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

You've been in Juvie for eight months, with Kara by your side. You're not a couple, you're not sure what you are. Your birthday passed, and you received a letter from your family back home. It didn't arrive on the day but the letter was written with love, even Benzo had added a little "Happy Birthday, kid".  You told them about Kara in your letters to them, Mylo and Powder joined forces in teasing you for your 'girlfriend'. You didn't tell Kara it was your birthday, you didn't want her to think she owed you. 

Everything has been on the up, you finally don't feel like you're in this alone, Vi wasn't carrying all the guilt for your arrest, Powder didn't feel like she was spending every day waiting for you to come home, and Ekko feels like he's stepping up in your place.

***

The others are doing something they've never done before: celebrating progress day. Ever since you sacrificed yourself for Zaun, there's been a slight sense of pride at all times, proud to know that you get to be a survivor. The Last Drop is set up with blue and white decorations. It's a nicer atmosphere than usual, people seem jovial in the streets. It's no Piltover's progress day but it's Zaun being proud of itself.

Ekko is practising his punches at the punching machine, his name climbs the leaderboard and eventually comes into proximity to yours, just below Vi's. A pause has been placed on his and Powder's relationship since you left, Ekko wanted the pause for her sake but it feels like he's shooting himself in the foot every time he doesn't reach out.

***

You and Kara had each other's backs. She'd been there longer than you so she'd tell you how things run, you were built like you could kill a man with one hand so you'd protect her. 

One day, you're both in the library during free time. You're reading a book you always saw by Claggor's bed and Kara is reading something the highest of society would read. It was rare that you'd see her acting like she's from Piltover but it didn't deter you like it used to. 

The horn sounds and you both put your books away. It's a roll call, the guard calls through the names: "...Alben, Tenle, y/n, Ozro...". Once all the names have been called, you are pulled aside by a guard and brought to a room with two guards standing by the door. You're sat in a seat in front of a table, with another seat on the other side. You don't know why you've been brought here, you've followed their rules and agreed to their terms.

The door opens, and the warden walks in and sits across from you. She pulls out a letter and reads it out: "By order of Runeterra law, the following inmate, y/n l/n, is slated for release after one year of imprisonment. The price for their bail has been met and they are to be released into the care of the primary funding source of bail money" She lowers the letter and sees your shocked expression. She states the information for your release: "You will be released November fifth, one year from your imprisonment. You will be handed over to the people who paid for your bail, a man named Silco from Zaun.

***

Over in The Last Drop, the spirits are high, everyone is in the main room and no one is expecting what they're about to hear. As they all set up for Progress Day, there's friendly chatter in the air. The light was finally replaced and there's now a warm yellow hue cast over the room that makes it feel warm.

As they all prepare for the celebration, the door is opened, and Grayson and Marcus walk-in heads held high. The room goes quieter as everyone eavesdrops. Grayson speaks directly to Vander: "As I'm sure you know, your child, y/n, is approaching his first anniversary of imprisonment"

Vander sighs before speaking, not letting it get to him: "Yes, I am aware"

She smiles, it's a genuine smile, she takes a deep breath before speaking: "Their bail money was paid, and they'll be released November fifth"