Fiora woke first.

She always had whenever they fell asleep together, so it came as no surprise to find the blonde tucked securely against her and completely oblivious to the world.

Fingers danced lightly along the faint muscles lining Lux's back. She did not possess the bulk of a soldier, nor the fine-tuning of one practiced in a craft, but in her deceptively thin frame lay a surprising amount of strength. The duelist never noticed it before, even when they were with the wayward mages though by sheer logic Lux had served in Demacia's military at one point. Still, it did little to steer her away from appreciating the blonde in new lights – every time she thought she had her figured out, Lux went ahead and opened up a new window to look into.

"Mm..." Fiora stilled her hand when Lux stirred, against her earlier assumptions. The blonde giggled quietly and buried her face further into the duelist's neck. "That tickled."

"Pardon, mon amor." Fiora cracked a small smile, kissing the top of mussed hair. "Did I wake you?"

Lux groaned quietly when she stretched her limbs out, threatening to send heat to the duelist's cheeks. Fiora forgot they were still as bare as the day they were born – somehow. "No, I was already waking up." The blonde collapsed back against Fiora and draped her arm around a slim waist, squeezing gently. "You're pleasant to sleep with.."

The duelist rolled her eyes. "You sound like you could use some more sleep."

"I could..." she murmured, craning her had up and resting her chin in the valley of Fiora's breasts. Lux struggled to keep her mind in the conscious realm. "We stayed up far longer than I thought."

They had indeed spent hours getting acquainted with each other far more than the duelist anticipated. Perhaps things hadn't gone as Fiora desired, but they made them memorable. And despite losing a couple extra hours of sleep, she would have done it again in a heartbeat.

"If you're still feeling tired, why don't you sleep a little more?" Fiora suggested as she inched towards the edge of the bed. Lux didn't let her escape so easily and caught her wrist before she could escape.

"Stay with me?"

The duelist rolled her eyes. As much as she found the idea of staying glued to Lux's hip enticing, her habits refused to let her sit still. She needed to get up and do something now that she was awake, and it might as well be showering after all their sweat from last night. She leaned in to kiss Lux, caressing her jaw with a semi-solid grip.

"Will this be enough for now?"

They meant so much more now. The first had been purely accidental, but each one after added more and more to their weight. For Fiora, their kisses brought comfort, reassurance, and love. And now, there was just a hint of belonging that left her fingers tingly and her heart beating faster.

All her knowledge of the world couldn't formulate a word for the swell of emotions in her heart.

Lux smiled faintly, cheeks going a fair pink before burying her face in the pillow. "You're so unfair. Stop being so gorgeous and handsome at the same time.

Fiora chuckled at the lavish compliments. "You are beautiful as well, mon amor."

"Yeah, yeah." Lux waved her hand at the duelist. "I'm a stick compared to you."

"Tch, you are not." Fiora forced the blonde to roll over and look at her. "I do not think a 'stick' would be capable of doing half the things you did last night."

"Ugh," Lux groaned, cheeks burning bright red as she tried to cover her face with her hands. "Do you know how hard it is to control myself when you're like that. I feel like I was finding heaven all over again."

The duelist raised an eyebrow. "Again?"

"I don't sleep half as well alone as I do with you. Your arms are heaven to me."

"Flattering," Fiora mused. "Now will you let me go long enough so I can clean?"

Lux sat up straight at that, not caring as the blankets slid off her frame. "Might as well make it a shower for two then. I'm way too awake now to go back to sleep."


One very long, and possibly overstimulating shower later, the pair finally left the warm cocoon of their room with Lux practically hanging off Fiora's arm. She really hadn't left the duelist's side since the wedding, and Fiora pondered the reasoning behind it. Perhaps she was still in recovery mode after the massive amount of magic expended to save the both of them. Maybe it was a result of multiple near-death encounters, and Lux endured just as much trauma as the duelist had.

Or maybe she's just really clingy, Fiora concluded when Lux showed no signs of letting go as they entered the kitchen.

"Oh," Lux breathed, a little taken aback by the myriad of plates and bowls on the counter. "Um, someone didn't clean-"

"Don't touch those."

