Chapter Text
The holding cell they end up throwing her into is nothing like she pictured.
Hell, the cell is nicer than most places she's been in Zaun- cleaner than most, that's for damn sure- but either way, Vi had been expecting some dingey, tiny, lightless room with just enough space for her to stew in her lowly existence, not the grandiose gold and blue room before her.
Even the cot in the corner has a pillow softer than any she's ever used, stuffed with tiny white feathers instead of grass or straw. The blanket they've given her is so soft that it feels like tracing her fingers along a cloud.
She ends up sleeping on the floor, glaring into the darkness at the stupid fancy room and it's stupid, fancy bed.
The door opens for the first time the morning after she arrives, and Vi readies herself. As the hinges creak and mechanisms unlock, she pictures enforcers coming to beat her into the ground, or grabbing her and dragging her to a cell more fitting to some urchin from the undercity-
Instead, the door opens and she only sees a flash of blue before she's tackled backwards.
"Vi!! I was so so worried- why would you leave me, you shouldn't have just left- I thought they were gonna-"
"Powder-"
"Powder, give your sister some space."
Vi looks over the mound of Powder curled into her chest and her eyes meet a tired blue as Vander steps into the cell, shooting a glare at the enforcer that must have gone for their weapon when Powder tackled her.
"Vander- I'm sorry, I couldn't just let-"
She's silenced as Vander holds out a hand, looking her over with a sad, tired look.
"You did what you thought was right, Vi. I don't fault you for that."
She feels Powder curl against her, and she bites her lip to keep it from trembling.
"What's gonna happen to me?"
She regrets asking it the minute it leaves her mouth, as Powder whimpers and Vander's eyes flick to her sister. She can see the frustration and hesitation behind his eyes, and he steps forward. He kneels next to her and Powder, gently resting a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"Powder, why don't you wait outside?" He says gently, and Powder shifts her face further into Vi's chest, as if burrowing away from him. Vi feels her sister's grip on her shirt tighten. Her eyes meet Vander's, and she blinks away the prickling of tears, cradling Powder close.
"Hey, Powder, it's okay." She murmurs, stroking back her sister's hair.
The young girl shakes her head against Vi's chest, and Vi can almost feel her heart clench.
"It's gonna be okay, Powder, I-"
"I wish we'd never gone on that stupid heist-"
Instantly, both her and Vander tense and both look to the open doorway. The enforcer standing there doesn't move, and Vi pulls away from Powder, looking her in the eye and shaking her head.
"I shouldn't have stolen, and I shouldn't have tried to go it all alone." Vi grits, pointedly, trying to convey her plea for Powder's silence in just a look.
Powder's eyes well with tears, and she shakes her head.
"'s all my fault-"
Vi shakes her head forcefully and takes Powder's face into her hands.
"Woah, no. Powder. This isn't your fault-"
"If I hadn't taken the gemstone-"
Both Vi and Vander move simultaneously, Vander clapping his other hand onto Powder's back and Vi covering the girls mouth, wildly looking to the doorway once again.
For a tense moment, they all wait, staring into the hall. Vi feels the air she's holding in her lungs grow stale.
Outside the cell, an enforcer walks by, not even sparing them a glance.
Vi exhales.
"Powder, listen to me, it's not your fault. None of this, is your fault. And-" Vi glances to Vander, struggling to find the right words. "-and it's all gonna be okay."
As she says this, Vander sighs and looks down, squeezing Powder's shoulder gently. Vi feels her stomach sink.
"You have five minutes." Comes a harsh voice from outside the cell, and Vi feels the panic build in her throat. Vander pulls Powder back.
"Powder, I need to talk to Vi alone for a second."
Powder looks between them, her eyes huge. "But-"
"Just for a minute, Powder. Please."
Powder's eyes lock onto Vi's, in them a question.
Vi nods, and Powder hesitantly lets go and walks towards the door, dragging her feet as she goes.
As she steps into the hallway, Vi feels a bolt of anxiety.
"She can't just be out there alone-"
"Claggor is in the hall, don't worry." Vander replies evenly, before settling on the too-soft bed and patting the space next to him.
Vi sighs, and lifts herself off the ground, walking over and sitting.
The silence between them stretches just a little to long, and Vi starts bouncing her leg anxiously.
"There is going to be a trial. You'll go before the council and plea your case."
Vi shoots to her feet.
"Plea my- what am I supposed to do, Vander, beg some rich, stuck up assholes to let me go??"
"Exactly." Vander replies sharply, and Vi shakes her head.
"Listen, Vi. There is still a chance for you. Don't waste it on saving your pride-"
"My pride? How about my dignity-"
"Do you want to go to prison?!"
Vi stops, taking a step back at the tone. Vander looks away, pinching the bridge of his nose and releasing a slow breath.
"I know you did what you thought was right. I know you wanted to protect the others, protect your sister- but you can do more for them by being there then you can by making some, big, pointless sacrifice."
Vi glares at the wall next to Vander's head, clenching and unclenching her hands.
"I can't just let them walk all over me." She mutters.
"Then don't," Vander replies evenly. "But if you want to be there for your sister, then you won't go in swinging, either."
Vi frowns and closes her eyes. For a moment, she pretends that this is all just a bad dream. One long, neverending, horrible bad dream.
When she opens her eyes, Vander is standing, his arms open in an offer.
She steps forward and hugs against his chest tightly, allowing tears to build in her eyes for the first time since the enforcers dragged her into Piltover.
"What do I need to do?"