Switch

Within the walls of the Institute, the loud, horrified, one octave higher, scream of the Frost Archer echoed throughout the High Council's Judgment Room and its surrounding area. All of the councilors and the three other champions with the mentioned Freljordian covered their ears as a desperate attempt to save their eardrums.

"Please!" High Councilor Kolminye practically pleaded with complete exasperation. "Calm yourself, Demacian!"

Oh, wondering why she's referring to Ashe as a Demacian?

Well...

'Lux' slowly pulled her hands away from her ears, turning to 'Ashe' while she suppressed the twitching of her eyes.

"Lux, please." 'Lux' surprisingly spoke and sounded utterly calm for the very first time in forever. Her usual upbeat and exuberant attitude and quirk was nowhere to be seen, found or heard. 'Ashe' began to pace around the room, looking completely panicked. Her hair became disheveled the moment she rustled it with her own hands, which caused 'Lux' to release a troubled sigh.

"There has to be a way to reverse this!"

"Oh come on!" One of the champions in the room, Jinx, scoffed and waved dismissively. "Being stuck in the body of a Queen of a nation? That would be amazeballs! Am I right, Donger? With just one itty-bitty word, you can start the long-awaited war between the Three Sisters of Freljord."

Heimerdinger sighed and stepped forward. "I will immediately try to reverse the machine's effects, but for now, I believe the Frost Archer and the Lady of Luminosity must come to terms and become used to their new... avatars."

Yes, you heard right. Ashe and Lux have indeed switched bodies, which mainly explains why 'Ashe' had practically screamed her lungs out a moment ago, while 'Lux' remained entirely calm and composure not at all fazed.

"In the meantime," High Councilor Kolminye then eyed Jinx, who grinned sheepishly back at her once she felt her gaze on her. "Loose Cannon, for the theft of the Revered Inventor's personal belonging and putting two fellow champions in a hazardous position, you will be banned from participating in any matches for two weeks."

"..."

Jinx stared.

"...Okay!"

"Umm, High Councilor...-" Before one of the summoners could finish, Vessaria sighed and banged her gavel again.

"You'll also be staying in the Detention Center within the span of two weeks." Came the follow-up sentence.

Jinx's eyes widened. "What!? But that means they'll confiscate Pow-pow, Fishbones and Zap!"

"Then it gives me great pleasure in bestowing this punishment upon you." Kolminye returned with a somewhat smug smile. "Dismissed."

While a pair of guards dragged Jinx towards the Detention Center, Heimerdinger gave his deepest apologies to the two other champions before taking his leave, planning on getting to work and reversing his invention's function immediately. Once left alone, Lux began another freak-out. She turned to Ashe and grasped the archer's shoulders (which are originally hers) with her 'newly-acquired' pale hands.

"What do we do now? What about our responsibilities!?" Lux began hyperventilating. "I can't lead a nation! I can barely even decide what headband I should wear everyday! And all my headbands are identical!"

Ashe stared a tad bit owlishly at 'herself', trying to blink away the image of Lux experiencing massive difficulty in choosing between headbands that are absolutely the same. To be honest, Ashe never thought she'd see her own self looking disheveled and as if she was ran over by a group of horses pulling her own royal carriage. It's a sight, not even anyone, would expect to see the Queen of Freljord to be in.

Not only that, but the Lady of Luminosity always exuded this contagious bubbly aura that either irritated champions, mainly Noxians, or prompts them in becoming more positive and not too uptight. But now, it was odd that the mage gave out a regal and commanding atmosphere around her, something only a few naturally displays.

"Listen, Lux." Ashe gently pried the hands that clutched her shoulders and tried her best to calm the Demacian down. "Like you always say, stay positive. Not just that, but know that Heimerdinger is exerting as much effort as he can to fix all of this. All we need to do now is stay composed and take this all in as calmly as possible."

A couple of more minutes of hyperventilation, Lux eventually settled down and while she did, Ashe brushed her white hair back into its presentable state. When Lux finally let loose all the nerves that invaded her (technically Ashe's) body, she let the archer lead her down the hall and to the Freljordian wing.

"Maybe we can discuss this issue at my quarters."

As if she was a gun and Ashe's words was her trigger, Lux nearly fell back into her hyperventilating state. She remembered that she couldn't afford discussing their situation. At least now. She still needs to be somewhere! What almost made her freak is the fact that she can't go to that said somewhere because she's not in her original body.

"Umm, technically... I... Well, you can't."

Confusion struck the Queen. "What do you mean?"

"Well..." Lux fiddled with her navy blue cape while she avoided Ashe's gaze, trying her best to calm herself by playing with the soft cloth. "You see, I made plans before all of this happened, and those plans aren't really 'postpone-able'."

"Then why claim we cannot speak about this matter?"

"Ashe, please." Lux pleaded, now taking her hands into hers. "You have to go to this meet-up of mine without telling anyone. You're not, well, me. And this kinda leaves me no choice but to ask you to go somewhere and pretend to be me."

