Concept Art And Final Render Of Silco's Office Occupied By Sevika.

ARCANE | Vander's Bar Matte Paintings | Martin Bailly

Brainstorming ❤

Ugh, FINE. I can’t take this anymore, I give in! I can’t believe I painted this. @ink-and-dagger LOOK WHAT YOUR STORY MADE ME DO

The Abyss

Inspo: AlexMustToDraw

on everyone's soul this is what happened

Silco orgasm sound just dropped

Sorry folks, I just can't get Arcane out of my head.

"Quiet moments" - Arcane Scenarios

Arcane characters x f!reader - Fluff

Summary: Scenarios where the different characters of Arcane show affection during quiet moments.

Pairing: f!reader x Viktor, Jayce, Ekko, Sevika, Silco, Caitlyn, Vi.

Warnings: mention of killing, violence, brutal everyday stuff in Zaun.

VIKTOR

Relax isn't something Viktor is accostumed to and most of the time he passes his time in the laboratory, mentally crafting new hextech tools. Moments of peace and quiet are rare.

Being his assistant, you two stay together most of the time, but it is not so easy to find a moment to kiss or relax, when your boyfriend is constantly thinking and babbling about new projects.

One day, growing tired by the end of the evening, you sit on a chair in the laboratory, relaxing your tired legs and exhausted mind. Seeing you in such a state, Viktor stops speaking to himself and grabs his stick to approach you.

"Tired, my love?" "Exhausted, really" you respond with a low tone. "Progress dosn't wait for anyone" says the man as he gently strocks your hair with one hand.

"Need a pause, love?" Viktor asks with a smile on his face - "You can go to bed if you want, I'll probably be up all night again with this project".

Feeling a bit trascurated, you get up and heads out of the room to your shared bedroom, after giving him a quick kiss on the lips and a not-so-invisible upset expression on your face.

You impose to yourself to bathe and, after a quick shower, you head to bed, alone again, covering yourself with the covers, still smelling like his parfume.

After just a couple of moments, the door opens with a creak and Viktor enters the room, heading to the bed and sitting near your lying figure. After a kiss on your head, he takes off his clothes and, putting on his pygiama (yes, the man actually has a lot of them), gets in the bed with you.

With a sarcastic tone you say "Didn't you need to work all night again, Viktor?" - to which he replies "Mhhh, I prefer your company and warm over the project for tonight. Plus, I need to take care of a more important thing right now". The man spoons you from behind and hugs you with his arms, leaving a trail of kisses all over your head, before going to sleep.

JAYCE

The man is like a working machine but knows when to stop, differntly from his lab partner, Viktor. Jayce is always happy to have relaxing moments with you and, being a senator, taking advantage of the pros of his position is not something he refuses.

That particolar day, however, you saw your boyfriend like you hadn't seen him in a long time. After passing most of the day running for commisions, when you returned home, it was empty. No sight of Jayce, no left trace of his passage. With a tired sigh, you left your groceries on the counter and headed back out to the palace, to try and find your "lost" man.

After some time of futile searching, you find yourself in the big library, hoping Jayce would be there for a late study session. Instead, you find Mel, reading a book with so much focus that she doesn't hear your approaching steps.

"Sorry, Mel, have you seen Jayce? I've been searching for him for some time now and I don't know where to look for anymore" "Oh, hi y/n! - she replies - I think your man has gone crazy with work over the last hextech project. If I were you, I would search in the furnace, maybe he is releasing a bit of tension".

The furnace! How could you have forgotten about that place. Giving a thank you to Mel and leaving the library, you go directly to the place. The room was like a lair for Jayce, where he could let all of his frustation go and create new machines at the same time. When you arrive at the entrance of the furnace, you were welcomed by a wave of heat and strong fire light from the oven. Jayce was standing in front of it, withour his shirt and with his mind focused on the hammer in his hands, while working on what seemed to be e shield.

"Hi love, tired already?" you say with a timid voice - "Oh, Janna, sorry sweety, I think I completely lost sense of time, damn". Letting the hammer down, the man goes straight to you and hugs you, embracing all of you into his strong arms. The scent of his body is supressed by the smell of wood and metal, but it is still enough for you to take a hint of it, making you relax against his chest.

