RIVER

River and Jinx walked into the last drop, River couldn't help the sadness the enveloped her heart at the way the last drop was now. A place that used to be her home, a place where she found a new family that she would continue to miss everyday of her life, and now... now everything was different.

River shook off those thoughts as she followed Jinx, once they were up the stairs where Silco's office was stationed Jinx knocked and opened the door, not bothering to wait for a reply for her to come in. Silco turned his head slightly, "Jinx, River" he greeted as he turned in his chair to face them, River already annoyed for his flair for dramatics.

"Jinx could you leave us for a moment?" Silco said with a questioning tone, although they knew it was a demand. Jinx stomped her foot and huffed, walking out of the office and slamming the door shut, Silco rolling his eyes at his daughter's attitude. Silco looked at River again, stretching his arm out, gesturing for River to have a seat.

River sat down, spreading her legs with her hands on her lap. Silco stared at her silently, "I have a job for you" Silco told her, "uh-huh?" River voiced, "not just one job... I want you to work for me" Silco told her, clasping his hands on the table and leaning forward, not breaking eye contact with the equally as stubborn teenager.

"I work alone." River said with a firm tone, "and how is that going for you?" Silco snarked, River nose scrunched up in confusion "really great actually" River shrugged her shoulders "so when your struggling to buy food for yourself, or Rio, thats fine? what happens if you get sick or Rio? you have no protection, and people fear you so much that they are to scared to even hire you."

River clenched her fists in anger, hating that he brought Rio into it. Silco sighed and shook his head, his angry facade dropping slightly "River... all these jobs your doing, it's just putting a bigger target on your back. More and more people are going to start coming for you, and you have no protection" Silco spoke, his voice firm "I can protect myself" River replied stubbornly, "yes. you can, but what about the boy you took in, you care for him. Can he protect himself?" Silco reasoned, River's shoulders tensed.

She inhaled sharply "I can provide money and protection for you River." Silco leaned back in his chair, staring at River who had been debating it in her mind "what about Rio?" she asked with a frown "nothing would happen to him, i'll make sure of that" Silco said truthfully.

"What would I be doing?" River asked him "mostly protecting shimmer shipments, taking care of anyone standing in my way..." Silco explained calmly, "ok..." she agreed, "is..." Silco's voice trailed off "yeah she's been at the door the whole time" River muttered "Jinx!" Silco called out, the second Jinx heard her name she barged into the room loudly.

"yep!" she said with an excited grin, walking over to River, leaning over and putting her hands on the chair River was sitting on and resting her chin on top of River's head, "soo what'd ya say?" Jinx said "i think you already know" River rolled her eyes playfully "your right... but now we can spend even more time together!" she grinned excitedly "more than we already do?" River pointed out, standing up "i'll send someone to your apartment for your first job" Silco said.

River nodded her head "cool" she muttered before turning on her heels and walking out with Jinx pulling by her hand, "Jinx" Silco called out, Jinx stopped in her path and groaned, poking her head through his office door "come here." he demanded, Jinx looked back at River "stay here" she poked Rivers chest, her tone firm although River just smiled down at her.

Jinx went back into Silco's office, closing the door behind her, River leaning against the wall behind her, next to the door. River waited for Jinx to be done talking with Silco, it not being very long. Jinx walked back out, instantly grabbing River's hand and interlocking there fingers together. The two started to make there way to Jinx's hide out.

Walking down the stairs they moved to pass someone, Sevika... River stared at Sevika with wide eyes, Sevika opened her mouth but nothing came out, River quickly ran down the stairs, Jinx quickly following behind her with a worried expression covering her face.

The two started walking to Jinx's hideout, "River" Jinx mumbled softly, putting her hand on River's shoulder. River took a deep breath "i'm ok" River gave her a faint smile. Jinx stayed quite, knowing that she wasn't ok but Jinx didn't want to push her on it, River would only push her away.

