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This is bad.
This is really bad.
Viktor comforted Powder the best he could while she emptied the contents of her stomach into a bucket.
Her fever has been rising the past couple of hours and any fever reducers aren’t making a dent.
“Shh.” Vi dares to get closer. “Pow-pow, it’s just me, it’s Vi.”
“No!” She screamed. “You left me!” She gags and sobs. “You left me! You left me! You left me!”
“Powder, I’m right here.” Vi holds out a hand, as if to show Powder she’s real.
Instead of confirming, Powder flinches away. “Stay away!” Her voice is raw from vomiting, crying, and yelling. “No! Vi, I’m sorry, don’t- don’t hurt me- don’t…”
“Shh.” Viktor pulled her away from Vi. “It’s okay, Powder. Deep breaths.” He looks to Vi, who looks devastated and on the verge of throwing up herself. “Vi, why don’t you clean out the bucket for her.”
“What?” Vi snaps out of her spell. “Oh, right. I can do that.”
She dutifully whisks the bucket away. Leaving just Viktor and Powder. The girl continues to whimper into him. “Shut up! I’m not a Jinx! I’m not!”
The fever seems to be making her delirious, but Powder has mumbled to herself in the past. Talking to nobody.
That’s a problem for another day though.
He breaths a sigh of relief when he hears the door open and Jayce’s footsteps speed to the bedroom.
“Got it.” He presents his treasure. A brand new thermometer. Because neither he or Viktor owned one that wasn’t for science. So far they’ve been relying on touch. The back of their hand to Powder’s sweaty forehead.
Jayce gently instructed Powder to open her mouth and lift her tongue. Powder whined as the two of them watched the red line climb up and up and up.
“Shit.” Viktor hissed.
“What?” Vi asked, coming back from cleaning out the bucket. “What’s wrong?”
“Vi.” Jayce stood, he spoke gently, like she was a spooked animal. “Powder needs to go to the hospital. Her fever is very high even with reducers.”
“Okay? So, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Although her words are rushed, she doesn’t move.
“Vi, if you two don’t have legal guardians to put on the paper work, you’ll be put into the foster care system. And I can’t guarantee that you’ll stay together.” Jayce looked pained.
“So…” Vi clenched her fists. “So you’re saying we have to let you adopt us?”
Adoption had been a touchy subject. Jayce and Viktor were all but sure that it was the best course of action. But Vi was not so convinced. Still hoping to lay low in Piltover before returning to Zaun. Viktor doubts that Silco would drop such a grudge in his lifetime.
It’s been put on the back burner for weeks now. Papers announcing both Viktor and Jayce as Powder and Vi’s guardians already signed and waiting to be submitted.
“I’m sorry, Vi. But there’s just no other way, we can’t treat this here.” Jayce reached out to Vi, but she slapped his hand away.
Vi curled into herself. “Fine.” She bit out. “Do it. I can’t lose her too.”
“Okay.” Jayce said, almost regretfully. “Okay. Viktor, send in the paperwork. I’ll get Powder ready.”
“I’m coming with you!” Vi demanded.
“Of course. Pack a bag with anything you think we’ll need in the hospital.” Jayce instructed. And for once, Vi nodded, running off without a retort.
That’s how you know it’s bad.
Jayce gently pried Powder off of Viktor so he could retrieve the pre signed documents. They kept them in a special drawer, already rolled up in a cylinder to send to Mel.
Viktor still didn’t know if he trusted her or not. Having known how cunning and manipulative she is on the council, Viktor kept his distance. Lest he find himself owing her a favour. But the offer of bypassing the normal protocols in order for Vi and Powder to be immediately put under his and Jayce’s care was something they couldn’t pass up. It was the safest way.
He’s sure that Mel will one day hold it over their heads. But that’s a problem for another day. Right now, Powder needed medical attention and a safe place to stay.
Viktor watched as the paper went flying down the tube. He was now attached to Vi, Powder, and Jayce for at least 3 years, until Vi turned 18.
Somehow he didn’t feel as nervous as he’d thought he’d felt.
“Viktor.” Jayce came in, cradling Powder. She was wearing new pyjamas, as the others were drenched in sweat and stained with vomit. A light blanket swaddled her like a baby. Jayce held her with so much care. How did Viktor ever think that Jayce would abandon ship once things got hard. “Did you send off the paperwork?”
“Yes.” Viktor shook himself back to reality. “Yes, it’s sent off.”
“Good. You’re coming with us right?”
“Of course.”
Jayce didn’t need to know how much he hated hospitals. Hates the sterile air and the cream walls. How doctors either look at you with disgust or pity, sometimes both.