"I have missed you, silly" you say "when are you gonna come home?" "This exact moment, sweety, I have neglected you enough for today, I am so sorry" says Jayce with a guilt tone - "I want to cuddle with you for the entire night. Now, let's go home".

Jayce leaves on your lips a tired but loving kiss, before setting his arm around your waist and heading out of the furnace.

EKKO

Ekko is normally busy with the administration of the Firelights and their missions, but he always finds a moment during the day to remind you how much he loves you.

Returning from a successful mission against some on Silco's man, you and your crew are flying from the damaged and corrupted areas of Zaun to your life-saviour tree. The massive giant and the green all around you is always a comforting view after a failed mission. This time, however, you were able to destroy the cargo-ship of Silco and the barrels of shimmer lightened up pretty well. Every success is a small step towards the liberation of Zaun from the dispotic power of Silco, but everytime someone dies, and from both parts there are just Zaunites. Your own people, in the end. It would have been preferable to fight against the tight-asses of Piltover, instead.

After the arrival on the tree, it was not difficult to find your boyfriend, already surronded by a group of children who were laughing at his silly imitations of animals. A smile forms on your face and a warm sensation tightens around your heart, seeing him laughing like that and having fun. After all things the two of you have experienced together, you know that these occasions were rare and for Ekko they were the results of his efforts.

Calling him, whistling a particular note (your code signal), he tilts his head up to see your face and, after having said goodbye to the children, he grabs his flying skateboard and runs to you with a big smile on his face.

"Hi princess! Good to see you! How are you? How was the mission? How are the others?" storming you with questions, the boy grabs your shoulder with his hands. "Woah, calm down pretty boy. It's good to see you too" you utter with a groan caused by your sore shoulders and back after the mission - "Everything turned out good and the tips given by the bartender were right. I don't know how much more that man can remain alive, stealing documents from Silco".

"I'll see what we can do to protect him. We need those information at any cost. In the meantime, come here with me, Princess. Let's have a bit of us moment". Guiding you to the body of the immense tree, he sits and leans, letting you sit in between his legs, hugging you from behind.

"I want you to know how much I appreciate your contribution to the cause and how much I love you, everyday a little more than the day before. I don't think I would have accomplished so much without you, thank you". Looking into his eyes, a loving light irradiates and warms your heart. "No silly, you, me and all the others have accomplished this thanks to your leadership, your courage and your strengh. We all should be devoted to you".

"You are right" Ekko says with a hint of playful superiority in his voice - "You should all pray me as a God, you especially my little subordinate". "Ah ah ah, go to hell Ekko" you reply with a sarcastic tone.

The guy laughs, a warming smile on his face. Planting kisses on your shoulders, Ekko tightens his arms around you and says: "I have never tamed my feral little Princess and I never will". Before returning to his duties, Ekko takes his time to listen to you about the mission and how everything went, never stopping his hand from drawing gentle circles on your thigh.

SEVIKA

Working for Silco has never been an easy job and you know that. Everytime Sevika returned home from a mission, she was just a little more tired, a little more sore and her mechanical arm needed constant mantainment. It is fun for you, though, to project new weapons and ways to make her arm even more efficient, allowing your girlfriend to not be so worry in every battle. It is your mission to provide for the multitasking mechanical arm and its new weapons.

After a long morning of drawing new harmful guns and technological knives, it is your so-waited moment to have lunch. Getting out from one of houses near the Last Drop, you head to a near restaurant (if someone could call it that). That day you were hoping for a sweet and romantic lunch with Sevika, but she was out of sight and probably still on a mission. You remember the sensation of her body getting out of bed in the morning at what you think was the sunrise and the sound of her heavy footsteps leaving your room.

Sevika is not so used to show affection, especially in public, but she has never left in the morning without placing a gentle kiss on your cheek, saying "later" in a low and loving tone.

