Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: Acceptance Letters

LUX

Demacia, in the most non-offensive way possible, looked too fake to be real. The tall stoned buildings, the castles, the watch towers. Honestly, even Lux thought the designs seemed too…primitive. But what were the words of a barely legal girl going to change? Nothing in Demacia ever change. Not the land, not the rules, and not its people.

Every day was the same. The same families would come up to greet the blonde, all in hopes of getting close to her, to get a taste of what nobility was. All, wearing masks to hide the ugly in them, but Lux could see it. She could see right through every hideous mask that her people drew on, even the ones that her family displayed.

Just thinking about all the lies these people would tell brought distaste to Lux’s tongue as she lounged in the atrium, staring out at the garden bed. They had gardeners to cater to the flowers but there was a small section underneath all those bland roses that Lux had begun to grow daffodils. The mere thought of her rebelling a little had drawn out a small smirk as she sipped on her afternoon tea.

“Little sister?” Lux perked up, gazing her blue orbs into the same orbs that reflected hers.

The small smirk drew out into a loving smile as she set down her tea on the glass coffee table. Leaning further into their white sofa, curling up into her cushions to comfortably talk.

“Garen.” She stretched before settling into a position. “You’re home early.”

The brown-haired brother of hers, heavily muscular and by far the tallest in their family, was a soldier to their country of Demacia. Serving since he came of age, Garen had been deployed for 7 weeks now, guarding their borders in case of another Noxian attack. He was supposed to be back a week later, which Lux had dreaded.

Garen was the only person in this forsaken country that Lux had deemed worthy of her time. He was the only one to discard his mask in front of her and lay out all his worries. It also goes a long way that he would even confess his recent…affair with a certain red-head, but who was Lux to judge when she was also hiding a secret…One that even Garen hadn’t had the fortune of knowing.

“As much as I would like to celebrate my early return.” Garen said a little nervously as he settled on the couch opposite his sister. His hands were also tapping consistently on his knees, slightly annoying her. “There’s something you need to know…before we get called in.”

Lux seemed to understand the situation as she sat up straight and leaned over to pat his hands to a stop. “Steady yourself, Garen.” And when he seemed to stop being fidgety, she let go of his abnormally big hands. “What is it?”

Before letting out a big sigh, her brother ran a hand through his short hair. “Auntie received your acceptance letter.”

Furrowing her brows, Lux scoffed, not sure what he was saying. “What do you mean she received an acceptance letter? I made sure—"

It was a small slip up on her part, the fact that she forgot that of course a school like that would send out an acceptance letter instead of emailing like every normal person in this day and age. All that sneaking around, fooling her family into thinking she was studying for exams instead of applying for universities far from home, talking about keeping up traditions to take on the family role as matriarch, the pampering her aunt. It was all for nought now that they have found her letter.

“Sir, ma’am.” Their butler had stood at the door of the atrium, knocking lightly to announce himself. “You are requested an audience with the matriarch.”

At this, Lux and Garen both gulped audibly, both knowing the power their aunt held.

JINX

“Oi, Jinx! Where the fuck is my cologne?” The brass noise of Jinx’s beloved sister could be heard through her wall.

Drowning it out with Pentakill, Jinx closed her eyes, one leg propped above the knee as she laid flat on her bed. Vi was packing today and although Jinx hated to admit it, she was going to miss the bitch that was her sister. They already had this discussion the minute Vi got her interview with the Academy in Piltover. Piltover. Jinx could only scoff. Although she was thrilled that her sister landed her first big break, she was abandoning her roots, her morals, her family. Jinx could only frown as she reminisced the days where the two would just walk downtown, beat and get beaten up for stealing treasures. It may have been painful, but it was life in Zaun and Jinx wouldn’t trade it for the world. Their dads were really enthusiastic about Vi’s job, well, Vander was. Silco, on the other hand, was non-complacent. But that was Silco. Always giving backhanded comments with love.

“I said,” Vi charged into the room, in her tank top and shorts, hair dripping from the shower. “Where is my cologne?”

Jinx rolled her eyes, jabbing a thumb to the drawers above her head. Vi, on the way to said draws, unplugged the speakers that blasted Pentakill, a band that they both loved. So, to say that Vi had stopped the angelic sounds of their band, was already another betrayal that would lead to the downfall of their sistership.

“What the fuck?” Jinx gasped, sitting up.

Vi just rolled her eyes, grabbing a handful of Jinx’s boxers and throwing them into a box. A box that Jinx hadn’t noticed Vi carry in. She just sat there whilst Vi tossed a shit ton more of her clothes into said box. Too flabbergasted to do or say anything.

“What are you doing?” Jinx asked, recollecting herself as she got up from her bed.

Jinx’s room was the very definition of shoebox. She had a single bunk with a bunch of junk and tools on the top, broken wooden drawers on each end of the bunk, a rack of her clothes plastered against her window as if they were her blinds. There was a table with loose screws and piles of schematics stuffed in the corner by the door and a wheelie stool underneath. The room was tight, but she made it work. There wasn’t much room to complain either, when Vi’s room was just about the same size, but then again, they lived in Zaun. There wasn’t room for anything in a place like this.

“I’m packing your stuff.” Vi said mindlessly as she pulled out a…toy. She made a face that caused Jinx to snatch it with irritation, throwing it in the box.

“Why in Janna’s name are you packing my stuff?” Jinx huffed, whilst Vi continued.

