... How do you really feel about... this thing with Ekko? Be honest.
[ she knows that ekko grinds his gears, but she doesn't know the extent of it. is it greater than quentin or less than that? her ex was a pretty ballsy guy, she'll give him that, but they both have history when it comes to the boy savior, too. ]
[Of course she would pick that subject. It wasn't unexpected, and the quick answer would be she had told him nothing would happen. That wouldn't be honest though, and he had made significant efforts to not withhold information.]
Much like your last boy, he feels the need to challenge me and try to pick fights with me. I find it off-putting, as I expect to be part of your life for as long as I live and that puts me in range of your relationships. I am, always, on your side, so if this is the adversity I am going to face, I worry how they will treat you in the long run.
[He sighed. That was at least his opinion overview. His hand stopped rubbing as he internally worked through his emotions to formulate his words.]
He can hate me all he likes, but I will not tolerate him trying to remove me from your life. Your happiness matters to me, but when your little squeezes try to weaponize that against me, I have no tolerance for that game either.
However, I can't stop you from engaging, but I will protect you.
[ her heart sinks a bit, because everything that he is saying is on point and true. and it really ruffles her raven feathers that it seems like this cycle will continue to wheel around. ]
I wish the people I do like wouldn't do that. You've always been good to me, and you've taken such good care for me... even when sometimes I know I don't deserve it. I just wish people would see that more than everything else.
[The moment the boy had arrived, he knew it was going to create issues. The only conversation would have been fine to be contentious if the boy had kept it about their differences, but Ekko had come out swinging about his daughter, and it had set the stage for hatred without respect. Hatred with respect he would leave the pair be, but that attitude? Silco would not put up with.]
You can wish all you like, but it appears to be a constant reality you will be dealing with.
I suspect taking you will only be his first move. Those of our world will attempt to hamstring me now that their numbers are greater than ours.
There's no way he can take me away from you. [ she starts off, shifting her head briefly to plant a tiny kiss on the bottom of his chin. ] — Yeah, he's googly-eyed with me and junk, and... fine, I might be feeling something back, but... I-I don't think I can be what he wants me to be.
Just the thought of going through that all over again is... making me want to run away and never come back. Even when, some nights, I wish I was in a relationship with someone. It's at night when things get so hard for me.
That comforts me to hear that. [He was reminded of her saying he would be taken away because of him having found someone, but he remained confident that she would remain loyal. They had been through a considerable amount, he and her.]
What do you think he wishes you to be? He gave me the impression he wanted you to be Powder. [That wasn't going to happen. Powder was dead, killed years ago so Jinx could be the superior version of his daughter.]
It is the loneliness that will eat at you, but it is okay to be satisfied being alone. I have been that way for years. [It was okay to take time to breathe.] The last relationship is something you are still navigating the trauma of. Give yourself time to regain your confidence.
Just to be his girlfriend, I guess. And I thought... that's who he liked at first too, but... he said he liked me even when we were fighting, when we... — looked at each other on the bridge.
[ who knew that one brief moment between them would open up a floodgate of emotions? and while her father is one-hundred percent right, she detests that the bottom line is that she is still sensitive regardless of her yearning for an intimate companionship. the bluenette wishes she could just get over it already and be done with it, and during the day, she feels as if she is above it. ... until the night falls.
therefore the truth is, she just needs more time in a general sense. so maybe for now, she doesn't need to do anything regarding ekko, but to continue on with how she was living before he came. that should be easy, right? ]
You mean when he concussed you on the bridge? [He wasn't even apologetic about it potentially sounding annoyed. His dislike was growing darker with each moment. That boy was going to steal his daughter.]
And what does being his girlfriend entail for you?
[He needed to know she was safe, but that notion was dimming the further into this particular topic they ventured. This was what it meant for one's only child to grow up and move on, was it? This place was cursed, wasn't it?
As much as he respected (or wanted to) her choice, he was disquieting by the reality of his plan of building her a future here now taken over by one he couldn't trust. And Ekko had made it clear that the boy was going to fight. Silco was not going to take that threat laying down. It occurred to him that he was right back in the same position of choice, and whatever she decided was out of his control. At least there wasn't writing scratched into the table for him to die this time.]
[ jinx innerly winces at the reminder, and chews on her lip briefly. ekko really did do a number on her on that bridge despite how much she likes to twist the narrative to be more on her favor. her heart is still a bit bruised from their encounter from back then, their games were never that violence, and that wrath on ekko's face was something she had never seen before, nor she ever thought it would be an expression he could mask.
which begs the question, if the boy savior can carry that sort of hate for her, would he feel that way towards her again? if he discovers shimmer, will that fire in him ignite and burn like wildfire until she becomes ash? her lips thin with uncertainty, and even more so at her father's next inquiry.
if jinx was trying to convince silco that everything between her and ekko would be all right if they dated hypothetically, she'd be failing miserably.]