Ordering something from the menu, on which the dishes were always the same and pretty boring, you starts to fantasize about the restaurants in Piltover, rich with delights and different foods. The sigh that escapes from your lips is frustated, why does it have to be so difficult for the Zaunites, while the rich-asses of Piltover waste money over stupid things and complain about futile problems?

Lost in your thoughts, you don't notice the figure that has just opened the door of the local, looking lefts and rights in search for you. After she spots you, Sevika goes straight to you and, without saying a word, plops herself on the other side of the table. Already a bit irritated by your own trail of thoughts and not being in the mood for games, withour taking the eyes off the menu, you say "Please man, I don't want any problem and the seat is already taken. I wouldn't want my scary bodyguard to come look after you, it wouldn't finish in a good way" "Is that how you see me? As your scary bodyguard?"

You tilt you head up to meet the eyes of Sevika, a smirk on her face and a cigarette already at the corner of her mouth. "Oh Janna, I'm sorry love ahahah, I thought you were just one silly man. How are you? How was the mission? Do you like the new weapon I installed you? That knife is pretty sharp, uh?" you say with enthusiasm. Sevika smiles at you and, leaning on the cracking chair, responds: "It is not bad at all, I killed a bunch of people with it this morning. Everything went good" .

"I am so glad to hear that, want to eat something?" "I said to Silco I would have taken the afternoon off just for you, my little doll". Sevika isn't used to nicknames in public, so she whispered the last part of the phrase, but it was enough for you to put a smile on your face and feeling a blush forming on your cheeks.

"Thanks love, I appreciate it so so so much". Sevika gets up and positions her seat right next to yours, and, putting her human arm around you, calls the waiter to take the order.

"I promise you, one day we'll have lunch in the most luxurious restaurant of the entire city, doll. I'll do anything to provide to you the best lab ever created for you to craft your weapons". The warm tone of her promise makes you lean into her embrace, before putting a small kiss on her cheek.

SILCO

The idea of relax and taking a pause are what can be the most far from Silco's mind. The man is used to stay up all night and to have problems 24h, so his head is always filled with thoughts about the next mission. There is, however, a specific moment of the day which is his favourite and most hated at the same time.

Hidden by piles of papers and documents, the lean figure of your man is out of sight and the only sound that is hearable is the scratch of the pen on paper.

Your relationship with Silco was complicated, it wasn't always so easy for him to speak about his emotions, his feelings and at first you felt just like an object, a piece of meat for his own entrateinment. Everything changed when Powder arrived and, seeing your affection towards the little girl, Silco saw you under a new light and love started to spread from his heart. A coarse love, not well defined and still in need of some touches, but in was indeed an enormous step for the man.

After the first period of time, in which Silco outdistanced himself even more, scared by the new feeling, the time of reconcilliation came when the man understood the new warmth around his heart. The thought of you was the only important thing in his mind, together with the safety of Powder.

"Hi Sil, here I come for your everyday delivery!" you say with a funny tone, underling the last words - "How are you doing, I haven't seen you the entire day and sleeping alone is always boring". The man doesn't lift his head from the papers, but signals to you with his hand to wait for just a moment. Letting a smile form on your face, you approach the man behind his desk, enlightened by the big greenish window.

"All done, darling. I am all yours now". Silco had made you very clear that your relationship had to be kept a secret, for the public you were just one of his subordinates, who, occasionally, was called to give him "relief". The reasons of such a decision were clear to you and it didn't bother you that much, in the end, the relief part was true.

"Love that! Ready for the needle?" A hated routine moment in Silco's life, but it was made more bearable by your presence. Looking into your eyes with his blue and orange ones, he opened a drawer of his desk to take the so hurtful needle. You were responsable to provide him with his daily dose of medical shimmer. Positioning yourself between his legs, Silco sets his hands on your waist and a piece of leather between his teeth not to bite his tongue.

"I'll be the most delicate possible, Sil, I promise" Looking at you, already knowing what was going to happen, Silco nods his head and rests it against the chair. Pointing the needle right in his eye and ready to inject the purple liquid, you take a final sight of the scar all over his left part of the face, that scar that you love so much, that bears a lot of painful memories.

