The sun was setting behind the trees, spilling gold over the small clearing. Isha laughed somewhere to the left, chasing a butterfly through the grass. You leaned against the porch railing, eyes scanning the tree line out of habit. Years of being Silco’s enforcer had taught you to expect trouble — but for the first time, you wanted that instinct to be wrong.

Jinx wandered up beside you, her hands shoved into the pockets of her patched shorts, eyes flicking between you and Isha. “You’re doing that broody thing again,” she teased, leaning her head on your shoulder.

“Not broody,” you muttered. “Just.. watching.”

She smirked, but her gaze softened. “You don’t have to anymore. No Silco. No jobs. No blood on your hands unless it’s, y’know.. barbecue sauce.”

You gave a small huff of amusement. Somehow, she always managed to pull you out of your own head. She had been doing it since the day Silco brought her in, half-broken but determined to be annoying enough to make you smile.

Your eyes drifted back to Isha. Her hair caught the sunlight, and for a moment, you saw nothing of Zaun, nothing of the war — just her. Your family.

“Maybe,” you said quietly, “I can finally use my strength to protect something.. instead of destroy.”

Jinx tilted her head. “Yeah,” she said softly, “protect me too, then.”

You looked down at her with a smirk, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. The woods were quiet, peaceful. For now, you let yourself believe it would stay that way.