Chapter 24 - Memories

Riven pov's on

I woke up calmly that morning, felt the light of the sun gently against my skin, felt a small refreshing current spread throughout that cozy little room. I opened my eyes slowly and blinked several times until my vision was clear, I stretched and then I felt another light breeze move through the room and gently touch my face, I looked up and saw the white curtains sway softly and silently. I stretched out on the bed again and then sat up, looked around and saw everything quite silent, which made me feel a small sense of loneliness.

I noticed on my way back that the door to the small bathroom was closed, so I realized that Yasuo must have been there. I stretched out my arms and saw that my body was still unclothed, and I noticed that they were still lying in every possible corner of the floor. I smiled as I remembered what we had done that night, and I felt a sense of relief fill me completely as I felt my heart warming completely. I sighed and turned to look through that big window in the bedroom, got up and sat on my calves so I could get a better look.

I leaned against the windowsill and laid my face over my arms to look out over the city for a bit. The inn was down a street, so it didn't have a very privileged view of the city, but still, it was a very beautiful view. The sky had grayish clouds that morning, which meant it would rain soon, but at least it still had some rays of sunlight that lit up and warmed things around me.

I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly, just feeling the light and breeze from that place.

Wherever we went in Ionia, it would exude a peace and tranquility that I had never seen anywhere I visited.

I spent long minutes admiring Ionia from that window, I was so distracted that I didn't notice when Yasuo arrived.

-What is my lovely wife doing while watching that window? -Yasuo hugged me gently while placing a small kiss on my neck.

I smiled at the feel of her touch and then said.

-Your wife has been waiting for you, fine gentleman. -I smiled and turned my face to kiss him.

He hugged me and then said.

-Go take a shower, we'll leave soon. -He said as he laid his face on my shoulder.

I pushed myself off the windowsill as Yasuo walked away from me, pulled one of the sheets off the bed, and began to wrap myself in it.

-Why are you wrapping yourself in the sheet? -He asked as he gathered some of the clothes that had been thrown on the floor.

I laughed and then said.

-I don't know, force of habit maybe. -He laughed then.

-You know, I wouldn't mind a bit if you spent your days like that there in the cabin. -He gave a malicious laugh.

-And I say the same, dear. -Smiles back as he threw the sheet on the bed again.

-There was no better view to make my morning happier. -He said as he put the clothes on the bed.

-Too bad I can't say the same, because I haven't seen you without clothes this morning. -I smiled naughty and then went to the bathroom, to do my morning hygiene and take a good shower.

Riven pov's of Irelia pov's on

I woke up badly that morning, my head was pounding and I felt my body heavy, apparently the effect of the drinks had been heavy.

I sat down on my bed and put a hand to my forehead. It was hot.

I sighed heavily and then turned to get out of bed.

I braced my feet on the cool wooden floor and headed towards my nice bathroom. I went to the sink and washed my face in the icy morning water.

I sighed and lifted my eyes to stare at myself in the large mirror in front of me.

My face was gone, I had black makeup marks and dark circles that had decided to go back hard on my face along with reddish marks.

I sighed again, defeated.

I decided to go get something to eat to see if my spirits improved.

I walked slowly through my house, silent, lonely and... empty.

Like me.

I walked looking at the high walls around me, I went down the stairs while hugging my arms, I felt a cold climate around me, which caused great shivers in my body. As I walked down the stairs, I admired the three paintings Yone had done.

He had a wonderful gift for painting, which few people knew. An incredible secret he kept from everyone.

We had built a small studio in one of the remaining rooms in the house, the time we didn't spend together at home or at work, he spent there, painting and discovering more and more of his skills.

I loved sitting on the floor and watching his movements with brushes and hands.

I miss you, my dear.

I finished walking down the stairs in silence, and with a sinking heart.

I went into the kitchen and made some tea to drink. Once ready, I headed towards the studio of my beloved.

I leaned against the edge of the door and surveyed the room. Empty.

Without life.

Without color.

I held my drink in both hands, feeling the water's fervor rise above the ceramic of the cup, thus starting to burn my hands a little.

Which didn't matter at all at the moment.

I walked around the small room, ran my hand over the only two canvases that were left there, one on its tripod and the other covered by a small dusty cloth. On the other side, the room had a large stand and some other wood attached to the wall used to hold some buckets and pots of paint that had never been used.

