guess….”
“Aren’t you enjoying our conversation as well? That bored aura is completely gone now and look, it’s almost over after all our chatting!”
She couldn’t help her head jumping up to survey the surroundings she’d been neglecting with their talk, quickly realising Lux was being truthful. The large crowd had dispersed into smaller pockets, Caitlyn and Vi left to quietly chat with each other.
‘Hmmm?’
It took her a moment to notice, but Caitlyn seemed to be staring at them while talking, a serious look on her face as she gestured in their direction.
“Oi Blondie, don’t think Caitlyn’s all that thrilled about you sitting with me.”
“Really?”
Lux turned to where Jinx pointed, giving a wave while mouthing something she couldn’t pick up given the angle, whatever it was making Caitlyn visibly pale.
“The fuck did you say to her?”
“Oh, nothing important….would you like to get some drinks? Open bar and all.”
“Uuhh…”
“ Lovely, let’s go then!”
Without offering up any form of resistance, feeling it wouldn’t have mattered in the face of Lux, Jinx let herself be dragged away to the bar area. Nothing needed to be said for people lingering to clear out, though at this point it was hard to tell if that was due to her or Lux. By the time they’d both sat down the area had emptied of people, leaving just them and a very nervous looking bartender.
“Wh-What can I get you do ladies?”
“Give me your strongest drink, Chuck.”
“U-Uh, my names The–”
“Don’t give a shit Chuck.”
“R-Right….”
He visibly deflated at her acidic tone, setting to work after Lux motioned she’d have the same. Jinx couldn’t help but give a snort as two shot glasses were placed in front of them with a strong enough smell to make her nose quit.
“You sure you can handle this shit Blondie?”
“How else do you think I’m able to hear so many interesting things from Caitlyn if I couldn’t hold my liquor?”
Saying nothing more, Lux downed her drink, giving the empty glass a shake in Jinx’s direction. Her annoying smirk provoking Jinx to do the same, feeling the burn all the way down and slamming her glass down for another.
“Up for a drinking game Blondie?”
“Oh, of course. What does the winner get?”
“Let’s see…..if I win, you stop bugging me and if you win I’ll let this flirting end with a date. How’s that sound?”
Lux gave a contemplative hum, fixing her with an amused gaze.
“You shouldn’t make it so obvious you want to lose Jinx.”
“Oh you’re full of it!”
“Am I? Let’s see.”
With that their drinking competition started, glass after glass being poured by an increasingly concerned Chuck, neither wanting to stop. She couldn’t stand the idea of losing to the smug blonde, who looked unbothered even after…..wait, how many drinks were they deep?
Her bleary gaze shifted to the small army of shot glasses surrounding them, only being brought back to the event at hand after a soft tap from Lux.
“Are you ready to give up Jinx? I’ve already planned out a lovely date in my mind.”
“... Fuck…you. ”
“Awww, you’re even adorable drunk!”
“How can you….act like it’s…nothing?”
“Strong stomach, a Crownguard trait.”
“You Crownguard’s even fucking human !? You all some escaped lab experiments or something!?”
“ Heavens Jinx, how did you guess it so easily?”
“ Fuck !”
A frustrated cry was quickly followed by her head slamming against the countertop in defeat, Lux giving a victorious hum as she finished off her glass.
“Now since I won, let’s pick out a time for our upcoming date. When might you be free?”
“......Friday.”
“Alright, Friday it is then….Jinx, could I get your number?”
“ Numbers weren’t part of the deal Blondie!”
“How else am I going to contact you? Honestly, I could get it without asking rather easily, but that wouldn’t be any fun would it? Personal privacy and all.”
“........”
Eventually, Jinx rose from her slumped position, greeted by Lux’s outstretched hand that quickly took hold of her phone when passing it over in defeat. Humming the entire time Lux quickly snapped a photo of herself before inputting details, taking out her own phone to do the same. Jinx made no attempt to smile for her picture like she had, likely looking miserable going off Lux’s giggle.
