Chapter 1: Moonlight
Night fell on the League at the finishing of the last match. Katarina, tired and ragged, dragged herself away from the Summoner's Rift. While the victory was still a fresh taste in her mouth, she was exhausted, feeling like she was the sole reason her team had barely prevailed as the victors. The thought of the blatant stupidity of their jungler, Master Yi, made her spit on the ground and scowl slightly, her emerald eyes glaring at the ground. Katarina sheathed her weapons, walking onto the teleportation pad back at her base to return to the comfort of the champion's lane. Each lane was decorated to suit each faction that had representatives, as well as a few neutral areas to break the boundaries. Demacians and Noxians still hated each other, despite often being paired together in teams to fight another team for sole entertainment. Just the other day, Swain and Garen were on the same team, despite their intensive differences.
Katarina observed the behavior of the champions around her. "Damn, some of the people they chose amaze me at their levels of stupidity.." Katarina looked at the champions, setting her eyes on her former teammate Master Yi, as well as glancing over Ezreal gawking at females across the bar. Further in the corner sat Vi and Caitlyn, Piltover's Finest, sharing a couple of drinks and laughing over candlelight. She even caught a couple of glances of Akali and Shen sparring together and sharing cups of hot tea. She let out a sigh, flipping her red hair out of the way and making her way over to her usual spot in the bar. She sat herself down, and gestured for her usual drink of choice, a glass of fine red wine with a mere appetizer to keep her energy up. Katarina looked even more away and spotted the Might of Demacia making his way over to her table. The male was out of his armor for the first time in awhile, relaxing in just casual clothing the same colors of Demacia, royal blue with gold trim. His brown hair looked especially clean today, and his stride seemed more nervous than his typical self.
"Garen Crownguard… What brings you to my table on this fine night?" Katarina smirked as she leaned back in her chair, swirling her wine glass in her hands and taking a casual sip here and there. She wasn't wearing her usual outfit today, as per request of the spectators, she was wearing her newest garb in celebration of the Lunar Revel. She wore a red corset underneath a white jacket with gold trim. Her pants were a dark blue, and tight to the skin with trims on it. She rest her right foot on her knee and glanced over at her guest.
"Katarina du Couteau, what I always do at the table on any night, joining you my dear." Garen laughed softly, as he kissed his lover on the forehead. "I saw your battle today, it seemed like you did all of the work while half of your team laid back and licked windows." Garen sat himself across from her, ordering himself just a simple water and some meat and potatoes.
Katarina let out an exasperated sigh and tiled her head back in her chair, "Don't remind me, Garen dear that was painful enough as it is. I'm going to wake up in pain in the morning and likely be called into another battle tomorrow." Her muscles were already on fire from all of the action today, typically she never felt this fatigued in battle, but tonight she felt especially exhausted. Katarina held out her free hand on the table and took Garen's, squeezing it softly over the candlelight.
Garen placed his other hands on hers, and brought her hand up to his lips, kissing it softly. "After we're done here, follow me. We're going to go relax a little bit before we retreat to our sleeping chambers. I have a little something special for you to help ease your tension from all the recent challenges you've been facing." He kissed her hand a few more times, before releasing it to eat the food that was placed in front of him. His nervousness seemed to increase the more and more he ate his food, however that didn't slow his pace by any means.
Katarina noticed the nervousness in his composure and the way that he spoke, she also glanced at the fact he was in a royal Demacian garb, not his casual outfit he wears when not in battles. She pondered what it was he had planned for her after her meal, however she didn't stray too much on the fact as her dinner was placed in front of her, a warm sandwich and cup of soup. Simple, yet ever so filling and tasty for Katarina. She had to admit, the food they served here around the league was far better than what was served in Noxus, especially after Swain got his talons into the leadership of Noxus. Katarina looked down at the table and played with her food for a moment, remembering what they did to her sister, Cassiopeia, and her father. She felt her anger flare up for a moment, before she calmed down at the touch of Garens hand rubbing hers. She looked up and met his deep blue eyes with hers and felt at ease, letting at a small smile and tilting her head to the side slightly. "Don't fear, Garen my love, I'm just remembering what I'm fighting for." She returned to her food, finishing it up quickly and going to pay for her half.
Garen placed his hand over the check, "Do not fear, I have it tonight." Garen smiled, throwing some money on the bill to cover both, plus a tip, and he helped her out of her chair and walked out of the tavern with his lover at his side. Garen wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her in close and kissing her forehead. He led her through the faction camps, passing by Darius, who gave a glance towards Katarina and a small glare at Garen. After that, passing by Lux who let out an excited wave to the couple and turning away, smiling. Knowing what was about to happen next. Garen continued to lead her through the champions lanes, leaving them to the forest the surrounded the area towards a beautiful moonlit pool. There was a blanket laid out on the ground, which was dark blue and gold. On top of it, was a bottle of red wine, the finest from Demacia itself, as well as two crystal wine glasses. Garen sat Katarina down gently, remembering the tenderness of her muscles, and he sat himself across from her. He grabbed her legs and placed her feet on his lap, removing her boots and gently rubbing her feet in hopes to relieve some of her pain.
Katarina let out a relaxed sigh and laid down on the blanket, adjusting her head in order to view the moonlight reflecting on the steady water. There was an occasional ripple or two from the aquatic life in the pool, but overall the water remained relatively calm. She could feel her muscles slowly being loosened in her feet, she smiled as she felt the soft blanket with the support of the grass underneath her, as well as the strong warm hands of Garen massaging her feet gently. Garen smiled at her and then returned his focus onto her feet, ensuring delicacy so he did not hurt her feet in any way.
"Why did you bring me here, Garen? Some sort of special occasion?" Katarina asked Garen, looking at him, inspecting his facial features as she asked her questions. Noticing a slight waiver in his actions in which he finished rubbing her feet and moved to the wine to open the bottle and pour them both a glass of wine.
"Because everyone deserves a special day to relax, don't they?" Garen smirked playfully at his partner, clinking his glass against hers and taking a sip of his wine.
Garen and Katarina spent an hour just sipping their wine and engaging in small talk, talking about battles and how they met in the battlefield. Occasionally cracking a silly joke and refilling their glasses. Garen placed his glass on the blanket carefully, standing himself up and reaching his hand out for Katarina to take, in which she accepted and stood up with him. Garen walked her down, hand in hand, to the pool that was close to them, in which she turned Katarina towards him. "Katarina du Couteau, from the day we clashed swords in the battlefield, I knew there was something about you that I wanted. Your fighting spirit, dedication, skills in combat, beautiful eyes and body, all of these things that I cannot simply live without…" Garen lifted Katarina's hand and kissed it softly, going down on one knee before her, in which he took a ring box out of his pocket, and flicked it open, revealing a beautiful ring, simple in nature but made of the finest stones in all of the regions, "I love you Katarina, and want to spend the rest of my life with you.. So here I, Garen Crownguard, as you, Katarina du Couteau, if you would accept my hand in marriage?"