It doesn’t matter anyways.
Soon Vi finished packing their bag and rushed them out the door.
———
Jayce didn’t like how quickly they got a bed.
He was relieved mostly, that Powder was getting medical attention right away. But there was at least ten people in the waiting room that they skipped over.
Was it bad? Should they’ve brought her in sooner?
“Hi there!” A nurse greeted with a sympathetic smile. “This is Powder Talis, correct?” She was a young mousy woman, her brown hair tied up in a bun.
“Yup. Yes. This is her.” Jayce stood from where he sat beside the bed. Somehow he convinced Powder to let go of him to lay down, but she still gripped his hand like he would disappear if she let go.
“Hi, Powder. My name is Calypso, I’ll be looking after you until the doctor comes.” She spoke softly, but not condescendingly, which Jayce appreciated. “I heard that you weren’t feeling so great the last couple days.”
Powder whined and gripped Jayce’s hand harder.
“Yes, she’s been running a fever for the last two days. She started vomiting this morning and medication hasn’t been bringing her fever down.” Jayce supplied.
“Oh, poor kiddo.” Calypso tutted. “We’ll get you feeling better in no time, okay hun?” Again, Powder didn’t respond.
Calypso turned to Jayce and Viktor. “We’ll start with a blood test. We’ll start an IV for fluids and anti nausea.” She said as she grabbed some sterile gloves and some other supplies. “How is she with needles?”
“I- uh…” Jayce stammered. He didn’t know if “I don’t know, we picked these girls off the street a couple of weeks ago” is an acceptable answer.
“She’ll be fine.” Vi stood up and approached Powder. “She just needs a distraction.”
“Vi, I don’t think-“ Viktor started.
“No!” Powder screamed. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Please.”
Vi flinched away, like she’s been burned. Jayce immediately shushed Powder, trying to get her to calm down.
“I- I’m sorry.” Vi sat back down, looking smaller than Jayce had ever seen her. “I forgot.”
Viktor set a comforting hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay.” He said softly.
“I wouldn’t take it personally.” Calypso spoke up. “She’s probably just scared and confused. She’s very lucky to have such a good big sister.”
Despite the intentions, her words seem to cut into Vi.
Jayce doesn’t know a lot about what happened the night that they found them. But it must have been pretty bad.
“Okay, hun. I’ll need to see your arm.”
Powder didn’t move, just clung to Jayce.
“Powder.” Jayce said softly, petting her bangs away from her face. “Can you give Calypso your arm so she can help you feel better?”
Powder looked up and nodded slowly. One hand let go and presented itself to the nurse.
“Thank you, Powder. Now I’m going to give you a bracelet to help me see your veins better. It’ll be a little tight, but let me know if it hurts.” Calypso tied the rubber band around Powder’s upper arm. Powder watched as the nurse prodded at the back of her hand and eventually settled on a spot.
“Okay, now I’m going to clean your skin with this little cloth, it might be a little cold.” The sharp smell of alcohol tickled Jayce’s nose.
“Alright, I’m going to put the needle in. If you look away it’ll hurt less.” Powder nodded and turned to Jayce. “You’re going to feel a little poke.”
Powder tensed up as the needle slid in. Tears welled in her eyes as Calypso collected her blood in vials.
“Breathe, Powder it’s alright.” Jayce cooed, petting her hair again since it seemed to work. She gasped, but didn’t relax at all. “Hey, after you get better, why don’t we go out and get topside ice cream? How does that sound?”
Powder’s eyes lit up. “Promise?” She whispered.
“Promise.” Jayce smiled.
“Okay, you’re all done.” Calypso pulled back. Hooking up an IV to the needle. “You did a great job, Powder! Now make sure that you’re careful with the tube, don’t let it fall out.”
Turning her attention to Jayce and Viktor. “I’ll send these in for testing. It’ll be a couple hours, so you might want to get comfy.”
And with that, it was the four of them.
Small sniffles and sobs echoed in the room. Vi had her feet up on the chair to hide her face in.
“Vi?” Viktor reached out again.
“Don’t touch me!” She snapped. “I’m fine. Just leave me alone.”
Viktor looked to Jayce who was just as lost.
Maybe they bit off more than they can chew.
———
It was an ear infection that caused the whole thing.
Viktor noticed Powder playing with her ear, but he just assumed it was a nervous tick rather than something concerning. But from just a small ailment, Powder developed sepsis. Thankfully they caught it in time and Powder was going to make full recovery.
After she’s discharged from inpatient, that is.
