novelaction Chapter 22: Episode 22: Immortal
Chapter 22: Episode 22: Immortal
Chapter 22 - Episode 22: ImmortalAuthor Note: Quick sondage before we start so I get a better view of yall readers.
What do you enjoy most about this fic?
A. The psychological love between Bael and Jinx and their dynamics.
B. The chaos they cause to express their love language.
C. Watching Bael change. And Jinx too.
D. All of the above.
...
Back in the lair, Jinx lounged on the couch, she watched Bael settle into his workbench, her eyes tracing his every movement.
She broke the silence with a teasing lilt. "You know, Bael, you're kinda boring sometimes. You could at least pretend to be happy we didn't get caught."
Bael didn't even glance back, his focus still on the shards of Hexcrystals scattered before him. "I'm happy we didn't get caught, Jinx," he said dryly, though the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.
Jinx propped herself up on one elbow, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You're a terrible liar. Come on, admit it—you had fun."
"Fun isn't exactly how I'd describe nearly blowing our cover," Bael replied, finally turning to face her.
"Pfft, you're no fun," Jinx pouted, crossing her arms. "You're always so serious. When's the last time you actually let loose? Like, really let loose?"
Bael raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Let me remember... Maybe seven hours ago?"
Jinx rolled her eyes and got to her feet, sauntering over to him with exaggerated confidence. She leaned over his shoulder, her lips close to his ear, "I didn't talk about last night silly~. Did you enjoy fucking me that much~?"
Bael turned his head, their faces inches apart. "Ugh–! Jinx stop for the love of... Ugh, whatever." He surrenders.
"Maybe we throw some Hexcrystals in the river and see how big the explosion is. Or crash one of Piltover's fancy parties in disguise. Ooh, or—"
Jinx straightened up, pretending to look offended. "You're no fun, Bael. No fun at all."
"Maybe not," he admitted, standing and stretching. "But I'm practical. And that's what keeps us out of trouble."
Jinx's grin returned as she grabbed his wrist, tugging him toward the couch. "Fine, Mr. Practical." She pouts.
Bael hesitated for a moment before relenting, letting her pull him down beside her. "Alright, Jinx. Just for a while."
As they sat together in the dimly lit lair, the chaos of the outside world seemed to fade away.
Jinx, for her part, rested her head on his shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. "You know, Bael... for all the crazy stuff we've been through, I wouldn't trade this for anything."
Bael glanced at her, a rare softness in his eyes. "Neither would I, Jinx."
Bael leaned back, looking thoughtful. "Hey... Progress Day is next Saturday, right?"
Jinx blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah? Why?"
He smirked slightly, resting his hand on his chin. "I was thinking... maybe we could hang out. You know, take the day off, what do you think?"
Jinx's eyes widened for a moment, her grin spreading ear to ear. "Wait, are you serious? Like... fun fun? Not 'let's steal from the Council' kind of fun?"
Bael laughed softly. "Yeah, fun fun. Just a regular day for us."
She leaned closer, giving him a skeptical yet playful look. "Who are you, and what did you do with Bael? Did someone swap you out when I wasn't looking?"
"Very funny," he replied dryly, rolling his eyes. "I just figured it might be nice for once. So... what do you say?"
Jinx's grin softened, her eyes almost glowing with excitement. "I say... hell yes! Progress Day with you sounds amazing. But..." She tilted her head mischievously. "Don't expect me to behave the whole time."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Bael said, chuckling. Returning to his workbench.
Jinx mockingly pulls out one of her explosive gadgets and activates it. She throws it at Bael who picks it instantly thanks to his inhuman reflexes. He quickly cuts the main wirse rendering it useless.
"HA!" Jinx laughed, "Blowing me up is funny?" He asked. "Don't tell me about it~." She replies.
...
The moonlight filtered into the cavern, casting long shadows that danced against the walls. Bael sat on the edge of his chair, holding the syringe filled with the daily antidote he needed to counteract the shimmer coursing through his veins.
Jinx sauntered up to him with a playful smirk. "Need some help, genius?" she teased, sliding onto his lap without waiting for an answer.
Bael flinched slightly but relaxed as her fingers trailed to the crook of his arm. "It's just a routine shot. I've got it," he said softly, though he didn't push her away.
She held his arm steady as he injected the dose, her bright eyes fixed on his face the entire time,
When they got to sleep, Bael had a dream, a flashback of the first day when everything got to hell. Powder carried him with all her forces back to place where he stopped the bleeding and closed the wound, the place where his arm used to be. It took 2 years for the wound to completely heal with the scars.
During that time, he'd steal money to buy food and clothes for him and Powder to survive, he played the role of father figure when he was 1 year younger than her.
He'd steal to survive and even kill when needed. That's when he developed his first steam gun. Then, he made his robotic arm that improved his quality of life drastically.
Moral of the story, killing was a cycle. And hopefully, if he masters the Arcane, he'll never be part of that cycle.
For now, it was the calm before the storm.