I’m not going to go too deep into it because it’s worthy of its own post, but it goes without saying that choosing to end the season with another of Jinx’s hextech explosions to parallel her previous one was brilliant on so many levels, not only to showcase the evolution of her character (the first one was a major catalyst for Powder becoming Jinx and now the repeated act solidifies this identity) but for the story as well. The first time was a big turning point at the end of Act 1, ushering in major change for the characters and a new trajectory for the plot and this explosion will no doubt do the same, launching the story and the characters into a new direction.
The paralleled event also plays on the audience’s memory of what came before. We don’t have to assume that this rocket will be devastating, we’ve already seen what this kind of power can do and we know that it will be on an even larger scale now and this adds another layer of dread to an already shocking turn of events. We know how ferocious that magic-induced fire can be. How it rages and races and incinerates flesh. We already know everyone in that council chamber is going to die instantly without some kind of magical intervention.
We know Viktor and Mel both potentially have built-in magical reasons for survival e.g. Viktor’s connection to the Hexcore and Mel’s tattoos/armor, but what about Jayce?
I feel like the hammer could maybehave been used to protect him (we see the gauntlets shield Vi in her fight with Sevika) but he didn’t have it with him in the council chamber and I don’t think he’d even consider grabbing it not knowing that it can shield him anyway, so I assume either Mel or Viktor will have to protect him, but which one and how?
Though Viktor would know his little body wouldn’t be enough to truly shield Jayce nor would he be able to move in front of him fast enough, I do believe he would sacrifice himself in a heartbeat to try to save him if he could, especially knowing he’s dying anyway. That being said, it’s just as likely that Jayce would try and do the same for Viktor and is the more likely candidate to be able to run to Viktor and tackle him to the ground to try and shield him. The act would still be futile but, in each other’s arms, Viktor’s magic could activate and, in protecting him, save Jayce as well.
If this doesn’t happen however and Jayce instead runs to Mel or doesn’t get the chance to make any decision at all, Viktor’s magic could still involuntarily shield him and he’ll come out mostly unscathed (which will out him) or the magic won’t help him and he could get seriously hurt (which could jumpstart more augmentation).
We don’t know what kind of power Mel has yet but emphasizing her and her armor was no accident and she could very well be the key to saving everyone in that room. If she’s somehow able to hold the rocket at bay while everyone tries to escape (an action that could be extremely taxing and she perhaps can’t hold for very long) she lets it go when everyone is a safe distance away, sacrificing herself to save everyone else (though I do genuinely believe most of the council members will die or at least be seriously injured so I’d hate to see Mel sacrifice herself just for it to be in vain).
Or, if Mel is somehow able to protect one other person besides or instead of herself, she chooses Jayce. Not only because she loves him but because she believes in him as their best choice of leadership for Piltover. This sacrifice to save him would deepen the pain he would already feel from losing her and it could inspire him to continue being on the council to honor her memory despite his previous wishes to leave so he can continue to be in a position to be able to do the things he thinks she would have wanted.
Again though, I genuinely don’t want Mel to die by the way and I’m not saying she’s absolutely going to. I’m still 50/50 on her survival as I can see the storytelling potential in both options honestly, but these are just wild theories and, as of now, I still have hope she’ll live.
As a sidenote, I’m also curious as to the potential radius of this explosion and how many more innocents could potentially be at risk beyond the council. The rocket was aimed at the council chamber, but could the fallout be larger than expected? Could the explosion seriously destabilize that building and cave in other nearby rooms or potentially have debris fall to the streets and harm others perhaps?
Anyway, those are just some scattered thoughts. I know there’s already been a lot of conversation on who will survive and how, but it’s all very interesting to speculate on.
I know we all want to see Viktor and Jayce eventually fight (and I’m so ready for that angst!) but I’d also kind of love to see a scenario where they’re forced to work together against a larger threat at some point and we get to see them fight side by side, combining the full power of their magic and hextech together and, despite their recent differences and newness to combat, are able to sync together well which reminds each other once more of the friendship they once had… and could maybe have again?
Do not stare at Jayce’s ex-husband-new-boyfriend Viktor’s little robo face, he does not tolerate your curiosity at all. He hasn’t slept. They’ve been researching how to mend a broken relationship. Mathematically.
Omg Jayce you sussy baka stop starting fights with ppl for meeee
has anyone else felt like arcane has taken ‘inspo’ and i use the word inspo lightly because the whole fucking background and shit looks like it can from dishonoured like you can’t tell me the sherif and the police don’t look like the guards from dishonoured
edit- not that it’s a bad thing personally i love it, there isn’t much shows that have the look and aesthetic as arcane has
A/N: heard this song on my walk the other day and it gave me “running through a castle out into the rain in a ball gown” vibes so…here it is hope you guys enjoy!
