Work Text:
Friday nights were supposed to be fun.
But not for Jinx.
Her sister Vi was out on a date. Ekko was out on a date. Even fishbones had better social plans than she did.
So Jinx sat on her couch, surrounded by empty snack bags, watching a terrible romance show she swore she didn’t like but could quote word-for-word.
She threw a pillow at the screen, “Ugh, seriously? Nobody’s that smooth.”
A soft breeze rolled through her apartment.
Then glitter.
Then harp music.
Jinx blinked.“…Uh. Vi? Ekko? Is this a prank?”
A flash of golden light filled the room, and suddenly a woman, glowing, winged, and unfairly pretty, stood in front of her coffee table, as if this was a usual place to appear.
The woman adjusted her golden quill, plastering on a warm, professional smile.
“Hello, I am Luxanna! I can help make anyone fall for you. Who do you wish to pursue?”
Jinx stared.
Then stared harder.
“Are you-uh-real? Or did I eat expired candy again?”
Luxanna continued undeterred, clearly committed to her script.
“Most mortals seek assistance with their romantic pursuits. I’d be happy to-”
Jinx held up a finger.“Hang on, hang on. I get ONE night alone, and the love fairy breaks into my place? Kinda rude.”
Luxanna blinked, thrown for the first time.“Love… fairy?”
“Angel? Goddess? Whatever.” Jinx squinted. “You’re not here to steal my organs, right?”
Luxanna’s wings fluttered in mild panic. “No! I’m here to help with matters of the heart.”
Jinx grinned, leaning forward like this was the start of a terrible decision.
“Well then… do you have advice on how to win your heart?”
Luxanna’s smile froze.
Her quill snapped clean in half.
“…What?”
Jinx nodded like this was totally logical.
“Your heart,” Jinx repeated, drawing a shape in the air that looked vaguely like a potato. “This thing.”
Luxanna sputtered. “I-I think there's been a misunderstanding. I assist with others’ love lives. My heart isn’t on the menu!”
Jinx gasped dramatically, “Wow. False advertising.”
Luxanna made a strangled sound.
Jinx stuck out a hand, “Name’s Jinx, by the way.”
Luxanna tried not to stare. She failed miserably, “You can’t just… choose me.”
“Why not?” Jinx asked, smiling like she already knew she’d won.
Luxanna’s halo flickered dangerously.
Never, not once in centuries, had someone chosen her.
Jinx tapped her chin, “So, love goddess lady… any tips? Or should we start with a date and see where it goes?”
Luxanna covered her face with both hands.
This was not at all in the handbook.
Luxanna’s wings puffed up like startled doves.“Umm, Umm-I’ll be right back. I need to… speak to my boss. Stay right here.”
Jinx snapped a salute from her couch, surrounded by snack wrappers.“Aye aye, Angel Home Invader.”
Luxanna vanished in a frantic puff of gold sparkles.
Lux materialized in her aunt’s office, aka paperwork hell. Love potion bottles rolled across the floor. Half-melted chocolates clung to forms labeled “CRUSHES: MISFIRES,” and something in the corner was definitely smoking.
Aunt Tianna, eternally exhausted and goddess-adjacent, didn’t even look up from her mountain of forms.
“Lux, unless someone has seduced a dragon again, this can wait-”
Lux blurted, far too loudly, “A mortal just fell in love with me, and I think I might have fallen for them too! Is that an HR issue?”
Tianna froze mid-stamp.
Short-circuited.
Rebooted.
Tianna finally lifted her head,“…They can’t be that good of a flirt.”
Lux made a helpless noise.
Tianna stood, brushing glitter off her robe, “Let me see.”
Tianna and Lux poofed back into Jinx’s living room.
Jinx was exactly where Lux had left her, kicked back on the couch, sipping from a juice box she definitely didn’t have a minute ago.
She looked up, and her grin turned megawatt.
“Wow,” Jinx said, pointing at Tianna, “I didn’t know your boss was your beautiful sister.”
Lux choked on her own breath.
Tianna did not choke.
Tianna blinked once. Slowly.
Then said, through a tight, polite smile.
“Give us one moment.”
