A/N: I regret nothing. Actually, the only thing I regret is Fanfic not allowing me to name this as '17.5.' because it's really more of a half chapter than a full. Nonetheless, enjoy!
The first thing Lux registered was a cloud cushioning her face. Blue eyes fluttered open as she found herself staring at valleys of white and green. For a brief moment, she contemplated returning to sleep and forgetting the world existed, but her current pillow decided to move.
Wait, move?
Lux craned her head up to find teal eyes staring back at her in equal confusion. Her mind short circuited, unable to form any proper thoughts until the duelist cracked a little smile. "Slept well?"
The husky chuckle lacing those words raised hairs on the mage's skin. "Uh..."
Fiora looked past Lux. She took the hint and swiveled her own head down. Somehow, they managed to tangle themselves up under the wool blankets. Legs entwined with legs and the blonde secured the duelist's waist in a firm grip. It wasn't until then she noticed a strong hand rubbing soothing circles on the small of her back, the rhythmic pattern nearly pulling a pleased groan out of her. She would have tried peeling away and apologize profusely for using the other woman as her body pillow-
Fiora's nonchalant expression batted away Lux's intentions of separation – was she not displeased by their proximity?
"I suppose I slept pleasantly enough..." Lux swallowed hard when her other hand came up to caress her cheek. The touch was too fleeting and she leaned into the contact, eyes fluttering shut in time to miss Fiora's smile widening a fraction more. "Did...something happen last night?" If she did something as dumb as cling to the duelist like a child to its mother or worse...
"You told me about Dothan and refused to let go of me even after you passed out."
Lux sputtered incomprehensibly and turned as bright as a ripe tomato. She really wished Fiora wasn't so blunt by default, or have the knack of reading her mind and seeing past her barriers.
"S-sorry."
"Hush, mon cher. You needed the rest." Despite that, somehow the both of them were well awake before the crack of dawn. Lux knew they hadn't slept enough.
"You need it more than I do," the blonde retorted, frowning at Fiora's concern. Lux spent the greater majority of her time soothing injured victims and relaying messages while Fiora physically participated in the relief efforts. That wasn't to say Lux didn't raise a finger to help them out, but given the fact they needed someone to coordinate all the groups, she could only assist as much as her spare moments allowed her to.
The duelist finally pulled her arms away and gave the blonde a chance to properly detangle herself as she stretched. Lux caught the faint pops of joints and the less-than-appropriate moan leaving Fiora's lips was better suited behind closed doors and under bedsheets. And with the way her curvaceous form glided against her own body, it was clear Fiora did it on purpose.
At least she procured its desired effect – any blood left in Lux's system that hadn't pooled in her face shot downward in a sharp spike of heat.
"Perhaps..." Fiora replied absentmindedly, relaxing against the grass. "But I wasn't the one burying my face against breasts."
Lux covered her face in embarrassment. Was it really necessary to be so insufferable about something like that? "Do you not have a filter, Fiora?"
"Non, at least when I'm in the mood to tease you."
She shot her a look. Damn that smirk! "Just me?"
"Just you."
While Fiora's humor came at the expense of Lux's dignity, she was blessed to see the duelist donning something other than a snarl, or speak scathingly to anyone she came across. Everyone cornered her like a rabid dog and the only thing she knew to do was guard what little remained of her territory. The blonde endured a hell of a roller-coaster ride to get Fiora to open up, and when she managed to burrow under that thick skin of hers, she found an all too-willing woman eager to sink fingers into abstained affections.
No one tried to know the true Fiora, a woman forced to bear the burdens of an ideal but still possessed a beating heart underneath her breast, just like anyone else.
"You're staring, Lux."
She knew that. "Thinking."
Fiora raised an eyebrow. "Of?"
There was no sense in lying to her now. "Of you."
Fiora's silence demanded elaboration, to which Lux refused indulgence. "We should get some sleep. Good night, Fiora."
She half-expected the duelist to grab her arm before she could get away – instead Fiora relinquished her grip as Lux shifted to give them space. Disappointment filled her heart when she left comfortable warmth, but when she met her eyes, the blonde stopped dead cold.
What will you do now, they asked.
Lux hesitated. She feared the consequences of standing by her decision. Fiora didn't restrain her, allowing her freedom to do as she pleased. She could retreat back into her own blankets, or share.
That's when she understood the gesture.
Lux frowned. Fiora would not force someone to act against their own will. It went against her baser instincts, and despite the desperation underlying that fierce gaze, she still didn't push Lux into doing what she desired. Fiora's silent askance demanded an answer, and Lux's choice determined the outcome.