I-I dunno...
[ again, his daughter cringes over her answer, this time, averting her gaze in any way possible so it wouldn't show just how clueless she is about all of this. ]
I'm still not sure what it all means to be a girlfriend. I know I'm supposed to care about them, be their important someone, and maybe even fall for them. ... And to y'know, do it with them.
[ now that she had a lot experience and practice. ]
[She was not convincing him that any of this was a well intentioned or well considered idea. Fortunately for her, Silco was so used to her not doing so that it wasn't odd for him to know she had no clue what she was expecting or even wanting in a relationship. Friendship had never come easy to her, not with her demons plaguing her.
Still, she had dating that worthless piece of garbage for enough that he thought she should know what she wanted. Maybe it was too much to ask beyond the answer of not feeling lonely and having physical gratification.]
My only advice is that you consider what you hope to gain from a relationship like that. What will you bring to it, and what will he?
[It probably wouldn't be considered. He had to decide the lengths he was willing to go to regarding this as well. Not active sabotage, but he wouldn't stand by as she was taken advantage of.]
It seems this is inevitable though. You've made up your mind.
[ has she made up her mind? she feels more lost than how this conversation first started. but maybe her being confused is a good thing, it means she won't sit here and give herself a migraine about it. the best choice of action is to just... pretend it's not happening, and focus more on trying to gain the choosens' trust. because as much as she loves her thieves, they're still being controlled by the council, and she can't seem to break them out of their coding to have free will. ]
You disagree? It feels like part of this conversation was convincing me.
[He lifted a hand to comb his finger through her long loose hair, stroking his fingers against her scalp in the process.]
If you want me to forbid this for a time to provide you space to consider what you want, I will.
[Maybe extreme, but if she needed an excuse to put the breaks on whatever eas happening, he had no issue being the villain. Even temporarily. Whatever she needed.]
[He raised his eyebrow at her reaction, tilting his head curiously even as she touched his cheek and attempted to smooth the subject over with a kiss.]
I will do whatever is required to secure your happiness. Besides, they all hate me already so the heat will be very little difference.
[His fingers combed through her hair again. Her threat was hardly anything he was concerned about.]
I will forbid it until you have made a decision on what you want.
[ in a kid-like fashion, she puffs up her cheeks then quickly pouts right after with her arms folding over her chest. ]
I know, but you get too silly with you protecting me sometimes. That's why your nickname is, Mister Silly.
[ now being dramatic, she drops her head back against his shoulder while letting her feet idly sway from side to side. although she is slightly protesting, her voice softens and her words flow in a more soothing course. ]
... I just don't want you hurt. I want you to be happy and live forever with me.
[He remained calm and assured in the face of her pouting. He knew it was a show on her part, and he made a point of pushed some hair behind one of her ears in a very parental gesture.]
I do not. You're my only child; I have a right to be protective of you, especially after the challenges we have faced.
[She had nearly died on the bridge that day. She likely didn't remember, but he couldn't lose that image for as long as he lived. Shimmer was an act of desperation, and it had worked to keep her alive. Those were the sacrifices a parent made.
He shifted in the chair as she returned to leaning her head on him, curling his arm around the small of her back to prevent her tipping out of his lap.]
Well, that will be awkward if you do date again and want to move in with someone other than me.
[ although he is tucking her strands behind her ears, jinx wobbles her head from side to side in a goofball manner immediately after to see if the locks will fall out of place due to the motion. ]
Who will make your coffee in the morning? And cook your dinner? Don't forget your medicine too...! No one can do those things like I can.
You never know, stranger occurrences have happened. After all, weren't you furious at your sister for not saving you a spot when you arrived?
[They had good home here; he had not been pleased to be in the Inn for longer than necessary. Their house was exactly as it was meant to be, though it would be much to large for a single person. What was it called? Empty nest syndrome? He would have to find a hobby and wouldn't that be disgusting.]
It is true. I suppose I will have to re-teach myself to do them if I absolutely must.
[If anything, eating would be the most problematic. He tended to forego if he wasn't also making food for Jinx, and he had only recently put back on the weight he had lost previously.]
But that was different, you weren't here yet and I know you wouldn't let me sleep out there in the streets. And besides, that was before I thought it was possible for you or anyone beyond the grave could wind up here.
[ it's been a year since then, and she is still pretty bitter about it. ]
You wouldn't choose a dessert that'll make you all fat over family.
Of course not. There are far more acceptable places to sleep than the streets. It seems the living arrangements have worked out well with my being here.
[He knew she was still angry about such a subject before he had arrived, and he had no issue nudging that anger now and again. Sometimes he simply had to remind her that he was better.]
I don't eat dessert, so that won't ever by a problem. You are my family, and you will always be first.
