Threads of Control

Strings and Smoke

The bar reeked of sweat, smoke, and spilt liquor. A place where deals were struck with broken knuckles and loose tongues, the sort of hole you went to either forget yourself or lose yourself entirely. You'd chosen the former tonight, hunched at the counter with a glass that burned all the way down, your hood pulled low to keep the curious eyes away.

"You drink like someone who knows better," came a dry, gravelly voice.

"Maybe I do," you said, swirling the glass. "But sometimes knowing better isn't enough."

Sevika snorted, downing her drink in one go. "Fair. But Silco wants you. And when Silco wants someone, they don't sit around wasting time at bars."

You arched a brow, lips curving faintly. "Funny, I don't remember agreeing to be at his beck and call."

Her laugh was sharp and humorless. "You're here, aren't you? That's all the agreement he needs."

You tossed back the rest of your drink and stood, brushing past her toward the door. She fell into step beside you, boots thudding against the cobblestones.

"Must be nice," Sevika muttered.

"What?"

"The way Jinx lights up every time you walk in the room." Her tone carried a mix of irritation and curiosity. "Kid doesn't smile like that for anyone else. Makes me wonder what the hell you've got that the rest of us don't."

You smirked. "Maybe I just listen."

Sevika shook her head, muttering something about soft hearts getting you killed, but she didn't push further.

By the time you reached the Last Drop, the hum of noise inside was familiar, almost welcoming. You followed Sevika up the stairs to Silco's office, but before she could even open the door, a streak of blue darted down from the rafters.

"(Y/N)!" Jinx shouted, landing with a crash that made Sevika curse under her breath. The girl scrambled up and latched onto your arm like a shadow. "You've been gone forever! I found new paint, come see, come see! Oh, oh—will you paint my nails? And maybe do my hair? Sevika's useless with it."

Sevika rolled her eyes. "Damn right I am."

You couldn't help but laugh, crouching down to Jinx's height. "Nails and hair, huh? You trying to be fancy on me?"

The office door creaked open, and Silco stepped into the doorway. His sharp gaze cut over the scene—the child glued to your side, your easy smile, Sevika watching with an amused curl of her lip. His face darkened.

"Inside," he snapped.

The three of you obeyed, though Jinx dragged you by the hand, tugging you toward the desk as if you were hers to keep. She plopped into the chair, thrusting her hands out expectantly. "Paint my nails!!"

"Jinx," he said, his voice low, strained. "Go back to your room."

The girl's smile faltered. "But—"

"Now." The word cracked like a whip.

Jinx flinched, scowling before storming past Sevika and out the door. The slam echoed through the room, leaving a hollow silence in her wake.

You straightened slowly, jaw tight. "That was unnecessary."

Silco's hands clenched on the back of his chair. His composure was slipping, the controlled fury simmering through his voice. "You are not her mother. You are not her friend. You are here because I allow it—nothing more. Do not mistake her affection as anything but dangerous."

You held his stare, refusing to flinch. "Maybe what's dangerous is how little you let her have."

For a moment, the room was smoke and silence. His jaw twitched, breath shallow, and you saw it—the flicker of something raw, buried deep. Then he tore his gaze away, retreating to the shadows behind his desk like a man hiding from his own reflection.

"Leave," he said coldly. "Before I regret letting you stay this long."

You did, though Jinx's disappointed face lingered in your mind long after the door shut behind you.