Thanks to Jayce connections with the Kirramans, they’re provided a private room rather than sharing with three other patients. Viktor idly wonders if there’s someone deserving of this private room, but then he looks to Powder, who’s finally exhausted herself and sleeps deeply. And he thinks there would be a fat chance in hell someone deserved to be here rather than her.
Vi has also calmed down. She rests her head on Powder’s bed, stroking a thumb over her sister’s knuckles. The room is filled with hums of lullabies from their childhood, some of which Viktor distantly recognizes.
Jayce has gone back to Viktor’s apartment to pack an overnight bag as well as some work they can do while watching over Powder. Although Jayce insists it’s fine, Viktor is sorry he couldn’t stay over night. But there’s only a recliner to sleep on and Viktor can already feel his back aching. Vi wanted to, but as per the hospital’s policy, only parents or legal guardians can stay overnight.
The doctors seem hopeful that Powder will only have to stay a couple days, just to make sure her fever and symptoms are under control. Viktor hopes so. If not for Powder’s sake, then for Vi’s.
Jayce returns with two bags. One of his own stuff and another with some comfort items for Powder and some things to entertain her. Along with her little rabbit that she clung to so dearly. Jayce immediately tucked him into Powder’s arm.
Soon, it was time for Viktor and Vi to leave.
Vi kissed the top of Powder’s head as she slept. “You’ll feel better soon.” She whispered. “I promise.”
Viktor felt like such a deep promise would be inappropriate to the amount of time he’s known Powder, so he just gives her hand a comforting squeeze.
Their trip home was quiet. It was tense. Viktor briefly wonders if he should say something. He decides not to. It looks like Vi already has a lot happening in her head right now. Better to not add to it.
As they stepped into Viktor’s apartment, once the door was safely closed. Vi seemed to deflate.
“Vi?” Viktor hesitantly touched her shoulder, “Are you okay?”
You would’ve thought the gentle touch was actually a punch to the gut with how she fell to the ground. Viktor was frozen as he watched Vi curl in on herself. She tugged on her hair, scratching her scalp.
Viktor expected her to sob, to yell, to cry.
But she just gasped. She gasped like she was suffocating.
Finally realizing that he should probably do something, Viktor struggled to kneel down beside her.
“I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t” Once Viktor was low enough, he heard her repeat. “I can’t do it! I can’t.” She curled further into herself.
“Vi.” Viktor laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. She flinched away from him. “Vi, you need to breathe.”
“No, no, no, no.” Was Vi’s response.
Viktor thought back to an intro Psychology class. It was ages ago, but perhaps the little he remembered would be useful.
Viktor supposes he could try the exercise that Jayce did with Powder not too long ago. What was it? Five things you could see, four things you can taste- no that wasn’t right.
He refocused his attention on Vi, whimpering still. His bones protested as he stood. He retrieved a pillow and a couch cushion from the pull out. Returning to Vi, he threw the cushion on the ground. He felt like he was going to be there a while, might as well make sure it’s comfortable. Again, a sharp pain pierced through his knee as he sat, unhappy with the repeated up and down squatting.
“Vi?” He called out again. Predictably, she didn’t respond. So instead, he pushed the pillow into her line of sight. Her eyes were red and swollen as she looked up at him, confused. “Cry into it.” He explains. “It’ll muffle the sound.”
Hesitantly, she takes the pillow and presses it to her face. And it’s like a switch flipped. Suddenly, Vi starts wailing. Viktor wonders if he should offer physical comfort and decides there’s only one way to find out.
He sets a hand on Vi’s shoulder. She startles a little, but before Viktor could retract his hand, she leans into him. He hisses in pain with the increased pressure on his bad leg. But he grits his teeth and bares it. Vi probably needs this more than Viktor needs his comfort.
They sit for a while. For probably an hour, Viktor would guess. Slowly, Vi’s cries peter out. Eventually, she pulls the pillow away from her face. She sits back against the wall, sniffing. Viktor offers her his handkerchief.
“Thanks.” Her voice rasps. She wipes her tears from her face. “I’m sorry.” She begins crying again.
“Whatever for?”
Vi laughs at herself. “For crying into your pillow. For collapsing in your apartment. For taking over your apartment. For… everything.”
“Vi.” Viktor sighed. “You don’t need to apologize for something that you need. We take care of our own, in the Undercity. Don’t we?”
Vi shook her head. “No. No, you don’t know. You don’t know.” She sobbed.
“What don’t I know?” He prods.
“That night… I hit her.” Vi started sobbing again. “I hit her so hard. I was just so angry! I couldn’t- I couldn’t control myself.” Vi’s knuckles turn white with how strongly she gripped the handkerchief. “And sometimes I still want to.”
