The Diva's Bodyguard

by derplolplayer

When a nervous rapper is offered a chance for a spot in the K-POP band K/DA, she brings her best friend along for support. Having only her best interests at heart, the man accompanies her, but what he didn't expect was to cross paths with a certain Diva. After that, their lives changed and weren't the same anymore... But for better? Or for worse? (Evelynn x OC) (KDA AU).

16. Chapter 16

Hey all! Merry Christmas! Welcome back to another chapter of TDB. This one was difficult to write, BUT I managed to get it done before 2020 began. I apologize profoundly for the delay, but life stuff happens :P

Anyhow, this chapter's a juicy one imo, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing. Also for those Kayn mains who didn't like what I did last chapter... I have a feeling you'll know which part was inspired by the feedback xD

There's more at the end so I hope you enjoy! Be sure to watch out for an in-progress one-shot of Sugar Rush Evelynn and James that'll hopefully be dropped soon. I love that skin more than KDA tbh xD

Thanks to TheDarkArrow for beta reading! Hope you enjoy!

---

"Killing Spree! Game Over!"

Those were the words the announcer on the game said when Akali managed to kill James's character five times in a row, the killing spree adding more to her victory, but the rapper didn't gloat about it.

"Ah man. Good game." James grumbled.

"Good game James." Akali replied, bumping him with her shoulder as he lazily smiled at her. Akali couldn't stop grinning, feeling like they were back in their old apartment.

"I'll get you next time." James said, groaning as he sat up, putting aside the controller.

"What? You're leaving already?" Akali asked, her voice riddled with disappointed expectations.

"Still kind of sore." James defended, his bandages proof of his words. "And besides, last thing I want to do is rip them off when you destroy my ass again." He finished with a smirk.

Akali replaced her concern with a mirthful giggle. "Sounds like you're just being a sore loser." She stuck her tongue out.

James's eyes narrowed as his mouth closed. He wasn't prone to Akali's challenging demeanor, but this rather annoyed him. "Well that's not very considerate." He chided.

Akali's smile vanished immediately. Her cheeks colored as her stomach shrunk. "I'm sorry I…" She couldn't finish it, feeling immense guilt snowball quickly.

James felt his heart wrench when seeing Akali feel this way. Like the way she felt when accidentally making him annoyed with her, James felt guilt immediately after souring her playful mood. He had to remember that he was a big brother to her, and she was still young.

"Sorry about that. Just slipped out of nowhere." James sighed. "With the day I've had, hearing you call me the simplest of names just annoys me." He chuckled. "Perhaps I am a sore loser."

"No James, it's my fault." Akali said, shifting the blame to herself. "I'm not the one who had hot coffee get splashed on their face, not to mention the glass."

"Nothing but a flesh wound as I said." James repeated, Akali weakly chuckling, but a chuckle, nonetheless.

"Anyhow, I really shouldn't be playing games right now. I've got some more writing to do." Akali said, sounding glum about the task. James's brows furrowed, knowing she wasn't 100% truthful on wanting to do that yet.

"Oh I see, too chicken to live up to your words?" James asked turning the tables on her.

As expected, Akali glowered at him, save for James finding it to be cute instead of intimidating. Akali slowly smiled as her brows glared. James mentally congratulated himself for lifting her spirits.

"Who you calling chicken?" Akali asked.

"You." James replied. He took a step closer to her, raising his left hand with his index finger pointed out. He poked her nose, Akali blinking. "Boop. Bawk, bawk, chicken."

The next thing James felt was a body hurl against his, the man falling on the floor as his sides were attacked by devious fingers of Akali, tickling him mercilessly. His laughter didn't hesitate to resound as Akali giggled, tickling him while sneering his taunts back at him.

She eventually stopped tickling him, James catching his breath as Akali calmed herself down too. The rapper stuck her tongue at him, James groaning as he stretched.

"Alright, come on, let's do another one." Akali said, the determination in her voice telling James to hurry up.

"Do we really have to?" James asked. "Because I'm seriously not up for that."

Akali pouted, still feeling the mirthful energy from her and James's playful tussle. She accepted it. "Alright, I can accept that. Not fair for you to lose twice in a row." She snickered.

James let that slide, rolling his eyes. Akali turned off the Xbox, planning to get back to work. James heard a vibration nearby, seeing that Akali's phone had received a text message. Normally he wouldn't care, but with the current proximity, James saw no harm in briefly looking at it. He made out the name of the messenger.

"You got a text from Kayn here. Whoever that is." James said not interested.

Akali's eyes lit up. "Kayn?!" She exclaimed. The rapper intended to say that quietly but had failed to do so.

"Yeah… who's that?" James asked, not keenly interested still, but Akali's reaction shifted that.

"Um… it's just a friend." Akali said, blushing as she squirmed to seize the phone like her life depended on it.

"Hmm, don't think I met him before." James said, his tone entirely playful with no suspicions. He just found it cute when Akali acted so embarrassed.

"Well don't worry, he's a good guy. Doesn't need any confirmation." Akali said, or to be more accurate, spat. Her tone was defensive, and James's brows furrowed.

"Sorry did I say something wrong?" James asked, his voice caring and concerned.

Akali's face was red. The rapper had forgotten about James not being up to date with her having a boyfriend.

Well, okay she wasn't exactly sure if she'd call it that yet, but then again… her short time together with Kayn along with how they'd interacted would certainly… say something different anyway.

"No you didn't say anything wrong…" Akali muttered. "It's just… he's like, you know…"

James quickly figured out what it was. Evelynn's words came back to him. She mentioned something about Akali being on a triple date with Vi and Kai'sa. James wasn't too curious about Kai'sa's significant other, already knowing that Vi and Caitlyn were a thing, but he'd slipped on Akali.

"Oh… I see…" James slowly said, the tenderness of his voice not present.

The rapper sighed. She read Kayn's text, smiling despite the unspoken tension she felt with James now.

Kayn: I was laughing too much during the call I forgot to tell you; don't call me Kaynpai ever again. Please. Just don't.

Akali giggled, knowing herself that was a very cringy thing to say. She got to work on texting him back, but James clearing his throat gruffly intervened. Before long, Akali's perky mood went out the window, exhaling as she hesitantly looked at James. His arms were crossed, pose in a slightly questioning stance.

Akali glared.

"What?" She asked, pretending to not know why he was staring at her that way.

James smiled as he sighed. "Well I mean… I know it's not a huge focus of mine but… you know…" He said, expecting her to finish it.

The rapper rolled her eyes. "Why should you care James? You said I needed to become more independent. Well this is one of those things!"

He ushered a fake laugh. "When I said that, I didn't mean go off and find yourself a boyfriend without telling me about it first." He claimed.

"Oh, you're not jealous, are you?" Akali asked sarcastically. She knew that was bullshit.

"Akali, you don't even know this guy that well." James said, ignoring the statement. "I mean you met him like when? Two or three days ago?"

"I met him at the party James!" Akali exclaimed. "And if you'd taken more of an interest during these days in asking how I was doing instead of spending time with Evelynn you'd understand!"

"Implying that I had a choice." James countered. "I'm just trying to watch out for you Akali."

"Yeah well…" Akali stammered. She was fumed at the moment, and James trying to act reasonable now made her further annoyed. "Maybe you should stop trying to do that. You're not my father James. And besides, you seemed to be happier when you were with Evelynn, oblivious to me completely." She bluntly said.

Akali said those words with the clear intention to hurt James. She knew she'd be sorry later on after saying that, and she actually felt that way right now. James blinked, his brows furrowing as he frowned. Akali still glared at him, and James scoffed. That was enough to make her stop glowering, looking at him to see unmistakable hurt in his eyes.

"I'm sorry-"

"Don't bother."

James hastily left the bedroom, leaving Akali alone. His footsteps were heavy, each step echoing off the floor, holding a significant meaning for Akali. The rapper's eyes clamped tightly shut, wishing she could go back in time and never say those words. She didn't know why she was being this way all of a sudden. She wanted to chase after him, telling him repeatedly how sorry she was, but the thought of facing him again hurt her insides more than a punch to the gut.

She sat at the chair by her desk, pressing her hand against her temple as she whimpered, mentally cursing with guilt felt everywhere.

…

---

Evelynn lost count of how many minutes she'd been in the shower, not that she cared about that either. The diva had more important things to think about, and for very good reason.

She'd felt this way since James left the room, the diva this close to ripping his clothes off before Akali spoiled it. Damn brat.

The concept of being with someone wasn't entirely foreign to Evelynn. She'd been with several men beforehand, some standing out more than others, but in the end… she realized the only reason they gave her such feelings.

Lust.

The diva did her best not to think about it. All the fun she'd had with those other male celebrities, all the warm feelings she got from those… she always thought it was out of love.

But in end… her body was the real reason, and Evelynn could remember when she decided to break it off with them… with her eyes glistening.

"Weak." She muttered to herself.

Of course, that wasn't entirely how this whole situation was playing out. Evelynn wasn't sure if James even felt this way about her. Was he just doing this because of her body and appearance, or was it more than that? After all, when a woman like Evelynn was stripping in front of you, with the clear intention to have intercourse, even if you have a bad wound, that likely wouldn't stop the common man from accepting the offer.

