Parallel Lines

Irritable

Jinx fell silent for a moment, then glanced sideways at Y/N. "Hey Ma, can we go out tonight?"

"If I say no, would it stop you?" Y/N asked dryly.

Jinx shrugged. "If I say yes, will you be mad?"

"Touche." Y/N chuckled. "But... The chain broke on one of my rings, I have to fix it tonight so I can't go out."

Jinx frowned, "Why? Is Silco making you go out again? Can't he just wait? Why can't he just make Sevika do it since she's SOOOO great?!"

"I want to fix the rings so then I can protect you and Silco if I need to." Y/N corrected Jinx, turning her sister's head to look at her, "Bluejay, trust me that I'd much rather want to go out with you then weld a new chain for me, but I have to."

Jinx scrunched up her face, still displeased though knew that Y/N was telling the truth. "Alright, but next time, right?"

Y/N smiled softly, "Of course."

_____________________________________________________

"Wanna join me? Come and play, but I might shoot you in your face. Bombs and bullets will do the trick, what we need here is a little bit of panic! Do you ever wanna catch me?"

Jinx twirled a grenade between her fingers, her blue hair swaying with every exaggerated movement. She leaned back into the worn-out chair, her eyes glittering with delight.

"I saw what you did," Y/N said, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips as she focused on the delicate strokes of blue nail polish she was applying to Jinx's fingers.

"How big of an explosion was it?" Y/N asked, her tone as casual as if she were asking about the weather.

Jinx let out a maniacal laugh that echoed through the dimly lit room. "Oh, it was huge!" She grinned wickedly, her eyes alight with mischief. "Silco was soooo happy when he saw what I stole. You should've seen his face, Ma!"

Y/N raised an eyebrow but didn't look up from her work, though her heart warmed at Jinx calling her 'mom'. "And what exactly did you steal this time?" She asked, switching out the blue polish for a vibrant pink. She began painting Jinx's other hand.

"This!" Jinx exclaimed, holding up a shimmering blue orb that pulsed faintly in the dim light. The object seemed alive, radiating an eerie energy that made Y/N's stomach twist.

Y/N froze for a moment, her white hair catching the light as she looked at the orb with widened eyes. "That's... What is it?" She asked with a curious tilt of her head.

Jinx shrugged, her grin never faltering. "I dunno! But I stole this book thingy too." She reached behind her and produced a book, holding it up triumphantly. "It looks a lot like that sad, boring book you're always staring at."

Y/N chuckled softly, her tone light despite the tension brewing inside her. "Alright now, coming for my books is a bit too harsh, don't you think?"

Jinx waved the book around like it was a toy. "Yeah, but this one's cooler! There's all this magic and rune stuff going on in it. At least, that's what the book says." She plopped the orb and book onto the table, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin. "Silco was soooo mad before he saw all this. I think my fireworks softened him up, don't you think, Ma?"

"Very impressive indeed," Y/N teased, finishing the final stroke of polish on Jinx's nails. She held up Jinx's hand for inspection. "Alright, Bluejay, your nails are done. Gorgeous, as always."

Jinx examined her brightly painted nails, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Thanks! Y'know..." She began, her tone shifting slightly, "Those rune things in the book, they kinda look like the ones on your hands."

Y/N's playful demeanor faltered for a fraction of a second. Her gaze flickered to her own hands, where faint scars showed faintly under the light. She flexed her fingers, her voice softer now. "You think so?"

"Yeah..." Jinx frowned, reaching for the book and flipping it open to a page covered in intricate rune illustrations. She held it up for Y/N to see. "Do you think the book you stole and the one I stole are connected? I mean, you said the runes on your hands were for protection, right?"

Y/N hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Bluejay, of course, they're for protection. But they're only meant to be used in emergencies. And to be honest... I don't really know how to use them. Not yet."

"Oh." Jinx's shoulders slumped slightly, but the disappointment in her face was fleeting. She brightened quickly, her grin returning. "Well, I guess we'll just have to figure it out together, huh?"

Y/N smiled, her confidence returning. "We're in this together, right, Bluejay?"

"Of course, Ma. Always."

Their palms slapped together with a crisp clap, followed by their thumbs locking together to form a bird-like shape. They flapped their linked hands twice, mimicking the motion of wings, their laughter ringing out in perfect harmony.