Ashe blinked. "What are you implying?"

"We can't let anyone know about us switching bodies!" Lux said, now looking a bit panicked again. "That would spell out disaster!"

"Isn't keeping this a secret considered disastrous itself?" Ashe asked back, pulling her hands back and crossing her arms.

"Think of it! What if Prince Jarvan orders me to take advantage of the fact that I'm in your body? That, in some way, I'm the Queen of Freljord? He might order me to step down from the throne!"

"I'm sure he would not...-"

"Not only that, but what if one of your enemies discover that it's not the same skilled archer that's in your body? They'll take it as an opportunity to strike you down! Assassinate you! Not only will that kill me, but that also means you have no body to go back to!"

Somehow seeing Lux's point, Ashe sighed and gave in to the mage's convincing. In some way, Lux did have a point. Sejuani will surely bring her mace down on Lux the moment she catches wind about her not being in her own body. League rules won't have an inch of value if ever her rival discovers the predicament she's in. Besides, arguing with Lux won't get them anywhere. It's much better if she settles the issue with a temporary compromise.

"Alright, fine." Ashe conceded with a sigh. "Now, can you tell me why we can't have a meaningful discussion about this issue?"

Lux pulled back and blushed, toying with the cape again. "Oh, right, about that..."

"Are you absolutely sure you can't reschedule this plan of yours?"

"Yes, I am. If I do try to, this'll be the fourth time we reschedule this date." Lux told her, looking down and blushing even more. "I don't think he'd appreciate that."

"And he is...?"

"Someone I shouldn't be dating." Came the sheepish reply.

Once again, Ashe found herself conceding. For a moment, she asked herself when did she get so... soft. She's literally been giving Lux these chances on a silver platter, which contradicts with the fact that she's the Queen between the two of them and that she's supposed to be the one being followed. In the end, her pride decided to chalk it up as her just being her typical self, which meant her polite side was the one responsible for her 'weakness'.

"Listen. All you two are going to do is eat lunch at the rooftop of the main building of the Institute. Easy, right?" Lux explained with an open smile. Ashe found the smile too giddy to be found on her own face to be honest. "Just grab a sandwich at the Mess Hall, a drink if you want, then make your way to the rooftop."

"And what will you be doing while I tend to this date of yours?"

"I'll be watching from afar! Make sure you don't, well, cause things to become awkward with my lover."

"What if he wants to kiss?"

"Oh, well, don't worry about that. He knows I'm not fond of public displays of affection. All you need to do is be there and talk about random things. Maybe hug his arm or lean on his shoulder, but that's it! I'm sure he'll be content with that."

"Please give me more details. What you've just given are utterly vague."

"No time!" Lux grabbed one of her wrists and began dragging her to the Demacian wing. "We need to get you ready in half an hour!"

"But, Lux...-"

"Everything will be fine, trust me."

Everything will not be fine...

...!

...because Ashe just remembered something she actually needs to do today. Something that greatly concerns a particular Noxian that most champions fear in and avoid encountering.

"Luxanna, in exchange for me attending to your date,"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I need you to keep to yourself for the whole day. Actually, as long as you're in my body, avoid being alone as much as possible. If you're alone, make sure you're in a place no one will be able to access but you."

"Umm, okay? Ashe," Lux nervously glanced at her. "Why does it sound like someone's out there to get you?"

Technically, there is.

"Let's just say this isn't the greatest time to be the one in my body."

"Okay, you're scaring me a bit."

Ashe shot Lux a look that told her to clearly leave the matter alone as it is. "Either stay in a populated place or a secluded location. Period."

"But…-"

"Understood?"

Lux gulped, feeling more nervous than Ashe now. "…Yes?"

It was that moment that Ashe realized that their entire situation will surely go up in flames.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

"Just speak with him. Small talk maybe, then I can probably take my leave." Ashe said to herself as she made her way up the stairs leading to the designated rooftop Lux is expected to be at, sandwich in one hand.

While she climbed the steps, she passed by a few windows that overlooked the neighboring buildings. She spotted Lux at one of the windows from the structure across the one she's in now, looking towards her direction. She assumed she's probably there to see if everything goes smoothly. Sighing, Ashe continued until she arrived at her destination, where she then found a hooded figure perched on the edge, apple in hand.

'Wait a minute... That outfit...'

Ashe stiffened momentarily once she recognized who Lux is actually involved with in a romantic affair.

The Blade's Shadow.

Talon, sensing her presence the moment she walked in, turned to her, his free hand pushing his hood back and exposing his face completely. He didn't move though, but he did keep his eyes glued to her, which caused Ashe to feel more than slightly uncomfortable as she approached him. She was actually having second thoughts, unsure if Talon is actually the man Lux wants her to meet with.

Her doubts diminished once Talon waved his cape away and reached a hand out to her, wordlessly telling her to settle beside him on the edge. If she can keep her composure under massively pressuring times, Ashe was sure she can handle something as simple as having a non-hostile rendezvous with a Noxian. After all, she should somehow be used it by now. Meeting with a Noxian, she means.