[He nodded against the top of her head. He knew that she would, of course. Who didn't like knowing their were first in the life of another? His fingers carded through her long hair again.]
I know. We don't all achieve that kind of place, but you deserve it.
[ feeling one-eighty degrees better than before this little pow-wow, she shifts careful in his lap to stretch on over to scoop just one last chip and dip to toss her in her mouth. ]
You sure don't want some of this grub? You can't do business and break fingers on an empty stomach.
[As much as he would like to enjoy that notion, history had taught him that 'her only' was a precarious and potentially shifting status. He had no doubt of her love for him, but her chaos was the great director of her actions. He wouldn't change her, even when she did happen to drive him further gray hairs.]
I suppose. [He took a chip with dip and carefully chewed it. Only for her.]
Do you wish to continue further? [It was a lot of ground that they had covered, topics that neither of them likely wanted or enjoyed talking about.]
I think I'm okay now. [ she says, then looks up to her father with a bit of twinkle in her eye. ] — Unlleeesssss, you got a problem that needs fixing. I am an engineer, and my job is to fix things! So, so, so? You need some advice?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 01:42 am (UTC)[ she knows that ekko grinds his gears, but she doesn't know the extent of it. is it greater than quentin or less than that? her ex was a pretty ballsy guy, she'll give him that, but they both have history when it comes to the boy savior, too. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 02:12 am (UTC)Much like your last boy, he feels the need to challenge me and try to pick fights with me. I find it off-putting, as I expect to be part of your life for as long as I live and that puts me in range of your relationships. I am, always, on your side, so if this is the adversity I am going to face, I worry how they will treat you in the long run.
[He sighed. That was at least his opinion overview. His hand stopped rubbing as he internally worked through his emotions to formulate his words.]
He can hate me all he likes, but I will not tolerate him trying to remove me from your life. Your happiness matters to me, but when your little squeezes try to weaponize that against me, I have no tolerance for that game either.
However, I can't stop you from engaging, but I will protect you.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 02:45 am (UTC)I wish the people I do like wouldn't do that. You've always been good to me, and you've taken such good care for me... even when sometimes I know I don't deserve it. I just wish people would see that more than everything else.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 02:57 am (UTC)You can wish all you like, but it appears to be a constant reality you will be dealing with.
I suspect taking you will only be his first move. Those of our world will attempt to hamstring me now that their numbers are greater than ours.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 03:18 am (UTC)Just the thought of going through that all over again is... making me want to run away and never come back. Even when, some nights, I wish I was in a relationship with someone. It's at night when things get so hard for me.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 03:32 am (UTC)What do you think he wishes you to be? He gave me the impression he wanted you to be Powder. [That wasn't going to happen. Powder was dead, killed years ago so Jinx could be the superior version of his daughter.]
It is the loneliness that will eat at you, but it is okay to be satisfied being alone. I have been that way for years. [It was okay to take time to breathe.] The last relationship is something you are still navigating the trauma of. Give yourself time to regain your confidence.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 05:26 pm (UTC)[ who knew that one brief moment between them would open up a floodgate of emotions? and while her father is one-hundred percent right, she detests that the bottom line is that she is still sensitive regardless of her yearning for an intimate companionship. the bluenette wishes she could just get over it already and be done with it, and during the day, she feels as if she is above it. ... until the night falls.
therefore the truth is, she just needs more time in a general sense. so maybe for now, she doesn't need to do anything regarding ekko, but to continue on with how she was living before he came. that should be easy, right? ]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 08:54 pm (UTC)And what does being his girlfriend entail for you?
[He needed to know she was safe, but that notion was dimming the further into this particular topic they ventured. This was what it meant for one's only child to grow up and move on, was it? This place was cursed, wasn't it?
As much as he respected (or wanted to) her choice, he was disquieting by the reality of his plan of building her a future here now taken over by one he couldn't trust. And Ekko had made it clear that the boy was going to fight. Silco was not going to take that threat laying down. It occurred to him that he was right back in the same position of choice, and whatever she decided was out of his control. At least there wasn't writing scratched into the table for him to die this time.]
cw: mention of doing the devil's tango :shakey eyes:
Date: 2024-08-05 09:32 pm (UTC)which begs the question, if the boy savior can carry that sort of hate for her, would he feel that way towards her again? if he discovers shimmer, will that fire in him ignite and burn like wildfire until she becomes ash? her lips thin with uncertainty, and even more so at her father's next inquiry.
if jinx was trying to convince silco that everything between her and ekko would be all right if they dated hypothetically, she'd be failing miserably.]
I-I dunno...
[ again, his daughter cringes over her answer, this time, averting her gaze in any way possible so it wouldn't show just how clueless she is about all of this. ]
I'm still not sure what it all means to be a girlfriend. I know I'm supposed to care about them, be their important someone, and maybe even fall for them. ... And to y'know, do it with them.