Once they arrived to Jinx's hideout, Jinx led River to the couch, pushing River down by her shoulders, River smirking as she maintained eye contact with Jinx "lets's fight" River said with a smirk, Jinx's face scrunched up in confusion but nonetheless cracked a smile "huh?" she spoke "let's fight" River repeated her self again, Jinx walking over to her with a smirk "you really think you could beat me?" she stepped in between River's legs.

River placed her hands on Jinx's waist, her hands sliding down to her hips, her hand firm against her. Jinx put her hands on River's shoulders, River's hand slid from Jinx's hips, sliding over Jinx's butt making Jinx nervous.

River stood up, both her and Jinx's bodies pressed together, River's hand back clasped onto Jinx's waist, continuing to walk forward, forcing Jinx to walk backwards, the two maintaining eye contact. Jinx tripped on something, River maintained her hands on Jinx's waist, making sure that she didn't fall over.

"okay we're doing this" Jinx demanded, sick of being nervous from River's intense gaze and the way her hands gripped her hips, River chuckled. River finally let go of Jinx, walking back a few steps, she gestured with her fingers for Jinx to throw the first punch, Jinx rolling her eyes with a smirk playing on her lips, she threw the first punch to River which as expected, she blocked it.

Jinx threw another punch which River blocked up once again, before Jinx could even think about trying to hit her, River grabbed Jinx's arms and twisted her so both her arms were firmly against her back, River held onto both of Jinx's arms, she put her spare arm loosely around Jinx's neck, bending down slightly, "come on pretty, give me the best you got" River whispered into Jinx's ear, sending shivers all throughout her body, Rivers accent thick with each word, looking at Jinx with hooded eyes.

River let go of Jinx's arms, running her hands down the sides of Jinx's body, River heard Jinx's breath hitch from River putting her hands down her body, moving with each slope before River retreating them.

"I can hit you as hard as I want?" Jinx asked whilst grinning mischievously "go for it" River whispered, Jinx smirked, inching her face closer "good" she whispered back before punching Rivers side harshly making River falter, Jinx then hoisted her self up on River, wrapping her legs around River's neck and using all her weight to make River topple over, Jinx landing on River, straddling her hips.

Instinctively River's hands landed on Jinx's hips, River chuckled "good job" She praised, her hands moving up to Jinx's waist, caressing Jinx's bare skin. Before Jinx knew it River jabbed Jinx in the side and lifted Jinx off of her like she weighed nothing, her muscles tensing a she did so, Jinx giggled and kicked and punched Rivers side in one swift motion.

Jinx went to punch at her again but River blocked it and punched her in the stomach before kicking her legs out from underneath, making her fall to the ground, River pinned Jinx's arms above her head while her knee had her leg pinned to the floor, Jinx smiled before using her spare leg to wrap it around River's and used all her force to turn there bodies around, straddling River once again.

The two both chuckled breathlessly, there faces slightly flushed, Jinx stood up and offered River a hand, River stood up and picked jinx up off the floor, spinning her around before putting her down again, Jinx laughing as she did, River sighed out of boredom "let's get food" River said, she'd been ignoring her stomach screaming at her for food for days but couldn't bring herself to eat.

"Yesss!" Jinx dragged out, grabbing River's hand once again, interlocking there fingers and making there hands swing back and forth. The two eventually landed on a small cart in the undercity that sold surprisingly good cooked meat, both Jinx and River settling on fish, River making sure to pay the man, giving him more than she needed too, seeing that he had a little girl clinging to his leg with a timid look on her face.

The man gave River a gentle smile, his eyes kind and considerate. Radiating a kind energy off of him, he looked down at his hands, counting the coins carefully. "Excuse me miss" he called out to River before she had the chance to walk away, River turning on her heels to look at him.

