I Love You Goodbye

Villagers can be seen going through the streets, buying from the markets and going about their daily life. The people have been awfully at peace, especially after their Ionian warriors and guards had succeeded in pushing back the Noxian forces that attempted attacking their nation.

Everyone saw how the Starchild tended to the wounds of the fighters, how the Arrow of Retribution had provided cover for the civilians being evacuated from the war zone, how Karma lent her aid to the ones at the front lines and many more noble and honorable doings of the Ionian champions. The one that faced the forces head on though, it was the Blade Dancer.

Irelia had led the entire army of Ionia against the Noxian soldiers. What the people failed to notice though was that the Captain of the Ionian guard had fought with a certain rogue Noxian.

Riven, the Exile.

The ex-Noxian had fought alongside her in the heart of all the chaos, only to make a quick escape when everything was over. When the dust had settled and corpses and blood-stained weapons littered the battlefield, the Ionians only saw Irelia at the center of it all. After many thankful words from the citizens of her nation and pats on the back, Irelia made it back home, where the rogue she had fought side by side with waited for her return.

With all the heroics the Ionian officers had displayed, the people had decided to hold some sort of ceremony for them. And now, with everything rebuilt and everyone recovered, the ceremony was expected to happen today. Within the abode of the Blade Dancer though, specifically her chambers, the latter can be seen entangled with sheets and limbs that belonged to another person.

Riven was still asleep, but her arms firmly embraced Irelia, their heads sharing one pillow and their faces directly in front of one another. Irelia deeply gazed at Riven's facial features, one hand coming up and two fingers of hers stroking those slightly parted lips. The same lips that took her breath away practically every night.

If someone had asked her a few months ago if she would envision herself in being romantically involved with a Noxian in the future, she would have probably sent her blades after the person who would have been brave enough to ask her such ludicrous question.

But now?

Well, now, she would not know what to say, for she is actually in a secret relationship with a rogue one.

Cupping Riven's cheek with her hand, Irelia leaned in and kissed her. She gave those lips she truly adored short kisses, the longest kiss lasting for at least three seconds. Of course with all the kisses Irelia gave, Riven eventually roused out of her sleep and was greeted with the sweetest morning she has ever tasted.

"Good morning." Riven murmured before Irelia's lips pushed against her again, this time with tongue. Not one to refuse such a heart-fluttering gesture, Riven slipped a hand in those dark and slightly tangled tresses and deepened the passionate kiss.

"Morning..." Irelia whispered quietly once they broke the kiss, her violet blue eyes looking into Riven's hazel ones.

"Sleep well?" Riven asked her, hand that was once in her hair slowly trailing down over her bare back.

"Very well." Irelia told her before sighing softly. "With the ceremony later on, I'll need all the energy, after all."

When Irelia made eye contact again, she found Riven just looking at her, a somewhat crestfallen gaze. The gleam worried her and she couldn't help but shift herself and pull her secret lover closer to her.

"Is there something wrong?"

Riven stared, that forlorn look in her eyes still.

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"Riven?"

"You of all people in Runeterra... You know that I would only love one woman. You." Riven sighed as she caressed Irelia's cheek. "You know that much, right?"

"Of course." Smiling, Irelia embraced her beloved, eyes drifting close. "And I know that you know that you're the only person I would ever yearn for."

Despite the fact that her words inspired a small smile on Riven's lips, it still failed to erase the downhearted gleam in those dark eyes. Irelia didn't notice though. After all, she was hugging the rogue to inflict comfort and reassurance.

"I wish I could be the one." Riven murmured. "The one that gives you the love that you need. The one that promises you forever."

"You are." Irelia immediately reassured, pulling back to gaze directly into Riven's eyes. "Believe me."

"Irelia, I'm a Noxian."

"That's in the past." She dismissed hastily. "You must focus your eyes on the future. Our future."

"If only I could do so."

Irelia frowned.

Why was Riven acting as if she would leave her? She would never!

"Riven," Irelia softly said her name. "Is there something you wish to tell me?"

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It seemed like an eternity that they gazed into each other's eyes. The Ionian wearing a look that somewhat attempted to persuade the ex-Noxian to admit and speak her thoughts. It deepened the concern the Blade Master felt for her lover. When Riven did not show any signs in uttering anything, Irelia decided to voice out a particular plan she intended to do at the ceremony.

"If you don't have anything to tell me, then you should know that I do to you."

Riven, looking more than a bit relieved with the change of topic, nodded. "What is it?"

"At the ceremony later on... I wish for you to accompany me."

"Of course I would accompany you."

"No, not in disguise of any sort." Irelia put on a mildly serious expression as she clarified what she meant. "I desire to introduce you to Ionia as my lover."

Riven's eyes widened in an instant. "W-What? You can't. You can't be careless and just brazenly introduce me to a nation that despises Noxians."

"I do not care." With that said, Irelia disentangled herself, planning on taking a shower. "If they do not wish to accept you, then they will have to choose."

"Choose between what?"

"Either they accept you and our relationship, or they could object and expect the permanent departure of the Captain of the Guard."