Fiora had her head on a swivel at this point, going from the kitchen to the various pieces of furniture dotted through the lounging area. Kepi approached them with sleeves rolled up and hands coated in a sticky, amber substance. She tugged Lux back a bit as the teenager strode swiftly past them to the arrangement on the counter. One bowl later and she went straight back where she came from.

The duelist managed to glimpse briefly at the contents inside said bowl. Recognition hit her in an instant. "Aloe?"

Kepi confirmed with a single nod of her head. "Precisely, Miss Fiora. You know a lot for being someone who swings a pointy sword around."

Miffed by the assumption, she fought the urge to bite back sharply – Lux anticipated her reaction long before she did and shot her a warning glare. Fiora took a long, deep breath and leveled her voice. "Nera kept me informed of the flora she tended to."

Kepi barely nodded, looking far too distracted to pay close attention to her words. Irritation gave way to curiosity at what the young woman did with the green paste, but before she could even get two steps closer the younger Crownguard shot her a glare. "Stop."

Fiora did without a question. The same aura and confidence Lux normally exuded around others shone brightly around Kepi. A Crownguard without a doubt.

"It's alright, kiddo. They can see."

Adele? Against her better judgment, Fiora crept forward slowly and peered over the edge of the couch. What she didn't expect to see was the deckhand sprawled on her stomach with her back completely exposed.

Her stomach churned violently, wanting to upend the empty contents of her stomach.

"How-"

"Happened a long time ago, mademoiselle." Adele shifted the pillow tucked under her head. "Used to run with a gang of kids back in Zaun."

"Orphans?"

The brunette inspected her from the corner of her eye. "Yeah, you know about us?"

Fiora shrugged with arms folded over her stomach. "Kepi mentioned it once. That's all."

Adele huffed quietly. "Anyways, had a group of smalls I used to look out for. We got caught in the isthmus explosion that sent us a little too close to the toxic streams. One of the kids nearly fell in, so I dove to save her. Damn near melted half my body off doing it though."

"It looks so... horrible," Lux whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.

"That's what happens to people who are exposed to toxic chemicals," Kepi explained, collecting a generous amount of green paste on her fingertips before applying it to the disfigured skin. "The fuckwitz in Piltover refuse to explore alternative options in energy sources, and Zaun doesn't care about its toxic waste issue period. It pisses me off, royally."

Fiora reeled at the brash display of frustration. It was the first time she witnessed the teen's anger and coherence. "Is that why you stay?"

"Yes. Someone has to try and change things."

Like us.

"Kiddo's making an impact though." Adele sat up slowly with Kepi's help after the latter layered on some bandages and pulled on a loose, cotton shirt. "Things are slowly changing in the cities. I've seen a few people take to more pragmatic habits. They've got a ways to go, but Zaun does look a little cleaner than it has in the past. Still reeks like a decade-old egg but better than what it used to be."

Maybe it was simply a Crownguard thing to do - to bring the light to those that were lost.

"I'm glad to see you are all getting along." The same, charming voice from yesterday captured their attention. Baelhar grinned at them from the stairwell, arms folded over their chest. "I was a little worried Adele might have been a bit too rough around the edges."

The deckhand threw her middle finger to the captain, who only responded with boisterous laughter.

"Since we're in clear waters for a while, how about I make breakfast for you all? I know you get cranky when you haven't eaten in a while."

No one argued the proposition of sustenance. A few minutes later, Baelhar had on an apron and loomed over a pan on the stove. The others scattered around the island – Kepi had her head buried in her arms on the counter while Adele dozed with her face smashed in one hand. Neither of them appeared remotely conscious at that moment, and Fiora wondered if they slept enough.

Hopefully, it hadn't been because of their 'activities' earlier that morning.

"You look like you had a pleasant night." The duelist swore under her breath. She made sure they were both presentable before leaving so what gave it away-

"Miss Laurent, you have hickeys all over one side of your neck." Her hand shot up and as her finger brushed against sensitive skin, she felt a small twinge of pain before it subsided as quickly as it came.