But James… he just wanted to kiss her. Hell, he even requested that she get dressed again. Whether to be a gentleman or not, that was unexpected.

And when it came to the kissing, Gods Evelynn couldn't help herself.

Evelynn couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this way with a man, probably because she never did in the first place. To be held by your significant other, to just kiss each other without the assumption of it going deeper was, oddly comforting to Evelynn.

It wasn't about her needing another person to take care of her because she was weak or vulnerable. No, she was far from that, but even the seemingly coldest people might just want some warmth.

Everyone, or most people, even a strong hardass like Vi, needed that in their life, no matter how much they may deny it.

The more Evelynn thought about it, the more she imagined something she'd never think would happen, not for a long time.

To wake up next to another person, a person who you knew saw the outside and inside of yourself.

To fall asleep with them, knowing they'd be there in the morning.

To have… somebody to love.

The thought of this caused the diva to blink, her body soaked with the shower's glass door stained with the steams vapor. Figuring she'd been in here long enough, Evelynn shut the water off, stepping out with droplets sliding down all over. The diva sighed, wrapping herself in a towel as her stomach churned more and more.

This was absolutely insane, obtuse as well. How could she possibly have felt this way about a man she hadn't known that long? How was she even sure this was truly what she thought it was?

He was her bodyguard also, and with the video Culda had shown her of them kissing in the club, Evelynn knew this would have disastrous results if it got out. Culda, and even Ahri would probably kill her. Evelynn didn't even think about how Akali might react, but it'd likely be worse than the latter.

And yet, as she tried to resist this in a vain attempt, Evelynn felt sick to her stomach.

But when she gave in… she felt nothing but soft relief.

Evelynn sat herself on the bed, upright position as her hands folded at her thighs. She hung her head in contemplation, feeling a never-ending change between the good and the bad of this situation.

…

---

Akali hadn't moved from her chair since James left. She never liked to make him mad or upset with her. The rapper's arms were crossed, still cursing at herself for why she snapped at James for asking a reasonable question, not to mention a question a big brother who was looking out for you would ask too.

BZZ BZZ

Her phone vibrated again, Akali flinching with a gasp as it'd been deathly silent since James left. The rapper chose to grab it, seeing who was calling her.

She mustered a smile when seeing it was her cousin Irelia again. Akali exhaled, trying to rid the sadness she felt from her voice before answering the phone.

"Hello?"

"Akali?" Irelia's voice asked. "Good, it's you who answered this time instead of that sniveling Kai'sa."

Akali chuckled. "Irelia be nice."

"Hey, I don't like it when I call my favorite cousin and it's not her who answers." Irelia stated.

Another chuckle happened. "So what's up?" Akali asked.

"Hmm? Oh right! I was wondering, you still have your laptop, right?" Irelia asked.

"Yeah…"

"Well I told Karma about our little call, and, while I know you said you'd call her, she'd like to video chat with you right now. If that's possible." Irelia explained.

Akali's mouth matched her eyes. They were wide open when hearing that. It wasn't a demanding task, quite reasonable in fact, but given that Akali hadn't talked to her aunt in months, not to mention seeing her face made the rapper hesitant. Akali was down for it mentally, but her stomach begged to differ.

"So, is that okay?" Irelia asked, not hearing a response.

Akali flinched again. "Yeah, of course it is." She answered.

"Great! I'll see you in a moment then!" Irelia's voice squealed.

"Alright, see you soon." Akali said hanging up the phone.

The rapper sighed, leaning back into her chair. Her state was a mixture of excitement and anxiety. She was about to talk, virtually face-to-face with her aunt. It's not that Karma was hard to talk to; no she was a sweetheart.

It was more the fear of Karma maybe having expectations Akali didn't quite meet yet. Regardless, she felt good about it the more she thought. Akali went to her laptop, opening it and logging in. The background screen of her and James laughing in the photobooth popped up, Akali sighing with a smile.

"Good times." She mused.

She logged onto her web chat, her laptop's camera on and running. Akali clicked several times till she found Irelia's chat name; the latter going by frostbutt43. Akali always got a good chuckle from that.

She clicked on the name, and the screen opened.

"…"

"…"

"AKALI!"

Akali jumped as her eardrums were hammered by her cousin's words, Irelia's face a joyful smile, looking like she could kiss the screen if she wanted to. Akali scrambled to turn the volume down, her heart beating rapidly as Irelia remained oblivious.

"Irelia." Akali replied smoothly, looking at her cousin who was in a grey sweater, her blue hair smooth and silky, eyes a baby blue shade.

"It's so good to see you again!" Irelia squealed. "Even if it's just through a screen."

"Same to you Irelia." Akali answered. "You still got the blue hair I see."

Irelia shrugged. "Guilty as charged. It's often mistaken for being black, but I like a bit of color in-between."

"So, where's Karma?" Akali asked.

Irelia pouted. "You want to get rid of me so soon?" She immediately laughed when Akali gave her an exaggerated look. "She's just making some tea. I'll go get her."

Akali nodded, watching Irelia turn around and leaving her room, the rapper getting a brief glance at the woman's large buttocks. Akali shook her head at the thought of Irelia basing her chat name off her backside.

As she waited, the rapper could feel tension rise from the prolonged silence. She knew she was worrying over nothing, but her mind didn't give her a break. Footsteps could be heard from the screen, Akali watching the screen keenly as she heard Irelia's voice… and Karma's.

"I'm coming Irelia, slow down!" Karma's voice said, laughter in it.

"I'm sorry I'm just so excited!" Irelia squealed, plopping herself afront the screen again as Akali watched the other woman enter. Karma wore a sweater as well, being red with slim trousers. The woman sat beside Irelia, saying a few playful berates to her before turning to the screen.

Akali froze when Karma's emerald eyes met hers, the rapper's body going insane on the inside. When Karma's eyes narrowed, Akali's mouth gaped.

"Karma… hi…" Akali slowly addressed

The dark-skinned woman blinked like she was trying to decipher if this was her niece or not. Had it really been that long?

"Akali?" Karma asked, smiling slowly. The rapper's mouth twitched. Karma's eyes then widened, and she grinned sweetly. "Akali! My dear, sweet niece!" She warmly exclaimed. "Look at you!"

Akali couldn't fend off the waterworks. The rapper's eyes glistened with tears that left a thin sheen on her cheeks.

…

---

Evelynn had gotten dressed, her clothing the same from before, except with a jacket accompanying her upper body now. She'd given this a lot of thought, and while she wasn't sure entirely on what she'd do later on… she couldn't let this cloud her mind any longer.

The diva was… possibly, in love with her bodyguard. It was too soon to say, and Evelynn would have a lot more to think about, but she couldn't hold it.

The woman stood from her bed, checking herself in the mirror, adjusting her hair before choosing to leave her room. Evelynn strutted down the hall, her shoes echoing off the wood as the movement cleared up some of her mind.

Then, she heard a whimper from Akali's room, along with a sniffle. Evelynn's curiosity, for whatever reason, shifted to that direction. The diva's brows furrowed as she approached the rapper's room, peeking in to see Akali looking at her computer screen, her face a sad mirth.

Evelynn narrowed her eyes as she heard voices from the laptop.

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Karma." Akali said. "It's good to see you again."

"Why you crying?" Irelia asked. "Why's she crying?" She turned to Karma. "Oh my god, that scum Jim finally hurt you didn't he?!"

"Irelia." Karma berated. "I don't think it's that. It's not is it?"

"No, no it's not." Akali replied, wiping her eyes to rid the fluids. "It's just… well I haven't seen you in so long. Haven't texted you even." She confessed.

Karma's brows knitted, her lips pursing in a frown. "Oh, well that's understandable my little dragon. I've missed you too. But I also had a feeling you were very busy, having finally achieved your music career and all!" She said, lighting the mood.

A smile on the observing diva crept up, a devious look as she kept watching in secrecy. Akali looked strangely adorable.

Akali breathed shakily. "So you noticed that I was absent. That I didn't communicate with you at all?"

"Of course I did!" Karma said. "But again, I understood, because from what I'm seeing in your room there, along with what Irelia told me, you've finally achieved it! Don't fret over not texting me sweetie."

The rapper drew her thumb across her eye, brushing the last tear away. Karma smiled warmly, hating to see her niece so troubled over anything. Her smile often fixed that.

"But I do have to know." Karma asked, turning serious and catching Akali's undivided attention. "Is the jacket I made for you okay? Because I was informed, they'd be making some changes to it." She finished, smiling to show Akali she was kidding.

Akali laughed wheezily. "Yeah, it is. They actually say it's actually one of the best designs they've ever seen."

"Really?" Karma asked. "Well perhaps I should start to make some more. Lots of profits could be made off that eh?"

The rapper smiled happily, all negative thoughts of how this could've gone washed away. Karma noticed.

"So, how are the individuals in your band?" Karma asked. "Irelia told me that one of them answered your phone when she called.

"Did she include the part of her threatening them?" Akali asked jokingly.

"I'm just trying to help!" Irelia exclaimed, pouting with Akali laughing.

