Arcane: World Two - AU (Non-binary reader)

IV - To Me, Only Me

You're walking to Benzo's with Vander and Claggor, the bag filled with the valuables you stole the day before under your arm. People seem to part ways for Vander so he's ahead of you and Claggor. The two of you didn't speak as much as you did with Powder and Vi but this felt different, you turn to him: "How'd Powder do with getting to the apartment then?" 

Claggor looks surprised, he didn't expect you to suddenly begin speaking to him: "Um, only a few hiccups"

You become intrigued: "Like what?"

He is hesitant to respond but does anyway: "She got scared of a jump at one point?"

You make sure Vander isn't listening before speaking again: "You had to go get her?"

Claggor shakes his head: "Actually, Vi mentioned something about her 'being ready'. She made the jump on her own... mostly"

"Huh," You turn back to face forward, thinking about how you told her she was ready. You can't help but feel a sense of pride. "So how did she need help then?"

"She nearly tri-" he cuts himself off, not wanting Vander to overhear and think they put Powder's life at stake. You understand the sudden end to the conversation and go back to your stoicism.

It's not long until you all stand outside Benzo's. Vander takes the bag from you before stating: "Wait here, no one comes in"

As he walks in, Ekko walks out with two boxes stacked I'm his hand. You can barely see his eyes over them with how much he was carrying. He sees you and Claggor: "You did the job?"

Claggor takes a breath, thinking back on the heist, before replying: "Yep... we did it alright"

You but in: "Keep your voice down, anyone could be listening"

Ekko giggles at your stern tone, it lightens your heart slightly: "Hey, Vi showed me some moves" He drops the boxes into your arms as he throws some punches that Vi had taught him: "I'd like to see an enforcer take that!" You almost smile at his fighting, it's scrappy and poorly done but you can see his passion.

You watch for a moment, contemplating whether to assist him. You take too long to and start seeing enforcers come down the street. Ekko shoos you and Claggor away, you run into the alley with Claggor following closely behind. The smaller enforcer gives Ekko a dirty look as both enforcers walk into the shop.

Ekko joins you and Claggor but jumps to the roof, guiding you both with him, he takes you to a horn coming out of the ceiling. He puts his ear up to it, and eventually, he motions for you to do the same. You can't see them but can hear what they're all talking about.

The older enforcer is kicking out her younger counterpart: "Go take a walk, Marcus" She waits for the door to close before speaking again: "We know you know, you have the loot right there. And we both know it wasn't you"

You hear Vander take his pipe out of his mouth: "I can't sell out my people, I have to protect them"

She rebuttals: "So do I. The people are afraid now unless we put someone in the slammer, they will use this to try to invade Zaun"

Vander sighs, knowing she's right. She knows he knows: "If you change your mind, use this to contact me" You hear her pass him something. "It'll go directly to me, only me"

She leaves, and you step away from the horn, struggling to breathe. Ekko and Claggor look at you with concern, wondering what made you react like this but you can't look at them. You just turn yourself around and run away, again. 

Your head is pounding, you were right to not let them get too close. The idea that Vander, the man who nursed you back to health, was willing to turn his back and hand you all in. You run for too long and end up stumbling onto the ground passed out. You feel the world cave in around you.