"At three, ok? One, two, ..." and you press the injector right into his eye. The reaction of Silco is immediate, and he needs a high dose of control to not tilt his head and let the shimmer go to waste. Hearing his rapid deep breath and the strengh of his hands on your waist, you set the needle on the desk, before gently strocking the hair of your man, allowing his head to rest on your chest.

"Shh Sil, it is all done now, you can relax. I am here for you". After a few minutes, as always, Silco's breath returns to a normal rhythm and, letting the piece of leather out of his mouth, without looking at you, he says: "Thanks darling, I don't know what I would do without you. That shit hurts like hell, fuck. Give me a moment, will you?" A small but noticeable smile appears on his face and the man grabs his cigar, the only other vice that he has, except for you.

Letting you sit in his lap, Silco strocks your hair with the free hand. "Darling, how is it that everytime you come here, your face is more beautiful than it was before?" - with a soft blush on your face, you reply "Seeing me not so often doesn't help, Sil". Letting out a frustated sigh, Silco places a kiss on your lips, a soft yet loving one, giving to you all of his attention.

"Accept this apology for the moment, little one, I'll redeem myself later. Tonight I'm all yours, if you want my company. I haven't enjoyed a dinner with you in a long time an it is not acceptable. I'll have Sevika bring something here and we can have our little chat". Sevika knew about your relationship and helped in many ways, everything to keep Silco at least a bit more relaxed from time to time.

"I know that having dinner in the office is not optimal and is not your idea of a romantic date, but we must be patient and endure these hard times. I will give you anything you want and the future is just ours, darling". Silco gives you another kiss and, letting you stay on his lap, continues to do the paperwork.

CAITLYN

Caitlyn is a hard-working soldier, it has always been her dream to be part of the enforcer's group. She loves action, her desire is to help the city and defend it against the menaces of Zaun. At the same time, Cait is not someone that can't take a risk, and in the last period she has gone to the underground quiet a bit of times. You started to worry about her safety among the people of Zaun, but Cait has reassured you.

The two of you have met thanks to a job that was assigned to both of you. Even though you weren't a proper enforcer and your job was mostly done behind a desk, your abilities to coordinate and plan the missions were fundamental for good results. Occasionally, however, you accompanied the other enforcers to get a better sight of the places for your maps. After the first encounter, Cait used her mother's influence (just this time, I promise, she is a good gal) to have you has her mission's planner, at first just from time to time, but the two of you ended up as a team in no time. Cait and you shared a particular chemistry and fun was never left out.

You and Cait started to go out as collegues at first, dicussing the next mission and moves, but after some time, it was clear that something has changed and a new feeling has developed. Cait would have never first admitted it, but her actions spoke louder than her words and one day, tired of waiting, you took the initiative and kissed her. As a result, you basically started living at her place, strangely accepted also by her mother (I consider Cait's father as a sweet man, and another girl in a family of mostly women wasn't a problem for him).

That morning, waking up late and tired from the last mission, you roll in your bed to search for the comfortable presence of your girlfriend, just to find an empty place. With a tired sigh, you wait another five minutes and get up from the bed. Having fixed yourself for a trace of dignity after sleeping, you step close to the door to open it, but your gesture is anticipated. Cait stands at the door, fully clothed in her uniform and with a visible worried and sad expression on her face.

"Jeez, Cait, what happened?" you say - "Well, sorry. Hello in the first place, love. What is going on inside that pretty brain of yours?" Cait looks at you with sadness in her eyes, the blue irradiates from her pupils a sense of almost agony, not physiscal but mental. Withour saying a word, Cait places a small kiss on your cheek, leaving you with a surprised expression on your face, and takes your hand to guide you to the bed.

Cait lays down on the bed and you do the same, setting yourself on the other side, facing her. "Do you want to talk about what happened yestarday, Cait? I think the past mission is still bothering you". The task assigned to you two was the retrieval of a rare substance that had been taken by some of Silco's men, but the attack hadn't gone right and some enforcers were killed. The problem was that, during the fight, one of the enemies had accidentally killed a small girl that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cait was almost killed, frozen in place at the sight of the small life taken away, while the killer wasn't bothered that much.