“Positively radiating the aura of a cat right after a bath, how cute.”
“.......”
She still didn’t understand Lux’s obsession with comparing her to a cat of all things, but felt like it would be pointless to raise a fuss about it this late into their meeting. It having only happened at most a couple hours ago didn’t seem real, not with how chummy Lux was already being.
“.....Y’know, if being a justice obsessed Crownguard doesn’t work out for you I think you’d be great as a Crime Lord.”
“You’re just full of compliments now aren’t you?”
“...... Haah… ”
Her attempt at a dig proved to be another whiff, slumping once more unto the counter to bury her head in between her arms. It was somewhat comforting to feel the cool touch against her forehead, the relative peace it brought quickly disrupted by an idle touch on her head. She stiffed on instinct at the foreign touch before relaxing at identifying the culprit based on the soft hum that started up to accompany it.
“I don’t mean to frustrate, I just love to tease is all. It seems I got a bit carried away being able to really let loose when I’m around you, most I have to keep a careful watch over such things…..”
“.....It’s more I ain’t used to not getting under people's skin….most can’t stand to be around me for long, always scaring them off. Helpful when dealing with two-bit thugs or mobsters, but the opposite of that for….”
She curled up further, muffling her words.
“..... anything closer to social. Just me and Silco against the world, everyone else….. well, they only tolerate me cuz of him. Live up to my own nickname of the Loose Cannon with my usual act, manic and ready to blow shit up.”
“......Well I haven’t seen any of that from you today.”
“Cuz I can’t get the fuse going, everything just fizzles out against you. Take it as a compliment if you want….”
“I’ll gladly do just that.”
“Haaaah….why’d I even come to this shit in the first place….not gonna change anything….”
The alcohol was starting to take hold, that’s the only reason she could see herself spilling shit like this to someone she’d only known for maybe a couple hours. A depressive drunk was her type it seemed, so different from what she’d expected when thinking it over in her head. The opposite of bombastic.
Lux continued to gently stroke her hair, leaning closer going off the creak of the chair.
“.....Do you want things to change?”
“........Things are too different, there’s no spot for me anymore.”
When she’d first arrived she’d caught sight of Ekko, an old friend from childhood, chatting away with Vi about what music he’d be playing from his DJ booth. It had made a bit of excitement well inside her, having not seen him since she’d left with Silco all those years ago, yet she couldn’t bring herself to walk over. Like a deep chasm cut her off from joining in.
Watching them happily chatter from afar, Vi looking like a ball of nerves that Ekko tried desperately to comfort, Jinx had skulked off back into the shadows. It’s how she’d gotten to her position all alone at the farthest table she could find, so far away that Ekko couldn’t spot her from the dance floor.
Separated and alone just as she had been for the last 10 years, a sad comfort coming from nothing changing just from some stupid invitation. It hadn’t been Silco’s insistence that had led her there, he hadn’t really cared himself, content to leave things unfinished. He had simply asked her if she wished to go, accepting whichever answer came of it.
What did she even want out of this herself? Did she want to rekindle the long dead relationship? Start a fight over how they hadn’t contacted her in years yet thought it okay to send a wedding invitation like it was nothing? Disappear into the night and never deal with them again?
So many different questions swirled inside her mind, unable to find any answers in her thoughts muddled by alcohol.
“Do you want to hear my thoughts, Jinx?”
“....Do I get a choice?”
“ Of course. ”
It didn’t really feel like she did, not with the look on Lux’s face.
“Haaah, whatever. Shoot.”
“While I won’t divulge everything, I can say Vi had planned to invite you from the start, even if it took her forever to work up the nerve to actually send it. She thought, as things are between you two, this would have been her only chance to attempt conversation.”
Lux’s words tore through the hazy stupor the alcohol had left her in, shooting her head up with a surprised stare.
“.....Then why the fuck did she look so surprised at me showing up if she always meant to send it?”
