Hello everyone! This is the beginning of a series of shorts about Riven and Irelia and what's going on with them after the events of The Only Truth. Originally I wanted to make a long one-shot, but it didn't flow right so I decided a better format would be free-flowing, separate-but-connected shorts. It'll mostly be fluff and stuff but we shall see what ends up happening!

The Long Road Home

Chapter One: Repair

Riven held a gloved hand over her eyes, shading them from the bright July sun. Unlike Noxus this time of year, Ionia was still cooled by the Northern winds, a fact which was still difficult for the former Noxian national to grow accustomed. Everything was enveloped in blankets of green grass and budding flowers in pink and purple from the trees to the mountains. A pure world, despite the stains of its past. It never ceased to shock her that she'd once had a hand in destroying something so beautiful.

The past remains, she recited to herself. No act can undo it. In pain, we discover truth. The words were a personal mantra to her now, learned and reflected upon daily over the course of her time talking with the Shojin monk, Lee Sin. His guidance had been invaluable in finally shedding some of the anguish that had plagued her since she defected from Noxus. With his help, she'd learned about the strength of the spirit and moving forward from the pain of the past.

"Miss Riven, we could use your help over here."

The former soldier turned, acknowledging the petite Ionian woman who had hailed her. "Of course, Kari. Lead the way."

In comparison to most Ionians, Riven was slightly taller, built much stockier, and naturally stronger. Her pale, almost white-blonde hair, tanned skin, and red eyes were distinct among the predominantly dark-haired and fair-skinned population. Since her arrival in Ionia a little over a month ago, the suspicion and mistrust she'd earned because of her traditional Noxian appearance had slowly begun to give way to the peaceful acceptance for which Ionia was known.

"So what would you like me to do?" Riven questioned, stretching out her sore limbs before readjusting the Ionian style shirt she wore. The color was beautiful, deep blue with an intricate silver dragon embroidered on the hem of the sleeves, but the sleeves were too loose for her liking and the way it overlapped in the front like a robe was foreign to her. But it was only on loan to her, like most of her possessions now. To help earn her keep, she'd volunteered to assist with the preparations for a late Festival of Fire in the Serene Gardens, doing the manual labor needed for setting up the vendors' stalls, stringing lanterns across the rooftop of the garden's shrine, and other repairs as needed.

The Ionian woman stopped at the entrance to the shrine, two enormous and ornately carved pillars beset on top with a miniature tiled roof, giving it the appearance of the main building. The once vibrant blue and red paint decorating the gate was faded from the weather and one of the crossbeams supporting the gate sported a large crack. "Well, we were hoping to replace the cracked crossbeam before repainting the rest of the gate." Kari motioned to a group of men coming towards them carrying a new beam. "We would raise you and a few others to remove the broken section and replace it with the new one. You would need to hold the broken piece and lower it down to us, then raise the new one and keep it steady as the others secure it."

Unconsciously, Riven flexed her left arm, rubbing the cast. A month ago in the last Rune War, Darius, the late Hand of Noxus, had nearly ripped her arm in half. Even with the help of healers it was still splinted and weak, requiring rehabilitative work to build back the atrophied muscle. She made sure that her dominant arm was as strong as ever, but the request was startling. Kari must have sensed the Noxian's hesitation, for she seemed to be about to rescind her plea when she looked behind her and exclaimed, "Captain Lito! W-we weren't expecting you out here yet."

The Noxian whipped around and an uncharacteristic tightness in her chest left her heart pounding against her ribs. "Irelia!"

Irelia, Captain of the Ionian Guard, inclined her head toward Riven, the barest trace of a polite smile on her lips. Though she'd traded her armor in favor of a red outfit similar to Riven's, her weapon, the mysterious four-bladed sword with no hilt, still hovered against her back, mirroring her every motion. "Riven. Ms. Satou, I understand that you need someone to steady the beams. Please allow me to assist Riven in this task."

"Of course, Captain," Kari beamed. "We would be honored to have your help!"

The woman turned to wave to the other workers and as she did, Riven bent her head to whisper, "Thanks. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do this with just one arm."