"I ignored that part." Karma answered. "They seem like really great people. I also know they're probably the wisest people in the world, getting you in their band and all."

Akali could only exhale, feeling too humble to speak on Karma's words. Her aunt had this charisma.

"Speaking of people... where's that good friend of yours… Jim?" Irelia asked. "I'd like to have a word with him…"

"His name's James, Irelia, and I don't think it'd be wise to have you talk to him." Akali countered.

"Fine." Irelia replied. "Just as long as he's not being rude to you."

"Irelia, be nice." Karma scolded. She flipped the conversation back to the relevant state. "So what're you doing now? Are you writing lyrics? I hope Irelia didn't interrupt."

Evelynn had been in the dark long enough, choosing to barge in with the door softly thumping against the wall. Akali's eyes immediately directed themselves to the intruder, and she grew alert in moments.

"Akali? AKALI?!" Irelia asked. "What's going on?! I'll save you!"

"Irelia! Please!" Karma soothed. "Akali, is something the matter?"

"Uh…" Akali groaned, looking at Evelynn who smiled sultrily. The diva snickered.

"Well come on darling, don't be shy." Evelynn cooed. "Introduce me."

"Who said that?! You better not touch her!" Irelia protectively growled.

Evelynn laughed. She decided to lean down into the camera's lens, seeing Irelia and Karma, still holding that smile.

"Oh hello." Karma greeted warmly.

"Hello there." Evelynn replied. "I suppose you must be relatives of Akali?"

"Damn right! And if you're not careful, you'll be dead to Akali in moments!" Irelia claimed.

Evelynn squinted her eyes with her mouth in an O shape. "Oooh, such fire! I suppose that's where Akali gets her attitude from?" Evelynn asked.

Karma sighed, apologizing for Irelia's behavior. "Forgive my daughter, she's just protective over her family and relatives." She said, looking at Akali who finally looked at the camera again. "Akali? Aren't you going to introduce us?"

"Umm… well…" Akali droned.

"It's quite alright Akali." Evelynn assured. "It's very difficult to introduce someone like myself." She said, completely full of herself. "My name is Evelynn, and your niece is lucky enough to have my acquaintance." She playfully continued.

Karma nodded, showing interest as Irelia narrowed her eyes. The bluenette then gasped, her eyes wide open with a gaping smile.

"Evelynn? As is the diva Evelynn? The most turmoil bitch in the industry?!" She asked.

"Irelia!" Akali shouted.

Evelynn proudly huffed with a giggle. "Little excessive darling, but yes, that's me." She answered, flipping her hair with a confident pose.

"Akali, is this one of your bandmates?" Karma asked.

"Yes… she is." Akali answered. She apologized on Irelia's behalf, Evelynn waving it off with agreement that Irelia's words were correct.

"Well that's wonderful!" Karma exclaimed. "Nice to meet you… um, Evelynn was it?'

Evelynn smiled toothily. She decided to close the distance between her and the laptop's camera, pushing Akali slightly with the rapper quietly objecting.

"You're correct on that. I don't suppose you'd be Akali's aunt? The mastermind behind her jacket?" Evelynn asked.

Karma's face reddened. She wasn't the kind of person to take compliments, especially from someone like Evelynn. "Well I am but, I'm not sure if I'd consider it to be that well done."

"Honey, you must not know that I happen to like it too. And if I'm saying that, then you know you've done a fine job at the design job." Evelynn continued.

Karma decided to take the compliments. "Thank you very much Evelynn. I'm not sure why Irelia decided to call you such a vulgar word."

"And I'm not sure why Akali isn't producing lyrics quicker for us when she's got such a supportive and charismatic aunt." Evelynn said, her sentence a mix of disappointment and compliments. "Not to mention a very… concerned cousin I suppose."

"Again, forgive Irelia she-" Karma stopped, noticing that Irelia wasn't beside her anymore. "Umm…"

Irelia wasn't present anymore in the room, but Karma soon heard rapid footsteps from the hall, knowing it was Irelia and the girl returned to her room, holding a pair of blue leggings that she held to the camera.

"Evelynn!" She exclaimed. "If I ever meet you, can you sign these?" She asked holding the legwear to the camera. "The size of my ass will stretch the words out if you write small, so it'll have to be big!"

"Oh Irelia, for God's sake!" Karma said with disgust.

"What?" Irelia asked defensively.

Karma pinched the bridge of her nose as Akali facepalmed herself. Evelynn merely smirked at the request, finding it funny and strangely not out of the question.

"I'm sure I can do that, maybe just don't ask that when your cousin or mother are present." She giggled.

Irelia seemed to be completely oblivious. Karma asked her politely to put the leggings aside as she took control of the video again.

"So Evelynn, can I um, see my niece again?" she asked.

The diva hummed, but then realized she'd taken up the camera, removing herself and giving Akali back the spotlight. The rapper looked at Karma who'd put on that smile that would make any frown vanish.

"Akali, sadly I need to leave soon." Karma said with a sigh. Akali's brows came together, the rapper frowning. "I'm meeting a few friends for lunch, but I couldn't pass on this opportunity to talk to you."

Akali still frowned. "Thanks Karma. I really, really appreciate that."

"Hey." Karma sternly said catching Akali's attention. The woman appeared to cup the screen like she would Akali's cheeks. "Listen, I'm very, very, very proud of you." She said, the seriousness in her voice making Akali's heart skip a beat. "Don't fret about not being in contact my sweet niece. You're a busy girl, and understand that your Aunt, and your cousin, will always love you. Your parents as well."

Akali sighed. Karma did the same.

"You've come so far my little dragon. I could never be prouder of you." Karma said, her voice starting to break. "You have so much talent. So much fire in you. Never let anyone tell you the difference."

Akali sniffled, a tear sliding down as she saw Karma let one out too. "Thanks Karma…"

Karma exhaled. She wiped her eye, putting on a determined smile. "Now then… get out there and show them that fire within you. Be the symbol of your family. Be a dragon." She encouraged.

The rapper stifled a warm chuckle. Karma smiled, knowing she'd given Akali a boost. The woman reached to the camera.

"We'll see you later Akali. Love you." Karma said.

"Love you too Karma. See you around Irelia." Akali said.

"What?! You're closing it?! But I wanted to show Evelynn my-!"

The screen closed down, Akali staring into blackness as she sighed, leaning back in her chair. Evelynn looked at her, Akali taking a deep breather as Evelynn's tongue clicked her interiors.

"She's a very sweet woman Akali. You're lucky." Evelynn commented.

"Yeah… I know she is." Akali woefully said. "I just wish… I'd been talking to them these past months. Let them know how I'm doing."

"Oh Akali darling." Evelynn cooed. She stepped behind Akali's chair, her soft hands coming down on the rapper's shoulders as Akali flinched, Evelynn smiling as she started to massage her. The girl moaned contently from Evelynn's expert motions. "You shouldn't blame yourself as she said. You've got a lot on your plate right now, and your aunt understands entirely."

"I guess." Akali groaned. Evelynn hit a good spot, earning a satisfied moan from the rapper. She smiled, crouching down behind the chair.

"You're still unwell. I can feel it in you." Evelynn mused. "Tell me… what's wrong?"

Akali sighed. She'd always had this fear in the back of her head, and when Irelia said she was doing a video chat, Akali saw that as the best time to tell her what that fear was.

Failure.

That was one of the reasons Akali hadn't contacted Karma or Irelia recently but wasn't a huge factor. She'd been caught up in other things as well, but she always feared that if she called Karma or vice versa, she'd have nothing to show for it. She wanted to make Karma proud as she'd been more of a mother to Akali than her actual one.

While Akali knew Karma could never be disappointed with her, the rapper felt like she owed it to her. She'd made her jacket for crying out loud!

"Akali, I'm sensing some fear in you." Evelynn purred.

Akali's eyes lit up. It was like Evelynn read her mind.

"Am I wrong?" She asked. The rapper slumped her shoulders, Evelynn's massage halting as Akali's head hung too. She begrudgingly shook her head, confirming Evelynn's question and the diva clicked her tongue. "Is it… the constant worry of failing?"

"It's failing them…" Akali muttered. "This band is sort of there, but far less of a concern."

"Well that's nice to know." Evelynn commented sarcastically.

"Karma's given me so much." Akali sighed. "All she wants is to see her niece succeed. After all, that's what I promised before I went rogue on my family."

"Oh darling." Evelynn cooed. "You might just get me all emotional."

Akali rolled her eyes with a glare. Evelynn decided she didn't need this right now; the diva having heard the girl cry earlier. Akali felt Evelynn's presence behind her shift, and the rapper's body was slightly moved.

"What're you doing?" She asked in an annoyed manner.

"Stand up sweetie." Evelynn sternly said.

Akali's intimidating attitude vanished after that. She stood from her chair, Evelynn taking the initiative to move her toward a mirror. The rapper watched as Evelynn moved to the other side, her hands on the rapper's shoulders now as Akali watched her reflection.

"What do you see darling?" She asked.

Akali sighed. "I see myself… and you." She droned.

Evelynn's gratuitous smile vanished, the diva rolling her eyes as Akali looked at her reflection.