Once within reach, she expected Talon to take her hand and assist her in settling beside him. Surprisingly, he stood up and left his perch, which made it clear he had no intention in waiting any longer, before her hand touched his. His touch was warm and felt a bit foreign, since Ashe was much used to smaller and slimmer hands.

"Talon." She greeted, professionally smiling in a carefree manner.

"Luxanna." Talon returned her greeting, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her in until his lips touched her temple. "I've missed you."

Lightly blushing and feeling oddly weird to be in his arms, Ashe tried her best to respond in the most natural way she can. "I as well, my love."

Talon stilled for a split-second and for moment, Ashe thought she had just imagined it. Maybe she did.

"I'm quite pleased that you've finally found time to spend with me." Talon murmured, speaking into her hair. Ashe processed the feeling of having someone taller than her hold her, feeling even odder than before. Between her relationship with a certain someone, she has a noticeable height difference from the former, which explains why the feeling of Talon holding her is so foreign. "I thought for a moment your brother would become a much bigger hindrance in our relationship."

"Oh, Garen?" Ashe refocused herself to the situation at hand. "He means well, I'm sure."

Talon glanced down at her. "Hm."

Ashe forced herself to act casual and unfazed as Talon held her chin and raised her head until their eyes locked with one another. His light brown eyes were greatly different from the vibrant emeralds she knows too well, which once again made her feel odd.

"I think it won't be any harm if we skip lunch today."

His words made her snap to full attention in a heartbeat.

"What do you mean?"

Talon smirked and took her hand again, tossing his apple and her sandwich, which he snatched from her grasp in a second, over his shoulder. Ashe nearly yelped the moment Talon tugged her towards the door, leading her out of the rooftop and back down the stairs.

"Wait, where are we going?" Ashe asked, trying to not sound too worried.

"To my quarters."

Ashe's eyes widened. "What!?"

Meanwhile, with Lux...

The mage started panicking once she lost Ashe and Talon from her sights. She began to make her way to where the two are going to be, planning on intercepting them before anything sexually intimate could transpire between her boyfriend and her fellow champion.

"Gotta hurry, gotta hurry!" Lux repeated over and over again as she rushed from one hall to another. Of all times for Talon to be in the mood, it just had to be today. Lux wanted to give herself a slap, knowing if she had just cancelled or postponed the date, then maybe she wouldn't be panicking and feeling like her boyfriend is about to cheat on her. What makes all of this the worst is the fact that Talon doesn't even know he's somehow going to cheat on her!

Despite Ashe being in her body, Lux will feel like her boyfriend touched someone else's! In this case, the Frost Archer's! She didn't even have to envision what this would mean if Talon and Ashe were to fornicate with their current state. Lux refused to think of such concept, for it only made her panic even more.

"Gotta hurry, gotta hurry, gotta hur…-!"

"Gotcha."

One minute she was rushing down from one hall to another, the next she was halted by a pair of arms that abruptly encircled around her waist and pulled her behind one of the columns of the main hall. There were two conveniently placed potted plants that concealed her and her captor from any passerby's sights, which made it obvious that no one will be able to help her unless she calls out for one. It's an aspect she knows would be completely out of character for Ashe.

Back to her captor though…

Lux tensed once she felt her back press firmly against a woman's chest, breath ghosting over her right ear and a husky and deep voice entered her sense of hearing. Her heart instantly picked up.

"Now where are you off to, little poro?" The Sinister Blade cooed in a dangerously low whisper, which made Lux hear her smirk through her words. While one arm was securely locked around her waist, one particular hand ran over her chest, mainly her cleavage, before it caressed her cheek. Lux nearly squeaked in fear.

"K-K-Katarina?" It took all of Lux's strength not to yelp out the assassin's name in a high-pitched voice.

A chuckle. "You're shaking like a leaf, you know that?"

"W-Why wouldn't I be?" Lux asked back, a nervous chuckle leaving her. She honestly doesn't know if she should holler for help now or play along with the redhead's game.

"I haven't even touched you yet."

She gulped audibly, which Katarina interpreted as a sign of arousal.

"Or maybe that's what you want me to do?" Lux became as stiff as a statue in Katarina's arms once she felt the same hand that stroked her cheek make its way south, stopping only when it reached the hem of her skirt. Those nimble fingers toyed with the hem of her dress, fingertips teasing her thighs with split-second licks. Katarina hummed in her ear. "This reminds me of the time I ravaged you in the Institute Library."

The Institute Library was one of Lux's favorite places to go to, especially since it was complete with every book that she could read. Every form of literature concerning magic can be found in that place, which excited Lux. But, now that Katarina just said those words to her, two things came into mind.

One, she is never going to go back to the Institute Library.

Two…

'Ashe is having an affair with Katarina!? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!' Her right eye twitched once. 'And they did it in the Institute Library!? Eew! Eew! Eeeewww!'