Irelia looked up and this time the smile on her face was more than simple courtesy. "You could have," she assured, pushing her midnight locks from her face. "Even if you don't believe it, I do."

In spite of the cool breeze an unbidden burn rose to the Noxian's cheeks. "If you say so," she muttered as she flashed the Ionian a small smile.

"Captain Lito, Ms Riven! We're ready!" Kari called from the short distance to the gate. A handful of Ionian mages had joined the gathering, preparing to levitate them toward their goal. As the two women moved to join the group, the Noxian cast another look at Irelia, who was staring resolute at the shrine gate.

Even in her time in the Noxian army, an environment crowded with some of the most ambitious and powerful soldiers in Valoran, Riven had never met someone like Irelia. Physically, Irelia wasn't particularly strong, certainly no where near Riven's strength, and yet her mastery of her unique weapon was unparalleled. But unlike so many Noxians, Irelia was kind; she'd given Riven the chance to redeem herself and become her friend in the process, hadn't she? She was, in Riven's mind, the essence of spiritual strength of which Lee Sin spoke.

She must have had a faraway look on her face because the Captain turned to her and reminded, "Focus on the task at hand."

The Noxian nodded, clearing her head. "Ready."

After a short count, the mages lifted their hands and suddenly Riven's stomach lurched as the sensation of weightlessness overtook her. Beside her, the three carpenters that were going to be removing the beam looked as unsettled as she, but across from her, Irelia's composed expression remained unwavering. Their eyes met, and the dark-haired woman offered her a comforting smile.

Again, Riven's stomach leapt to her throat and this time she knew it had nothing to do with magic.

"Ready to go home?" Irelia asked, crossing her legs as she gracefully seated herself at Riven's side, her blades coming to rest beside her. The Noxian reclined on the covered shrine steps behind the newly repaired gate, staring up at the two painted silver dragons that curled their way around the pillars.

"Do you think you'll ever find enlightenment, Irelia?" she replied instead.

The Ionian sighed, and with a shiver her shoulder pressed against her friend's. "Well if one stares long enough at the Twin Dragons, it's said they speak to you the key to finding enlightenment."

The intimacy of their position was dizzying, sending Riven's thoughts scattering."Really?" she questioned.

"No," Irelia snorted. "That would be silly." Riven nudged her in response, earning a chuckle. "And no, I don't think I will ever become enlightened."

"Why?"

The Captain looked at the fair-headed woman, her expression unreadable. "To tell the truth, I don't care about reaching true enlightenment," she admitted. "I've already transcended humanity in many ways." A concerned look overcame Riven's face, but before she could ask, Irelia continued, "I think from what you're doing here in Ionia, you'll continue to find peace, though."

Riven closed her eyes. "I really like it here. Everyone has been so accepting even though I've... done such awful things." Her red eyes fluttered open and she started in surprise to see that Irelia's green ones were still watching her. "Y-you've been so helpful to me," she added softly.

"You're my... friend, Riven," the Ionian said. "And you've helped me as well. I'm glad you're here."

Friend.

The Noxian's heart pounded hard in her chest. If there was anything the military had hammered into her brain it was the idea that the needs of one were insignificant compared with the greater need. That did not stop her from the almost unbearable desire to be more than a friend though it did not appear to be on Irelia's mind. She knew it was melodramatic, but keeping the beat-dog look off her face at the word "friend" felt like the hardest thing she'd ever done, every time she had to do it.

"So, are you ready to go now?" Irelia asked, looking up toward the sky. "It might end up raining. It always manages to storm before the Festival of Fire."

Riven grunted, then shifted onto her knees. "There's hardly any clouds. Besides, the Festival isn't even happening at the regular time because of the war. There's no way it'll rain just because it's happening!"

A mischievous sparkle flared in Irelia's eyes. "We'll see," she smiled, extending a hand as she rose to her feet. "Now come on. I'm ready to go home."

Heart pounding, Riven took the Ionian's hand and she could almost swear that her touch lingered just longer than necessary.