Bael leaned in close, his voice dropping into something soft, but confident.
"Hey… how about we go get you a new dress? Something real nice. And I'll grab myself something decent too—for the party."
Powder's eyes lit up like someone had lit a fuse inside her. That raw excitement—the kind that made her feel like a kid again—sparked through her veins.
Her mouth parted, disbelief mixing with excitement. "You serious?! You've been saving up for this?"
"...Of... Course," he lied, not having the skightest idea about their financial situation.
Powder's hand clutched his arm, squeezing tight, almost trembling.
"Bael… you're the best," she whispered. But there was that edge of disbelief, like she'd never dared to dream of something so… normal. So good.
Her lips curled into a grin—a bit of that wild spirit showing. "But don't think you can outshine me. I'm gonna look so good, you'll forget your own damn name."
Bael laughed, but his heart was racing. He'd have to hustle—hard. He needed that money, and fast. But for now?
He just basked in her joy.
"Then let's make you the queen of this party."
...
Bael needed money. And he knew exactly where to get it.
Piltover. A luxury tool shop, tucked away in a quieter district. He pushed open the door, the familiar scent of oil and metal filling his lungs.
"Morning, si—"
The shopkeeper never finished his sentence. Bael raised his recently made makeshift steam gun and fired. The shot cracked through the shop, and the old man's head snapped back, a red mist bursting into the air before he crumpled lifeless behind the counter.
A sharp gasp—then hurried footsteps. His wife. She rushed in from the back, eyes wide with horror.
Bael didn't hesitate. Another shot. Another body on the floor.
He exhaled slowly, lowering the gun, his voice cold and unwavering.
"I wouldn't get bored killing you in a thousand lifetimes..." Bael mutters.
This man. This shop. He remembered them. In his original world, he had come here as a desperate, starving kid, begging for a discount to buy tools. The shopkeeper had turned him away like filth, like he was nothing.
Now, in this life, Bael made sure he was the one doing the rejecting.
Bael rifled through the shop, grabbing every coin, every note, every valuable he could find. The old bastard had done well for himself—too well. By the time Bael was done, his pockets were heavy with a generous haul.
He stepped over the bodies without a second glance and walked out like he had just finished an honest day's work.
Returning to Powder, he found her pacing, impatient as ever. She turned to him with sharp eyes. "Took you long enough."
Bael smirked, tossing a pouch of stolen coin onto the table with a satisfying clink. "Go get ready. We're going shopping."
Her eyes flicked to the pouch, then back to him, a slow, wicked grin spreading across her face. "Oh, you do know how to spoil me."
She grabbed his collar, yanking him close, whispering against his lips. "Make sure I'm the only girl you ever spend on."
Bael chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "As if anyone else could handle me."
Powder pulled away, already heading to get dressed. "Damn right. Now hurry up. We've got a party to set this city on fire for."
Bael and Powder strolled through Piltover's pristine streets, a sharp contrast to the wild energy crackling between them. Powder clung to his arm, practically bouncing with excitement, eyes darting between the glittering storefronts.
"So many choices... Where do we start?" she mused, pretending to be overwhelmed, but Bael knew better. She already had a plan—she always did.
"The dress first," Bael said, guiding her toward an upscale boutique. "Then the jewelry, since you plan to rob me blind anyway."
Powder gasped dramatically. "I would never do such a thing!" Then she grinned. "I'd leave just enough for you to buy me dinner, of course."
Bael chuckled, shaking his head as he pushed open the boutique door. The moment they stepped inside, Powder's whole demeanor shifted. Her playful smirk melted into something more intense—more possessive.
"This is our night, Bael," she murmured, grabbing his hand tighter. "Ours. I don't want anyone else looking at you. So whatever you get, make sure it screams 'stay the fuck away, he's mine.'"
Bael smirked, pulling her closer. "That goes both ways."
Powder's breath hitched slightly before she let out a breathless laugh. "Damn right it does."
With that, the real fun began.
Powder wasted no time. The moment they stepped into the boutique, she made it her mission to let every single person in the store know that Bael was hers.
The store clerk, a polite, well-dressed man, barely got a word out before Powder slinked her arms around Bael's waist, resting her head against his chest. "Oh, my sweet, sweet Bael," she cooed, running her fingers up his chest before shooting the clerk a sharp glare. "We're looking for something perfect for our night. Something that makes me look like the queen standing next to her king."
The clerk gulped and nodded, scurrying off to find options.
Bael smirked, leaning down slightly. "You're enjoying this way too much."