"here's your change" he smiled, his arm outstretched, waiting for River to quickly take back the money, instead River smiled softly at him "keep it" she shrugged her shoulders, her smile genuine, a rare but beautiful sight to see. The man's eyes widened in surprise "a-are you sure?" he stuttered slightly "of course" she reassured before walking off to a table, sitting down with Jinx sitting on the chair across from her.

"that was sweet" Jinx said with a teasing smile, "he needed it more than me, he has a little girl with him" River spoke softly as she stared at her food before taking a small bite from the fish, hating that she was giving into her hunger and hating that she wanted even more.

Jinx's teasing smile was replaced with a genuine one, admiring River. To other's she seem'd cold, distant, heartless. But in reality River was the most generous, caring person with the most sweet and loving heart. She returned kindness when given to her, she maintained empathetic to those who deserved it, and forever had a soft spot for kids, going out of her way to help them when needed, knowing exactly how it could be to feel so alone and scared at such a young age.

River looked up at Jinx who was staring at her with her lips twitched up into a smile, "why are you looking at me like that?" River asked her, her voice gentle with her eyebrows twitching together in confusion.

"You're cute toots" Jinx spoke, looking at her food and starting to eat. River trying her best to ignore the soft flutter in her stomach at Jinx's words, looking at her food as well, continuing to take small bites from the meat. The two teenagers continuing to take not so subtle glances at each other, both smiling when caught in the act, there knees occasionally brushing together.

It was clear that the energy had shifted between them since the morning, they could tell something had changed. Each glance filled with certainty and passion, feeling as if they didn't have to be scared to admit that maybe, that wanted something more, something where they wouldn't have to hide how they felt and what they wanted to do.

finally feeling ok with admitting they wanted everything part, the good, the bad... wanting to act on all the lust, the passion, the care, the gentleness, the love... sick of acting like they weren't completely and utterly in love with each other.

They just weren't sure how to go about all those unsaid feelings.

Once the two had finished eating they went there seperate ways, Jinx needing to do some very much overdue creating of weapons. As River walked, her mind was racing with a million thoughts at once, each and everyone about the beautiful blue haired girl.

Once River returned home, she took in the emptiness. Rio still being out with Caspian and probably with Emmy as well. River walked into her bedroom, stripping off her jacket, shirt, shoes and pants so she was left with just her sports bra and boxers. She opened up her dresser, grabbing a fresh pare of underwear, shorts, a shirt and socks, walking into the bathroom to have a shower. Once River had a shower she crashed onto her bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

"River" Callum called out for his daughter, his voice filled with irritation, a ten year old River quickly walked over to her father, "yes" her voice timid and squeaky, only angering her father more, "speak properly girl" he gritted through his teeth "yes, father" she said again, her voice firm with respect as she looked at her father before her.

"replace this" he shouted, harshly throwing an empty bottle of alcohol at her, hitting her hardly in her shins, making her wince in pain before she quickly rushing out the door, River made her way to the liquor store as quickly as her legs would take her, not having any money so sneaking two bottles of liquor into her coat before bolting back to the house, hearing shouts and cursing directed to the small girl.

Once she'd arrived home she quietly stepped into the small house, straight away hearing yelling and swearing through the walls, suddenly River heard a loud bang against a wall before there was a terrifying silence that filled the air. River's heart thumped in her chest as she walked to where she heard the shouting, looking in what was her and Rio's bedroom, she gasped in horror to see Callum holding Rio up against the wall by his neck.

Rio's face was turning purple with sweat dripping down his pale skin, his eyes fighting to stay open. Without thinking River ran up to Callum, with all her strength smashing the bottle of liquor over his head, her breathing rapid and heavy in fear.

Callum slowly turned around with a murderess expression covering his face, every nerve in River's body screamed at her to run, but instead of running she looked at Rio, he hadn't passed out yet, instead he was limp on the ground gasping for air, his neck already creating a black bruise on his fair skin. "Run" he tried to yell but his voice was quite and raw, in blinded, drunken rage Callum took of is belt that was riddled with metal spikes.