"Uhh, ehehehe…" Lux chuckled with all the nervousness she felt. "Umm, Katarina, can you, uh, let me go?"

Katarina quirked an eyebrow. "And why would I do that?"

"Umm," Lux anxiously pointed a finger at herself. "I'm the Queen of Freljord, you're the Sinister Blade. Don't you think it's kinda weird?"

Green eyes slightly narrowed. "Kinda?"

"Yeah…"

'Ashe never uses those words…' Katarina thought, feeling off with how 'Ashe' spoke. 'And since when did she use 'Yeah' as a reply?'

"I think this is all the stress getting to you." The Noxian concluded, her smirk returning to her lips. "Let's release some tension, shall we?"

Lux's eyes widened when Katarina snuck her hand under her skirt.

...

…..

…..

"RAPE!"

"Ugh!" All the air inside Katarina was suddenly shoved out of her system the moment Lux abruptly, and not to mention strongly, elbowed her on the stomach, which also caused her to loosen the iron-grip she had around her. Still seeing that she was still withheld, Lux's survival instinct took over her.

She threw her head back.

Crack!

"Agh!" Katarina let her go and stumbled to the side, right hand clutching her broken nose and left hand placed on the wall for support. "Fuck!"

As if she had used Flash, Lux was out of Katarina' reach within a second. She sprinted away from the secluded spot and made a mad dash down the hall, heart thudding in her chest like a loud drum being pounded erratically. She huffed and puffed as she ran towards the direction where she was hoping she'd be able to put a stop to Talon's plans for Ashe.

The people she passed was disregarded due to the shock that was still wearing off. Half of her conscious self was still trying to wrap her brain around the fact that Ashe was having sexual relations with a Noxian! And with Katarina nonetheless!

A side of her was celebrating that she had somehow harmed a Noxian, momentarily recalling the sound of Katarina's nose breaking upon her head's impact onto it. Another side of her was so close in crumbling thanks to all the fear that knowledge alone brought down on her. Why wouldn't she be scared?

She practically bashed Katarina's face with her (Ashe's, specifically) head. The dangerous woman would surely come after her, and to make things worse, Lux knew there's a huge possibility that Ashe won't have a body to go back to.

…..

…..

…..

Katarina cursed under her breath as she clutched her bleeding nose with one hand, eyes glancing at the crimson drops falling on the floor. She felt like her whole face was numb due to the injury her secret lover had inflicted on her.

"What the hell was her problem?" She lowly breathed out, eyes clenching shut when a small jolt of pain came from her broken nose.

How the hell was she going to explain this to the healers at the Infirmary?

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Heart beating deafeningly in her ears and hands tightly clutching broad shoulders, Ashe turned her head away, face completely flushed red. She can feel Talon breathing against her throat, lips kissing and sucking on her smooth skin.

The two of them were in Lux's champion quarters. On their way there, she had tried showing her protests as subtly as she can, not wanting Talon to be suspicious of her 'true identity'. She was hoping that they'd cross paths with a Demacian, but it seemed like Talon knew their schedules and that he predicted their absence at the Demacian wing intentionally.

Long story short, as soon as they entered the quarters of the Lady of Luminosity, Talon had instantly pushed her towards the closed door and pinned her against it before he began to aggressively show his affections for the supposed blonde mage he's in a secret relationship with.

"T-Talon," Ashe had no plans in stopping her objections, but Talon seems to be determined to get out of the white dress she's wearing. "Maybe we should stop."

"Why?" Was the only thing Talon muttered against her neck, his ministrations not at all faltering.

"Someone might hear us!" Ashe gasped out, especially when Talon bit down on her neck.

"Wouldn't that be a tragedy?" Talon murmured, and the way his lips had shifted, Ashe knew he was smirking. He pulled back (thank Avarosa) and presented the smirk on his face to her, the lust in eyes gleaming clearly. "Isn't that your little aphrodisiac, my love?"

"A-Aphro…-why! It would never!" Ashe responded with disbelief written across her face. "That would just be shameful and…-mmf!"

Talon silenced her with a kiss, and Ashe actually released a squeak that she never knew she was capable of doing. She squirmed with much greater strength once she felt Talon's tongue slip inside her mouth, roaming the moist space with familiarity.

In desperation to halt the act she had no intention in continuing, Ashe did the first thing that came into mind.

…..!

"Ugh…" Talon pulled his head back a tad bit, one hand reaching up and touching the tip of his tongue, which Ashe had bitten down on in order to stop the kiss. Nervously, the Freljordian watched the usually hooded Noxian, who in return looked at the tiny drop of blood that ended up on one of his fingertips.

Ashe suddenly became rigid, especially when Talon turned back to her with a gaze that showed nothing.

Well, nothing but arousal.

She gasped when Talon pushed her further against the door, the back of her head lightly thudding against the wood. One hand grasped her golden blonde hair into a fist while a low growl left his lips.

"Is that what you want?"

Whatever that was, Ashe was so sure that she wants no part of it whatsoever.