Lux, on the other hand, looked ready to pass out. "Oh god, I really went too far."

Baelhar chuckled. "There is no shame in enjoying each other's company. And you two looked like you needed it – you're far more relaxed than when you stepped foot on this ship."

Fiora felt completely at ease despite her desire to stay on guard. She hadn't realized how much tension had her body wound up until Lux spent time undoing every single knot bothering her – both deep in her muscles and figuratively speaking. So when the blonde opted to stand instead of sit (since the stools were bolted to the ground) just so she could weave their hands together, the duelist actually complied and entertained Lux's need for contact.

If Baelher took notice, they didn't comment and switched subjects. "You must be really hungry."

"Oui." Fiora felt her stomach claw at her insides. She couldn't remember the last time they ate.

The Captain hummed knowingly and turned back to the stove. "Not surprised. You both must have been in shock for a while considering all you have been through. Now with the main threat behind you, your bodies are catching up."

She was familiar with the nuances of adrenaline rushes and the crashes that come after, which made her all the more grateful that Baelhar considered their conditions despite being their captain. "I did not know you cook."

"I do, once in a while. Unfortunately we're not stocked with the standard Demacian pantry since they hardly ever trade goods in Piltover, but I can whip up something new if you'd like to try."

Fiora wasn't opposed to trying something new.

"Ionian is fine as-"

"Noxian breakfasts aren't too-"

Fiora and Lux stopped mid-sentence, glancing at each other before turning back to Baelhar. They had an eyebrow raised. "Ionian? Noxian? Those are worlds apart. Aren't you both supposed to be a bit sheltered?"

The blonde nudged Fiora's side lightly. The duelist sat up a little straighter. "A dear friend of mine is Ionian. She brought much of her homeland with her when she came to Demacia."

Lux chimed in shortly after. "I've infiltrated Noxus a few times, but I too have a close friend who turned out to be a Noxian orphan, raised Demacian. Noxian food isn't so bad, considering they do value strength and nutrition is a fairly important component in keeping up soldiers."

Baelhar studied their expressions carefully. "Neither of you wish to leave Demacia, do you?"

"It has been my home," Fiora confessed, voice light. She squeezed Lux's hand gently. "Our home. I am glad we are safe, but-"

"it doesn't mean you don't miss it any less."

Lux sighed. Her voice sounded about ready to break. "We've left so much behind. I wouldn't have come if Fiora insisted we leave, and if everyone told us the same thing."

Fiora kissed the blonde's temple, out of sheer instinct to comfort. "We have family in Demacia. We left behind our friends. We are worried we will lose more than we are prepared to handle."

"Valid uncertainties and hesitations," Baelhar noted. "I can tell you both love Demacia very much, to be homesick so soon after leaving." They spared a quick glance at the pan, nudging something around with the spatula in hand. "It's not easy, never will be but for what its worth, I'm glad Kepi pestered me enough to make this dangerous trip. I rarely go out of my way to deal with the cluster fuck that is Demacia, but seeing you two the way that you are reassures me that hope is not lost for your home."

Support from a near complete stranger relieved Fiora, on some level she didn't expect it to. "Thank you."

Baelhar chuckled and waved her off. "No need to thank me. Now wake up those two before they end up turning my kitchen into a bedroom."

"I'm technically still awake," Kepi grumbled, barely shifting from her position.

"As am I, Captain," Adele added shortly after, eyes barely opening a fraction and staring at the other two women across the counter.

Baelhar was plating the food they had been working on when the two responded. They set them in front of each person and shook their head. "The both of you should get rest after you've finished eating."

Fiora raised her eyebrow. "Have they not slept?"

"No."

She really hoped it hadn't been because of them.

"We've been going over a few overlooked details in our rush to get to Demacia," Kepi explained as she started working through her food. "Do I need to explain any customs?"

Mindful. Fiora felt guilt seep back into her stomach at the reminder of what happened yesterday. "I understand the logistics."