[ now that she had a lot experience and practice. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 10:04 pm (UTC)Still, she had dating that worthless piece of garbage for enough that he thought she should know what she wanted. Maybe it was too much to ask beyond the answer of not feeling lonely and having physical gratification.]
My only advice is that you consider what you hope to gain from a relationship like that. What will you bring to it, and what will he?
[It probably wouldn't be considered. He had to decide the lengths he was willing to go to regarding this as well. Not active sabotage, but he wouldn't stand by as she was taken advantage of.]
It seems this is inevitable though. You've made up your mind.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 10:39 pm (UTC)Right. Yeah, definitely.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 10:46 pm (UTC)[He lifted a hand to comb his finger through her long loose hair, stroking his fingers against her scalp in the process.]
If you want me to forbid this for a time to provide you space to consider what you want, I will.
[Maybe extreme, but if she needed an excuse to put the breaks on whatever eas happening, he had no issue being the villain. Even temporarily. Whatever she needed.]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 11:01 pm (UTC)[ she lifts her head quickly, her eyes wide and round with worry. ]
Don't do that for me, Silco. You've done so much for me already, a-and you don't deserve to have more heat or blows because I'm all... jumbled up!
[ gingerly, a hand rests against his cheek to caress, then plants another butterfly-like kiss to his jawline. ]
No more throwing yourself in the fire, okay? Or I'll mix your clothes with the whites and make them all pink.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 11:06 pm (UTC)I will do whatever is required to secure your happiness. Besides, they all hate me already so the heat will be very little difference.
[His fingers combed through her hair again. Her threat was hardly anything he was concerned about.]
I will forbid it until you have made a decision on what you want.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-05 11:18 pm (UTC)I know, but you get too silly with you protecting me sometimes. That's why your nickname is, Mister Silly.
[ now being dramatic, she drops her head back against his shoulder while letting her feet idly sway from side to side. although she is slightly protesting, her voice softens and her words flow in a more soothing course. ]
... I just don't want you hurt. I want you to be happy and live forever with me.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 12:28 am (UTC)I do not. You're my only child; I have a right to be protective of you, especially after the challenges we have faced.
[She had nearly died on the bridge that day. She likely didn't remember, but he couldn't lose that image for as long as he lived. Shimmer was an act of desperation, and it had worked to keep her alive. Those were the sacrifices a parent made.
He shifted in the chair as she returned to leaning her head on him, curling his arm around the small of her back to prevent her tipping out of his lap.]
Well, that will be awkward if you do date again and want to move in with someone other than me.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 12:40 am (UTC)[ although he is tucking her strands behind her ears, jinx wobbles her head from side to side in a goofball manner immediately after to see if the locks will fall out of place due to the motion. ]
Who will make your coffee in the morning? And cook your dinner? Don't forget your medicine too...! No one can do those things like I can.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 12:46 am (UTC)[They had good home here; he had not been pleased to be in the Inn for longer than necessary. Their house was exactly as it was meant to be, though it would be much to large for a single person. What was it called? Empty nest syndrome? He would have to find a hobby and wouldn't that be disgusting.]
It is true. I suppose I will have to re-teach myself to do them if I absolutely must.
[If anything, eating would be the most problematic. He tended to forego if he wasn't also making food for Jinx, and he had only recently put back on the weight he had lost previously.]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 01:02 am (UTC)[ it's been a year since then, and she is still pretty bitter about it. ]
You wouldn't choose a dessert that'll make you all fat over family.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 01:17 am (UTC)[He knew she was still angry about such a subject before he had arrived, and he had no issue nudging that anger now and again. Sometimes he simply had to remind her that he was better.]
I don't eat dessert, so that won't ever by a problem. You are my family, and you will always be first.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-06 11:05 pm (UTC)... I like that. [ his daughter admits, her voice now down to a hushed pitch, that not even the walls of their home can eavesdrop. ] — Being first.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-07 04:34 am (UTC)I know. We don't all achieve that kind of place, but you deserve it.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-07 11:28 pm (UTC)[ feeling one-eighty degrees better than before this little pow-wow, she shifts careful in his lap to stretch on over to scoop just one last chip and dip to toss her in her mouth. ]
You sure don't want some of this grub? You can't do business and break fingers on an empty stomach.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-08 12:03 am (UTC)[As much as he would like to enjoy that notion, history had taught him that 'her only' was a precarious and potentially shifting status. He had no doubt of her love for him, but her chaos was the great director of her actions. He wouldn't change her, even when she did happen to drive him further gray hairs.]
I suppose. [He took a chip with dip and carefully chewed it. Only for her.]
Do you wish to continue further? [It was a lot of ground that they had covered, topics that neither of them likely wanted or enjoyed talking about.]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-08-09 02:30 am (UTC)(no subject)
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