Both popped back into Tianna’s office in a flurry of glitter.
Tianna planted her hands on her hips.
“Okay. I stand corrected. They are disturbingly good at that.”She rubbed her temples. “How did they even do that eyebrow thing? Mortals aren’t supposed to have that much charisma.”
Lux buried her face in her hands, “Auntieeee, what do I do?”
Tianna sighed in that classic overworked celestial aunt way, “Well. Your job is to help them make anyone fall in love with them… and they requested you.”
Lux peeked through her fingers, “So… that’s allowed?”
Tianna shrugged.“There is technically no rule against being someone’s romantic target. So, uh, go nuts? I’ll figure the paperwork out later.”
Lux brightened immediately, wings releasing a cloud of heart-shaped sparkles.
Tianna pointed sternly.“But for the love of all things divine, don’t let them flirt at me again. I am NOT built for this.”
Lux reappeared in Jinx’s apartment in a glittery pop, landing with her hands neatly folded in front of her like she hadn’t just had a divine meltdown two minutes earlier.
Jinx perked up instantly. “You’re back! So… what’s the verdict?”
Lux straightened, wings fluttering nervously, “After consulting with management, I’ve decided I can… provide guidance.”
Jinx leaned forward, “Guidance?”
Lux nodded, very official, very composed on the surface, and absolutely dying on the inside, “Yes. I will give you advice on how to… be romantic with… me.”
Jinx didn’t even hesitate, “Great! Let’s go on a date.”
Lux short-circuited.
She scrambled into her bag an elegant golden pouch that definitely should not have been able to hold as much as it did, and pulled out a scroll.
Then another scroll.
Then a binder.
Then a laminated list.
Then a trifold brochure.
Each slapped onto the coffee table like she was preparing for divine jury duty.
Jinx stared at the pile, “…Did you bring homework to our date?”
Lux cleared her throat and unfurled the top scroll dramatically, “This is my official ‘List of Recommended Romantic Outings for Mortals Seeking Love.’ It is categorized by theme, intensity, budget, weather, and risk of magical catastrophe.”
Jinx blinked, “…Wow. And I thought I had too much free time.”
Lux puffed up proudly, “I take my work seriously! Now based on your personality profile, I would recommend-”
Jinx gently put a finger on the scroll and lowered it, “Luxanna.”
Lux froze,“…Yes?”
“Where do you want to go on a date?”
Lux made a strangled squeaky noise.
Her wings fluffed so aggressively that they nearly knocked over a lamp.
She stared at her own list, as if it suddenly betrayed her, “W-where I want…?”
Jinx nodded patiently, “Yeah. You. The girl or well goddess, I asked out.”
Lux’s halo flickered pink.
She took a breath, trying to channel professionalism and instead channeling pure, excited panic, “Well, I-umI’ve never actually been on a date before, so I don’t uh I mean, I do know plenty of theoretical locations, but practically speaking, I suppose well there is one place…”
Jinx waited, smiling softly now.
Lux’s voice dropped to a shy whisper,“…The Piltover Museum.”
Jinx blinked, “The museum?”
Lux nodded quickly, talking too fast, “They have exhibits both of us would enjoy! Sparks and inventions for you, art and history for me, and statistically speaking, museums have a high success rate for first-date conversations and low risk of emotional disaster, and-and I just thought maybe if you want we could-um-go.”
Jinx grinned.
Lux’s wings fluttered like a sugar-high hummingbird. She was trying so hard to stay Professional Goddess™, but her whole face said Oh stars, oh stars, oh stars, I’m going on a date.
Jinx stood and held out a hand, “Then museum date it is.”
Lux took her hand, shockingly gentle, shockingly excited, “R-really?”
“Really,” Jinx said. “Lead the way, Angelcakes.”
Lux was halfway out the door when she froze, “Ah, wait. I can’t walk into a public museum like this.”
Jinx blinked. “Like what? Gorgeous? Radiant?”
Lux groaned, pressing her palm to her face. “Jinx, I’m literally glowing. I forgot to shift.”