"Okay I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Evelynn exasperated. "Let's try it again. Akali, what do you see?"

The rapper held off an eyeroll. "I see… a confident… diva… and lyricist."

Evelynn's tongue clicked, earning a sigh from Akali. The diva shook Akali's shoulders a little bit, the rapper looking at her with uncertainty.

"What're you doing?" She asked.

"Shaking things up." Evelynn replied. "I think it'll help bring out that confident girl who danced in front of hundreds of people she didn't know at the party."

Akali blinked, brows rising with her wider eyes. Evelynn watched her reaction in the mirror, chuckling softly. She stopped shaking Akali, stepping away with her hands planted on her rounded hips.

"So, did that fix anything?" She asked. Akali was going to answer, but Evelynn knew she needed a slight push. "Don't answer that actually, allow me."

The rapper begrudgingly agreed. Evelynn's hands went on her shoulders again, gripping them tightly to catch Akali's attention. Evelynn leaned her head closer.

"Do you know what I see?" Evelynn asked. "I see a strong, independent woman whose got the fire of a dragon in her. I see a self-made singer and songwriter who keeps climbing the latter every day. I see strong potential waiting to break free and wow audiences all around… and more importantly… to make those close to me proud." Evelynn said.

Akali's attention was captivated when Evelynn mentioned the fire. A flame as powerful as a dragon's very breath. The rapper's heart stopped aching, Evelynn's words recalling how Karma saw Akali, and more importantly, said what she was.

A dragon… about to unleash the fire. All of her potential.

The rapper smiled.

"Oh and look, you're here too!" Evelynn exclaimed.

Akali's mouth twitched, her eyes blinking yet again as Evelynn's snicker sounded. The rapper groaned, hanging her head back as she glared. Evelynn's hand patted her back, the diva moving closer where her chest touched Akali's.

"Now, now honey, don't be grumpy." She teased. "I could see it. The confidence and gift that you have inside. The stuff you know you have."

She expected Akali to smile. Evelynn waited for her mouth to elevate in the corners, but as time passed, nothing happened. Evelynn exerted frustration.

"Oh come on darling! What's the problem?!" Evelynn asked.

Akali pouted. She was repeating herself with the words she'd speak next. "What if my lyrics are… stupid? What if they make no sense?"

Evelynn's right hand pinched her temple, the diva mumbling to herself. "Oh for the love of- what're you talking about? Just sing darling! Sing! Those who wish to sing always find the lyrics for their song! Forget about what setting you're in! Think back to when you performed on the streets! What drove you to write and perform those raps of yours! Don't try to be creative, just be amazing!" Evelynn exclaimed.

During her surprising outburst of what she hoped was inspirational words, Evelynn failed to realize she'd been shaking Akali's shoulders, the rapper's eyes wide with her mouth shut. Evelynn blinked, realizing what she'd done, and quickly let go of Akali.

"Sorry about that… got a little carried away." She muttered.

Akali didn't offer acceptance of her apology, mildly shaken up by Evelynn's words and her actions, literally.

"Do you really think so…?" Akali asked.

"Well I'm not taking back those words so yes I do. Not to mention I already said they were good, so take from that what you will." Evelynn answered, crossing her arms. She then huffed. "This must be what it's like to be James." She amusedly said.

Saying his name made Evelynn realize what she'd originally intended to do, having been sidetracked by stepping into Akali's room when she heard the rapper talking to her aunt. Evelynn's stomach started to wrench faintly, the diva suddenly feeling one-sided tension given that she was literally talking to the girl whose brother she, presumably, had feelings for.

"Well then… thanks Evelynn." Akali said, sounding very appreciative of Evelynn's abrupt, but helpful words. "I didn't realize you could be so helpful."

Evelynn flashed Akali a short smile. "It's what I do sweetie; I watch out for those close to me. Figuratively anyway. Now, I must be off."

Akali said goodbye, Evelynn already leaving when she'd said that. The rapper sat back down in her chair, taking a deep breath as she recollected herself.

When she opened her eyes, Akali looked at the paper, and grabbed a pen.

…

---

James returned to the guards' quarters, still a bit wound up by him and Akali's small argument, along with her being so private about her boyfriend Kayn.

Her reaction was understandable to say the least, but that didn't excuse her reason for being so hostile as well. She'd known Kayn for a penny's worth of the time she'd known James.

Then again, this was an entirely different situation and the comparison wasn't fair. Besides, Akali was a smart girl, more or less. She could handle herself thoroughly enough anyway. Perhaps James hadn't anticipated this kind of situation when he wanted her to be less clingy and more independent.

He entered the quarters, finding it to be devoid of the presence of Riven and Shen. James heard Vi's voice in another room, the woman chuckling in her conversation. James followed the source, finding Vi in a room he hadn't been in yet amazingly. From the dumbbells on racks and the punching bag present, he knew it was the exercise room.

"Really now?" Vi asked, appearing with her phone. She was wearing a white tank-top with some dark boxer shorts. "You want me to wear the pink stuff with feathers around the…" She whistled, keeping the word unknown. "Oh Caitlyn, you're being quite the hot Cupcake tonight, aren't you?" She seductively growled.

James felt his face grow warmer, not intending to eavesdrop on a private conversation, but Vi spotted him and it was too late.

"Yeah alright Caitlyn, I'll be sure to call you later on. Can't wait to see you!" Vi exclaimed. "Love you, bye."

James put his hands up, shrugging as Vi ended the call, placing her phone on a desk that had a water bottle.

"You know, it's not very polite to be eavesdropping on conversations James." Vi said, taking a large gulp from her water.

"It's also a good idea to keep your voice low if you're discussing such things." James replied.

Vi snorted with an eyeroll. She turned around, pacing to the punching bag with her hands wrapped in bandages. "So James, you come in here to work out with me? I'm willing to share the punching bag."

"No thanks I'm good." James answered.

"Aw come on, good way to let off some steam." Vi said, hitting the bag as she spoke. "Unless your reason for coming in here is to watch my ass bounce as I do my workout." She snickered.

James laughed and rolled his eyes. Vi laughed as well, her tank top becoming more stained with sweat as she laid waste to the tough object. James chose to watch her in silence, unsure of what to say exactly. He then remembered that triple date Evelynn told him about. Vi was likely aware of Kayn and Akali being a thing, and James chose to ask about that.

"Actually, can I ask you something?" James said.

"Ask away James." Vi replied, sending a wide kick to the bag.

"That triple date you went on with Kai'sa and Akali a few nights ago… was Akali with someone? A guy named Kayn?" James asked.

Vi stopped her punches after that, catching her breath before looking at James. She felt some tension rise, and she put on a windward smile.

"That's a possibility…" Vi answered slowly. "Did I tell you that I was the one who hooked them up actually?"

James's eyes widened. "What?! You did?!"

"Calm down man!" Vi laughed, keeping the situation light. "They met again at the studio on her first day! I just happened to handle the task of getting her his number." She innocently explained.

James groaned, giving Vi a disbelieving look. "Why would you do that?"

Vi's smile went away, rolling her eyes. "Look James, I know you and she are close, but come on, the girl's gotta get out there. Besides, they're both perfect for each other!"

"I don't mind her dating; I just think it's something I should be informed of."

"Did Evelynn tell you that night?" Vi asked.

"Well… yes, but-"

"Then what're you complaining about?" She asked, a wheeze in her voice.

"I'm not complaining! I'm just concerned about her getting in with the wrong crowd…" James confessed. "It wouldn't be the first time it's happened."

Vi sighed, sympathizing with his worries. She put her hand on his shoulder. "James, I'm her bodyguard. Trust me, if I thought she was in any danger I'd be sure to make sure that wasn't the case. Besides Kayn's' a swell guy!" She cheerfully said. "He's got this bad boy look to him, but he's not entirely that. Not to mention I think Akali really, really likes him." She winked.

James pinched his noses bridge, shaking his head. Vi patted his shoulder a few times, still keeping that smile.

"Come on, I don't think it's all that bad." Vi said, choosing to head back to the punching bad. "Especially after everything you kept from her. I can only imagine her reaction makes yours pale in comparison."

James had been smiling with amusement, but when hearing Vi say that next sentence, it slowly went away.

"Sorry what?" James asked.

Vi silently laughed, about to explain to James what she meant, but after a few moments, she came to the realization. The pinkette turned to James, mouth open with her tongue clicking her interior. Vi's eyes darted away for a moment.

"Wait a minute, you didn't tell her?" Vi asked, sounding mildly shocked.

James felt like a spotlight was on him in front of hundreds of people. Vi gave him that feeling anyway, and he put his hands up with a defeated sigh. Vi's brows wriggled together, her head tilting with disbelief.

"James…" She said, a bit distraught.

James wiped his hand down his face. "What? Vi, you know where I was at the time." He reasoned. "It was a tough spot for me, and what I endured, what we endured, isn't something you'd want to bring up in your introduction." He continued.

"That's a fair point, but why wouldn't you tell her about it when you two knew each other better?" Vi asked.

"Vi…"

"James, you told me how you and she met. At the party." Vi said. "I think she'd have understood… in some cases."