Rio rushed to get up but fell to the ground immediately, Callum than rose his arm before bringing it back down in a blur, the leather and metal of his belt slashing against River, causing her to fall to the ground with a yell of pain. Then he did it again, and again, and again until River's clothes were ripped and her body was covered in blood and slashes. Her throat raw from crying, her entire body on fire with unimaginable pain.

"River" Rio screamed, his arm outstretched, crawling towards his baby sister's limp, blood covered body, Rio sobbed as he brought River into his arms, rocking her back and forth, humming softly with tears running down his face, "I'm supposed to protect you" his voice shook as he stared down at her, cupping her face, the blood on her face smudging with his touch.

"God River why?" he cried, his heart shattering at his baby sister he swore to protect until his death, now her skin torn to pieces, her beautiful blonde hair caked in blood, his hands shook as his hands ran over her head.

"I love you.. you're ok... you're gonna be ok... you're strong" Rio's voice cracked with each words, ignoring the pain every time he spoke. Holding River gently until he knew Callum and Marina were asleep. Well aware that if he went out he would get twice the beating.

Rushing to get supplies to help River as fast as he possibly could, going back into the room and locking the door as he started cleaning every wound, wrapping the worst one's and holding her in his arms, his finger's not leaving her pulse the entire night he kept himself awake, constantly thinking back to it, if he'd been stronger, not so weak. If he pushed through his own pain and covered her body with his own, if he'd done more...

River shot up from her bed, her eyes wide and panicked as her heart thumped out of her chest rapidly. Gasping for air but feeling as though none was entering her lungs, River clawed at her chest as tears blurred her vision in panic.

Trying to take back control of her body she did what her brother used to tell her to do. Holding her hand on her heart, feeling it beating rapidly, holding her finger's on her pulse. Trying to focus on slowing her heartbeat, trying to ground herself, reminding herself that it was just a memory, she wasn't in that situation anymore, attempting to remember all her good moments with her brother, not the fact that he couldn't calm her and hold her anymore.

Eventually River calmed down from her panic attack, aggressively wiping her palms against her face, getting rid of the tears that soaked her face and blurred her vision. River quickly stood up, putting on baggy sweatpants, a hoodie and sneakers before walking out her bedroom, before she left the apartment, poking her head in Rio's bedroom.

Sighing in relief to see that he was in a deep sleep, soft snore's filling the otherwise quiet room, only being able to hear the hum of his fan, blowing on him. Before River left she quickly wrote a note for Rio incase he woke up looking for her and she not being there.

gone for a walk, i'll be back soon. Don't let anyone in, I have a key. -River

River then quietly left the apartment, jogging down the flights of stairs until she was finally outside, breathing in the air that stung her lungs slightly from all the toxins and pollution within the air of Zaun. Something that every resident had coped with, not knowing any different.

River walked around, not going far from her apartment building. The hood over her head with her hands dug in the pockets of her pants, zoned out as she tried her best to clear her mind of the nightmare, something she found herself doing every night that Jinx wasn't with her, Jinx being the only thing that would stop River's graphic nightmares that kept her up each night, River not knowing, but River being the only thing that stopped Jinx's own nightmares.

As River walked she heard her name being called from a distance, River's entire body froze, she felt a hand rest on her shoulder, without thinking River grabbed the hand and twisted the person's arm in a position that could break it, her spare hand holding her gun to the back of her head, before she could do anymore harm, she realised who it was.

Immediately letting go of her and walking away, back to the direction of her apartment at a fast pace. "River wait!" Sevika called out, grabbing River's wrist to stop her from walking any further. River turned around quickly, yanking her arm out of Sevika's grip "No!" she shouted "leave me alone Sevika" River said in anger, her accent thick.

"River. I'm not stopping you to say sorry again. I know that you won't listen." Sevika started, River looking at her with furrowed brows "good you get it" River rolled her eyes "we're going to be working together River, Silco won't tolerate you having an attitude because of what happened. Hate me all you want for betraying Vander but-" Sevika was cut off "that's what you think this is all about" River rose her voice.