A soft shimmer traveled down her arms as she closed her eyes and breathed out. Light curled back into her skin like obedient ribbons, her hair settling, her eyes dimming to a warm, human blue. When she opened them again, she looked well-normal.
Normal for Lux, anyway.
Jinx stared at her for three full seconds, lips parting slightly, “Still beautiful,” she said, in a rare, earnest tone that wasn’t dressed up in jokes or bravado.
Lux’s face heated. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Can’t.” Jinx slung an arm over her shoulder as they walked toward the elevators. “Also, come on, Luxanna, we’re gonna be late-”
Lux stopped dead again and spun, pointing a finger at her, “No. Not today. I am off duty. I am on break. I am a civilian for the next four hours.” She poked Jinx’s chest. “You call me Lux.”
Jinx held up both hands, smirking. “Okay, okay, Lux. I can do that. Totally normal Earth-girl Lux. Nothing suspicious or shiny about her.”
Lux sighed, defeated but smiling. “You are impossible.”
Jinx grinned wider. “Yeah, but admit it, you like me.”
Lux nudged her again, softer this time. “Maybe. A little.”
The museum lobby was quiet for a weekday night, with soft lights, a polished floor, and a colossal bronze statue of some ancient warrior glaring dramatically at visitors.
Jinx whistled. “Wow. Fancy. Rich-people vibes.”
Lux tugged her hand. “Come on, I want to show you the astronomy wing!”
“You mean the room with the big spinny star map?”
“Yes.”
“Lead the way, nerd.”
The moment they stepped in, Lux lit up figuratively this time.
She bounced toward a massive holographic projection of the solar system, pointing with both hands.
“Okay, okay, look!” She dragged Jinx right under a model of Saturn. “They updated the orbital simulation. Isn’t it perfect?”
Jinx tilted her head. “It is kinda cool. Like someone spilled glitter and math everywhere.”
Lux tried so hard not to laugh, but it burst out anyway. “That’s… honestly an excellent description.”
Jinx wandered over to a touchscreen panel and immediately began pressing random buttons. The galaxy was displayed zoomed in, out, turned sideways, and then upside down.
Lux rushed over. “No, Jinx, you can’t just mash-”
“I’m making it spiiiinnnn.”
She did, in fact, make it spin. Rapidly.
Lux facepalmed as distant museum staff subtly flinched.
But she was smiling.
They migrated to the biology floor next, Lux rambling about genetic markers and Jinx loudly mispronouncing every scientific term on purpose.
Lux covered her mouth to keep from snorting.
Jinx pointed at a reconstructed dinosaur skeleton. “Okay, but if this guy were alive today, I could totally ride him into battle.”
Lux gave her a dry look. “You are absolutely the reason they went extinct.”
Jinx proudly saluted.
They slowed down in one of the quieter halls, where they found paintings, ancient weapons, relics, and scripts behind glass.
Lux leaned close to a centuries-old sword. “Wow, the Infinity Edge. My brother would lose his mind if he saw this.”
Jinx raised her eyebrow and asked, "Why is that?"
Lux turned to her, a hint of seriousness in her tone, and replied, "He works in the war department."
Jinx hummed. “You look cute when you’re in nerd mode.”
Lux elbowed her, cheeks pink. “You look cute when you’re not causing trouble.”
“I’m always causing trouble.” Jinx grinned. “That’s why you like me.”
Lux didn’t deny it.
As they turned the corner toward the gift shop, someone’s voice rang out:
“Oi! I’d recognize that blue hair anywhere!”
Jinx froze like a cartoon character caught in a flashlight beam.
Vi and Caitlyn stood there, clearly on a date together. Vi was holding two hot chocolates, and Cait was carrying a bag full of museum merch.
Vi broke into a wide grin. “Jinx! Look at you! Out with a girl and everything!”
Cait nudged Vi with her elbow. “Subtle, darling.”
Jinx groaned. “Can you two not announce it to the entire museum?”
Lux stepped forward, offering a small wave. “Hi, I’m Lux.”
Caitlyn immediately softened. “Ah. So you’re the lucky one.”
“Or unlucky,” Vi joked. “Depends on the hour.”
Jinx shot Vi a glare. “Traitor.”
