Welcome back. Yep, I always meant Saturdays, but for some reason kept writing Sunday. Shoutouts to my friend for letting me know, I don't know when I would notice, if ever xD.

Chapter III - Plans

"I...I can't believe it…" Nasus mumbled cheerfully, trying to stop the tears. He sat beside him and looked at him from head to toe to make sure he was alright. Renekton grabbed his hand and held it, happy he was finally able to touch Nasus again. To touch anyone, basically.

"Me neither, but...I guess here I am." he responded and smiled reassuringly. Then, he slowly moved his legs from under the quilt and sat on a ledge of the bed. He was still wearing his ornate piece of cloth of his armour, the one he's been wearing for over millennia. Besides that, he didn't have a lot of clothes on him.

"You know what, wait here for a little bit, I'll ask Bartley if he has some spare clothes for you." Nasus spoke and got up, "You eat now, I'll be back in a moment."

Renekton nodded and looked at the plate. He wasn't sure whether or not he was hungry, his stomach had mixed feelings, but decided that it would be better if he ate something. After taking one bite, he felt pain in his belly. He was very hungry, to the point he felt literal pain. He practically devoured what he was offered and then drank whole glass of water. It all took him less than half a minute.

He looked around the room. It was small, but cozy, something he was used to when he was still a soldier. Renekton got up to stretch his legs. He let out a quiet groan when he did that, his muscles were stiff and felt like there were needles in them, but he resisted that feeling and moved closer to a window. When he looked outside, he was greeted by a warm and blinding sun, as well as expanding, neverending sands of Shurima.

He heard knocking on a door.

"Come in!" Renekton shouted, still looking at the beauty of his old home.

"We're in luck, turns out Bartley has plethora of missized clothes. Let's find something that fits you well." Nasus said while holding a huge ball of clothes in his arms. The moment he ended his sentence, he threw them on a bed and lay his hands in his hips. Renekton turned around and looked curiously. He picked up some sort of jacket and started inspecting it.

"It looks...weird. Now that I think of it, your clothes look weird, too." he said and looked at Nasus. He just laughed quietly and nodded.

"Throughout all those years there've been much weirder styles, trust me. Today's clothes aren't that weird at all. Oh, try this." he handed him big, white shirt with v-neck.

"Still, it'll take me some time to get used to it." he replied and pondered how to put this thing on him. Nasus didn't want him to accidentally tear it up, so he got closer and stopped him.

"Wait, your snout is in your way." he said and helped him pull down the shirt. After a little fight, they managed to do it.

"And...how do you feel?"

"It's...comfy. But I still feel strange in it." Renekton replied and looked at himself. It really didn't feel that bad, he just wasn't used to wearing anything on his upper part of the body, "Can't I just walk shirtless?"

"You know...in Shurima it was different. Now it's a sign of indecency." Nasus clarified.

"But I am indecent." Renekton replied. Nasus paused for a second and then let out a faint chuckle.

"You still should wear clothes, Renekton." he replied, making Renekton roll his eyes.

"Whatever. But anyway," he said and proceeded to look for more clothes, "Tell me about the world! You know, about nowadays warriors, technology, magic! Come on! Don't keep me in the dark!" Renekton said excited.

"Why don't you see for yourself once you're done choosing clothes, huh?" Nasus suggested. He watched as Renekton's smile widened and his hands started to violently rummage through the clothes. After he picked some clothes that didn't fill him with disgust, he started trying them on. Nasus stopped him when he was about to move to trousers.

"Hold up, you'll need to wear underwear." he said and gave him a pair of dark red boxers.

"Under-what?"

"Umm...an equivalent of loincloth, but more acceptable." he replied. Renekton opened his mouth slightly and nodded, releasing a faint sound of confusion.

"Well, okay then. If you say so." he said.

Then, without hesitating another second, he pulled down his old clothes, revealing his lower parts. Nasus backed down and frowned surprised. After he realised he's been staring at Renekton for a moment, he averted his gaze and coughed to catch his attention.

"Hmm? What is it?" he asked, oblivious to whole situation.

"I understand you feel comfortable around me, but...maybe don't just pull down your clothes without warning?" Nasus said and looked Renekton straight in the eyes, trying his best not to lower his sight.

"But you've seen me naked already in the bath."

"Bath is the keyword."

As they were talking, they heard a knock on a door, and then Bartley came in with another plate of food.

"I figured you might be more hun- oh god!" he said and quickly shut his eyes, but not before he saw Renekton. He shrugged and grinned.

"Well, he hasn't seen me."

"Now I have, and I regret it." Bartley replied while trying his best to forget the view and put the plate on a table.

"Renekton, wear those goddamn pants already." Nasus said irritated.

"Wait, that Renekto- fuck!" Bartley asked, remembering Nasus' story, but he forgot about half naked reptile in front of him and accidentally opened his eyes, seeing again something he wanted to erase from his mind. Renekton just chuckled and finally put those on.

"Yes, it's Renekton. The one I've been telling you about." Nasus replied and poked Bartley, letting him know he can finally open his eyes. He looked at Nasus, then at Renekton, then again at Nasus. He frowned and opened his mouth.

"Wait, you really are ascended? It wasn't a joke? And he is too?"

"Bartley, I've never lied to you." Nasus replied understanding. He knew his story was very hard to believe in. Batley shook his head confused. Even though he's been told that story many, many times before, both by drunk and sober Nasus, it was still overwhelming. Especially when he met the another alleged ascended being.

"Okay then, it's a little too much for me now. I made you an omelette. I realised someone like you wouldn't be satiated by just one plate of scrambled eggs." he said after a moment and pointed at the plate. He took dirty dishes with him and before he left, he added, "Come down after you're done. Leave the clothes here, I'll take them later."