"N-No! I…!"

The moment Talon made a move to dive back in for another hungry kiss, Ashe's eyes widened and her brain went haywire, which caused her own reflex to react.

Slap!

Ashe gasped and covered her mouth in disbelief. Her eyes would have widened even more if it were possible. She had struck Talon as a result to her bodily reflexes. If Katarina discovers what she had done to her brother-figure and what they've been engaged in for the past couple of moments, the threatening woman would surely assassinate her personally.

"T-Talon," Ashe stuttered, slightly recovering from the shock she gave herself when she slapped the man in front of her. "My apolo…-"

A snarl.

"Rough play it is, then."

Ashe became visibly paler. Apparently, what she done added fuel to the flames. Once again, she gasped. Talon grabbed her by the thighs and lifted her up in his arms. Reflexively, she held onto his shoulders, not wanting to fall backwards and probably onto the floor.

Thump!

The archer let out a quiet oof! once Talon pinned her down the only sofa in the unit, his lower area pressing against her own. Her face became redder than it already was the second she felt Talon's arousal press against her (particularly Lux's) covered center.

"I always knew playing rough is your favorite." Came Talon's smug words.

"N-No! It certainly isn't!" Admittedly, it is, but Ashe preferred such 'play' to be performed with and by someone else, not Talon!

Her hands were gathered before it was pinned together above her head. One hand keeping them from moving, Talon used his free one to reach downward to hike her skirt up.

"You say no, but clearly," Talon smirked. "you hunger for my touch."

If it was actually Lux, maybe the answer would be an quiet agreement with his words, or maybe a moan, but this blonde before him is the same one at the same time not. Ashe's struggles became nonexistent for a moment as soon as she felt Talon's hand graze against her inner thighs.

"No!"

…..!

"Fuck!" Talon suddenly fell off of her and towards side, his form landing on the floor with a loud thud. He slightly curled up on the ground while one of his hands held his manhood, which Ashe miraculously succeeded in kicking.

In lightning-like speed, Ashe got off the couch and ran towards the door, leaving the room without looking back to see if Talon would recover or not. She closed the door once she left, yes, especially since it would spell out chaos if someone were to see Talon in Lux's quarters, but Ashe had to prioritize her safety. Talon would hurt her, but what he wants to do with her, well… That's a different thing.

Hair evidently as disheveled as her clothes, Ashe quickly rushed down the hall and made a vast effort in putting as much distance between her and the Noxian she nearly had intercourse with. Just like Lux, Ashe paid not even an ounce of attention to the champions and summoners that greeted her on her way to wherever her feet would take her.

She could feel her (Lux's) heart beating rapidly inside of her, making her feel like she was this close in having a heart attack. Oh, Katarina will surely murder her if she ever finds out about what had transpired between her and Talon, despite the fact that she's not even in her own body. Too distracted with her thoughts, she failed to anticipate a certain champion that rounded around the corner ahead of her, who was also running with haste.

…..!

"Oof!"

"Oof!"

Ashe was forced to take a single step backwards before losing her balance and falling down the floor, her rear planting on the ground a bit painfully, while the person that bumped her merely stumbled two steps away from her.

"Ashe!" She heard her own voice call her name, hands grabbing her wrists and pulling her up and back on her feet before she could even look at who she collided with. Even though it was weird, Ashe was thankful she saw 'herself' looking back at her, face struck with a mix of panic and relief. Although, her own relief showed on her face when she realized who it is in front of her.

As if they had practiced it, they both said the same words at the same time.

"You have a lot to explain to me!"

And as if there was someone out to get them, a pair of Noxians specifically, the two champions glanced around, thankful that there was no one there with them. Not wanting to be found by Katarina nor Talon, Ashe grabbed one of Lux's hands and dragged her towards the Institute gardens. On their way to one of the hidden spots in the nature-infested area, Ashe and Lux passed Zyra, who looked at them with mild curiosity, which looks to have vanished as soon as it came. Finally, when they were hidden behind various plants and bushes, Ashe released Lux and they both turned to face each other.

"Before you say anything," Lux spoke up first. "I just want to ask first. Did something happen between you and Talon? As in, something."

Ashe almost shuddered at her words, which made her recall everything with crystal clarity, "He kissed me and, uh, touched my neck, but I suppose other than that, nothing happened."

Lux slowly nodded, feeling a twinge of jealousy. Just by looking at how uncomfortable Ashe seems to be, it's obvious that the Queen did not like any of what had happened between her and the Blade's Shadow. She pushed back the negative feeling and gestured for Ashe to ask her question this time.

"Why didn't you at least tell me it was him you are involved with?" Ashe questioned exasperatedly.

"What am I supposed to say?" Lux defensively reacted. "Oh hey, Ashe! I just want you to know I'm sleeping with a Noxian and I think it's actually a serious thing and that I might actually be low-key betraying my nation. Is that what you want me to say?"

"Well, if you word it that way, wouldn't it sound rather treacherous and scandalous for you?" Ashe retorted sarcastically.