Vi put an arm around Cait’s shoulder. “Nah, seriously, we’re glad you found someone to spend the night with. About time someone kept you out of trouble.”
Jinx muttered, “No guarantees…”
Lux squeezed her hand. “Tonight, we’re just having fun. No trouble needed.”
Cait put a hand to her chest. “A miracle. Vi, mark the calendar.”
Vi raised her hot chocolate like a toast. “To Jinx not blowing anything up!”
Jinx stuck out her tongue. Lux laughed behind her.
After a few minutes of teasing and small talk, Vi and Cait headed off to the exit, still bickering playfully.
When they were gone, Lux leaned close and whispered:
“They seem nice.”
“They’re nosy,” Jinx grumbled. Then added, quieter, “But yeah… they mean well.”
Lux threaded her fingers through hers again. “Come on. We still haven’t seen what overpriced things we can buy in the gift shop.”
Jinx brightened. “Ooooh. Could you get me a dinosaur plush?”
Lux laughed. “Maybe”
They stepped out of the museum hand-in-hand, the night breeze cool and the city lights glittering.
Jinx rocked back on her heels. “Sooo… the date was a success. Exhibit nerding: 10/10. Cait and Vi didn’t embarrass me too much. We bought each other stuff at the gift shop that you've already gratefully sent back to my place. No one got arrested. What’s next?”
Lux straightened her posture like she was about to unveil a sacred decree.
“Well,” she said, almost too professionally, “I’ve been looking to expand my ‘Lux-Approved Romantic Outing’ list, and I want to try sampling some food tonight. You know, to make sure recommendations are accurate.”
Jinx raised an eyebrow. “You want to eat… for research.”
“Scientific research,” Lux clarified, nodding totally thoughtfully.
Jinx snorted. “You sound like Viktor.”
Lux stuck her tongue out before remembering she was supposed to be composed. “I just look, I’ve never actually been on a date before. If I’m going to give mortals advice, I should know what makes a good food stop.”
Jinx tapped her chin dramatically. “Okay, okay. If we want the best date food in the city, I know the perfect place.”
Lux perked up immediately. “Where?”
“Jericho’s. Down in Zaun.”
Lux blinked, visibly excited and visibly trying not to look excited. “Zaun… oh! I’ve never been down there before. Is it safe?”
Jinx grinned like she was born out of trouble. “With me? You’re golden.”
Lux’s wings (still slightly visible at the edges despite her human form) fluttered in anticipation. “Then we should-”
Before Jinx could blink, Lux clasped her hands together.
“-go!”
A soft flash of golden light burst around them.
Wind rushed past.
The world blurred.
And then
They found themselves standing in front of a neon-lit corner shop tucked between pipes and catwalks, Zaun’s signature smoky air curling around them.
Lux inhaled deeply, eyes sparkling. “Oh! It smells… amazing.”
Jinx puffed her chest proudly. “Told ya. It’s the good stuff.”
Lux pointed eagerly at the doorway. “Do we… go in?”
“You nervous, goddess?” Jinx teased.
Lux smoothed her skirt and tried to look composed. “I’m not nervous. I’m simply preparing myself to evaluate culinary data viability.”
“Mhm. Sure.” Jinx bumped her shoulder.
Lux blushed.
Jinx opened the door with a flourish. “After you, Lux.”
Lux smiled warmly, bright, and thrilled.
“Thank you, Jinx.”
As soon as Lux and Jinx stepped inside, warm steam wrapped around them like a hug. The sizzling pans, clattering bowls, and neon-lit jars of ingredients made Lux’s eyes shine.
Before they could find a table
From the back corner booth, someone yelled:
“No WAY. Jinx actually convinced a date to come down here?”
Jinx stiffened. Lux blinked in confusion.
Ekko sat at a booth, wedged comfortably between Zeri and Ezreal. They stared like they’d seen a comet hit the street.
Zeri leaned forward, whispering loudly, “Is she kidnapped?”
Ezreal squinted at Lux. “Blink twice if you’re being held here against your will.”
Lux flailed. “What? No! Jinx invited me!”
Ekko motioned them over with a smirk. “C’mon. Sit. We gotta hear how she pulled this off.”
