Just keep your head down and it will all be ok eventually ... right?
“Ran found me on their way to play with Jinx, something about a monkey bomb I hear?” You chuckle, trying to focus on the thought of that interaction as opposed to what you knew you were here to discuss. “They filled me in - I want to assure you that you taking Jinx under your wing has been noticed and appreciated by all in a positive light, especially by me. I know you weren’t always my biggest fan, showing your loyalty to the cause as opposed to the leader only made me respect you more. Now with Jinx” he sighs, shaking his head “you’ve done more than I could've imagined, I can’t repay you”. You lower your head, mumbling under your breath that clearly not all viewed this new side of you in a positive light. Before you could think, a hand shot out, lifting your chin gently to meet his gaze. “I will not allow you to think such things. I am aware of what was said and I plan on rectifying it as soon as I am able to”. You jumped up in your seat “Please don’t, it’s not a big deal, I’m just emotional who cares right? It’s probably my period or something” You cut yourself off by smacking your hand over your mouth. Oh my Janna, did you seriously just mention your period to your crime lord boss? Right after he’d found you clearly crying? You were just waiting to be fired at this point.
His expression softened. “Like I said, she just needs time. You are just easy for her to blame it all on right now. Since you were the first person she saw when she woke up she probably just assumes you view her as weak-” “-but I don’t!” the hand he had on your chin drops to take your hand in it. “I know that, you know that, we all know that - hell even she knows that, but she needs someone to blame right now. It’s not fair but it’s the truth” Silence filled the room as you took in all he was saying. Trying to process how she could possibly think that you, someone who adored her (yes silently but adored nonetheless), would find her weak. “I’ll give it time - for you, sir. I have to be honest though” you take a deep breath “I would like to request that we do not serve on the same team when it’s avoidable. I understand the cause requires us to give our all but if there are assignments outside of those she is on I’d appreciate being considered for them”. Your voice wavered a bit at the end, emotions bubbling back up. He thinks for a second, then nods in agreement. “That’s understandable. However, this will only be temporary - just until she figures this out. Agreed?” “yes sir, thank you sir” “It’s Silco - my daughter views you as family now, I’d say that’s cause for being on a first name basis”. You slowly smile, nodding in agreement. “Yes Silco, thank you Silco” you repeat with the name change, earning a small chuckle from him. “You’re dismissed, see to it that Jinx doesn’t blow up Ran I don’t know how stable these rounds of explosives are”. You nod, smiling softly at him - he’s a lot more human now that he has a daughter, can’t believe a kid had this effect on the hardened crime lord but it’s beautiful to witness. You turn to leave but he voices his opinion one last time “I am not a liar and wouldn’t say this to save your feelings - she will come around”. Knowing it did not require a response from you, you left the room.
Making your way to the employee quarters - your gang’s little hideout attached to the bar, you listen for Jinx as you pass by Ran’s room since it was closer than her room, hoping you wouldn’t have to look too far to find the little menace. You weren’t looking where you were going however and bumped into what you assumed to be a wall given how far back the collision shoved you. Looking up you’re met with the steel grey eyes you could just get lost in forever. Snapping you out of your daydream, she just smirked clearly finding this all funny. “Can’t even watch where you’re going huh?”. You decide you won’t give her what she wants. You won’t react, you keep repeating to yourself to just keep your eyes forward and find Jinx. As you moved around her you felt her smirk drop, shifting to curiosity regarding the lack of response, and then to anger - thinking you thought you were above this interaction. “Sorry” is the only word you could get out without yelling, screaming, or crying at the person you cared so much for for no reason with no reciprocation. You kept walking, picking up the pace you allowed yourself to get lost in your repetition of the task at hand - but in doing so you missed the ways her eyes followed you, the anger melting away into slight concern, not that she’d ever admit it. She wondered why you were so defeated, she’d assumed you’d be the villain she made you out to be in her head, gloating that you knew she was weak deep down, that she experienced pain and fear like every other human being. But silence and an apology? That was the last thing she expected.