They weren't pleased at what they had went through earlier, but it looks like their pride was looking for someone to be blamed for everything.

"Hey! I'm not the one who's cheating on their spouse!"

"It's a political marriage. Clearly, someone as young as you would not understand."

"Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean I know less! I know what a political marriage is, but obviously you don't know what fidelity is."

Ashe scoffed and crossed her arms. "As if you're the one to talk. Lux, didn't you and your brother swear to be loyal to Demacia? Isn't romantically involving yourself with a Noxian somehow a show of your unfaithfulness to your nation?"

Lux puffed her cheeks up for a moment in irritation. "It's not the same!"

"It's definitely identical." Ashe shot back with a somewhat deadpan expression.

"What are you both arguing about in the first place?"

Turning their head to the direction of the speaker, they found the Rise of Thorns leaning on a tree and looking quite entertained with them. Zyra saw them as some sort of amusing spectacle. While Lux huffed and avoided Zyra's gaze, Ashe cleared her throat and decided to address the plant woman.

"Zyra, if we may have a respectable amount of privacy..."

"Oh, you had it." Zyra then nodded her head over her shoulder. "But you two were practically screaming. I honestly would not be surprised if the entire League overheard your argument."

"Zyra."

Chuckling to herself, Zyra sighed and chose to give them the privacy they asked for. Once the Rise of Thorns was out of earshot and not at all visible in their line of sight, the pair refocused their attention back to one another. As expected, it was Ashe who chose to apologize first.

Ashe sighed and ran a hand through the blonde hair she currently has, removing the headband on her head as she did. "Let me be the more mature one and say my apologies for blaming you. This predicament is not something you desired, which makes it wrong for me to say it is. My sincerest apologies."

Lux isn't really a prideful person, so her apology followed after the Freljordian's. "I'm sorry, too, I guess. Blaming you won't really solve everything, so… Sorry."

The pair let out sighs of their own and internally composed themselves before continuing the conversation in a much civil and mature manner.

"Maybe we should start by explaining our relationships with Talon and uhh, maybe with Katarina as well?"

The Frost Archer's eyes widened. "K-Katarina? Wait, did you…?"

Lux sheepishly scratched the back of her head. "I kinda… did something."

"Did something? What is that supposed to mean?"

"How about I explain my relationship with Talon first before the whole Katarina thing?" Lux offered, hoping Ashe would say yes.

"I… Well, I don't…" Ashe, once again, sighed. "Fine. Provide me the summary of your story with Talon."

Lux mildly perked up. "Alright! Umm, I guess I could start with how we had our first conversation…"

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

"You tripped and fell on your face," It was clear in Soraka's voice that she didn't believe the pathetic lie Katarina had conjured up with when she asked what happened to her to receive such injury. "is that right?"

Katarina scowled through the green glow originating from Soraka's palm, which was hovering in front of her broken nose. "Yes."

Soraka softly sighed, knowing that it would be a danger to herself if she attempted on prying further. "If you say so."

"Starchild,"

While Soraka fully turned her head to the caller of her title, Katarina just moved her eyes until she caught sight of the new arrival. At the entrance of the Infirmary, Talon can be seen walking with a limp that can be noticed if someone were to look quite closely.

"Is there an ice pack here?" Talon grunted, resisting the urge to hold his sore crotch.

It took a few seconds for Soraka to process his request, finding it rather unusual. Eventually though, Soraka nodded and healed Katarina's nose enough for its bleeding to stop before leaving and getting what Talon had asked for.

Katarina carefully held her nose with one hand, feeling a bit self-conscious since it was still dislocated. She watched as Talon approached her and sat himself down on the vacant examination table across her.

"What happened to you?" They unintentionally chorused, asking each other the same question at the very same time.

The redhead averted her gaze, not really knowing if she should use the lie she had told Soraka. Telling Talon that she got her nose broken because she 'tripped' sounded so embarrassing for her. An expert assassin like her? Losing their footing? It would wound her pride.

"None of your damn business." She grunted, shifting slightly so Talon won't get the full view of her nose. "What about you?"

"Our answer is the same."

Katarina audited Talon for a moment, noticing at how Talon gave his lower area quick glances every now and then. "Did you just got kicked in the balls?"

"…" Talon refused to answer her vulgarly-worded inquiry, but his right eye twitched though.

"You sexually harassed someone, didn't you?"

Talon didn't flinch, but his eyes did flicker to Katarina for a moment. "Accusers are usually doers."

One of the fingers touching her nose twitched at his words, which made her recall what 'Ashe' had done to her. "Touché."

Once they heard Soraka returning, their conversation was wordlessly dismissed. Regardless though, Katarina closely watched as Talon accepted the blue ice bag and turned away from them. Soraka blushed and refocused her attention on Katarina when she saw Talon place the cold pack on his crotch, an extremely low sigh of relief leaving the hooded assassin.

"Can you fix my nose already?" Katarina grumbled, taking her hand away from her face. "I have places to be."