Sevika's face scrunched up in confusion "I don't-" River sighed out of frustration "this isn't about you betraying Vander. This is about you being fucking selfish. You knew that I would of needed you, yet you still were too fucking scared too actually do something good for once in you miserable fucking life and be there for me!" River shouted in anger, her hands moving animatedly as she spoke.

Sevika sighed "don't you think I know that" she yelled back "I know that I should have been there, but i'm here now and I want to be there for you!" Sevika shook her head out of frustration. River flinched back, like Sevika's words were physically slashing into her skin.

River picked at the skin around her nails, looking down at her feet whilst letting out a shaky breath "I can't trust you." River muttered, looking back up at Sevika, nodding her head "I know. I know you can't, I just- i'm here for you River" Sevika nudged her.

"I need time" River frowned "I get that" Sevika said understandingly, "maybe we can go for drinks some time" Sevika hesitantly suggested, River nodded her head "mhm" she hummed softly "I gotta get home" River muttered as she shifted her weight on each foot at the awkwardness that was thick in the air, "uh, yeah me to actually" she said, the two walking opposite directions.

River walking back into the apartment, closing and locking the door before walking over to Rio's room, looking in to see that he was still sleeping although he had a distressed expression on his face as he twisted and turned in his bed. His breathing rapid with tear struck cheeks. River walked over to his bed, gently placing a hand on his arm making him shoot in panic.

"hey, hey. It's jus' me. S' River" River spoke with a soft comforting voice, retracting her hand as to not make him any further panicked. Rio sighed in relief upon seeing River, aggressively wiping the tears off of his face, sniffling as he looked at her "why are you up?" his voice shook slightly, trying to cover it up by clearing his throat, River still noticed.

"same as you" she shrugged her shoulders, "oh..." he muttered, looking down as he fidgeted with his blanket "you wanna talk bout' it?" River questioned, knowing the answer already "nah, i'm fine. Imma try to go back to sleep" he sniffled once again. River nodded her head in understanding, bringing his head so it was against her stomach, wrapping her arms around his small frame softly, Rio held back more tears, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

River gave him a comforting smile, pulling back and softly ruffling his hair "i'm here for you bud" She told him before walked out, Rio gave her a faint smile "i know..." he said, watching as River frowned and nodded her head, walking out and gently closing the door behind her.

Going back to her own room, knowing that she wouldn't be able to go to sleep for a long time. Bringing out her old sketch book that had a layer of dust covering the delicate leather, the last time she drew in it being years ago. Opening the old book up, looking through all her old drawings. The first one being a sketch of Rio doing a weird face. River remembered that day, they both did a drawing of each other to see who's was better.

"mmk you draw me first Clumsy" Rio said, River rolling her eyes at the name he liked to call her, all because she had a habit of tripping over nothing or accidentally knocking something over that wouldn't be in her way. "Whatever" she said with a sassy tone, Rio rolled his eyes and made a funny face. His eyes squinted with his nose scrunched up, a big goofy grin on his lips.

River started to sketch all his facial features, starting off with the main features before starting on his weird facial expression, then adding all the other little details afterwards.

"K surely your done now" Rio complained, "oh my god I am" she rolled her eyes in annoyance "keep on rolling your eyes and they'll get stuck like that" he teased with a shit eating grin "shut up grandpa. I can see you're wrinkles and you're sixteen" she raised a brow, "whatever" he muttered "gimme" he snatched her art book and pencil.

"Wow, not bad. You captured my sparkle" he said in a weird voice while batting his eyelashes weirdly causing River to crack a grin and laugh at his antics. "Get ready for me to do a way better drawing though" he wiggled his brows "now gimme a face" he stared at River expectingly.