"It was not your fault, Cait. You weren't responsable for anything. That son of a bitch was the animal, he didn't care about that. I have been taking a better perimeter of the zone and the next time, I can send some undercoverd enforcers to keep all the civils away".

"Why are we still fighting?" says Cait with a whisper - "Why do innocent people always get in the middle and are the ones that turns out to be the vistims of ours and Silco's stupid games? Why can't we just leave in peace and help each other". A small tear starts to appear at the corner of her blue eyes and you don't waist second to dry it.

"I am sorry, love, I know it is hard. But just with our hard work can we have better results. Civils are always the victims, in the end, and that sucks. It is how fights work and it is disgusting. But we can change that, we can make the city a better place for everyone. I spoke with Jayce yesterday, and he says that the hextech could also be used in medicine! Can you imagine it? It would be wondeful!" Putting a cheerish tone in your voice, you try to comfort your girlfriend, who repays you with a soft smile.

"Thank, honey, I needed that" says Cait - "Sometimes I get too carried away. But I want the same justice also for the people of Zaun, we are part of one city, in the end. Tomorrow I want to organise a ceremony for the little girl, let the Zaunites know we still care about them".

"That's how it is done. Love to see that sparkle in your eyes" you respond - "Now, what do you wanna do today? Beside the organisation of the ceremony. I have some work to do, but after that I am free".

Cait looks up at you and, with a delicate tone says: "Let's stay there five more minutes, please, I need some time to recollect myself". "Whatever you need love" you reply. Strocking her cheek just one more time, you get near Cait and, looking into her eyes, you start cuddling her, talking about the latest improvements of the hextech.

VI

The idea of relax for Vi can have different forms. It varies from a stroll on the roofs of Zaun to start a fight in a pub just for fun.

The two of you met during one of these fights and Vi saved your ass from a flying chair, just to look at you with a smirk on her face and say: "How can a beautiful face like yours be in miserable place like that?" In the meantime she was trying to hold back a man that was more large than tall. The flirt didn't stop after that night and the relationship was not late to arrive.

Vi owns a central place in your heart, her figure is always there to protect you and she would do anything to not let you get hurt. Her ways of showing affection have changed: at start she would just flirt and playing the dominant part, not showing any other emotions except cockiness. But after some time, Vi started to give you small kisses in public, calling you nicknames and showing a side of her that just a few people had been able to know.

The relationship has been doing great and, even though life in Zaun has never been easy, the two of you had found your place in a small house near Vander's statue.

That morning, after having passed the night out with your friends, you wake up with Vi by your side, but the cuddling time doesn't last enough, beacause Vi needs to go out for some commisions. Resting a bit more, you wake up after a couple of hours to find your girlfriend patching her arm up, with bruises all over her chest.

Running to her with a sudden movement, you get near and take her face into your hands, looking terrible worried. "What the hell, Vi? What happened to you, why are all covered in bruises? It seems like a giant has got you!" "You aren't so distant from reality, cupcake" Vi replies - "That jerk had got what he deserved. I am in a bad state, but you should see him". The last words put a smirk on Vi's face.

"Vi you can't start a bar fight at ten in the morning, jeez! You could have been more injuried". "I was not alone, capcake, don't worry. Ekko was there with me and we made a spledid fight".

Looking at her with judging eyes, you take the first aid kit and start to prepare the necessary to patch her arm. "So, I need to talk to him, too. That boy is in big trouble". Vi puts on a funny face, mixing the regret for having told about Ekko and the expectation for the outcome of your meeting.

"Don't think you are out of this, Vi. You will receive the lecture when you'll fell better". "Love that, cupcake. Always love when you lecture me" Vi says with a sarcastic tone, to tease you.

After having helped her with the arm, you start to disinfect her sore hands, where there's still a bit of blood. "Pay attention the next time, Vi, please. Hit him under the chin, he should go out in no time". "Thanks for the advice, cupcake. Now come here". After that, Vi places a soft kiss on your cheeks, and the rest of the morning is filled with the report of Vi about the fight, about how Ekko and her put down a dozen of Silco's men and the fun they had.