Word Count:964
Warnings: assumed infidelity (there is none), miscommunication, angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, kissing in the rain.
Your heels click noisily in the marble lined halls of the Academy, but the obnoxious sound doesn’t even bother you through the sound of your harsh breathing and hot tears running down your cheeks.
You should have known. You should have known this would happen.
Why wouldn’t it?
The exit approaches faster than anticipated, and you just barely manage to get your hands up in time to shove the heavy doors open.
Bursting out into the open air, your steps never falter, not even at the rain that pours from the sky. It soaks you to the bone almost instantly, drenching your evening gown and plastering it to your skin.
The weight of the drowned fabric does start to slow your steps despite your efforts to move faster as faint calls of your name sound from behind you.
His voice.
Glimpses of what you saw flash before your eyes and it makes the tears come harder. Not that anyone would notice as they mixed with the rain droplets cascading down your face.
It plays overandoveragain.
Mel touching him, sliding perfect hands up his arms. Jayce leaning against the wall as her lips meet his own. Jayce’s hands falling to her hips…
Another sob rips itself from your chest and your throat hurts from the force of it.
Why?
It’s the only question you keep asking yourself despite knowing the answer.
Because he deserves better than you.
Another call of your name - closer now than before, makes you move faster, desperate to put as much distance between yourself and the hurt you feel.
The delicate fabric of your dress catches on the cobblestone street below you, finally pulling you to a halt. Rain drums deafeningly all around you and the torrential downpour keeps you from seeing your peruser until he is practically on top of you.
Your name leaves his lips in a breathless whisper as he reaches out to you, hand scalding hot against your chilled skin.
“Don’t touch me!” You pull away from him, furiously tugging at your dress.
Jayce stands before you, just as soaked through as you are, hair disheveled and falling over his forehead.
Despite him being the last person you want to see, you can’t take your eyes off of him. Captured once again by the beauty that drew you in from the beginning.
“Please, let me explain.” He takes another tentative step towards you, and you have to will yourself to stand your ground.
“There’s nothing to explain!” You say, having to raise your voice to be heard over the pouring rainfall. “I understand, Jayce.”
The way your voice breaks is inevitable.
He looks at you in a way that reminds you of a wounded animal. Confusion and hurt contorting his features. You continue before he can speak.
“You two deserve each other.” The words are forced from your chest you swallow past the lump in your throat.
“I’m not…I’m not her. I can never be her. And she’s what you deserve to have, someone…worthy of being by your side.”
You reach up to instinctively wipe at your tears, the action doing nothing to clear the water from your cheeks.
Warm hands wrap gently around your wrists, something you don’t fight this time. Instead, you stay still as they travel up your arms to rest at your elbows.
“You’re the only person I want by my side.” Jayce tells you, no hint of deception in his eyes as he looks down at you.
Your lips part to argue but he stops you in your tracks, hands squeezing you imploringly.
“Mel came onto me. I would never…” he trails off, blinking away the water that clings to his lashes.
“I love you. And only you. If anyone is unworthy, it’s me.”
Eyes flick over his face, searching for any sign that he’s lying. But if you know anything about Jayce Talis, it’s that he has never lied to you.
Not once.
And if he truly was interred in Mel, you highly doubt he would have chased you out into this storm. You don’t have any words for him, feeling foolish for even thinking he would betray you.
Instead, you lean forward pressing your lips against his. His response is immediate and his lips are warm as he pulls you into him. Strong arms wrap around your waist, his fingers pressing into yiru side through the soaked fabric of your dress. As if he’s afraid of losing you.
He almost did because of your own assumptions.
Rain still falls and you can taste it on your tongue as Jayce continues to kiss you. The only thing that pulls you from him is the need for air and the violent shiver that shudders through you.
He gazes down at you when you separate from one another, his arms resting on your hips. Leaning your forehead against his, you speak just loud enough for him to hear.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed…I just saw-“
Jayce stops you with a quick peck to the corner of your lips. “You thought what anyone would have, if they saw what you did.” He reasons, eyes dancing over your face.
“Why don’t we go home?” He suggests, eyes warm before he leans down to gather the skirt of your dress in his hands. “I can explain everything then.”
You nod, giving him a small smile. “I’d like that.” You say, following him towards the carriage that you all took to the Academy earlier in the evening. “But you don’t have to explain anything.”
You turn to him just before he opens the door to the carriage, pressing one last kiss to his lips before pulling back.
“I love you. I trustyou.”
He smiles, following you into the carriage to head home.