Jinx rolled her eyes but guided Lux to slide in beside her.
Lux smiled politely. “It’s nice to meet Jinx’s friends.”
The table went silent.
Ekko’s jaw dropped.
Ezreal whispered, “She has manners.”
Zeri poked Jinx’s shoulder. “What did you bribe her with? Money? Explosives? Emotional instability?”
Jinx scowled. “I didn’t bribe her! We’re on a date! A real one!”
Ekko raised a skeptical eyebrow. “So she willingly came with you… to Zaun… at night?”
Lux nodded sweetly. “It’s my idea too! I wanted to explore new food places.”
Ezreal blinked as she’d spoken in ancient Shuriman. “Voluntarily visiting Zaun with Jinx on a first date… that’s wow. Bold.”
Zeri nudged Lux. “Okay, respect. You’re fearless.”
Lux flushed happily. “Thank you!”
Jinx shot them all a glare. “Can we focus on ordering food instead of acting as I dragged her from Piltover in a sack?”
Ekko slid a menu across the table to Lux. “Sure, sure. Let’s help your date survive the Zaun spice chart.”
Lux lifted the heavy menu, eyes widening. “Why is there a flame rating over the appetizers?”
Ezreal leaned in. “Anything above two flames and you’re gonna see the universe.”
Zeri pointed. “Don’t get the ‘Chemical Burn Buns.’ We dare each other to eat those when we’re bored.”
Lux pushed the menu away from the flaming section. “I think I’ll stick to… mild?”
Jinx scooted closer, chin resting lightly on Lux’s shoulder. Lux froze, blushing hard.
“I’d recommend the Honey-Chili Noodles,” Jinx murmured. “Sweet. Spicy. Fun. Kind of like you.”
Lux turned crimson.
Ekko made a gagging noise. “Ew. Romance.”
Zeri elbowed him. “Shut up, they’re cute.”
Lux continued scanning the menu. “What’s… a Fizzle Pop Dumpling?”
The trio answered immediately:
“Messy.”
“Explosive.”
“Usually loud.”
Lux set the menu down. “Oh… I’ll pass.”
Jinx laughed softly. “Good call.”
Zeri leaned forward, curious. “So how’d you two even meet? Did Jinx blow something up near you?”
Lux shook her head. “Actually, she just… asked me out. I said yes.”
Jinx shrugged like she didn’t care, but her grin said she cared a LOT.
Ekko pointed at her. “See? Look at that! Jinx actually asked someone like a normal person!”
Ezreal raised his cup. “Proud of you, man.”
Zeri added, “Didn’t even have to run from law enforcement this time!”
Jinx groaned. “Can you guys shut up?”
Lux giggled and then suddenly said, a little too honestly:
“I’m delighted to be here with her.”
Jinx froze.
The whole table did.
Ekko, wide-eyed, exclaims, "Whoa."
Zeri, looking proud, says, "She’s serious-serious."
Ezrea, shocked, comments, "Dang, Jinx, you’re in.”
Jinx, attempting to act cool, slung her arm around Lux’s shoulders. “Yeah, well… I’m happy too.”
Lux glowed emotionally. Not magically this time.
Ekko lifted his bowl. “To Jinx actually having a date.”
Zeri raised a spoon. “To Lux surviving the night!”
Ezreal lifted a dumpling. “To romance but not the spicy dumplings!”
Lux raised her water. “To noodles!”
Jinx clinked her glass against Lux’s. “Perfect.”
The table looked like the aftermath of a culinary apocalypse.
Ekko was half-collapsed against Zeri.
Zeri was fanning her mouth as it might physically detach.
Ezreal was lying on the booth seat, dramatically whispering, “Tell my mom I love her…”
And Jinx
Jinx was clutching the edge of the table, eyes wide, pupils blown, tongue poking out.
“HOT. SO HOT. WHY DID I EAT THAT MUCH? AM I DYING?”
Lux gently pushed a glass of water toward her, “Oh goodness, was it truly that spicy?”
Jinx doubled over, pounding her chest, “L-luxLux, I think my teeth are sweating.”
