“I don’t know what to say,” she sighed. “I told her everything. What else can I say to get her back?”
Viktor was quiet for a moment, thinking. Jinx had the look of a wounded animal, caught in a trap. In pain so long she didn’t know anything else. Lashing out was all she had left.
He knew that feeling well.
He glanced up as a blur of pink drifted into view. Rio landed atop the TV, skittering back and forth with restless little hops. Viktor watched her for a moment. She kept her distance—still wary of Vi, the only one she hadn’t fully warmed up to. Vi was too loud, her energy a little too much for the skittish creature.
“Maybe you don’t need to say anything,” Viktor said softly. “Maybe you just need to be there. Quiet. Open. Let her come to you... at her own pace.”
He held out his hand. Rio flitted closer, hovering uncertainly before settling onto his wrist. Slowly, he turned and extended his arm toward Vi. Rio twitched but didn’t bolt.
“Give her time. But don’t stop trying.”
Vi’s eyes widened as Viktor carefully lowered Rio into her lap. She froze, then, slowly, reached out and stroked Rio’s soft back. To her amazement, Rio tolerated it, even if she was a little twitchy under her touch.
Vi smiled—small, but genuine—and Viktor held onto the hope that they would be alright.
— Black Tides, Chapter Three, by @rohvee
Vi and Viktor’s friendship is so incredibly important to me in this fic