“Because she expected it to be torn up and tossed aside, it has been 10 years after all. Yet here you are.”
“......”
“What I think is that both of you had the same idea in mind. The reason why she sent it and why you accepted it. Why not give it a shot?”
“.....Just gonna blow up in my face….”
“It might, but it also might lead to something new between you two.”
She only gave a grunt in response, sending a stink eye over.
“You’re just saying all this shit to try and win me over aren’t you? Saying what I wanna hear.”
“ Perhaps, but it seems to be working and Jinx–”
Once again she leaned closer with that playful grin.
“--You just let your true feelings leak through.”
“What do you.....! Sh-Shut up! ”
“What adorable yowling!”
“Ugh!”
Her rising irritation once again fizzled out in the face of Lux, grumbling as she leaned her cheek against her fist.
“.....I don’t wanna ruin it – the wedding I mean – by starting something, would only sour things.”
“Then just wait till after, you don’t have to force anything now. I think you just showing up is already enough frankly, it shows Vi that there’s a chance.”
“But if I wait we’ll just go back to how things were! No communication, no connection, nothing and–”
The surging anxiety inside her was quickly quelled by a smiling Lux holding her phone up high, jiggling it back and forth.
“You do have that connection though, abit a roundabout one. Even if the lovely date I’ve fully planned out doesn’t lead to anything –which would be a pity, since I’m rather enjoying our chemistry– you’ll still have a link through me. I’d never turn down a chance to chat like this with you, even if it’s just an excuse to mingle with some other people I know. Out of pure coincidence mind you.”
“.....You’re working double time to try and make me like you….”
“Is it working?”
She didn’t answer Lux’s question, but something about her look seemed enough for her to reach an answer, leaning back in a smug cheer.
“You know, I’m really looking forward to our date on friday.”
“.......”
Loud cheering from behind brought both of their attentions back, realising the wedding was now truly over after that last hurrah. Guests began to make their way out in small groups, loudly chattering about the events of the night as the couple kept focus thanking those that came and waving goodbye. Eventually even they too began to get ready to go, leaving the venue while huddled close together.
It was over, just like that, any chance at talking gone with the disappearance of the pair. Not like she could have willed herself to try anything.
“Would you be so kind as to escort me to my car?”
Lux’s question broke her from her thoughts, looking over to notice she’d left her seat and had taken to holding her arm out in waiting. Jinx held her stare for a moment, squinting in annoyance, but found herself unable to win against that smile of hers. With a groan she rose, taking hold of Lux’s forearm and slowly beginning to guide her to the exit.
“Do you have a ride back yourself or would you like me to drive you?”
“......Don’t your types have a butler or something to drive you around?”
“Normally I do, but I told him to take the night off.”
“Why’s that?”
Giving a soft chuckle, Lux leaned in close to whisper in her ear.
“Jinx, please. Do I have to spell out why? ”
“.....Ah.”
“Atta girl.”
Still somewhat stunned she let herself be led away by Lux who continued.
“Rest assured, nothing will happen if you don’t want it to. I’ll just drop you off and see you again for friday. I just like to keep my options open is all.”
Eventually Lux stopped in front of an incredibly fancy looking car that just oozed wealth, waiting patiently for Jinx’s answer, having no intention of rushing one out. It was as her mind was figuring out exactly what she wanted that a flicker of pink out of the corner of her eye caught her attention.
There stood Vi, just a little ways off, waiting with Caitlyn and her parents for their ride to show up, at least that’s what Jinx could only assume. Caitlyn was busy attempting to appease her mother, while Vi seemed to have picked the safe option of staying quiet and allowing herself to be forgotten about.
Her face gradually shifted from the polite smile plastered onto it into a defeated one, face scrunching up until noticing Jinx’s stare. Vi held her stare, but seemed unable to do anything more, face crumbling even more.
“.....”
Neither could take that first step, both trapped on either side of the chasm that 10 years apart had created. All they could do was stare at each other like they’d been doing all night, destined to never do more until eventually wandering back to their respective places of belonging.