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

"Do you think he can still have children?"

It's a question that would have made things awkward in a conversation, but it looks like Ashe was unfazed with it. She and Lux chose to stick together until Heimerdinger gets back to them with a solution to the problematic situation they're in. Currently, the Demacian was worried for Talon and if he's still able to have children, especially after she heard what Ashe had done just to avoid having to sleep with him.

"Lux, I'm sure my kick didn't take away his ability to produce children."

"Yeah, but still…" Lux blushed and rubbed her arm in worry.

Ashe looked at the younger champion with an inquisitive gaze. "Are you and Talon planning?"

In a second, Lux's face became bright red. "W-What!? No!"

"I was merely asking." Ashe smoothly replied, the amusement she felt towards Lux's reaction showing through the small smile quirking on her lips.

"I was just asking, you know…"

"Truthfully, Luxanna," Ashe started. "I would not dare tell anyone about your relationship with him."

"I can say the same about yours and Katarina's relationship." Lux earnestly said, her blush dying down.

"You might not know, your bond with him might be the key."

Lux's eyes were wide with wonder. "What do you mean? You think… You think peace between Noxus and Demacia is possible?"

"Only if both parties are interested in the aspect, yes."

"Oh, well…" Lux sighed. "That's kinda hard to imagine. Just by thinking about it… I don't know, Ashe. It sounds so impossible."

"You never know until you try."

"Wait… Is that why you're involved with Katarina?"

Ashe's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Did you start an affair with her to acquire Noxus' aid?"

Now it was the archer's turn to widen her eyes. "Of course not!"

Lux raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I was just asking!"

"Katarina means more to me than she knows!" They both halted their walk in the middle of a hall, facing each other as Ashe explained her feelings for the mentioned redhead. "What we have isn't an arrangement a Queen like I should be in, but I can't bring myself to put an end to it."

Lux's eyes widened, realizing what kind of 'relationship' Ashe is in with Katarina. "Are you two like… champions with benefits?"

Ashe's cheeks became warm and red. "Y-Yes."

"You fell in love with her!" Lux voiced out her realization. "But she doesn't… love… you."

Once she finished vocalizing her point, Lux blushed in embarrassment and laughed sheepishly, especially when she saw the hurt that crossed Ashe's face. She scratched the back of her head, removing her eyes from the archer across her.

"It was rather unnecessary to point it out loud." Ashe told her, frowning. The frown on her face was somehow out of place, since Lux rarely wore such a negative expression. The downhearted face looked nearly identical to a puppy that was kicked.

"Sorry." Came Lux's sheepish apology. "Umm, ahem. What made you love someone like her?"

"Someone like her?"

"Well, you know me. I'm a Demacian. Right now, Talon is the only Noxian I don't hate."

Ashe sighed, knowing she can't really blame the blonde. "I suppose you would not understand my reasons."

"Is it because she's good in bed?" Lux shyly asked.

"Lux!"

"What?" Lux defensively responded back. "I was just asking!"

"Aside from that," Ashe narrowed her eyes at Lux before continuing their walk. "Katarina is different whenever she is with me. She's not as hostile as she usually is."

"Right… Oh, uhh, can I ask one last question about you and her?"

"And what may that be?"

"Is it true you and Katarina did it at the Institute Library?"

The moment she finished, Lux watched as Ashe's face became as red as her face earlier. Honestly, she was hoping Ashe would deny it. It probably would have made her have second thoughts of giving up on her trips to the location itself.

"Lux, I…-"

"No need to explain the details." Lux quickly cut off. "I don't really want to know everything."

"Let's change the topic, then." Ashe said, clearing her throat. "Do you have any plans in furthering your relationship with Talon?"

"About that…" Lux fidgeted with her fingers. "I don't think Talon is the family-oriented type."

"Have you ever discussed it with him at least?"

"I'm not planning on having children right now!" Lux answered back, completely flustered. "I mean, if Katarina was a man, then would you actually be thinking about starting a family with her now?"

"If Katarina was a man, I'd probably be pregnant with our third child." Ashe responded with a face that displayed how serious she is with her words, not at all bothered with how Lux may react.

Lux became a sputtering mess. "W-W-What!? Are you two that active in bed!?"

"I don't question why Talon thinks 'rough play' is your favorite, do I?"

"T-That's different!" Lux retorted lamely, cheeks becoming flushed. "You know what, maybe it's not a bad idea if we tell them."

Once again, their walk halted. Lux became still when Ashe suddenly turned to her and grasped her by her arms, a disbelieving expression on the Queen's face.

"You're not actually serious about that suggestion of yours, are you?"

"I'm sixty percent serious." Lux timidly replied.

"No."

"What? Why?" Lux made a face when she was only supplied with only a single word as an answer. "Don't you think they should at least know? I mean, wouldn't that at least prevent them from trying anything with us?"

Ashe worriedly gazed at her, silently recalling the not so nice memory of her biting Talon's tongue. "Katarina would kill me."

