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

It's been half a year, you've been locked in here for half a year already. Your body has changed dramatically, your shoulders have broadened, and your back is covered in tattoos, scars and bruises. The muscles in your arms and legs have grown and your punches have become near-lethal. 

There's been fights, you haven't been in any of them but you have been avoiding them. Vander keeps his word and sends letters from them all, they hold you together. Every time you feel like giving up, you look at the bracelet on your wrist and keep pushing. 

You've been avoiding connections as you'll be moving into the big house in only six months, the closest you've been with someone is Enforcer Grayson, who delivers the letters from Vander. She pities you as she knows your story.

***

Vi, Ekko and Powder are still trudging through their grief, the letters help but not enough. Mylo and Claggor are still upset but are returning to their former selves. Vander will say he has moved on but it's obvious it still hurts just as bad.

Contrasting to you, Vi has been working out less. Spending most of her time at home, her muscles have started to shrink. She's still built like an ox but her depressive state still tolls on her body. She blames herself for you being taken and it shows, she barely sleeps, eats and yet spends most of her day in bed. 

Vander opens the door to her room, the light from the outside illuminating the room: "Hey, Violet" She doesn't respond, facing away from the door. He goes and sits at the end of her bed: "I made you some food, it's chicken" She still doesn't respond, so he puts the plate of chicken next to her: "y/n would want us to be strong, for when they get back to us"

She slowly moves up her bed, still not facing him: "What if they don't come back?"

Vander rubs her shoulder: "They're strong, and only getting stronger. They'll be fine"

Vi buries her face in her pillow: "I mean what if they don't want to? Y/n was always so separate from us, and they were so quick to take the fall. What if this was their opportunity to get away from all of us?" 

Vanders quiet for a moment before he speaks: "Y/n promised they'd get their dagger back from Powder. They'll come back, you'll see y/n again"

Vi hesitates but eventually believes her fatherly figure: "Okay"

Vander stays an extra moment before standing again: "I have to get back to work, be sure to eat. I love you, Violet"

Vi finally turns to the door: "Love you too"

***

(Warning: Mentions of drug abuse)

In Silco's domain, things are moving as usual. He is sitting in his office, doing paperwork when a tall, strong lady with dark skin comes in. She's carrying Deckard in: "Silco, found this piece of work snooping around the warehouse. Claimed you knew him" 

She throws him forward, Deckard's face is bruised and there's barely any meat on his bones: "S-Silco, boss, please. You gotta understand I wasn't doing nothin"

Silco cuts him off quickly: "Silence. I told you to never show your face to me and now Sev has dragged you into my office like a cat and a dead mouse"

Deckard's voice is coarse: "I-I just want some work, I'm so hungry"

Silco looks at him disgusted: "You're a terrible liar, Deckard. I know where the money you 'earn' goes"

Deckard starts to cry, his tears fall to the carpet: "Please, pl- please boss. I just need-" A gunshot rings out through the air, Sevika's right hand gripping the weapon. One of Silco's thugs comes in and drags the body out.