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beef-bakery · 2 years

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Braids and Ballerinas

Summary: you’re a dance teacher in the nicer parts of Zaun and one day you’re greeted by a very unlikely little girl

Rating: Jinx & GN!Reader (platonic) Silco/GN!Reader (secondary) - SFW - 1.9k words

Tags: dance teacher!reader, ngl this is primarily focused on the relationship between Jinx and reader, not much of the old man I’m afraid, absolutely no one asked for this but I was at the ballet the other day and churned this out after being reminded of my dancing days, hopefully this is enough to tie you guys over until the next chapter of tlwos

The first time Jinx showed up to your class, you were surprised. Before then, there was never a case of a child showing up to take a dance class at your studio. Sure you were based in Zaun, but you were close enough to the border where Piltovians of lower houses or those bordering on poverty - that is, keeping in mind the gap between Piltover and Zaun’s economy - could attend your studio.

Regardless of wealth, it was simply rare to see children in your studio. Many Piltover families who wished to raise their children to become dancers or performers enrolled them in higher up academies or Piltover studios, which offered the same curriculum that you did, only at a higher price.

Keeping that in mind, your dance studio did not particularly cater to children. Located in the nicer area of the Undercity, particularly near the brothels and higher cost restaurants that Zaun offered, your studio’s patrons consisted mainly of adult dancers: those who were training to join the cabaret, those wanting to gain core strength to progress onto pole dancing, or those who simply wanted to improve their flexibility for… several reasons.

However, upon seeing the bright eyed little girl come in, you found it hard to turn her down.

“I'm sorry, but you’re too young to be taking this class.” You had said, leaning over the counter to look closer at the short girl. “This studio is for adults only.”

“I don't see a sign saying that.” She had said simply, crossing her arms across her chest, a clear sign that she was not going to back down without a fight. And she was right, there was no sign because it had never crossed your mind that a child would ever want to take classes at your studio.

“Well, I don't think you could afford my classes.” You said, before quickly adding, “no offense.”

“None taken,” Jinx said, surprisingly well spoken for a girl of her age. “And I asked about how much it would cost, and I'd think this would cover it.” she then placed a bag of coins on the table, to which your eyes widened at the heavy sound it had made connecting with the wood.

You sifted through the bag, your eyes growing large. Such a large amount of money could cover numerous months worth of lessons, hell, it could even cover the rent on your studio for a couple months. You looked up at the girl, your hand still caught in the bag. “And this is all for how many lessons?” At this point, you could not say no to the young girl. If you hadn't the heart to before, the idea that you wouldn't have to worry about rent for the next couple of months cemented the idea in your mind. You couldn't say no.

“Well my dad said that they had to be private lessons, and he gave me enough to cover…” she began counting under her breath, using her fingers. “Around 4 months of lessons? And I wanted two sessions a week, so, 32 lessons?”

You let out a slow breath of air, no one had ever booked this far in advance and you had only ever offered public classes. “How did you even hear about me?”

“I saw one of your shows.” she said, and you could see the tension releasing from her back. She had grown comfortable with the idea that you were not going to deny her. “In a bar on Tuesday, you did that leg thing-” she stopped talking, moving to grab her leg and attempt to lift it above her head. You smiled at her, laughing quietly to yourself.

“I see.” You remembered the show she was referring to, you had been booked for a gig at the White Lion and performed a risque jazz piece, scantily clad. It was one of the nicer bars, offering bouncers and live music as opposed to the seedy clubs you made a point not to frequent, without bouncers and crackly music coming from broken speakers. The White Lion was frequented by Piltoverians who wanted a taste of the Undercity without getting their hands dirty or their lives put in danger. It was along the river’s edge, just beneath the bridge, but nice enough to the point where people continued to show up. That being said, you hadn't expected such a high ranking bar to let in a child.

“How did you even get in?” You asked, curious.

She smiled up at you, a gap gleaming through the center of her grin. “I snuck in.”

“Wow,” you said, slightly in awe. Not many people could say they snuck through the tightly secured bar. “You must be a pretty smart girl to get through the security.”

“I guess you could say that.” She said, shrugging as if it was nothing, but the shine in her eyes gave her away, she enjoyed your praise.

“I'll tell you what,” you rocked back onto your heels, from where you had leaned over the counter to talk to her. “You can start taking classes here, private of course.” You looked up from the paperwork you had grabbed from a filing cabinet behind the counter making reassuring eye contact with her. “But cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance or you have to pay a cancellation fee. You can sign up for when you’d like to take them on this sheet.” You handed her a clipboard, which she greedily took. You clicked a pen, putting its tip to the paper as you looked up through your lashes at her. “And you said your name was…?”