ARCANE | Powder's Hideout Matte Paintings | Melvin Limoge

Daughter Harasses Her Own Father For No Reason

Well, I did a thing with another scene again...

Am I the only person who enjoys watching how Silco reacts to each stab?

Stolen Moments

You chose the perfect moment to knock on Silco's office door, finding him in a rare lull between his ceaseless duties.

Pairing: Silco x gn!reader

Words: ~2.3k

Content: mostly fluff, suggestive, some power dynamics, newly established relationship, slow burn, not explicit but i'm gunna say nsfw-ish just to be safe (18+, MDNI)

A/N: Its been a long long while since I've written anything. IDK what I'm doing but I'm doing it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Yes?” Silco's calls out with a hint of weariness, a frown creasing his brow as he anticipates yet another demand on his precious time. The knock on his door came right as the Zaunite leader had pulled a cigar out to enjoy before his next appointment and he was looking forward to a few rare moments of silence to gather his thoughts.

Standing on the other side of the door to his sanctuary, you smirk just before peeking your head in with a small "Hi." Sevika had warned you that he was in a 'mood' before you wandered into The Last Drop, and you hoped to bring him some relief, even if it was temporary.

Any hint of annoyance immediately melts away as his eyes meet yours — a low hum of pleasure escaping him as he waves you in, the freshly rolled tobacco still in hand. You slid into the chamber dressed in your usual attire, albeit with some extra flair... and you sensed that he noticed, just as you hoped he would.

"My little Dove," he purrs affectionately. The nickname sparks a fluttering sensation in your chest. You find yourself momentarily flustered, a light blush tinting your cheeks as you shift ever so slightly under his intense stare. The term manages to stir both a sense of closeness and shyness within you. The Eye of Zaun's gaze then sweeps over you, a mix of appraisal and undisguised interest. His eyes, sharp and calculating, soften momentarily as they trace the contours of your figure, hinting at thoughts kept carefully concealed. "What impeccable timing you have," he adds. His words linger in the air, filled with an unspoken understanding.

You beam at him, a soft chuckle escaping your lips bashfully. "I had a feeling you might be happy to see me." Your steps echo softly as you wander further into the room, your curious eyes scanning the various objects around his office. Each visit reveals something new, offering intriguing insights into the man across the room.

"Indeed, I am — I must admit, it’s not often that someone seeks my company without an agenda. Your presence is more appreciated than you might realize." He leans back in his chair, his orange eye glinting as he watches you intently. "Though my time is a luxury today. Come, let us make it count,” Silco says, his voice a blend of authority with an underlying warmth, instructing you to share in his moment of rest with a sense of urgency.

... And you are more than happy to acquiesce.

With a playful skip, you move around his desk, intending to perch on the corner, careful not to disturb any papers. Before you can settle, Silco reaches out, his fingers wrapping gently but firmly around your wrist. His touch, unexpectedly warm, sends a ripple of excitement through you as he guides you into his lap, his lips crashing into yours with need. You hum in bliss, your hand caressing the edge of his jaw, fingers weaving carefully through his hair, mindful not to dishevel it too much. Under your touch, the Industrialist's shoulders drop, tension melting away — his concerns, momentarily forgotten.

As you both part, Silco reaches for his lighter with deliberate slowness, his movements precise and practiced before spinning his chair to face the large, round window, its eerie green light casting long, undulating shadows across the room. The outside world vanishes, leaving just the two of you in this secluded, spectral sphere -- hiding you from any unexpected intrusions.

"Now, to what do I owe this pleasure, my Dove?" He rumbles, resting his cigar between his chipped teeth, looking up at you with that familiar, two-tone stare.

"I was in the area and... Well, I just wanted to see you,” you admit, the words sheepish yet sincere. “I know you're swamped, but...” Your voice trails off, leaving the sentiment hanging in the air, simple yet profound.