When was the last time Fiora felt love, or any affection going beyond platonic barriers?
Against her better judgment, Lux leaned in and pressed a small kiss to the corner of her lips. Any more and she feared she might end up falling into the duelist. "Thank you, for comforting me last night."
It wasn't enough.
Lux squealed quietly when she found herself pinned on her back, wrists trapped in a vice by strong hands. Fiora hovered over her with a hungry gleam in her eyes, lips parted tantalizingly. Lux couldn't meet her gaze lest she end up saying – or doing – something she might regret.
"Try again." Fiora's silken purr sent shivers down her spine. Lux knew her kiss, though chaste, was half-assed.
"I thought you'd rather have me dead for that."
Fiora scoffed and replied in a lazy tone. "I like you. I'd hate to kill you."
Liked her... That was as close of a confession she'd get.
Lux leaned up, sealing their lips firmly in a much more satisfying kiss. It caught Fiora off guard enough for the blonde to switch their positions once more. She straddled her victim's waist as she drew the other woman into a slow, oral tango. It was so easy to lead her, and like how Fiora took the time to teach her the finer arts of fencing, Lux grabbed the reins in the kiss and left her absolutely breathless.
By the time they parted, Fiora's eyes glazed over and a sizable blush dusted her cheeks. "Oh..."
Lux pulled her lower lip between her teeth, trying to catch her own breath. "Fiora...?"
The duelist pursed her lips, humming softly. "Where did you learn that, mon cher?"
The blonde winced, reminded of where she picked up her experience. "I worked as an undercover spy in Noxus for some time.. The word 'infiltration' has a lot more meanings behind it than one would assume."
Jealousy wrote itself all over the duelist's face. Of course Lux never considered any of those kisses her first, official one since she took on pseudonyms and personalities not like herself. She clutched Fiora's collar and leaned in closer. A finger stopped her from coming too close, pressed to her lips.
"Full of surprises aren't we, Lux?"
Lux rolled her eyes. "Do you want me to kiss you or not?"
"While I appreciate the fact you two have finally stopped eye-fucking each other since we've met, I definitely would like to keep my sanity intact before you start stripping in front of an audience." The two snapped their heads towards a sleep-laden Sayo, who looked far less pleased to be awake than actually disgusted watching them eat each other's faces off. "If that's what your intentions were."
"We weren't going to that extent." Lux climbed off Fiora immediately, sheepish for acting so shamelessly just now.
"Uh-huh..." Sayo appeared entirely unconvinced. "I mean there were plenty of moans coming from Miss Laurent over here with how clingy you were last night, Lux."
Heat suffused her cheeks as Lux buried her face in her hands, half whimpering and half sobbing. It was bad enough she turned into a snot-filled mess with Dothan, but feeling up Fiora enough to actually draw sounds she didn't have the opportunity to hear herself? Though it explained why Fiora was so... touchy-feely moments ago.
On the other hand, Fiora appeared absolutely unfazed by the revelation.
"Are you complaining?" she asked. When Sayo glanced away pointedly, the duelist chuckled. "I'd deign to say more than one person enjoyed themselves last night."
"Hey, it's not often you hear someone swear that sexily-"
"Could y'all just shut up and let me sleep?" All eyes went to the lump of blankets shifting around. A groggy Noah appeared from underneath and the whites of his eyes were completely bloodshot. "It's way too early for this."
Sayo laughed and stuck her foot out from underneath her blankets to kick his leg. "Karma is a bitch. That's what you get for shagging Mr. Handsome Face last time and keeping me awake two nights in a row. Do I need to repeat what you screamed?"
"Alright, alright, I get your point." Noah flipped back on his other side and curled in tighter to his blankets. "Can we just come to a truce and get some more sleep?"
The other three women glanced at each other and snickered before settling back down.
This time, Lux made sure not to wrap herself around Fiora.
Except... Fiora made a point to spoon Lux from behind and wrap her arms around her waist. The blonde stifled her voice when soft lips pressed against the back of her neck and hot breath washed over her ear in a quiet bid of 'good night.'
It would be a long, long time before daybreak.
A/T: So my brain conjured this little scene up during my lunch break at work today. I was working on the actual chapter earlier in the day, but grew frustrated because my mind couldn't (and wouldn't) stay focused long enough to get the scenes set up the way I wanted them to. As a result, I poured my frustration into this intermission, which grew into a full-blown chapter before I knew it.
I rather enjoyed the light humor - gives a nice break in all the more dramatic stuff going on in my opinion.