“There’s something you can do even from all the way over here, isn’t there?”
Lux gave a light tug from where she still held tight, reading Jinx’s thoughts with ease after seeing where her gaze lingered.
“......”
Slowly, hesitation stopping it multiple times, Jinx brought her free hand up and gave a wave. It was incredibly small and stiff, but Vi still noticed it based on how her eyes ballooned slightly. Tentatively she raised her own hand, giving a small wave back, a fragile smile replacing what was once a look of defeat.
That was all, the ride that Vi and her party had been waiting for arriving to ferry them away. Vi held Jinx’s stare for a moment more before being prompted inside by a curious Caitlyn, their ride leaving soon after.
“......”
It hadn’t been much, just a simple wave, yet it brought a somewhat hopeful feeling that Jinx had thought long lost. Vi had waved back, she hadn’t ignored her. They had communicated even if it wasn’t with actual words.
“Are you okay to go now?”
“....Yeah.”
Without another word she opened the door for Lux, entering with a soft thanks, waiting until Jinx took the shotgun seat before starting the car. She sat there idling for a moment, fiddling with the stereo, before eventually turning her gaze to Jinx.
“Where to then?”
“......Home.”
Rather than any surprise at her answer, Lux just chuckled.
“Thought so, it’s been a long night for my scruffy little cat.”
“.....Do you got a thing for cats or something? You’re always bringing them up.”
Lux fixed her with a look that made Jinx turn away blushing at its intensity, growing worse at her answer.
“Oh, I simply love cats, but only specific kinds. I’m rather picky.”
Jinx slumped into her seat, trying desperately to ignore Lux’s impish giggle at her distress, instead focusing on the music that began to softly play as the car slowly pulled away.
“Ahh, I’m so looking forward to that date!”
“........”
Even if Jinx wouldn’t be caught dead saying it, she had begun to look forward to it too. That and the possibility for change, even if it was currently a small one. It was still better than letting the opportunity slip away in that last moment together, opening the door for something rather than their continued nothing.
“Were you happy I decided to flirt with you Jinx?”
A bizarre question, but somewhat in line with what she’d grown to understand of the utterly bizarre herself Lux. Unable to place, forever baffling her and always seeming to be five steps ahead. Traits that should have annoyed Jinx to no end, yet…..
“I guess, stopped it from being a snoozefest at least.”
“Hmmmm, that so?”
“Y-Yeah, just that though! You suck at flirting, no idea how you’ve managed to succeed with it before.”
“I haven’t, you’re the first.”
Lux’s matter-of-fact tone caught Jinx by surprise, shooting up from her slumped position with an incredulous look.
“No way, you’re so fucking confident and shit! How’d that not work on anyone before–I mean, i-it didn't work on me, but still !”
“My flirting is only towards specific types and like I said, it’s rather rare I actually find someone that falls into it. Normally, I just chat up whoever fits the closest and see where it takes me, usually a one night stand. I never really plan for a date afterwards, until meeting you that is.”
“...H-Huh?”
“It means you’re special Jinx. More than just a quick fling to relieve boredom. Someone I’d rather like to get to know in fact. So I don’t mind taking things slow, nor do I mind being used as an excuse for something else.”
“......”
"What a lovely blush you have there."
"E-Eye's on the road you idiot!"
"Hehe, such a shy thing. You know, you still haven't actually told me where your home is, right Jinx? I've just been driving randomly waiting for you to notice."
"Wh-What! Why didn't you say something at the start!?"
"Like I said, I wanted to see how long it'd take you to notice. Since it looked like you weren't, I decided to let the cat out of the bag."
"You and your stupid cat--take this left!"
"Alright."
The rest of their trip back was Jinx keeping a careful eye on where they were actually going instead of attempting to keep up with Lux. Even if her amused look was hard to ignore, she wouldn't let herself fall into the trap of asking her what was so funny.