Silco raises a hand, acknowledging and waving away any concerns you might have. “This time, these moments – they’re yours,” he asserts, his tone softening. “Even if it’s just a fleeting respite from the chaos outside, they belong to us.” His words, both reassuring and commanding, further quell your concerns. You savor these rare, quiet interludes, and you're grateful that he does too.

As Silco returns his attention to the cigar, the flicker of his lighter momentarily casts a dancing glow on his face. The flame illuminates the rugged contours of his features, etching shadows that play across his scarred visage. His expression, usually so composed and unreadable, softens in the dim light, revealing a rare vulnerability.

You lean in closer, drawn irresistibly to the dichotomy presented by his hardened exterior and the fleeting glimpses of something more beneath. Each line on his face, each subtle shift in his expression, speaks to a life of resilience and unspoken trials. The green hue of the room bathes him in an almost ethereal light, accentuating the unique blend of strength and weariness that he embodies.

Silco, seemingly aware of your gaze, meets your eyes for a moment. In that brief exchange, a silent conversation unfolds. His eyes, a deep well of uncharted emotions, flicker with a blend of curiosity, caution, and a hint of something warmer. It is a look that speaks of battles fought, both outside and within, and of a guarded heart cautiously navigating the perils of intimacy.

The smoke from his cigar begins to curl upwards, weaving through the air like a sinuous dance. It adds a layer of mystique to the already charged atmosphere, a tangible reminder of the complexities surrounding both of you. Yet, in this shared space, surrounded by the spectral light and the quiet hum of the city beyond, there's a sense of peace.

Your fingers itch to trace the lines of his story, to explore the depths of his character that so few get to see. Throughout this cautious dance of intimacy, you've learned to tread gently, aware that delving too deep too quickly could fray the delicate threads of trust you've painstakingly woven between you. In this moment, under the interplay of light and shadow, you see not just the leader of Zaun, but the man behind the title — enigmatic, profound, and irresistibly human.

Captivated and unable to resist further, you gently trace the scar around his left eye, your touch tender and inquisitive.

"What?" he asks, one brow arching above his sea-foam eye, a hint of suspicion in his tone at the attention being paid to the other.

A pause hangs between you as you ponder your next words. "... You're beautiful," the words escape your lips in a whisper, almost hesitant. You watch as they land on him, seeing the way his eyes widen imperceptibly, a crack in his usual stoic armor.

Silco’s response is a momentary silence, a rare loss for words, before a quiet, almost incredulous chuckle escapes him -- as if to deflect the tender compliment. “That’s a first,” he murmurs, a note of surprise coloring his tone as his eyes scrutinize yours for any hint of insincerity or taunting. But he finds none... just your genuine touch, continuing its exploration in silence.

... He quickly realizes that you mean it, and that unexpected honesty catches him off guard, stirring a tempest of emotions within the hardened leader.

As you pull your hand away, Silco's chest tightens, a storm of conflicting feelings swirling inside. His gaze lingers on you, seeking anchorage in the present amid the tumult of his thoughts. To buy time, he takes a slow, deliberate draw from his cigar, the smoke curling around you both as he processes…

The l u s t -- For the stunning creature in front of him that he snared in his web.

... And an adoration for your willingness to stay that way.

A drop of guilt ... For coveting such a soul like yours.

... But also, an unyielding resolve to never let you go.

The FEAR... For what could be l o s t if he wasn't careful.

... Yet hope for what could be if he was.

Above all, honor — for your choice to be with him, accepting all that he is ...and all that he is not.

Every. Single. Time... So far, anyway.

These emotions swirl within him, a maelstrom of desire, fear, and awe. But then, with a subtle exhale, he releases the smoke, along with the knot of thoughts threatening to draw him away from this moment of connection.

Your face starts to fall, worried you've overstepped, and you part your lips to apologize. But before you can speak, Silco wraps his arm around you, pulling you deeper into his lap.

"You're too pure for this world," he whispers, the warmth of his breath against your skin. His hold tightens, a gesture not just of possession but of deep care. "But don't worry, my Dove," he adds, a sly smirk playing across his lips as he gently rocks his hips, his growing affection evident against you, "...I'll take care of that."