Ezreal, barely conscious, raised a trembling hand. “Mine are vibrating.”
Meanwhile, Lux sat perfectly straight, napkin folded neatly in her lap, face glowing but untouched by the liquid fire she had to finish because Jinx couldn't finish her bowl.
She smiled politely, “I thought it had a pleasant warmth. Very invigorating!”
All four heads snapped toward her.
Ekko, dazed, “…I’m sorry, what?”
Zeri sat up. “Nope. Nope, nope, nope. That was four on the Jericho Scale. Nobody survives that.”
Jinx squinted at Lux like she was examining an alien.
Her voice was hoarse.
“Lux. Sweetheart. My tongue is literally numb. Are you sure you’re normal?”
Lux laughed nervously, “Oh! You know, good metabolism! Strong Demacian body! ”
Jinx stared, unconvinced.
Ezreal pointed weakly. “She didn’t even sweat…”
Zeri added, “Her eyes didn’t even water…”
Ekko whispered, “She might actually be immortal.”
Jinx leaned across the table, face mere inches from Lux’s, “…I think I just fell in love twice as hard.”
Lux went bright pink, “Oh! Um! Th-thank you!”
Then Jinx dramatically slumped back down. “Ughhh… my insides are burning…”
Lux rubbed soothing circles on her back, which made Jinx sit up immediately, flustered, “N-not that I’m complaining!”
Ekko groaned. “Just go. Leave. Take your terrifying girlfriend and go.”
Zeri added, “Please. Before she eats anything else spicy and destroys the Zaun power grid.”
Ezreal raised a limp dumpling in salute. “Godspeed.”
Lux stood, smoothing her skirt. “I… really did enjoy the meal.”
Jinx stumbled to her feet, still wiping tears from her eyes, “Great… amazing… perfect… Now let’s go somewhere that isn’t actively trying to kill me.”
Lux offered her hand, shy and glowing, “Let me walk with you?”
Jinx blushed but took it, “Only if you promise not to eat anything hotter than candle wax again.”
Lux giggled. “I’ll do my best.”
The streets of Zaun were quieter now, neon signs reflecting in puddles and soft mist curling around their boots. Lux’s hand still held Jinx’s, and neither of them had let go since leaving Jericho’s.
Jinx glanced up at Lux, cheeks still flushed from the food and maybe from Lux’s near-perfect poise, “That was… wow. Seriously. That was the best date I’ve ever had.”
Lux smiled, eyes sparkling in the streetlight. “I… I had a wonderful time too. You made it easy. Even when you almost set my nerves on fire in the science wing.”
Jinx laughed, elbowing her lightly. “Hey, you handled it like a pro. I’m impressed. And the museum was fun, too. I could hang out with you there forever.”
Lux’s wings twitched just slightly under her jacket. “I think… I could too. It felt… effortless. Comfortable. And exciting.”
Jinx tilted her head, smiling mischievously. “So… does that mean… I get another one?”
Lux paused, her hand tightening around hers. Then, without another word, she leaned in and pressed a gentle, warm kiss to Jinx’s lips. When she pulled back, she whispered, soft and certain, “Absolutely.”
Jinx’s grin widened, heart racing. “Seems you have another successful date on your hands, love goddess.”
Lux gave a playful shrug, a glint in her eye. “You know… this date doesn’t have to end if you don’t want it to. I am a goddess of all things love, after all.”
Jinx’s eyes lit up. “Oh… oh no. You’re dangerous.”
Lux laughed, tugging her gently toward the street corner. “The most fun kind of dangerous.”
In a flash of golden light, they landed in Jinx’s apartment. Lux’s hands still held Jinx’s, their hearts hammering in sync.
Before either of them could catch their breath, Jinx tugged Lux close. Their lips met in a warm, lingering kiss, soft at first, then deeper, as if trying to catch up on the whole night in a single moment.
Lux’s wings fluttered faintly behind her, still tucked, but betraying her excitement. Jinx’s fingers tangled in Lux’s hair, a grin spreading across her face even in the kiss.
They stumbled toward Jinx’s bedroom, laughing softly between kisses, the room closing in around them as the outside world disappeared.