River stuck out her tongue, making her eyes go crossed eyes while scrunching her nose up. Rio laughed loudly before doing his own drawing of River who just as he was, was waiting impatiently. "Ta da!" he showed her the drawing, his still being a bit better then her own making River groan in annoyance "fuck you" she said jokingly as she shoved his shoulder.

"let's sign our names on it" Caspian said, already signing his name on his drawing of River "as if anyone would even see these" River tilted her head, signing her name on the drawing of Rio regardless of her complaints. "Who knows, you might be a famous artist while i'm famous simply for my looks and people want me to model for them" he said cockily "as if!" she laughed and hit him on the stomach "oh nah, it's on!" he shouted playfully.

The two then starting to play roughly as there laughs filled the empty, cold house.

River continued to look through the drawings, each drawing holding a meaningful memory, then starting to work on a new one. A drawing of Jinx. River bit the inside of her cheek as she started to sketch Jinx carefully, River managing to capture people's essence and beauty all from a measly little pencil. Once River had finished the drawing of Jinx she looked back at it, nit picking at it until it was perfection.

Drawing her brother, than Rio until her fingers were covered in chalk and were cramping, eventually putting the book back under her bed and falling asleep. Not having another nightmare all though she only was able to get another couple hours of sleep before she was woken up by a loud knock on her bedroom window.

Waking up instantly, River looked to see that it was Jinx who was at her window, not a surprise. Opening the window River helped her climb in, Jinx instantly engulfing her in a tight hug, River automatically wrapping her arms around Jinx's neck in return "hey pretty girl" River greeted softly.

"I woke you up?" Jinx took in River's tired appearance with a fond smile on her lips. "mhm" River nodded her head, rubbing her eyes wearily, "well then get ready because you're coming with me on a job!" Jinx said with a grin, River hummed again, still not fully awake which caused Jinx to giggle, finding her tired state extremely cute.

River's pulled out her clothes, grabbing her usual baggy black jeans, a red tight sleeveless top and her black and grey striped cropped jacket. Walking into the bathroom, stripping off and stepping into the steaming hot water, relaxing as it ran down her body, her tense muscles relaxing, quickly washing over her body before finishing up and getting dressed. Towel drying and brushing through her wavy hair before going back to her bedroom.

Putting on her boots and tying up her hair into a pony tail, the front pieces not staying tied back. Falling back around her face. River looked at Jinx, "you look good toots" Jinx complimented as she looked River up and down with a fond smirk on her lips, "shut up" River muttered, not knowing how to reply. Jinx giggled, finding it funny and cute when River got shy.

"hey lesbians, Caspy is here" Rio informed "good, he can take you" River said, walking past him and hitting him on the back of his head "you takin Rio" River asked him "if you'll let me" Caspian shrugged as he dabbed her up "yeah, I kinda needed you to. I won't be here today" River informed as she watched Rio and Jinx mess around.

"whatcha doing blondie?" he asked her "a job for Silco" she looked at him again, Caspian narrowed his eyes at her "really" he said with a questioning tone, like he didn't believe her "lay off it Caspian" River rolled her eyes in annoyance, Caspian put his up in surrender "alright, alright, sorry. Don't needa bring your accent out more" he teased but River was too tired and annoyed to deal with it.

River hummed "we gotta go now Star" Jinx told River once she'd glanced at the clock on the kitchen counter. "Alright, you're goin with Casp so i'll see ya later" River said as she ruffled Rio's hair, Rio swatting her hand away before fixing his curly hair again. "alright bye Rivera, bye JJ" Rio said as he followed after Caspian, River and Jinx muttering goodbye's as well.

"Alrighty, let's go toots! let's go shoot some people in the head! only if it goes well..." Jinx grinned with an innocent shrug as she walked out.

authors note
almost 5000 words? thats crazy.
anyways what are your thoughts?
the next chapter will be more about the
job there doing and some deeper, more
emotional stuff bout Jinx and what not.
like always, what are you're predictions
n all that stuff?

not proof read!