“Cuz you’re coming to Piltover with me.” Vi, once she was satisfied with packing all of her sister’s clothes, picked up the box and walked to the door. “Congrats by the way. You’re going to uni.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: Settling In

JINX

If only Jinx had access to a gun, she would have definitely shot a hole through her sister—scratch that. She would have put a hole through her whole family. Even Silco, the very man who was concerned when Vi was going to Piltover. But of course, when they found out that Jinx was accepted with a scholarship to Piltover, he was over the moon! Jeez, if they wanted to shag so much, they could have just told her to move out instead of shipping her off to another city.

In hind sight, Jinx always did want to live with her sister. They lost a lot of time when Vi was training for the Academy and Jinx wasn’t going to lie, hearing her talk so much about this prissy Caitlyn, irked her. What was so good about Caitlyn that caused Vi to abandon her adorable younger sister?

Shaking her head vehemently, Jinx just huffed as she unloaded their stuff into their new apartment, which, she had to say was hell of an upgrade. Piltover definitely wasn’t just for show of its wealth. The apartment was open plan with the front door leading to the kitchen then living room. The master bedroom was on the left whilst the smaller bedroom was on the right. The bathroom was closest to the front door and there was a small balcony in the back. It was all very spacious and white, a colour that was definitely going to change the coming month that Jinx got a hand on some paint. Although the space had potential, Jinx knew they didn’t have the furniture to fill it, nor the money. It was even a miracle that Jinx even got a scholarship, so all the bills and rent were going to be provided for her by Vi, a thought that frustrated her a little.

“What you standing around for? Unpack your stuff.” Vi called from the kitchen, already taking out the utensils.

Picking up 1 of 2 boxes that belonged to her, Jinx drew on a sneaky smirk. “Dibs the big one!” She called out, rushing to that room before her sister could even process it.

Vi, in response, just chuckled and shook her head, already knowing the outcome.

Walking into the master bedroom was somewhat a shock to Jinx. She never would have thought that a bedroom could be so big. The unlimited amount of space and wall. Oh yeah, these white walls were going to see colour one way or another. She propped her box down on the wooden table provided as she dragged her finger along the double mattress. It was almost as big as the one her dads had in their room, granted their mattress looked more…broken. From what? She didn’t dwell too much on.

Mindlessly walking around her room and touching every surface, Jinx smiled to herself, embracing the newfound feeling of freedom. The freedom to fuck up her room, that is.

“Jinx!” Her sister’s muffled voice sounded through the walls. “Get ready to leave! We gotta get you shit for uni!”

Huffing, Jinx walked towards the door, glancing back at her massive room before leaving with a smile.

LUX

“I can’t believe it.” Lux mumbled, looking down at her suitcase, still in shock of what had occurred in the last 24 hours.

Garen just chuckled beside her. He was also dragging along a suitcase, one that was half his height and nearing Lux’s height. Funnily enough, the suitcase had her things inside.

“If I’ll be honest, Luxanna, aunt had shocked me too.” He responded as they stood at the exit whilst the driver grabbed their luggage. “Though, I guess it was expected. I mean…it is Piltover. City of Progress and such.”

Lux hummed in agreement.

Since the moment Lux and Garen entered the meeting room, their family members praised her…in their own way. Everything was backhanded and many of her uncles and aunts had just spat compliments out of jealousy. Aunt Tatiana silenced them and had, for the first time, dropped her mask to express her uttermost heartfelt compliment. As quickly as it dropped, she re-attached it and spout about how Lux’s accomplishment would need to be carried out in Piltover and make a name for their city. Lux had accidentally let a scoff out, but covered it with her hand, excusing her ‘cough’. Of course, though she was going to be miles away, she was never going to truly be free. Not from Demacia and not from her family.

The thought of it left a heavy displeasure in her stomach as she settled into the limo. Garen had so kindly accompanied her to Piltover to check out the accommodation that her family had arranged. Guess that was why he was sent home early. To babysit her incase she made a fool of herself during the first week.

“Hey, Luxanna,” Garen whispered, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. “Don’t fret. Even though our aunt said all those things…they can’t control you from there. You’re in Piltover now. You are you. Take this chance to explore life…away from home. I’ll do my best to distract the family until you come home for holidays.”

Lux wiped a phantom tear as she hugged her brother, cherishing how understanding and loving he was. She was definitely going to miss having him around.

As they rode up to her studio, which was part of an apartment complex, Lux could see the tower of Piltover University in the near distance. So it wasn’t that far and judging by the exterior of freshly grown and cut plants and trees, quite homey. They had already been informed of the complex being a newly constructed building, with most of the residence being students. There were occasional families and apparently the sheriff lived there in part of being security for the University. Lux didn’t really want to bother knowing the politics of Piltover so when her auntie talked about the Sheriff, she blocked it out.

“What floor am I on?” Lux asked as the driver unloaded their luggage.

Garen dismissed the driver with politeness before turning his attention to her, giving her a graceful smile as he dragged the suitcases along. “The top floor.”

Lux nodded mindlessly as she followed him. “Right, right…wait, what? Top? As in pent?”

Garen chuckled. “Only the best for you, sister.”

Her mouth dropped open as they carried on into the lobby. She was definitely not bringing guests over. It would be embarrassing for people to know that she had this much family money. Trying to get away from the family meant she wanted a normal school life, not all this fancy schmancy stuff.

Lux sighed, not letting it get to her and just appreciating how considerate her family was.

Once they stepped into the elevator, Lux’s eyes caught a glimpse of long braided blue hair.

“Vi. Wait up!” The voice rang in her ear, echoing for the remainder of her day.