She looked to Viktor, tears streaming continuously down her eyes. “I’m horrible. It wasn’t her fault! It wasn’t! But why do I still blame her?”
Viktor breathed. He took a second to process her confession.
“Vi. You are a child,” She glares at him, “No one should experience what you did that night. And I don’t think anyone would have the right to judge your actions in such a moment.”
“You’re saying it’s fine?!” Vi started, “You saw the massive bruise on her cheek! She’s terrified of me!”
“I’m not saying it’s fine. I’m saying that I wouldn’t expect you to be as calm and collected as you’ve been. You were in fight or flight. What I would find not so forgivable is if you held a grudge against her still. My point is,” Viktor stopped himself from rambling, “You’re being too hard on yourself. You don’t have to do this alone. Me and Jayce will help you, if you let us.”
Vi’s lip started to tremble. Before he realizes that Vi might start crying again, she’s already plowing into his chest and sobbing. It’s different this time, Viktor can’t explain it. It brings a tear to his eye too somehow. He holds Vi close, instinctively soothing his hand through her hair. He relies on Vi’s body language to tell if he’s crossed a boundary, but Vi gives no signal.
Vi once again pulls away, sniffing and wiping her tears with Viktor’s handkerchief. She chuckles and points to Viktor’s chest. Looking down, he find’s an imprint of Vi’s eyes, mouth, and even her nostrils stained on his shirt from her tears and drool. He laughs too.
Vi stands up. Viktor hesitates. His leg is indeed sore from sitting on the ground, even with the cushion. Before he gets a chance to try and stand, Vi extends her hand.
Viktor waves it away but Vi scoffs, returning it. “Don’t be a hypocrite.” She jabs.
Viktor felt shocked and offended for a moment. He’s been in worse conditions before and didn’t need help.
His anger was quickly washed away by shame and embarrassment. He was being a little bit of a hypocrite, wasn’t he.
He gripped onto Vi’s hand and she pulled him up with a surprising amount of strength. It was almost dizzying how fast he was on his feet. After making sure he was steady, Vi picked up his cane for him.
“Thank you,” He said.
“Don’t mention it,” Vi shrugged, kicking her foot awkwardly, “I’m going to go. To bed, I mean.”
“Yes.” Viktor stretched his back, “Today has been exhausting. Better rest up while we can.”
“Thanks, Vik,” Vi said before disappearing into the bedroom, “For everything.”
“Don’t mention it,” he replied.
———
Jayce did not have a restful sleep. It was one of those sleeps where you don’t even feel like you slept. You simply blink and hours have passed.
Jayce tried going back to sleep but his brain was just too noisy. He opted to sit at the foot of Powder’s bed and write in his notebook. He started out with Hextech, potential equations or applications, but it quickly devolved into doodles and thoughts from his head.
He was finishing a sketch of Powder’s bunny when someone knocked on the door. Briefly he hoped it was Vi and Viktor, but a nurse popped his head in instead.
“Good morning!” He smiled. “Just here to check on Powder.” He entered the room, sanitizing his hands before snapping on blue latex gloves.
“Good morning,” Jayce greeted, putting his notebook away.
“How is she doing?” The nurse asked while fiddling with her IV bags.
“She’s still sleeping. She has been for…” Jayce did some quick math in his head, “at least 12 hours.” He didn’t realize how long she had been sleeping for until then. “Is that normal.”
The nurse hummed, checking some of her readings. “Everything looks to be okay. She must just be getting some well deserved rest,” He concluded, “Unfortunately, I do have to draw some blood for some tests. Hopefully it won’t disturb her too much.”
Jayce would’ve been more worried if Powder didn’t react to the needle, but luckily, she stirred while the nurse wrapped the rubber band around her arm. Though waking to a strange man in a strange room brandishing a sharp needle and holding your arm isn’t a preferred wake up call. Immediately Powder scrambled away from the nurse with a scream, who let go of her arm swiftly.
Jayce shot up to Powder, “Hey, hey, hey!” He cooed gently, “You’re okay. It’s okay,” Powder clung to Jayce, the one familiar presence.
“What is- where am- where is-“ Powder stammered.
“It’s okay. You’re at the hospital, remember? You’re really sick and the nurse needs to take your blood to do some tests.” Jayce tells her, soothing her hair in his hands.
“Where’s Vi?” Powder finally whimpers out.
“She had to go home, but she’ll be here as soon as visiting hours start, I’m sure.”
“I don’t feel good.” She cries, digging herself into Jayce’s chest.
“I know, kiddo. We’re trying to make it better. That’s why you got to get your blood drawn.”
