Snow comes slow at first, just a few flakes drifting through the smoke-choked sky, then faster, as if the city itself had drawn a deep breath and let it out all at once. Jayce leans against the shattered railing of the Academy balcony, letting the cold bite at his cheeks, eyes tracing the soft white landing on scorched stone. Viktor stands beside him, coat too thin, hands shoved in pockets, watching the flakes like they’re a puzzle he can’t solve. Neither speaks at first. The snow makes everything feel temporary—like maybe nothing will burn today.

Caitlyn’s fingers are pressed against the fogged glass of a barricaded window farther down the city, watching the streets disappear beneath a soft white layer. Her gloves are off, cheeks red, and for a moment, she forgets the blood and chaos she’s been chasing. A fox darts through the fresh powder below, and she exhales a quiet, almost disbelieving breath. “Even Zaun…” she whispers to herself.

Far below, Vi stands on a rooftop in the Lanes, shoulders dusted white, boots crunching against frost-hardened metal. Jinx sits nearby, blue braids catching flakes, laughing softly as they melt on her tongue. Vi grumbles, rubbing her arms, but she doesn’t stop watching the snow. For once, the city doesn’t demand her fists. It just drifts and softens everything.

In the clocktower, Ekko catches a single flake between his fingers, the gears around him frozen in quiet. “Time doesn’t stop,” he says, “but maybe it pauses.” A Firelight hums in agreement somewhere behind him. For a moment, Zaun feels lighter, gentler, even though the world outside still burns.

The snow falls across both cities, over broken streets and gilded towers, over hands calloused from war and hearts raw from loss. Piltover glows golden, Zaun flickers neon, and yet, for the first time in weeks, it feels like a single sky binds them all. Vi mutters to herself, half-smile cracking, “Even if it won’t last… it’s ours for now.” And the snow keeps falling, silent and patient, indifferent to the borders it crosses, indifferent to the chaos below—falling on everyone, together.