"Again, that's not something you wanted to bring up when making a first impression." James repeated, his tone serious and dark.

Vi blinked as her brows rose. She exhaled, stepping toward James who watched her. The pinkette blankly looked at him before swiftly embracing him. James did the same out of habit, Vi exhaling deeply next.

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to reopen old wounds James." She said. "Akali's just been asking me about you and me is all."

James sighed, closing his eyes with a long breath.

"She's a good kid James." Vi said, patting his shoulder. "And if you think keeping the things, we've done away from her ears is the best choice… then I won't question it."

His eyes closed. Vi's breathing shuddered a bit, a tear sneaking through her lids as she gripped him tightly.

"I'm gonna go take a quick shower." She said, meeting his eyes.

James's posture was slumped. "It better be quick. I think I'll be needing one too."

Vi hummed and smiled. She decided to leave the room, tossing the bandages in a bin as James watched her leave.

When she was gone, James pinched his noses bridge, closing his eyes.

"Ahh… so pious and moral…"

James's face scrunched into a frown.

"Understand? After what we did…? James… you're making this too hard on yourself."

"Shut up…" James muttered.

A cackle sounded, and it was like nails on a chalkboard to James. He opened his eyes, seeing… somewhat unsurprisingly, a familiar pale woman. She wore a partially opened housecoat, appearing to have no clothing underneath.

"She'll find out one day… and when she does… it'll be just like in Zaun."

James's hand clenched, scowling before thrusting said fist forward. A blow sounded, and James's knuckles felt immense pain as he grunted.

He'd hit the punching bag, being alone in the workout room with the shower running nearby. James took a breather, relaxing himself to rid the thoughts. He looked at his knuckle which was partially damaged. James removed his suits coat, setting the tie aside and got some bandages, beginning to hit the object with the correct protection.

…

---

Evelynn's original intention to meet with James had been delayed with her stop in Akali's room. The diva didn't expect to make a detour again, but when she passed the living room, Evelynn couldn't help but stop her movements when she saw Ahri laying on the couch… with her head in Shen's lap. The diva quietly giggled to herself, finding the presented scene to be adorable. Of course, she soon gaped her mouth as Ahri sunk further down into Shen's waist, the man's hand in her hair as he patted her.

She sighed softly, continuing to watch in secrecy the motions Shen did for Ahri. The blonde's face was half-hidden, but Evelynn could make out her closed eyes. The diva almost felt envious of her.

Shen's hands then stopped petting her, Ahri noticing it as the male bodyguard tried to find his vibrating phone. He apologized profoundly to Ahri who was disappointed but understood. The man answered his phone.

"Hello? Oh, hi Syndra." Shen said. He flinched his head away suddenly before hesitantly bringing his ear to it again. "Okay calm down, I cannot talk to you when you're yelling at me. Kayn didn't tell you?" He continued. "Yes, I did know he's seeing someone. He's my nephew. I thought you'd have known too."

Evelynn found the scenario amusing and glanced to Ahri who was smiling and softly giggling too. Shen scratched his hair as he sighed.

"Okay, Syndra. Syndra. Syndra!" Shen advised, his hand doing a gesture that matched it. "Look, if you're going to yell at me, we can talk later." He said. From Shen's audible inhale, Evelynn knew that wouldn't be an option. "Okay, call me back when you calm down." Shen turned off his phone, letting out a rare sigh of frustration. He heard Ahri giggle behind and he turned to her. "Sorry about that Ahri, I hope you didn't feel uncomfortable hearing that."

"It's alright Shen." Ahri said, still softly laughing from seeing Shen emitting some emotions. "It was kinda funny."

Shen chuckled. "Wish I could say the same."

Another vibration was heard, Shen sighing and not planning to answer it, but Ahri's nod told him to do it. With another sigh, Shen took out his phone, seeing that it wasn't Syndra calling him this time, but Zed. His eyes widened.

"Forgive me Ahri, I'm probably going to be a few." He groaned.

"No problem Shen!" Ahri squealed, flopping down comfortably on the couch, sinking into it. "I'm not going anywhere!"

Shen thanked her, walking out of the room before answering his phone. Ahri sat up cross-legged, her hands on her waist as she waited for him to eventually return.

"Well, you look quite comfortable there." A voice commented.

Ahri's ears perked, looking right to see Evelynn standing in the doorway, her posture telling Ahri she'd been watching. The blonde's blood coursed to her cheeks, Ahri's head flopping into her arms as Evelynn strutted into the living room, taking a seat next to the blonde who faintly peeked out from her arms. Evelynn's neck moved to get a gander at Ahri's eyes, seeing some wetness in the corner of them.

"Oh Ahri, don't be such a sourpuss," Evelynn said. "I'm not going to say anything you know."

Ahri huffed, no doubt pouting under her arms. Evelynn rolled her eyes, the diva's hand coming out to close the gap of Ahri's ears. She scratched one delicately, Ahri purring softly and she finally lifted her head up, face fed with her eye's corners holding those welts.

"So… I take it you and Shen are…" Evelynn said, drawing out the question to avoid a rude assumption.

"We're not." Ahri sharply replied, the defensiveness reflecting her facial state. "Okay, maybe we are… he's just unsure of it yet… for professional reasons."

Evelynn clicked her tongue, Ahri's words striking up a concern she'd been thinking about for a while.

"Look, what's it to you?" Ahri asked, sniffling once and staring accusingly at the diva. "It's none of your business."

Evelynn put her hands up. "I know it's not my business darling." She agreed. "As I said, I won't say anything."

"Then you agree with him being hesitant." Ahri answered. Evelynn blinked, her eyes blankly looking into space when hearing Ahri say that.

Of course she agreed with Shen being hesitant. She didn't know what Caitlyn might've done given that the head of security was in a public relationship with Vi who was a bodyguard. This wasn't quite the same scenario but was similar regardless. If Culda found out, there'd be dire consequences for Shen and even Ahri possibly.

But that's where it changed. Ahri sounded like she wanted to this. She seemed like she really desired to be in, as unprofessional as it may be, a serious relationship with Shen, her bodyguard. Evelynn had known Ahri long enough to know she rarely faked it, and when seeing how she interacted and behaved around Shen told Evelynn this was important to the blonde.

Something akin to anger surfaced through Evelynn's veins. Her throat became sore, and the only way she felt to clear it up was to ask Ahri why… she couldn't.

"So what's wrong Ahri? Why can't you go through with it?" Evelynn asked. The knot in her throat became tighter, the diva feeling the presumed anger build up around there.

Ahri sighed, her breathing bated. "Because I don't know what'd happen afterward… what would happen to Shen... I don't want him to lose his job over my selfish desires." She sadly said. "Culda would…"

Culda.

That word struck a chord in Evelynn. The soreness in her throat discarded, the akin feeling of anger coming out and Evelynn's hands were on Ahri's shoulders, the blonde's eyes wide as Evelynn tensely stared.

"Culda would what?" Evelynn asked, tone passive-aggressive as Evelynn's brows glared. The diva didn't know where this came from. "Listen to me Ahri and listen well." She firmly said. "You owe it to yourself, not to others, to follow what your heart desires. To hell with what those other people think, no matter how powerful they think they might be, understand?" She asked. The diva's voice was serious and held conviction that sounded like it'd been a long time coming. "If you truly care for Shen and want this, so long as he's returned some affection for you, then you owe it to yourself to chase it. If you don't, you'll spend the remainder of your days wishing you had." Evelynn finished, her voice becoming calmer and quieter over the duration.

She blinked to herself and sighed to herself. Evelynn let go of Ahri who was dumbstruck, mouth agape in awe, confusion, and small bits of fear.

"Evelynn?" Ahri asked, genuinely concerned. "Are you okay?"

Evelynn appeared to be recovering from the aftershock of her abrupt, surprisingly touching talk. The diva's mind was a mess right now, but despite all of that, she put on that signature smile. Ahri's brows furrowed, her instincts telling her that was a façade.

"Yes… I am." Evelynn slowly said. "I have to go… take care of something right now." She continued. The diva stood from the couch, not looking at Ahri who she knew wasn't fully convinced. "Remember what I said, okay?"

Evelynn didn't look back, striding out of the living room as Ahri watched her body disappear.

"…"

"…"

"…"

As soon as she was out of the house, Evelynn braced herself against the door, taking a deep inhale. The knot had returned to her, tension felt rising within as the diva's mind continued to remain a whirlwind of emotions, debate, and uncertainty.

This made no sense to her. She'd been the infamous, bad bitch diva Evelynn a week ago, now she was having a crisis that contradicted that image in every way. She just gave Ahri a lecture on, presumably, finding love. Maybe it wasn't entirely that, but Evelynn never imagined she'd be in such a position.

Making things worse, she meant every word of that. How could Evelynn possibly be in love? She was a one-night stand kind of person, but that also isn't who she used to be either. Maybe that's the reason she lectured Ahri… to help the blonde becoming li-"

Evelynn bit her fist when that thought came across. The diva's eyes closed in an effort to rid this disgusting feeling of weakness. She'd never been so anxious over something in her life… but like she said to Ahri, if she didn't do this now… she'd spend the remaining time wondering… what if?