His voice is murmur, a blend of mischief and promise. The intensity in his gaze suggests a longing that goes beyond this stolen moment, restrained only by the call of duty.

And as if on cue, a knock ripples through the tranquility of the office, serving as both a reminder and an interruption. "Boss, your next appointment is ready," Sevika announces from the outside world, her tone carrying the weight of his responsibilities.

A flash of disappointment crosses your face, mirrored subtly in the mismatched eyes that watch you. Silco catches it, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "… Tell them I'll need a few more minutes," he responds, his voice smooth yet firm as he takes another draw from his cigar. The unspoken words hang in the air between you with the smoke that was slowly dissipating — if not for these duties that bind him, this moment would have stretched into something more.

Sevika's footsteps retreat in silent acknowledgement, granting you both a brief extension of your private world. "A few stolen moments are all we have sometimes," he says softly, the usual hardness in his eyes giving way to a tender sincerity.

You let loose a soft sigh, resisting yet ultimately accepting of the situation. "I'll take whatever I can get," you breath, careful to not disturb the moment too much. His hand, warm against your back, pulls you a fraction closer and you lean forward to rest your forehead against his in quiet gratitude for another few beats.

You can feel the Zaunite shift as the minutes are spent, resisting the return of his hardened facade as the anticipation of his next task intrudes on his fleeting reprieve. "… I'm afraid duty calls," he says, a hint of regret lacing his words. “But trust me, there will come a day,” Silco says, his voice low and laced with a promise, “when I can give you not just moments, but hours, days... uninterrupted. Just be patient with me, my Dove.”

This time, it's you that is caught in a stunned silence. His words, a promise veiled as a whisper. In his embrace, you find a reassurance that goes beyond the confines of time and duty. It's a pledge of more — more time, more often, more of him.

As you reluctantly disentangle from his hold, preparing to step back into the world outside, Silco's gaze lingers on you with an intensity that speaks of future encounters. “This isn't the end, only a pause,” he assures you, his voice low and resonant. He leans forward, the distance closing as his lips brush softly against yours, each second savored.

In those final moments, as the green light bathes you both one last time, you understand the weight of his promise. It's not just words, but a vow — a vow to make up for every second lost to the demands of his world, a vow to explore the depths of what you both could be, when time finally allows.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the day finally began to come to a close, Sevika stepped into the dimly lit office and closed the door, her posture rigid with an urgency that commanded attention. Silco, still seated behind his desk, looked up from his paperwork, an air of expectancy in his gaze.

“Boss, we need to talk,” Sevika’s voice was firm, brooking no room for dismissal. “It’s about your most recent muse,” she nodded towards the door you had exited through some time ago, her expression serious.

Silco’s hand paused, the paperwork momentarily forgotten. “Go on,” he prompted, his voice betraying none of his thoughts.

“This relationship, it’s a risk. It makes you vulnerable, and vulnerabilities in our position can be fatal,” Sevika’s tone was unwavering, her concern clear.

Silco regarded her silently for a moment, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of acknowledgment and defiance. “They’re not the first to catch my attention, nor will they be the last...” His voice trailed off, uncharacteristically, as his own words sunk in and stirred a fierce rejection of his own statement.

“Bullshit. I see that look in your eye when they're around. This is different.” Sevika pressed, “And have you considered how Jinx might react to this? She's volatile, and if she senses she's losing your focus, it could lead to trouble. We can’t afford more instability.”

While the turmoil bubbled beneath his skin, Silcos hardened expression remained, unwilling to let Sevika know she's right nor unable to ignore her words of caution. "I'll handle it." He states flatly, returning to the documents on his desk.

Sevika pauses and studies him for several long moments before clenching her fists, sensing Silcos resistance yet knowing the discussion has been concluded. “... Just be careful, Boss. We can’t let our guard down. Not now."

After Sevika left, Silco turned back to the window, his mind a tumult of thoughts. In the reflection, his eyes held a depth of emotion seldom seen — a mix of determination and an unspoken conflict within. This connection with you had indeed become stronger than he expected, and Sevika wasn't wrong…

… This was different.