Jinx was a quick learner, picking up choreography quickly and stretching her bendy limbs in ways even you couldn't. Her technique was impeccable, pointing her toes on command without any reminders from you, stretching her arms wide, keeping high energy, and holding from her back.

“Jeez Jinx, I think you could start teaching the class now.” You said fondly, ruffling the hair she had forgotten to pull back into a bun.

Jinx had detested the idea of putting her hair back in a bun, typically opting for a braid, but you had insisted. Nevertheless, she ignored you, which backfired on her after a particularly powerful pirouette caused her braid to snap her cheek. After that, she had left her hair down or allowed you to twist it into a bun.

She giggled softly, turning to look up at you, eyes shining brightly with cheeks slightly flushed from the workout the two of you had just completed. “You really think so?” she puffed her chest out a little bit.

“I do,” you smiled. “And I think you’re ready for your first recital.”

Jinx’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. “For real?”

“Of course! I think it's about time we show your old man what you've been working on.” You tapped your chin thoughtfully. “How does next Tuesday sound?”

“I don't know if he’ll be free then but he’ll clear his schedule for me.” she said.

Jinx often talked about her dad, saying he was very protective of her, and from the occasional guards which accompanied her to class after a particularly gruesome crime occurred, you didn't disbelieve her. From what she had said to you, she hadn't had a mom or any siblings. Anymore. She had added quickly after you inquired if she had any siblings who wanted to take classes from you.

“It's a date.” You called after her as she packed up her dance bag and waved goodbye to you.

Jinx was a mesmerizing dancer, you thought as you watched her move across the marley, spotting perfectly. Her expressions were concentrated and portrayed strong emotions, her breaths coming in huffs. Jinx had picked the songs herself, and the two of you had worked side by side to choreograph the right moves.

You were in the small booth your studio offered, handling the lights and sound. You hadn't had enough time to book a club, not that you wanted Jinx’s first recital to be in front of tens of strangers; so you had settled for the small performing area your studio supplied, considering there was only an audience of one.

You hadn't had time to meet Jinx’s dad, too busy fussing over Jinx’s hair, slicked back into a tight bun, which she had complained about every time you slipped another bobby pin into it. And after the hair, you had headed to the booth, giving the jittery girl a thumbs up.

In the dark room, you could see the backs of two heads, watching the tiny girl as she improvised a front walkover. You flipped the spotlight on, following the girl as the music faded out. Jinx took a bow, a grin breaking across her face.

The two figures stood up, giving her a standing ovation. You smiled softly as you watched Jinx walk into the wings, her head held high.

You made your way out of the booth, walking out to the lobby. Jinx had beaten you there, holding a large bouquet of roses, standing in front of a bulky woman with a metal arm and a rather tall man, hair dark save for a small strip of gray slightly deviated from the center of his head. What drew you to him was the scar running down his left eye, extending to the center of his cheek. His eye was nearly all black, except for the deep red pupil in the center. His gaze was piercing as his focus shifted to you.

The woman behind him handed him another bouquet, this one full of daisies. He patted Jinx softly before heading toward you. You smiled politely at him, clasping your hands together.

“You must be Jinx’s dad.” You said at the same time he said, “you must be Jinx’s teacher.” You laughed softly. “Yes I am.”

He smiled and smoothly handed you the flowers. “Thank you for your work with Jinx, I know that not everyone is willing to teach a child, especially with the grace and patience you have, and for that I deeply thank you for it.”

“Oh, it was nothing. You see, it's very easy to be a good teacher when you have an amazing student.” You craned your head to look at Jinx, who had latched onto the woman’s metal arm, who was standing stony faced as if nothing was happening. “That must be your partner-?” You asked presumptuously.

Jinx’s dad’s eyebrows raised nearly to his hairline before he barked out a laugh. “Sevika? Oh no, I'm afraid you must be mistaken, she's my employee.”

“Oh I am so sorry,” your eyes widened as you began to babble. “Jinx had never talked about a mom and I was so surprised to see her dad with someone here that I made an assumption, I am so sorry.” you apologized.

“It's ok, if anything, at least your speculation was amusing.” he smiled, taking your suspicion with grace.

“Once again I am so sorry,” You cleared your throat, desperate to move on from your embarrassing accusation. “If anything though, I must say, you have raised a wonderful daughter. She is a pleasure to teach and is such a wonderful student and person. She is so polite and thoughtful, I couldn't’ve raised a better child myself.”

He smiled at you, showing chipped front teeth. “Thank you very much.”

You introduced yourself, smiling shyly. “And you are?”

“My name is Silco.” You felt the blood drain from your face. You had never been very interested in the politics of Zaun, but if anything, you remembered names very well.

“S-Silco?”

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