Powder looks to the forgotten nurse, and nods her head, surrendering her arm. She only jumps as the needle’s inserted, but otherwise is stock still.
“How’s your appetite?” The nurse asks as he cleans up, “Up for some breakfast?”Powder only shrugs, relaxing in Jayce’s arms.
The nurse brings in two trays anyway, with the sage advice of get her strength up. Powder picked pieces from an English muffin, nibbling slowly. Jayce couldn’t blame her. The hospital’s food was ass. He ate one and a half sausages and half a cup of weak bitter coffee. Powder liked the orange juice so he gave her his portion.
“When’s Vi coming?” Powder asked. Now that she was awake, she seemed determined to stay that way.
“In a couple of hours,” Jayce assured her.
“How many?”
Jayce checked his watch. “An hour and a half.”
Powder groaned.
“Want to play a game to pass the time?” Jayce offered, piquing Powder’s interest. She watched as he pulled out the checkered board, “It’s called Chess. Ever heard of it?”
“No,” Powder examines the knight, “but it looks familiar.”
“Each piece as a unique way they move,” Jayce explains, eager for the distraction from his spoiled slumber.
Jayce manages to explain all the pieces and they’re halfway through a game before someone else knocks on their door. This time, it’s Vi and Viktor at the door.
“Vi!” Powder cries, knocking over the game they have set up. Vi rushes towards her, wrapping her little sister in her arms.
“I’m here, Pow-Pow,” she whispers, “I’m here, I’m sorry.”
Jayce smiles. It seemed like Vi needed Powder as much as Powder needed her. His attention is drawn away by a brown paper bag being placed in front of him. He looks up to see Viktor give him a smile.
“Hungry?” He asks.
Jayce looks inside to find his usual order from the Academy’s Cafe and a chocolate chip muffin for Powder. The aroma is divine. “You have no idea.” Jayce grins, digging through to his beloved breakfast sandwich.
Vi climbs in beside Powder into the bed, careful of her IV. Powder is still crying into her shoulder, Vi rocks her gently back and forth.
“You look…” Viktor says, looking Jayce up and down. He seemed to regret saying anything.
“Like shit?” Jayce supplies.
Viktor frowns, “No! No. Just… tired. You look tired.”
“Yeah.” Jayce rubbed at his stubbly chin. “The recliner is more comfortable than you think. But it’s a low bar so it’s still not great.”
Viktor hummed. Looking a bit… sad.
“Jayce!” Powder interrupted, she wiggled out of Vi’s hold and started resetting the chess board. “Show Vi how to play chess so we can play together!”
Jayce started, but Powder quickly took over, only turning to Jayce to double check if she was right. They both took to chess quickly, but Powder was losing steam after about three rounds. She was still pretty sick after all. She cuddled up to Vi and fell asleep, Vi didn’t stay awake long either.
Noticing Viktor eyeing the board, Jayce smiles, “Wanna play?”
“Hm?” Viktor seemed to be pulled out of his thoughts, “Oh, sure.”
“It’s been a while, but don’t go easy on me,” Jayce said as he adjusted the board on the bed between him and Viktor.
“Of course not,” Viktor grinned, a competitive glint in his eye, “Where’s the fun in that?”
Jayce felt his stomach flip and his heart pound. He pushed down the urge to read into that reaction, but he didn’t feel ready for the answer.
They play in silence, just the gentle thunk of the felted bottoms of the chess pieces hitting the wooden board. Jayce watches Viktor examine the board, fiddling with one of Jayce’s captured pawns. He reaches for his bishop, but plays his rook instead. He seems to have a plan, but Jayce is playing by the seat of his pants. He moves his queen in a bold move and captures Viktor’s rook. His partner frowns, Jayce follows his gaze to the board and realizes that he put is queen in danger. Seat of his pants. It was almost too stupid to pass off as a mistake.
“Gotcha right where I want you.” He decides to gloat. Mind games were just as a part of chess as the pieces after all.
Viktor scoffs, a smile playing on his lips. With Jayce’s declaration, Viktor confidently takes his queen. Jayce tries not to wince as Viktor switches out the pieces.
“I believe that is checkmate.” Viktor says with a sly smile.
“Wait, what?” Jayce looks down at the board, looking to see what Viktor saw. Indeed his king was trapped. “How did I miss that?”
“Good game.” Viktor extended his hand for Jayce to shake.
“Let’s play again, I was just warming up.” Jayce said after releasing Viktor’s hand, resetting the board.
“Of course.” Viktor helps put the chess pieces back to their spots.
It’s going to be a long couple of days. But Jayce is certain they’re going to make it out okay. Maybe a bit unconventionally, but they will.