A deep and troubled sigh left Riven. "You are being absolutely unreasonable."

"Not completely so." Irelia calmly retorted. "I do not wish to say my farewell to you just because my people refuse to accept what we have."

"Irelia...-"

Sighing exasperatedly, Irelia turned and faced Riven. The stress she felt about their conversation showed entirely clear in her eyes, which served as the reason of Riven's abrupt silence.

"I will not say goodbye to you, my love. Never."

The melancholy on Riven's face said everything as she watched Irelia stand from the bed and head towards the bathroom.

What she's about to do...

Was it the right thing?

"Irelia,"

"What?" Came the lightly irritated response.

"May I feel your lips on mine?"

'For one last time.' She silently thought, watching intently as Irelia approached the bed again.

Irelia leaned over the sheets and cupped her cheek before giving her a kiss that gave her the proof that this woman truly loves her. When the kiss ended, Irelia ran her hand through her light grey hair, brushing them back and away from her face. Those precious crystals gazed at her with nothing but adoration and love.

"No goodbyes, my heart."

Riven remained quiet in reply.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Irelia suppressed another sigh as she searched her family's manor for one particular soldier. She was getting more and more annoyed. Riven clearly knew they had to leave before afternoon, yet now the sword-wielder was missing. They we're running late.

"Where are you, Riven?" Irelia murmured under her breath, walking hastily down the main hall. "Riven! Where are you?"

She tried calling out for her lover's name, forgetting the fact that the name she was shouting may not be received well by Ionians. Thankfully though, no one was there to hear her. Her search for her beloved took at another hour before she huffed and decided to postpone her plan at the ceremony, which greatly involved Riven in the first place. Nonetheless, she would attend.

Arriving at the front doors though, a folded parchment was found taped on one of the wooden panels. In a heartbeat, Irelia quickly swiped the paper and unfolded it, eyes reading the contents immediately.

You need someone that can promise you forever. With me, you will only find misery and heartbreak. I will not force you to choose between me and your home. If I stay, then your tears will come.

You'll find someone, Irelia. One that has no blood of the innocent staining their hands. One that can give you a family. It's something I can never do.

You've told me you will never bid me farewell and for that, I am truly thankful. It's selfish and I know I will hurt you by doing so, but it is for the best.

I love you goodbye.

Irelia covered her mouth with one hand, tears falling and landing on her fingers. She pulled her palm back and took in a shaky breath.

"No..." She brokenly whispered. "You... You can't do this... You... You can't!"

Shoving the doors open, Irelia ran across the front yard and through the open gates, letter in hand. She will not lose her beloved. She will not let her leave. The people she ran past, they all looked at her with surprise, especially when they saw the tears that continuously fell from her eyes. It seems that they showed no hints of stopping.

If only she had known...

If only she had noticed and seriously took the signs Riven had blatantly showed...

Maybe she wouldn't have left Ionia.

Irelia shook her head furiously, revolted with the thought of Riven being gone from Ionia already. If Riven planned on leaving Ionia, then the only possible place she could be at are the docks. She need not push past the people, for her blades were circling around her in an erratic and sporadically harmful manner. They threatened to cut all those who would dare to pose as an obstacle for her.

When Irelia did arrive at the docks, she skidded to a halt before she could fall of, feet just an inch or two away from the very end of the wooden platform. In front of her, there were various ships departing and docking. She whipped her head around, eyes desperately searching for her beloved.

Once her attempts proved to be futile, she could only tightly grasp the letter as she shouted, "Riven, please! Don't leave me!"

She stared ahead, tears blurring her eyes... which then widened once it zeroed in on the cloaked figure leaning on the edge of the very back of a ship. Irelia slowly straightened as she gazed tearfully at the person.

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Irelia choked on her breath. Regardless of the distance, her eyes found themselves staring desperately into the same hazel eyes that were nothing but heartbroken... and tear-stained.

"You can't do this!" She cried out, earning more and more attention from the people around her. She could care less though. "You can't leave me!"

The cloaked figure bowed its head and placed its hands on the railing of the boat. It shook its head as it shed as much tears as the weeping Ionian. It spoke under its breath, uttering its response to the brokenhearted Blade Master.

"I would have chosen you! I'll still choose you! Just stay!"

The stranger raised its head, gaze, although it was far, telling her the reply loud and clear.

'That's the reason why I'm leaving.'

Irelia's panic heightened and her heart shattered completely the moment the stranger... The cloaked figure... Riven, turned away and decided to walk out of her sight. The letter Irelia had in hand was so close in being entirely crumpled, the paper crinkling under her tightening grasp as she gritted her teeth. As a show of her desperation, she gave out her last cry.

"RIVEN!"

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Author's Note: It's shorter than usual, I know. :P

Honestly, I was thinking if this particular song-inspired story was going to center around Vi and Caitlyn, but I ended up deciding on Riven and Irelia. ^^"

I was somehow motivated to type this because I heard my mother sing this song earlier and from that point, my imagination decided to build this story plot. You readers will also notice that I incorporated some of the lyrics into the story, just like what I did at "Kill For You" one-shot. ^u^

Well! Until my next one-shot! ^u^