Evelynn's eyes opened, looking at the small household that was for the personal bodyguards. The magenta haired woman saw someone open the door, the bright pink hair telling her who it was. Vi didn't appear to notice Evelynn, the pinkette on her phone and talking to who Evelynn assumed was Caitlyn. Evelynn started to trek down to the quarters, her heart increasing inhumanely as her body felt like it was burning. She reached the knob, taking a breather and opening it. Evelynn stepped in, her footwear echoing off the wooden floor as she noticed the difference between the guard's quarters and the K/DA's household, having not been in here frequently.

Sounds of hard hands hitting a surface were heard not far from the entrance. Evelynn walked to the doorway, peering in to see something that made her cover her mouth.

James was in a white muscle shirt, the diva unaware he'd changed into it, throwing blows at a punching bag. His upper torso, while she'd seen it bare before, was glistening in sweat. His pits were darkened considerably with sweat, his biceps having hints of said fluid on them. Evelynn's conflicted state was pushed aside briefly, the diva envisioning if he'd been doing this without a shirt on instead.

She felt warm…

"Evelynn?"

The diva shook her head, seeing the punching bag dangling back and forth and then James's upper body heaving. The man put his hands on his knees, droplets of sweat coming off him and landing on the mate. Evelynn was kissed by fire, the diva actually looking away with her mouth covered to hide her blush. She couldn't believe she was acting this way.

"Hey, you alright?" Asked James.

Evelynn cleared her throat. She turned to James who scooped up his buttoned shirt and jacket, the man taking a towel to dry himself before slinging the clothing over his shoulder. Evelynn wanted to speak, but her voice couldn't be found. James approached her slowly, the woman smelling his aroma and musk from his workout. It was nearly intoxicating for her and Evelynn felt light-headed.

"What're you doing here?" James asked, wiping his scalp as Evelynn didn't answer. "Come to see me workout?" He joked.

"No." Evelynn finally answered. "I wanted to talk to you about something actually."

James merely shrugged. "Sure, what is it?"

"Can we talk about it somewhere more… private?" Evelynn asked.

Despite the woman having no innuendo to be detected, James concluded that she wanted to pick up where they left off earlier. "Sure." He said.

Evelynn let him go first, James walking to the bedroom with the diva in tow. Evelynn closed the door, her heart beating in her ear as she took in a breath. James put on a fresh shirt, looking at the diva who remained at the door. He decided to instigate what he assumed she wanted, walking up to her back and pressing his waist against the curve of her ass.

The diva flinched, her head hitting James's mouth with the latter grunting. Evelynn turned around with wide eyes.

"Ow." James sarcastically commented.

"What're you doing?" Evelynn asked with shock.

James thought it was obvious to her, his arms in a clueless shrug. "What you wanted, right? That's why you said a more private place?" He asked.

Hearing those words put a dubious and even slightly offended look on Evelynn, though only for a moment. The diva had only herself to blame for feeling this way, so she swallowed the lump of soreness.

"Is that what you think of me, darling?" She asked. "That I only want to bed with you when we're alone?"

James sighed. He always felt like he was the one responsible despite having a somewhat valid reason to assume such a predicament.

"Well, sorry if that offended you." He said. "It's just that since this started… that seems to be the case. Mostly."

The diva pinched her nose, knowing she shouldn't blame him for thinking she'd want that under the circumstance. Again, she had only herself to blame and James having a presumption made it more bizarre.

"Look, what did you wanna talk about?" James asked getting them back on track.

Evelynn breathed a long sigh. She sat down on the bed beside James, hands curling at her kneecaps as she pursed her lips and blew a little.

"James, what do you think of me?" Evelynn asked. "What do you think of me as a woman?"

James thought about it for a few moments before realizing she needed to be more specific. "What do you mean exactly?" He asked.

The diva's heart skipped a beat. This was so out of her character. "I meant… do you think a woman like me can possibly… find love?"

The man blinked with curiosity, then again with realization. His left brow raised up. This wasn't what he was expecting at all from Evelynn. Only the question though.

"I'm sorry are you asking me for… dating advice?" He asked.

"Does it sound like I am?" Evelynn snapped. "I'm asking if you think a woman like me… can love someone?"

James could sense Evelynn being serious, but he was honestly still surprised and wasn't sure if this was something he should answer. "I don't think I'm the right person to ask-"

"James." Evelynn bluntly said. He flinched and then froze when she said that command with force. James's throat tightened, but he loosened it.

"Alright… I'll tell you what I think." He firmly answered.

Evelynn seemed to brace herself for the answer like she would die if she didn't. Again, this wasn't in her character, but the diva refused to pour salt onto her wounds.

"Of course you can." James answered with nothing but truth. "Anyone can find love… most people."

Evelynn breathed out relief. She wondered what he meant by most people, but that wasn't a priority.

"Care to explain why you think I can?" She asked.

"I don't think you can." James corrected. "I know you can. Evelynn… is there someone right now… you're feeling that way towards?" He asked.

Evelynn hated this. She felt weak and vulnerable, all because of a damnable feeling she threw out the window years ago… or so it seems she thought. The diva's fingers dug into her knees further, James watching her facial expressions.

"Yes." Evelynn answered smoothly.

James, for whatever reason, smiled at the diva. For a moment this was like he was giving advice to Akali, but after thinking that, James wondered why the hell he was doing this other than for that reason. He knew who Evelynn was. On popular media, she was a woman who could be loved one day and hated the next.

Here, she looked entirely different.

He decided to help her out. James put his hand on her shoulder, Evelynn meekly flinching from his warm touch as she slowly looked over. James was smiling encouragingly.

"Well there you go then." He said. "If you don't mind me asking… who is this person exactly? Is it a man? A… woman?" He asked, unsure if that was appropriate.

Evelynn scoffed a chuckle. "It's a man." She said.

"Of course it is." James chuckled too. "Is there any particular reason, or reasons you like him?"

The woman sighed. She looked upward blankly. "There's plenty of reasons why I like him… and they're all reasons that make no sense to me." She laughed.

"Well, what are they?"

Her nostrils exhaled. "He's caring… charming… and he actually does things that… don't revolve entirely around my appearance. He's not entirely… lust I guess." She confessed.

James's hand patted her shoulder once. Evelynn's heart warmed further from that.

"I take it a lot of men you've been with haven't been the same?" He asked.

She nodded solemnly. "Yes sweetie… I suppose."

Evelynn felt his hand let go of her shoulder, and she peered at him again. Her stomach started to roll and churn from his actions. James was completely oblivious. He didn't seem disappointed that she seemed to be having affection for another man.

Once again… she only had herself to blame.

"So… is he someone you see often?" James asked.

Evelynn exhaled. She didn't want to talk about this anymore. This was stupid. This was so stupid of her!

"It's not important darling." Evelynn said. Her voice was quiet and sounded hollow. "He wouldn't go for it anyway."

James's smile was gone instantly. He looked at Evelynn who stood from the bed, sighing and proceeding to the door. James's caring instincts kicked in and he followed her.

"Hey." He said grabbing her arm. Evelynn didn't look back, fearing that she'd start to do the weakest thing imaginable; tears.

"Let go please." She said.

"I'm not going to let you walk away from me." James said. "Not after everything you just asked and told me."

There was that goddamn caring personality of his again. Damn him for being so caring!

"I'm appreciative of that, but you forget that you're my bodyguard, and that you'll do as I say." Evelynn snapped.

James sighed, letting go for a moment, but when Evelynn pulled the door open, he put his hand out to stop it. Evelynn looked at the barrier that was James's flat palm, pulling further, but James pushed the door shut. He moved up to her side, crossing his arms.

"And as your bodyguard, I feel it's my obligation to make sure you walk away from my services satisfied." James shot back. "While I'm no mind reader, I know if I let you walk away now, you'll still be in distress."

Evelynn dismissed his reason for concern with a scoff and eyeroll. She aimed to open the door, but James kept it closed. Just as Evelynn felt her frustration increase, she came to a realization. The diva's churning softened lightly at the thought.

"Why do you care?" She asked. "And don't tell me it's only because you're my bodyguard."

The diva didn't look at James when asking that. She wanted him to think about it without seeing her. Evelynn waited, and waited. She felt her heart constantly swap between soreness and comfort. She felt James's presence behind her shift away, his hand off the door as the diva finally looked at him. James pinched his nose, then the bridge of it.

He sighed, and Evelynn turned her body entirely.

"It's because I care… alright?" He said.

"Yes, but why do you?" Evelynn asked.

He rolled his eyes. "Because as I said, I'm your bodyguard, and… well… I don't like seeing you in such a state."

James's choice of words with his hesitation weren't unnoticed by Evelynn. She didn't dwell on him choosing to be hesitant.

"Why not?" She asked, the tables having been turned as she started to advance on him.

"Do I really have to explain?" James asked frustratingly. "Why is it to abnormal for me to show compassion?"

"But darling… you know who I am." Evelynn murmured. She stopped when James's legs hit the bed, the man stumbling on it. "Also I never said it was abnormal. I'm merely asking you a question."