On the small shelf, there were vases, vases with brushes, some sculptures he had bought and others he had tried to make. Beside and in front of the canvas that still remained on the tripod, there were two small tables where he rested his paints and brushes that he used on the canvases.

They were still dirty.

And they were still there, after two years.

They were still there.

Unfinished.

Imperfect.

He was gone shortly before finishing them.

He was gone, never to return.

I sat down on the floor. In the same spot where I used to sit and watch Yone paint.

I sighed heavily and closed my eyes, I could still feel her movements and her scent around that place.

I opened my eyes again, I could see the images, the reflections, I could hear his voice saying.

"Are you enjoying the painting? - He said with a sweet smile on his lips"

I could see everything clearly in front of me.

I took a sip of my tea, took a breath, and stood up with a faint smile on my face, a smile that always came across my face when I remembered those moments with him.

I walked towards the door that led to the small balcony that was in that room, slowly opened the door and soon a strong and cold breeze hit my body, giving me goose bumps.

I walked in my bare feet to the cold tile on the balcony, walked to my beloved lounge chair and sat there with my legs crossed, curled up in that little upholstered fabric chair, drank a few more sips of my tea and looked up. to face the horizon.

It was still slightly dark, the first rays of sunlight not even beginning to come out over the horizon. The cool night wind blew around the house and shook the branches and leaves of the large tree in our backyard, the icy wind making the loose strands of my hair sway softly as I breathed in the hot steam of my tea.

I lay back on the back of my chair and closed my eyes.

I breathed in.

-Because? -I asked the winds. - Bring him back to me.

I felt my eyes sting, the tears flowing quickly down my face, I felt them fall into my pants and dampen the fabric, the icy wind made the hot tears cool my face.

-Please. -I spoke with a weak voice.

I lowered my face and let the tears run freely down my cheeks as I squeezed the small cup of tea.

...

-Mrs. IRELIA!

...

A young, male voice shouted.

I didn't care.

To keep screaming.

...

Strong, insistent knocks erupted at my door.

What the hell!

I'm not going there, I'm not home.

-Mrs. IRELIA!

-WHAT THE FUCK! WHAT IS? -I got up and threw my cup hard on the floor.

It shattered completely and its shards spread all over the porch floor, I sawed off my hands and pressed my nails hard into my skin, walked out of my house stomping my feet quickly.

I went down my stairs almost running and when I got in front of my door, I advanced on it and pulled hard and quickly on the small latch.

The door opened quickly and crashed against the wall beside me. My blades had raged and floated above my head, ready to strike.

The soldier who was standing in front of the door had practically hidden inside his clothes.

- WHAT IS? – I spoke harshly and screaming, I snorted after saying those words.

His eyes were wide and his mouth half open, he seemed to be trying to say something but his mouth didn't transmit any sound.

- WHAT IS? IF IT'S TO BE DUMB DON'T COME KNOCK ON MY DOOR! -My eyes sparkled and my voice came out authoritative, it was as if I spit the words in the face of the young man.

The young soldier was dumbfounded and unresponsive, I could see the trembling of his hands.

- Idiot. – I snorted and pulled the door open by the latch to smack it in the boy's face.

-Wait! - He showed both hands awkwardly and trembling and said fearfully. -I was sent here by the high command of Ionia to give you some warnings.

I raised one of my eyebrows and motioned with my face for him to continue.

- They told me to come and warn you that the elite will have to make a round of the entire Capital today. - He put his arms behind his body and acquired an upright position to speak of the warnings.

- Round for what? It's a festival of peace, didn't they say they would suspend the rounds during the time of celebrations? – I spoke in an ignorant and dry way.

- That was the initial order, ma'am. Plans changed after a small incident during last night's fireworks display.

- What incident? – I spoke indifferently.

- A woman with blue hair entered the fire tower and started the burning inside. Some people claimed to have seen her mounted on one of the large battery missiles that would start the great fireworks display. Because of this incident, they asked the elite to make a discreet round, so if something unforeseen happens, we can be prepared to solve it. – The young soldier seemed to be finally calmed down.

-What the hell. That's it? What time can we start the round? - I spoke as I leaned against the door and stared at him dryly.

-They said that the round should start as soon as possible after being warned. -He said calmly this time.

-It's ok. – I pulled away from the door and pulled it closed.