"There is another layer that is hidden under the hard lines of those laws," Baelhar continued, arms folded over their chest. "I myself am not too familiar with it, but I've made port in Piltover and Zaun enough times to understand its implications. Because they control the Sun Gates, they hold an incredible amount of power in their relations to other countries and territories. As a result they tend to have the final decision in determining the fates of refugees and fleeing criminals, should those nations seek them at a later time."

"Layman's terms – they treat outsiders with indifference," interjected Adele as she bit into a piece of what looked like brown jerky.

"Generally speaking, that is correct. However Demacia is the exception due to the lack of any formal contact. It will be difficult to hide your identities from the authorities since they check everyone that comes through – at least in Piltover's case. You could easily sneak into Zaun but it is riddled with Noxian spies and assassins. In either city, you will attract a lot of attention but the best option for you two would be Piltover."

Lux glanced at the young teenager. "Wait, don't you count? You're probably the most contact anyone has had with Demacia."

Kepi shrugged, but didn't tear her gaze away from the food in front of her. "Formal contact. Piltover doesn't know I'm a Crownguard, and I'd rather keep it that way. They don't even know I'm Demacian either, since I don't possess records of my birth nor do I look like the standard civilian from there. It's not like they would have questioned me that much anyway, since Demacia doesn't do well in keeping track of every refugee that comes and goes."

"You'd think Demacia would have some semblance of consistency in the most basic of things," Adele muttered darkly, shaking her head. "'Hey, let's go target all these mages that are more dangerous than strangers to our home! Those refugees? Nope, not a problem for us.'"

Lux groaned quietly and covered her face with her hand. Fiora fought the urge to erupt in a burst of laughter at the ridiculousness of Demacia's own hypocrisy.

"It's part of the reason why the world outside of Demacia's walls knows about the conflicts. When you have people sneaking in and out constantly, word is going to get around that it isn't all whole as the designated dignitaries have made it out to be." Baelhar folded their arms over their chest. "Even they have crumbled under scrutiny when word got out."

"Which is why it's perfect they come to Piltover." Kepi reached over and pat Baelhar on the arm. "I have plans, Hardy Har. They're in good hands."

Baelhar, for the first time since Fiora met them, looked incredibly uneasy. "I don't know about that kid."

Kepi waved her hand. "Trust me. Worst thing you could do to get kicked out is probably murder."

Fiora snorted uncharacteristically. "I make no promises on that."

"Your dueling escapades need to stay in Demacia, Fiora," Lux chided with a sharp jab to her side.

The younger Crownguard giggled at the small exchange. "Actually, just a little threat here and there is harmless. Your reputation extends pretty far into Piltover. Lots of people refer to you as the 'Grand Duelist,' and will be wiser to avoid confrontation. At least Pilties have a spot more brain than your average Demacian."

Modestly reassuring for some reason, Fiora mused. "So this Piltover. Lux and I have read enough about it, but from your perspective, what is it really like?"

Kepi's eyes lit up when the duelist proposed the question.

The same gleam appeared in Lux's own eyes.

Fiora chuckled quietly to herself, shaking her head at the confused stares from both women.

Maybe the Crownguards did have a few good apples left in them.


A/N: Wow, it has been a hot minute since I updated. Sorry for the delay folks. Life grabbed my by the throat and had me busy so between having to take care of so many things involved with my move and work, I've not found any sort of energy to try and write. I was also reorganizing some of my outline for this fanfic to try and keep it concise because originally I was going to make the second portion of it a little lighter before diving back into the grittier stuff. Thanks for all of your patience!

For those of you who may or may not have noticed, I did update my profile to include some potential future fanfics, including the one I have slated after this called One Justice. Pretty obvious who it will involve, but I may or may not start on that one immediately after. Wicked Game has been preoccupying most of my attention so until I reach the end of this there won't be any official plans set in stone.

I do want to thank everyone that has stopped by to read this fanfic. I often came back to reread the last chapter to keep the flow going in the next and I noticed even though it has long since left the front page, people were still stopping by and giving it a look over. I can't thank you guys enough for keeping interest despite the pairing and for the fact I haven't updated as frequently as I have in the past. It really means a lot in keeping me motivated to keep writing especially when I'm under a lot of stress.