"Kill you figuratively or literally?"

"Both."

"How can you be so sure? Didn't you at least think Katarina might have developed feelings for you too?"

"Didn't you think Talon might secretly be family-oriented?"

Lux pouted. "You need to stop returning my points like that."

"You wouldn't understand the extent of my relationship with Katarina." Ashe said, looking utterly concerned about the matter. "Three months ago, we both had an agreement that we would only turn to one another for any sexual release whatsoever. No one else."

"Three months ago?" Lux momentarily gaped. "How long have you two been seeing each other?"

"Two years."

"Two years!?" The shocked and incredulous look on Lux's face was so close in being considered comical. "No wonder you developed feelings for her!"

"Lux, we are trailing off topic. What matters is that we cannot afford to let Katarina or Talon know."

"Know what?"

Immediately, the pair spun to face the two voices that unexpectedly joined the conversation. At least eight to ten steps away from them, they spotted Talon and Katarina looking at them with an expression that made it clear they heard the last statement in their conversation.

"What are you two talking about?" Katarina questioned, eyes narrowing and hand wandering to the hilt of one of her blades. While Ashe was still thinking of a response, Lux's eyes flickered between Katarina's now healed nose and Talon's somewhat suspicious gaze. Before Lux even realized, she acted upon the redhead's inquiry without much of a thought.

"I'm a Demacian, so why should I tell you?" Lux said, shifting and making Ashe's hands let go of her arms.

"Demacian?" Once again, the two Noxians responded in unison.

…..

…..

…..

Ashe face-palmed herself, while Lux…

"Oh, uh," Lux turned slightly and pointed a finger at Ashe. "You were supposed to say that, not me."

"Too late." Came Ashe's muttered reply.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Heimerdinger escorted the four champions out of his quarters, wordlessly keeping his opinion about their unusual group. If he values his life and safety and peace of Piltover, he knew better than to question a Noxian, Freljordian and a Demacian, especially if there's tension in the air that's thick enough to be cut with a Doran's blade.

"If there are any side-effects or whatsoever, please notify me immediately." Heimerdinger told Ashe and Lux as they walked out of his unit.

"Thanks, Heimer!" Lux thanked with as much enthusiasm as she can, while Ashe said a much formal thanks.

Even when the pair walked down the hall leading to the exit of the Piltovian wing, the two Noxians accompanying them was still as silent as they were after they told them about the switch. Heimerdinger had caught them at the courtyard and at the very moment when Ashe and Lux finished explaining the situation, so technically, the assassins didn't really have a chance to voice out their thoughts.

The blank faces they wore made the other two feel more than a tad bit afraid of the future.

Once they reached the intersection that leads to the main hall and the other champion quarters, Talon and Katarina grasped one hand each of their partner's. It's as if they have the same idea in their heads, which is accurately true.

"We will never speak of this again." Katarina abruptly stated.

"Agreed." Talon answered back, face remaining blank.

Just like that, the two Noxians dragged their own partners down the hall leading to the Noxian wing, parting completely when they simultaneously entered two different champion chambers.

As if the doors served like some sort of promise, the four champions had never conversed about the incident ever again. In fact, whenever Katarina and Talon interacted with one another, they haven't, not even once, brought the memory up. With Ashe and Lux, well, they both have their own problems to deal with, so it was rare of them to speak with each other again.

A few questions still remained though.

Does Lux actually plan on deepening her relationship with Talon? And how would that be? With them being from rivaling nations, it would surely be difficult.

And what of Ashe? Will she be able to look past her feelings for Katarina and end the complicated relationship they have? How would Katarina react about such action?

Maybe those questions would be answered in a different tale.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Author's Note: While reading this, I'm sure you readers are cursing me to Hell. xD Yes! This is the author's note already and no matter how much you scroll down, you won't find any continuation! *insert evil laugh here*

Well! This was supposed to be a one-shot, but I figured it would be much better if I turn it into a two-shot at least. It won't be the first time, after all. Anyway, any suggestions you may want to see in the second part? If you do, please do tell me. I'll try to see if I can incorporate it. ^u^

This story has been in my drafts for quite a while, just like the unfinished one-shot I have in my drafts called "Body Pillows", which is mainly about how the female champions were somewhat forced to have themselves undergo a photoshoot and have their pictures printed on pillows, only for those pillows be sold as merchandise for any champion or summoner. There's a reason why they had to do this though, soooo, yeah. xD

If you guys want me to finish that particular one-shot ("Body Pillows") and have some of your ships be inserted, please tell me your ideas. For example, if you want Riven x Irelia, tell me who buys the body pillow and how you want them to react. Straight ships (example: Shen x Akali) are also allowed, since there's more than one body pillow of a female champion after all. xD

By the way, is anyone interested in seeing Baby Ashe and Baby Katarina together? xD (My siblings gave me a few ideas about this concept, but I'm leaving it up to you readers if you want this concept typed and uploaded ^^)

Anyway, until next time~! ^u^