"No, you're playing 20 Questions with me." James snapped. "And I'm beginning to think everything you just told me was so you could get me on the bottom before we started." He finished, standing up from the bed.

And just like that… Evelynn's teasing demeanor along with any hopes she had vanished instantly. The diva mentally cursed herself for dragging this out, but she was also angered by James's words. James's motions were stopped when he felt a rough grip on his waist and saw Evelynn's teeth barring as she glared defiantly.

"You sure about that honey?" She snarled. "You really want those to be the last words you ever mutter to me before I get your sexy ass fired? I may be a lot of things… but I'm not a liar… not to those I care about."

Her constant mood shifts and ironic comments annoyed James to the brim, but he was in no position to call her out. He put his hands up to signal he yielded, and Evelynn groaned with distaste before letting go. As soon as she freed him… her mind did the opposite again.

Guilt and remorse washed all over her. The diva couldn't believe she'd just grabbed the man she thought she has feelings for by the crotch and twisted it to painful levels. She'd let her ego get the better of her, and any thought Evelynn had of James possibly agreeing to this went out the window.

"I'm sorry James…" She muttered, pinching her nose.

James only breathed audibly as his pelvis was presently sensitive. Evelynn didn't want to stay in here any longer. She didn't even think she'd be seeing him again... and the thought of that, even for a moment… caused a tear to roll down her smooth cheek. The diva went for the door again, pulling it open slowly.

No hand closed it.

"Evelynn… wait…"

His voice caused every movement she did halt. Evelynn's soreness shrunk slightly, and she turned to James again, the man groaning as he got up.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Look…" James began, sounding like he was confessing a heinous crime. "The reason why I care isn't entirely because of it being my profession… nor is it being a friend of yours."

Evelynn's mouth parted with a quiet exhale. Her sorrow lessened further.

"It's not fair for me to say this, given what you just told me anyway, but… over the short time I've known you… one could say I've developed something on a smaller scale similar to what you're having with this man." He drew out slowly, gesturing his hands while doing so.

The diva's eyes stayed emotionless. Evelynn looked at James like a stranger, the man's face red as the awkward silence made the situation worse for him. James looked at Evelynn, then pinched his nose and hung his head.

"Why the hell did I say that?" He muttered. James looked at Evelynn again, expecting the woman to break the ice of quietness. When she didn't, James shrugged. "So am I fired now?" He asked sarcastically.

Nothing. Not a single word. Evelynn was in a standstill.

However, James then saw Evelynn fast-walk to him, her smaller body bumping into his as James grunted. Next thing he knew, warm lips were against his… but they were much different this time.

He knew Evelynn was kissing him, but the diva's actions were new to put it simply.

Her moans were pitiful and desperate. James felt her delicate hand grasp his scalp, playing with the fuzzy locks of his short hair as she pulled him further into her embrace. James, out of habit, returned the feeling similarly. He didn't grab Evelynn's butt this time. He brushed her silky hair with one hand as his other cupped her chin. Evelynn pressed an arm against James's broad back, pulling him closer as her breasts squished.

The two of them kept making out for a full minute before it halted. The proximity of their bodies remained the same with their mouths not too far from being similar. James exhaled as Evelynn's cheeks reddened.

"Um… what was that for?" James asked, very chalant.

Evelynn exhaled… slowly smiling as her eyes closed. She opened them when tilting her head, and her hands softly pressed against James's cheekbones.

"James… my darling…" She whispered, taking deep breaths. "I'm not going to fire you at all… I couldn't dream if it."

James blinked, slowly deciphering what she was getting at. "Why?"

"Because the person I told you I'm having such feelings for… is you."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"What?" He asked, moving away from her slightly. Evelynn kept looking at him.

"Darling… I'm not toying with you." Evelynn said silencing that possible future objection. "I'm being truthful."

"But… why?" James asked, thinking this must be a dream. Or a nightmare.

"I already told you." Evelynn said, minor frustration in her voice. "Do I have to repeat myself?"

That didn't help James at all. Knowing that he was the one she was describing did warm his heart while giving him a splitting headache. Why was this so damn conflicting? He'd slept with her several times already so why was this so hard?!

"James?" Evelynn asked. She eyed his reactions critically, soon frowning when not seeing as many positives as one would expect.

"What?" James asked.

"What's wrong?"

He inhaled deeply and desperately. "This is crazy Evelynn… this shouldn't have happened ever."

"I know it's crazy." Evelynn said. "But it's already happened, and we can't pretend that it hasn't."

That was a grim reality check. James's headache increased and he had to sit down on the bed again, Evelynn taking a seat next to him. The diva felt soreness from seeing him so conflicted, knowing that feeling of empathy only fueled her desire for him.

She had to find out.

"Darling, just answer me this." She said softly. Evelynn leaned closer to James's ear, whispering her question. "Do you want this? Do you… want me?"

That calmed him down a little bit. James's breathing steadied out, some droplets of sweat sliding down his clean skin as he thought rationally. He exhaled calmly and smoothly, ready to speak.

"The thing is… I do… but… the outcomes for it can only be catastrophic… if anyone finds out." James answered. That wasn't entirely why he was hesitant.

"Well darling, those are good concerns… but you also knew what you were getting into when we left the club." Evelynn said. "We both did."

He had to give her that. This was sort of a similar scenario, the exception being that it was more special now. That it wasn't just lust… it was feelings of desire. The desire to love.

"I know, I know." James agreed. "When you put it like that, they're both sort of similar."

Evelynn rubbed his shoulder. "So… what's wrong?" She asked.

James exhaled, pinching his noses bridge for a moment. "You remember that woman I told you about… Evaine Leblanc?" Evelynn nodded. "Well, let's say that the things me and her did… weren't exactly the kind of things you'd do in a healthy kind of relationship."

The diva recalled him vaguely talking about Leblanc being possessive and cold. Evelynn's hands actually turned to clenched fists momentarily.

"What did she do?" Evelynn asked.

James sighed. "It's not what she did in bed… it's what she did in terms of honesty… and manipulation. It's hard to explain." He said with a croak.

Evelynn didn't ask him anymore. She nodded slowly. A realization came to her. "So you're afraid of being with me because… you think it'll be a repeat?"

James sighed. "It's not fully that. The other reasons are what me and you are, and if this were to get out, we'd both be fucked." He corrected. "But… yeah, a small part plays into that."

The diva wasn't sure if she should be offended. She couldn't envision herself ever manipulating someone so close to her. Maybe a bit possessive, but never cruel intentionally. Of course, perhaps she'd been a bit slow, or in denial of what she'd started feeling for James. When she first saw him, giving him a job, and overall treating him… a bit more special than her previous lovers.

Evelynn exhaled, grabbing James's hand. The man looked at her, and Evelynn held it up.

"James… my sweet, sweet darling." She said. "I may be a lot of things… but I'm nothing like that woman Leblanc." She said. "But if you believe burying what we have here, right now is the best option… then I'll leave now."

James narrowed his eyes. He could feel Evelynn's grip shaking slightly. He decided to clench his firmer, but still had to ask.

"Leave… and then what?" He asked.

Evelynn sighed. "I don't know… but at this moment… I trust what doesn't make sense over what does." She said, airily smiling.

After she said that, James's option of leaving this behind vanished. He only had one option now. Despite the predicaments and countless outcomes of this going sideways… he knew if he walked away now, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to stand seeing his own damn reflection.

James's hand went over Evelynn's sheltering it in a caring warmth as Evelynn stayed silent. The man slowly pulled her closer to him, and Evelynn's heart quickened with butterflies all around her insides. The gap between their mouths was closed in moments, Evelynn and James sharing a delightful, warm, delicious and overall passionate kiss. The diva moaned; her anxiety shoved out the window as she gladly traded fluids with this man.

This handsome… caring… mysterious man.

"Darling…" She breathed.

James groaned in a strain. He tried to keep it quiet despite him and Evelynn being the only ones in the house. He glanced at the bed, and Evelynn followed it.

"Bed?" She asked, a teasing smile.

James nodded, Evelynn smiling widely as they kissed again, the diva pushing her position, so James was on the bottom. She put her weight on him, leaning down with her breasts on his clothed chest. James ran a hand down her smooth back, Evelynn's round ass getting a hand slid across it as James traced it. The diva gasped euphorically as James kissed her neck, a soft bite as she giggled afterward.

"Oh James…" She moaned.

He hummed, kissing he more as Evelynn loosened her hair, straddling him and going to the bottom of her shirt. Just as she was about to pull it over her head, the door to the house slammed open, rambunctious voices heard with laughter. Immediately James and Evelynn looked to the door, eyes wide with alarm as boots were heard being kicked off.

"Why you taking off those shoes?!" A man's voice asked. "Get those pants off instead! Let me see that tanned ass of yours!" The voice slurred with a laugh.

A woman's laugh was heard in response. James and Evelynn knew it was Riven; her voice equally slurred.

"I bet you'd like that pretty boy!" Riven's voice sniggered. "Get that dick out first, then I'll do it!"

"Oh, I'm going to ruin you!"

"No Maddoc!" Riven's voice yelped. "Put me down!"