-Wait! – He said as he stretched his arms, preventing me from closing the door.

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

He reached into one of his pockets and pulled a small parchment out of his pants.

He handed me the small piece of paper and I held it unwillingly.

-Lastly, they told me to give you this message. You can go back to your normal activities ma'am, I'm leaving.

He leaned forward and said goodbye to me.

I nodded my head and again slammed the door hard.

-Mimimi, to hell with these things. – I spoke irritated as I locked the door and my blades returned to their resting form.

I tossed the parchment onto a random table that was near the door and walked quickly up the stairs and towards my room.

-Just the day I didn't want to go out at all.

I went to my wardrobe and grabbed a black jumpsuit that was really tight on my body, but unfortunately battle clothes also need to be washed periodically.

I grabbed clean underwear and headed to the bathroom to take a shower, hoping it would help with the aches in my body and head.

I took my things to the bathroom and then turned the water on as hot as possible and went into the shower, I felt the hot steam in my nostrils, it filled my lungs in a nice way, after feeling the cold floor of the shower, I went under the boiling water . I felt my musculature relax in a gentle, relaxing way, my muscles that were once tight and sore were now rested and warm.

I washed my body and my hair calmly, made the most of the hot water and then went to get dressed.

I dried my body calmly and dressed slowly, after this slow process, I went to brush my teeth and comb my hair.

After a lot of effort to untangle them, I left the bathroom and went to my extra wardrobe to get my armor.

I looked at myself in the wardrobe mirror and said.

-You're really finished.

After that, I focused on my work, I left my house thinking about going straight to the tower where there was the incident last night, I would listen to the reports and soon I would start my amazing tour of the city.

Irelia pov's of Syndra pov's on

He slept like a child beside me.

How beautiful it was.

I could spend the rest of my life watching him sleep.

I got out of bed unwillingly, went into the bedroom's small bathroom to do my traditional morning hygiene. I walked into the bathroom barefoot, its cold floor made my body shiver slightly.

After getting ready, I washed my face in the cold water of the sink, dried it and looked at my face in the small mirror.

I ran my hands over my neck and face, just remembering the sensations of last night.

-Ah Zed… -I sighed as I closed my eyes.

He smiles happily. I couldn't be happier in my life, I was finally with the man I loved, finally he was just mine.

I left the bathroom and noticed that Zed was still sprawled on top of the mattress, I smiled when I saw him like that, walked calmly towards the small balcony that was in our room, leaned on the railing and supported my arms there. The day was slightly cloudy, but it still had rays of sunlight, luckily it wasn't raining yet, which would help our last moments in the capital. The festival would continue into the night, but this time it would start much earlier. Our plans were to take advantage of it in the morning, when there were few people walking around the city, and again in the evening, where we could hide among a large number of people.

We were waiting for Vi, a great friend of Riven's, she would come to meet us to start our new day of sightseeing around the city. I was dying to know the businesses that were on that avenue.

I watched the sky and the few people that started to circulate down the street, all heading towards the festival. I decided to go back inside the room and start preparing for the exit, since we were going to leave soon.

I went into the room and looked for the robes I had worn yesterday, grabbed everything I needed and went to the bathroom. I straightened my clothes on top of the toilet and soon entered the shower and enjoyed that wonderful boiling water. It didn't take me long in my shower, I just sanitized myself and then got out of the shower to dry off and finally be ready to meet my friend.

After dressing and combing my hair, I left the bathroom leaving a trail of steam in my wake, walked over to Zed and sat beside him on the bed, lowered my face and gave him a kiss on his forehead.

- It's time to get up, darling. - I said while caressing her face.

Zed just turned to the side and made a growl, cuddly in a way.

-How sly you are! It's time to get up and get ready, we'll be leaving soon. I'll be in Riven's room waiting for you. Don't be long. -I hugged him and got up from the bed leaving a slap on his ass.

Zed had made an indefinite noise that seemed to be something that represented a denial.

I unlocked the door and walked towards my friend's room.

I stopped in front of the door and knocked twice. I didn't wait for them to open, I stuck my hand in the latch and opened the door saying.

-GOOD MORNING FLOWER OF THE DAY! - Said as he opened the door and raised an arm.

I found Yasuo sitting on the bed, which was made up with only Riven's clothes on top of it.

Yasuo was wearing a strange expression, not quite understanding what was going on.

After he started to reason, he said.

