(Lux - PoV)
Idiot. This giant...amazing...loving idiot. At least he finally stopped asking stupid questions and is holding me like he is supposed to. I breathe in deeply while pushing closer against him, I have to make sure it is actually real. That he is real. That I'm not going to wake up in my bunk in the academy...again.
It happened before. Dreaming that Brother would come for me, smashing through the walls like a Gragas advertisement and sprinting away with me. Only to wake up alone, with those bastards screaming at me, and the others glaring at me and looking down at me for everything. Treating me like a pariah for having magic.
The only thing that convinces me I'm not dreaming is the stupid. Just buying an outfit completely at random for a girl he hasn't even seen in years and with no idea how big she is...he really hasn't changed at all. I have no idea how he can be so talented and brilliant one moment and then cannot recognize or remember basic colors the next. I never did get the chance to dye his hair either...something for the future perhaps.
I look back to the beautiful bottle on the table and my throat tightens so hard it hurts. Damnit you, you wonderful bastard. I can't even stop the tears as they come out again, though not as strongly. Gods, it's embarrassing. I hate being weak, but I suppose if it's going to happen at least it is in front of Brother. I can trust him.
He is the only one who ever cared. The only one. I haven't even got to see him in half my damn life and he is still my rock, how sad is that. Even now, years later he is still keeping promises, and remembering my favorites and acting like he never left. He shows up and everything just clicks into place.
I can't blame him for leaving; he didn't have any more choice than I did. I never thought I'd see him again really, I assumed he was happy, or at least content, since I don't think Demacians really do happy, being Demacias's perfect poster boy. I tried to live up to the ideal, I truly did, but...I am deviant. Far, far too deviant. So as much as I missed him, I stayed home and followed him from afar.
Fortunately, his fame allowed a lot of merchandise and such, and since he was a Crownguard and "sterling example" mother and father allowed my little obsession of collecting everything about him. It...hurts a fair bit, knowing that I am going to lose my collection. Then again I have the real deal now so, that certainly more than makes up for it. I can be greedy though. Some of those were very hard to obtain, especially the ones our parents didn't know I had and would lose their shit over.
I hesitate and look up at Brother, who is looking down at me with concern. The tears have finally stopped so I can see him. I...suspect even he might not approve of those parts of my collection. Then again...he did admit to being deviant himself. Of course, there's deviant and there's deviant, and really, how messed up can the "Might of Demacia" be?
...
...It's wrong of me. He is sacrificing his name for me. His honor. His reputation, everything. Potentially even his life.
"Brother...I think we have a good chance of sneaking away but, if we are confronted, if they do stop us...what then?"
I know the answer. Why am I asking?
It is...something, watching his features, morph and twist. His adorable confusion and concern morph into amusing surprise, drop for a moment into resignation that makes me feel quite guilty, before hardening into his famed determination. I can see the absolute clarity, the intent in his eyes before he even speaks.
He raises a massive hand, placing it on my cheek reassuringly.
"Whatever we have to, Lux."
I cannot break his gaze, his will having captured mine completely.
"You will not go back to the academy. You will be free, and safe. I will protect you, and back you to the hilt." It is...overwhelming.
"No." This...this is what a Champion is.
"Matter." Unbreakable.
"What." Absolute.
...
I start giggling. I can't help it. Little giggles turning into full guffaws.
Brother is shocked. I doubt that was the reaction he expected to his little determinator show.
I can't stop myself, laughing uncontrollably, having to clutch him to hold myself upright. It takes minutes to regain myself. Brother is quick to ask what that was all about, I think I may have hurt his pride a bit, whoops.
Unfortunately, I cannot quite tell him the entire truth, simply placating him that I am merely de-stressing. The truth?
Brother never understood people at all, has no idea how many swoon and dream of him, how many literally wish for a day with him. I spent years collecting every scrap of connection to him I could salvage and now, he is back. And he is mine. The indomitable will, the mountain-shattering power, unshakable courage, and infinite spirit, he is mine. He will fight for me, he will kill for me, even those he once fought beside. The Might of Demacia is now the Sword of Lux.
Lux, the girl that spent years alone, ridiculed by everyone for being weird, for not conforming. The girl you excluded because she dared have a different opinion, who you gave the worst roles because she dared speak out, who you spat upon because she dared have magic. Well damn you all, I have the one person I ever needed. The one I ever wanted.
I giggle a bit more at Brother's confused expression, to be fair I can't entirely blame him this time.
"Don't worry about it dummy, just give me a hug," I tell him. "We will work on your social skills another time," I lie.
If I do, he won't need to rely on me any more, or he might be able to tell when I lie to him. Both are outcomes to be avoided. Or worse, find a girlfriend. Absolutely unacceptable.