Powder tilted her head, flashing him an almost predatory grin. "Damn right, I am." Then, just to drive her point home, she reached up, grabbed his face, and pulled him into a deep, possessive kiss right in the middle of the boutique. A few of the shoppers gasped. One woman whispered, "How improper!"
Powder pulled away and wiped her lips with her thumb, shooting them all a glare. "Keep staring, and I'll make sure you see something really improper," she warned, her voice dripping with menace.
Bael sighed, shaking his head. "Powder..."
"What?" she huffed, turning back to him, all sweetness again. "I'm just making sure no one gets any ideas. You're mine, after all."
Bael ran a hand down his face but couldn't help the small smirk tugging at his lips. "Yeah, yeah. Now go try on your dress, you lunatic."
"Your lunatic," she corrected with a wink, before disappearing behind the curtain with a handful of expensive gowns.
The curtain was yanked open with dramatic flair, and there stood Powder—his Powder.
She wore a deep sapphire-blue dress that hugged her curves just enough, the fabric shimmering under the soft boutique lighting. No tattoos, no scars, no madness in her eyes—just pure, radiant beauty. Her blue hair was still short, neat, and soft, framing her face in a way that made her look almost angelic.
But her expression was anything but.
"Well?" she purred, stepping forward with slow, deliberate steps. "Say something, Bael."
Bael just stared. For once, words weren't coming to him.
Powder smirked, taking that as a victory. "I knew it." She spun in place, letting the dress flow around her before sauntering up to him, placing both hands on his chest. "This is the one. Don't you think so, baby?" Her fingers gripped the fabric of his shirt slightly, possessive, hungry for his approval.
Bael finally snapped out of it, his hand instinctively moving to her waist. "You look..." He exhaled sharply. "Perfect."
Her smirk widened, and she leaned up to whisper into his ear. "Damn right, I do. Now go get your outfit. I want my man looking as good as I do tonight.*"
She kissed his cheek, then turned to the clerk, flashing a dazzling, almost innocent smile. "We'll take it. And find something just as expensive for him. We're going all out tonight."
Bael stepped into the dressing chamber, sighing as he eyed the selection laid out for him. Fancy coats, polished vests, crisp shirts—Piltover fashion. Not exactly his thing, but if Powder wanted him looking sharp, then he'd damn well make sure he did.
Outside, he could hear her tapping her foot impatiently. "Hurry up, Bael! I wanna see!"
He smirked to himself and picked a deep black vest with silver trim, a dark navy coat with gold accents, and a crisp white undershirt. The moment he buttoned up and adjusted the cuffs, he had to admit—he looked good.
Finally, he stepped out.
Powder's eyes snapped to him instantly. The moment she laid eyes on him, her playful expression dropped, and for a moment, she just stared.
Then, she bit her lip. "Ohhh..." Her fingers twitched at her sides before she pounced on him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You look hot, Bael."
He chuckled, holding her waist steady. "Told you I clean up nice."
"Hmph." She grabbed his coat, tugging him down to her level, her blue eyes dark with something dangerous. "You're mine tonight. If I catch anyone looking at you, I'm gonna make sure they regret it."
Bael grinned. "Oh? And how do you plan on doing that?*"
Powder smirked, leaning up until her lips brushed his ear. "By making sure everyone in that damn party knows exactly who you belong to."
He shivered. Damn. Powder could be terrifying in all the right ways.
Hand in hand, Bael and Powder made their way through the bustling streets of Piltover, the polished stone roads gleaming under the soft glow of the evening lamps. The jeweler's shop stood grand and pristine, its windows lined with dazzling gemstones and intricate metalwork.
The moment they stepped inside, Powder's eyes sparkled just as much as the jewelry. "Oooh, Bael, look at all this!" she gasped, pulling him toward a display case filled with glimmering rings and necklaces. "I'm gonna rob you blind tonight, hehe~"
Bael smirked. "Tch. You already own me. What's a few more gold pieces?"
She giggled, dragging her fingers along the glass, before suddenly stopping. Her eyes locked onto something. Slowly, she pointed. "That one."
Bael followed her gaze. A necklace—thin, delicate, but with a striking deep-blue gemstone embedded in the center. The color matched her eyes perfectly.
"That one?" Bael asked.
"Mhm." Powder leaned against his shoulder. "It reminds me of us."
His lips curled into a small grin. "How so?"
"Because it's beautiful, and if anyone tries to take it from me, I'll kill 'em."
Bael chuckled. "You're a damn menace."
"And?" She shot him a smug look. "You love it."
Bael just sighed and turned to the jeweler. "We'll take it."
In the night, Bael and Jinx were having dinner at a fancy restaurant, it was raining, the vibe was jazzy, everything was on point...