-She's in the bath. -He pointed to the bathroom without taking his eyes off me.

-Oh, I understand. - I closed the door and entered the room.

I looked at the bathroom door and heard the sound of the shower, approached Yasuo and asked.

-So, how was yesterday?-I asked excitedly.

Yasuo looked surprised by the question, but soon gave a beautiful smile, a smile that already told me everything that had happened.

-We... -He laughed. - We're together, Syndra.

I was amazed even knowing that this would happen.

A smile started to form on my face.

I went to Yasuo and gave him a tight hug.

-I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT! – I said extremely excited.

Yasuo just laughed and thanked him.

-Tell me how it went. – I knelt on the floor in front of him.

-Well, we left the middle of the festival and went to one of the training temples, there we-

-No, Yasuo. I want to know what happened next here. - I looked at him as he raised one of my eyebrows and gave a mischievous smile.

Yasuo was startled, but soon made the same naughty face as me.

I settled back on the floor and waited for him to start talking.

-You know what happened, Syndra. -He gave a mocking smile and laughed.

He took a deep breath and said.

-You know, Syndra. She is so much prettier. She's amazing, she's... special. I'm crazy about her.

-How beautiful. -My smile got bigger and bigger when I saw how happy and well Yasuo was.

As much as I wasn't that close to Yasuo, I had a lot of empathy and affection for him, and that seemed to grow as we spent more time together.

-You know, we're together now, I've never been so good in my life. – Yasuo played with his fingers while saying those things.

-But have you told her about your past? – I spoke fearfully.

He sighed and looked into my eyes.

-Not yet, I waited for us to hit it off first before telling her everything. I didn't want to spoil our festival, and I wanted to know for sure how she felt about me, so I could finally tell her about my life.

-I understand Yasuo, I do. But please don't delay telling her, it's a serious situation, and I don't want her to find out on her own.

-I understand her side too, and I would hate for her to find out on her own too. – Yasuo paused and then continued. -Why do you want so much that I tell her my past?

-This is something I can't interfere with more than I already am, I don't want you to stray from each other, you have a stronger bond than you think, and I don't want you to stray because of that. You know, Yasuo, she's suffered a lot for a long time, and in every way possible, so whatever I can do to help her, I'll do it. -I gave a sweet smile

Yasuo would answer something, but just mumbled a thank you as Riven walked out of the bathroom.

-Oh! Good morning, Syn! Did you sleep well?

-Better than you think. -We stared in a sly way and soon Riven went to his clothes and began to wear them.

-The festival paid off then? she asked.

-But of course! I have a lot of news to share.

-I imagine so, and so do I. -She said while smiling.

He chuckled along with Yasuo.

-Did you tell love? Wow, it spoiled the surprise. -She had made a sad face.

-Syndra already knew everything, I didn't need to tell many things.

I closed my eyes and smiled at her.

-Not funny!

Riven finished putting on his clothes and then asked.

-Where's Zed? I don't want to take too long, I want to enjoy a lot of things today.

I barely had time to respond and we already heard a few knocks on the door, then the gravelly voice if Zed spoke.

-I am here! -He laughed. -Damn, you speak loud, huh! I could hear everything outside the door. -He was slowly opening the door and behind him, we can see two large metallic hands.

-SAW! -Riven was running to hug her friend. – I miss you! -She said sly while hugging the rose.

-We saw each other yesterday, Riv, calm down. - She gave an embarrassed laugh.

-But I miss you all the same. -She snorted. -Why are you using the monopoles now? -She looked curious.

-We're leaving Ionia in the afternoon, so I just let Cait take silly things. -She put a giant hand behind her head.

-What a cool toy. -I was amazed with that amazing machine. –Piltover has a lot of cool stuff.

-I have to agree, we make a lot of interesting toys there. When you have the opportunity, come and visit our city, I imagine you will like it a lot.

My eyes lit up when I heard that

-Thanks! Zed let's meet Piltover. -I spoke excited

-When I take my vacation, yes we will! - He said while leaning against a piece of furniture in the bedroom.

-What a dog, are you exchanging me for zea parasol there? I'm bad with you.

-And you traded me for the broom there. I DID NOT LIKE! -I showed my tongue to her.

-Silly!

-Oops, not Bobona! -I got up and went after her.

Riven climbed onto the bed and started laughing as he ran away from me.

