Dusk had just begun. Yasuo looked across the fire, across dancing sparks lighting up the dead space between them and saw haunted, tired eyes. And yet, they held an inkling of challenge. A resolve to make the right thing happen after so much wrong done. Riven's spirit was indeed not lost, but like he has for so long, she was hurting. So much in Valoran is based on factions and attachment to one's home. Like her sword, that connection was just obliterated.
Having that taken suddenly and entirely against their wills naturally sent them careening into an uncertain, troubled existence. Learning who you are and what's really right is hard after simply having had it told to you all your life.
Not one of the ways that each city-state heldfast to was perfect. In some way, each had strayed from that they knew was the right thing. Noxus, consumed with that endless reach for power, yet still clinging to that old claim of strength. Ionia, preaching balance in everything yet failing to understand balance itself. These two wanderers could understand each other; even through their cultural and personal differences. Their personal trials drove both to fight, with sword and word, for change. For the right thing.
Riven had that detached look that only someone looking into a fire thinking deeply could have. After feeling Yasuo's eyes on her for a short while she shifted and met his gaze.
He almost looked away as her silence gradually said more than she ever could. Riven did seem to be a woman of very few words after all.
"Where will you go next?" The deep timbre of Yasuo's voice stood out in the quiet of the Ionian forest, the only sounds it brought were mostly quiet, buzzing in the foliage.
It was an unspoken, very obvious fact that neither of them could stay in Ionia right now. Both factions that currently occupied the island wanted the two of them dead. Riven looked away at something in the woods he didn't bother trying to see. The golden-red flames licked continually upward at the sky, her crimson eyes and Noxian hair reflecting their frivolous dance.
"I'm going to find somewhere safe to stay, in the mainland hopefully, for now. I can't keep..running like this."
"Shouldn't they think you're dead? From what you told me."
The slight creasing of her eyebrows and the angle at which she turned her head away told him that the answer was yes.
The silence thickened, save for a tense sigh from across the fire and Yasuo realized he knew.
Yasuo took a moment. Riven was staring into the sublime blues and wild pinks of the Ionian sunset. In the darkest parts, the stars were just peeking out, endeavoring onto the young night sky. Looking back up at the former Noxian, finally Yasuo said with more emotion than he expected, "You can't run from yourself, Riven. I've tried."
Riven tensed. She slid her eyes shut, ducked her head, and whispered, "I know."
Yasuo knew it was likely a trick of the waning sun or the cavorting flames, but the runes on that broken black sword of hers seemed to glow as she responded.
Hope this gets some reviews. If you like this, check out my Yasuo/Yone oneshot!
Anyway, expect this to have several more chapters. I've written a few ahead and will release the next one when I have finished the next few.
ONE-HIT-KO DISCLAIMER: Characters property of Riot Games. This is written for personal enjoyment and not monetary gain.