The protest wasn't convincing with Riven's joyful laughter. Footsteps went away from the room James and Evelynn were in, the two of them calming down as the other door slammed, Riven's drunk laughter heard as a brief tussle sounded.

Evelynn and James calmed down from almost being caught. The diva's shirt was still half-way up, and James aimed to pull it over, but stopped. Evelynn looked at him critically, and James cursed quietly before pulling her shirt down, sitting up to kiss her again.

"I think maybe… now's not the best time." He said. The situation spoke for itself, and Evelynn sadly sighed, but agreed with a kiss.

"Smart choice sweetie." She said, getting off the bed and straightening her clothes. The diva and her bodyguard stayed quiet for a few moments before the diva's phone vibrated. Evelynn saw a text from Ahri.

Ahri: Hey Evelynn, where are you? Culda's here! Says she wants to see all of us right now!

Evelynn blinked, her anxiety coming back slightly, but she knew this had to be attended to. James sat on the bed again, waiting for Evelynn to inform him of what was happening.

"What's going on?"

Evelynn shrugged. "Culda wants to see all of us apparently. God only knows what." She chuckled. "I'll see you up there then?" She asked, referring to his still sweaty attire.

James laughed. "Yeah… I guess so. See you soon Evelynn."

The diva nodded. Before she left the door, she called his name. "James darling? One more thing." She said. James looked at her. Evelynn gave him a sweet smile and blew him a kiss. The man smiled in return, and Evelynn left the room, ignoring the sounds coming from Riven's room as James undressed. The man went into the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.

He was about to step in… but then heard a sinister, feminine cackle. He was certain it was in his mind, but that didn't stop him from speaking.

"Shut up." He muttered.

Leblanc's cackle was heard.

"It's all smoke and mirrors."

…

---

Many Years Ago

There was tension felt at the circular table between all three people. The ambiance didn't help sooth it either. Luckily for two of the three, they held disdain for the same person and none against each other.

Vi remained in a position that'd allow her to take action faster than James or Ekko should either one breaks the ice in an explosive manner.

"You're serious?" Ekko asked finally.

Both James and Vi flinched from the prolonged silence being broken. The pinkette spoke on James's behalf. "Yes Ekko, I am serious. We both are." She stated.

The mohawked boy scoffed, a disbelieving smile plastered on him at the words. James glared deathly at him. Ekko leaned back and roped back in.

"And you're willing to throw away what we've created for what? A sniveling backstabber and his little sister?" Ekko snorted. James's heart pumped, the mention of his sister leaving Ekko's mouth making his hands clench.

"Why don't we keep the aforementioned things out of this." James passively said. "It's not fair for them to be mentioned if they're not part of the conversation."

"You mean the way you and Vi have gone behind my back? Threw away everything we built?" Ekko asked, hints of minor hurt in his voice. "I thought we were tight guys."

"Don't pull that shit on me Ekko." James spouted. "You've been feeling this way ever since Jani was born. Cut the bullshit."

"Oh I will." Ekko snarled. "But first, don't try to deny the fact that you haven't wanted this from the beginning. I took you in James. I treated you like a brother, and this is how you repay me?"

"I said. Cut. The. Bullshit." James growled.

"Yeah?" Ekko challenged, standing up from his chair. "Why don't you make me?"

James stood up challengingly as well, but Vi intervened.

"Guys, enough of this shit!" She exclaimed. "Both of you calm the fuck down and sit the fuck down!"

Neither James nor Ekko spouted anything after that, locked in a stare-off. Eventually, they started to recall, but Ekko had one more thing to say.

"You're lucky I still respect her enough not to fuck you up." Ekko said, pointing at James with an accusing smile. "But the second that runs out… I'll crush you like the worm you are."

"Try it." James challenged.

"Enough." Vi's voice said, the pinkette still standing as both her friends sat down. When Vi sat down again, she cleared her throat.

"Now then, before you two were about to kill each other, I was going to get to the point of where this gets beneficial for you Ekko." Vi explained.

"Yeah? Let's hear it."

"Well, as I discussed with James earlier, I do have a contact in Piltover." Vi stated plainly. "Ekko, I know what you're going to say so don't bother."

The white-haired boy narrowed his eyes, arms crossed suspiciously. Vi kept talking.

"It's with a man named Jayce. I've had a few calls with him." She said. "And from what I've been able to gather, along with new information James told me, this could be the solution to all our problems, including yours." She said to Ekko.

Ekko's eyes remained narrowed. "This Jayce. He a pig?"

"Grow up Ekko." Vi scolded. "You're not seeing the bigger picture here!"

"Probably because you haven't told me!" Ekko replied.

Vi's lips compressed with frustration, her hands clenching to keep her temper down.

"Anyway… they've been putting together an operation over the last couple months, bringing down several wanted criminals including this guy named Viktor. And from what Jayce told me, Viktor mentioned Singed a few times." Vi explained. "And James… given that you work with him personally…" She drew it out.

James nodded, crossing his arms in agreement. Ekko looked at him before looking at Vi. She still hadn't mentioned the payoff.

"So what's the point?" He asked.

"The point is if we work with Jayce in apprehending Singed… he's willing to offer us a rather… large, and clean reward." Vi said winking.

James chuckled once, Ekko looking dumbfounded. The white-haired boy pinched his noses bridge, laughing mockingly again.

"This sounds like it's only beneficial for you guys, on account of you wanting to get the hell out of here." He objected.

"Ekko…" Vi reasoned. "I know we haven't always been on the best terms, but I'm not going to leave an old friend of mine empty-handed. Me and James will provide half what we receive to you, and from what Jayce told me, that's $100,000. Imagine what you could do with that." She smiled.

He scoffed, rolling his eyes at first. Ekko didn't like the idea of his closest, well ally leaving him for a better life. Nobody would actually, but Ekko knew there was no changing Vi's mind. He begrudgingly mumbled in slight agreement.

"Alright. Fine." He said, accepting the terms surprisingly abruptly. It made James and Vi seemingly unconvinced.

"Wait, really?" James asked.

"Yeah. Why not." Ekko shrugged. "After all it's not like I have nothing left to lose. I've been backstabbed by you two enough as it is, so this is a perfect way to repay me!" He exclaimed sarcastically. "I'll see you two later! Text me!"

James and Vi didn't say anything as Ekko abruptly stormed his way out of her apartment, slamming the door shut with Vi sharply breathing. She rested her head in her palms, clearly frustrated.

"Well… he seems… enthusiastic." He said sarcastically.

Vi grumbled. "James, sometimes I wonder if I'd be doing all this if it wasn't for Jani." She jokingly said.

James chuckled. He put his hand on her shoulder. "You want me to check on her?"

"Yeah…" Vi sighed. "I need… I need to make a call… and some whisky afterward."

He patted her shoulder a few times. James walked back to Vi's bedroom, seeing his little sister sound asleep in the bed. Or so it seemed anyway.

Jani sat up, looking with wide eyes at her brother. James raised his index finger to his mouth to shush her, Jani mutely giggling as James sat on the beds edge.

"Is the mean boy gone?" She asked.

James smiled. He brushed some of her hair, pushing her back down on the bed, head into the pillow as he kissed her temple.

"Yes he is, and you need to sleep." He advised.

"But the sun's still out!" Jani whined.

"No Buts." James playfully scolded. "Besides… I don't think there'll be a lot of quiet in here for a while…" He said forlornly looking out the window.

"Not quiet?" Jani asked. "Why?"

James blinked himself out of it. "Doesn't matter, just go to sleep." He said.

"No!" Jani pouted. "Not till you sing my lullaby!"

The boy did an eyeroll. "Really? You need to hear that?" Jani stuck her tongue out, James doing the same, but he accepted. "Alright, alright. Just let me tuck you in, then I'll do it."

The girl did as she was told, and James cleared his throat.

Home is behind, The world ahead

Unsurprisingly, Jani's eyes started to dawdle, but she was still away. James kept singing.

And there are many paths to tread, Through shadow, To the edge of night

Jani yawned, taking her stuffed pony and embracing it under the blanket, her head tilting to the side. James smiled.

Until the stars are all alight, Mist and shadow, Cloud and shape

Her eyes started to close, not reopening.

All shall fade

Jani's nostrils elicited soft, comfortable exhales.

All shall fade

James looked at her. Jani was out cold. He was grateful she didn't snore like his mother did. James exhaled again, leaning to her temple, and placing a long, caring kiss on it before pulling away.

"Sleep well Jani. We'll be out of here soon." He whispered.

James left the room.

---

And now the snowball of drama increases.

Great lullaby eh? It'll have a larger meaning later on.. ;)

Thank you all for your patience, and for taking the time to read this. More Kayn x Akali is on the way with a possibly suggestive scene with Vi and Caitlyn next chapter. Not sure yet. You can skip it if that's not your cup of tea.

So I just want to point out that the scene with Karma and Irelia may seem like filler, but it's more to bring Evelynn and Akali closer cuz to me Evelynn in this AU is like Akalis mother XD

Also to Jardhead47, I apologize greatly if his name isn't edgy enough for you. I'm sure that's not the reason why, but it's funny to assume.

Stay tuned for more, and a lewdy Snowdown with Sugar Rush Evelynn :D