-Are they always like this? -Vi asked.

-Since I saw them together, they are. -Yasuo replied and Zed nodded with him.

We were talking and playing for a few minutes there in the room.

Syndra Pov's off Riven Pov's on

After a while, we finished getting ready and then asked Syndra to send our stuff back to her castle so we wouldn't have any problems leaving our stuff there.

After we finished everything, we closed the rooms and handed the keys and money to the old owner of the inn.

And finally we went to our second day of the festival!

I was surprised that Vi was without Jinx that morning, I figured she must have been up to something to not be here.

I barely had time to ask, and Yasuo asked the question for me.

-Well, where's your sister, Vi? – He asked calmly.

-Jinx made one last night inside the fireworks tower, I was forced to hide it. Not to mention that I had to buy new clothes and get her hair dyed. That plague just gives me work. -She said slightly irritated.

-So was she the one who started our fireworks display last night? -Yasuo laughed.

-Exactly, and even had the ability to mount one of the fireworks missiles that would make that battery of explosions. The asshole even arrived with her hands burned afterward.

-Don't get so mad at her, Vi. She still looks like a child. -Zed said.

-And still is. I regret not bringing her to Piltover with me when I had the chance to leave Zaun. -She gave a weak smile. -Maybe that way she had a chance to have better mental health.

-Vi, you've always been a good sister, don't blame yourself for that. You didn't know what would happen to her. And I didn't even know the tendency she had to develop such problems - I told her.

-Truth. I couldn't imagine something like that, but it still doesn't lessen my guilt. -She laughed and put her giant hands behind her head. -At least I know she's fine now, in a way.

-Somehow. – Laughs

It was strange to go out for a walk with so many people after such a long time, I had never talked to more than two people at the same time since the incident in Ionia. This kind of situation comforted me, as it showed that I was no longer completely alone.

We all walked to the center of the capital to visit some shops and fairs. I was looking forward to buying some kind of party favors that I had caught a glimpse of the night before.

We went walking watching the people finishing the preparations of their stores and stalls, we decided to go to the temples to eat something and soon get to know a little more of the city.

We were laughing and talking the whole way, Vi had gotten along very well with everyone, and that made me very happy, because she was with all my friends together and having fun with me.

We were strolling along some streets near the temples when we decided to enter a religious shop, so to speak, there were many key chains and other things in it, not counting the idols and things that represented the various religions of Runeterra.

The owner of the small shop was a Yordle with pretty pink eyes and blond hair. She attended us with a charming smile on her lips, she indicated an amulet for each of us, the amulets were all beautiful, and each one meant one thing. She pointed me to a small amulet that meant strength, it was a very light green color and had a small stone in its center amidst very well molded details.

My amulet meant strength and Yasuo's meant protection.

She said in a calm, thin tone of voice.

-Strength does not exist without protection, just as protection cannot exist without strength. And at times, the two can walk side by side in freedom. -She said while giving us our amulets.

We talked with sweet Yordle for a long time. She was incredibly smart and sweet.

I wish I could take her to our house.

We said goodbye to her and then returned to our walk.

-What is your amulet? Vi asked everyone.

- Ours mean strength and protection. And yours? -I replied while Yasuo and I showed ours.

-Ours mean kindness and forgiveness. -Zed replied.

- "The one who most needs forgiveness is always the one with the greatest capacity to forgive.". She told this to Zed when she handed over the amulet. -Syndra said with a sweet smile.

-And yours, what does it mean? -I asked Vi.

-I bought three, one for me, one for Jinx and one for Cait. -Vi was silly when he talked about his girlfriend. –They mean Calm, Happiness and Intelligence.

-These are great meanings. -I replied.

We headed towards the temples while we were still talking about the amulets and the temples of Ionia, when suddenly orange blades came towards us.

I quickly pushed Yasuo to the ground and stood in front of him.

I looked anxiously to the side to see what had happened to my friends.

Zed was still standing in front of Syndra, in his hands were two blades that blocked the attack. Syndra was nervous behind him.

Vi had raised his monopoles, thus blocking the attack.

My heart felt a sense of relief, but at the same time I remained scared of what might happen.

-I DON'T BELIEVE THEY HAD THE AUDACY TO COME HERE.

A voice shouted those words from afar.

I glanced quickly to the side and saw her advancing towards us.

-I WILL KILL YOU!!