Nasus nodded and closed the door behind him. He sighed and looked at Renekton questioningly.

"What?" he asked puzzled. Nasus smiled and shook his head.

"Nothing. You heard him. Find something nice and let's go." he said and picked up a pair of baggy, dark blue trousers, "What about those?"

Renekton snatched them from his hand and looked closely. When he tried them on he moved around a little bit in them. He kicked the air to make sure he had freedom of movement. Content they didn't break, he nodded.

"Perfect."

When they came down, there were only a few people. Three persons at the tables, one at the counter. It was surprising for Renekton that nobody even looked in their direction. Nasus had already told him they'd probably think they are vastaya, but still. Back when he was known as ascended warrior, everyone would look at him. Now, they would just look at him for a second and move on. Not that he minded, but he slightly missed the attention.

When Bartley noticed the two, he asked them to come closer with a hand gesture. After he bid his farewell with a customer, he turned to them.

"Hmm, they suit you." he spoke and smiled, "I have no use for them anyway, keep them if you like."

"Sure will. Thank you for your hospitality." Renekton replied and placed a plate on a counter, "And for the food. It was delicious!"

Bartley grinned and looked at Nasus, "See, at least your friend appreciates my cooking skills." he said and happy for hearing a compliment left to put the dishes into a sink. When he returned, he served them both beers.

"On the house."

"Bartley, you've done enough. At least let me pay for it." Nasus said but was promptly stopped by Bartley.

"Consider it my apology for not believing you." he insisted. Before he could say anything else, Renekton has already downed a golden liquid. A little bit of foam that stayed in his snout he swept with his arm, and then he sighed pleased.

"Damn, I've missed beer." Renekton said and burped accidentally. Guests around looked at him for a moment, but then returned to whatever they were doing.

"You know, take mine as well." Nasus said and moved his mug towards Renekton.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Let's say I uh...need a break from alcohol." he replied and smiled.

"Pfft, sure, like you've ever drunk excessively." Renekton let out a hearty laugh and downed his mug. This time he restrained from burping. Bartley raised his brow and looked at Nasus who just smiled and rubbed the back of his head. If only he knew.

"Anyway, I have a tent nearby. Wanna come and help me fold it and pack my stuff?" Nasus decided to change the topic.

"A tent? Haven't you been sleeping here?" Renekton asked surprised.

"No, he hasn't, despite me inviting him." Bartley replied for Nasus.

"Why?" Renekton asked again, both confused and curious.

"Let's just say that I...didn't like the company." Nasus made up a quick lie. Renekton didn't ask further.

When they left, Renekton took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, absorbing the air like a sponge. Despite the fact he's been out for some time now, he felt truly free only when he met Nasus. Led by his canine friend, they both made their way to his tent. It didn't take them long. After around thirty minutes they were packed up.

As they were coming back, Renekton started humming a song which he taught Nasus back when they were kids. Nasus noticed that and smiled.

"You still remember it?"

"Of course! How could I forget, it's my favourite song. In fact, that's one of the things that kept me sane…" Renekton replied and then silenced. He stopped in place and looked at his feet. Nasus turned around and his expression changed. He approached Renekton and put his forehead against his. He looked him in the eyes.

"Renekton, you don't even know how sorry I am that I didn't save you. I don't know what happened that you are free now, but I'm so fucking happy that you're here with me right now." Nasus spoke and sighed nervously. He felt like crying again, but then Renekton took a step backward to make some space between them, looked up, and smiled.

"Hehe, you said 'fucking'." he grinned. The sorrow Nasus just felt vanished and was replaced by happiness.

"Yeah, I did…"

"Nasus? Can we...talk about it...later? Right now I-"

"No, no, sure, it's okay." Nasus said and nodded. He didn't want to force Renekton into saying anything that could cause him pain. Then he patted him on a shoulder, "Let's go back, shall we?"

"Sure." he nodded and smiled.

As they were getting closer, they noticed Bartley saying goodbye to three customers. Apparently they've been there for around a week and were heading home, at least that's what Nasus and Renekton understood from the distance.

"...for everything. Food was great by the way." said a man accompanied by another man and woman.

"Thank you. You sure you don't want anything else?" Bartley asked, hoping he would sell some more stuff.

"Nah, it's fine. Even though we lost that backpack, we're still good." woman replied and hopped on a camel.

"I understand. Then I wish you a good ri-"

"Hold on a sec…" Renekton suddenly came up to them. He wasn't sure if he was right, but their faces after they saw him were enough proof. They were the ones that fled away from him.

"Y- you're...you're that monst-AGH!" he couldn't finish. Renekton grabbed him by his throat and raised up. He tried to pull away from his grasp, but his grip was too strong. His other companions looked at the scene in terror. Both Bartley and Nasus were shocked by this as well.

"You left me there to die, fuckers!" Renekton shouted and squeezed harder. Man's face started getting red.

"Renekton! What are you doing!?" Nasus shouted and ran up to him. Renekton looked at him, his eyes were red.

"What am I doing? Showing them what I felt! I was fucking terrified I would die," and then he looked at the man again "and they just LEFT ME THERE!" he screamed, droplets of saliva landing on petrified man's face. He squeezed even harder. He knew his vertebrae would snap soon. Nasus grabbed his arm and looked at him dead serious.

"Renekton, let him go. You're gonna kill him!" he demanded. Still looking at half unconscious man's face, Renekton smiled. He looked like a madman.

"I know…" he let out a low chuckle.

Suddenly, his grip got loose and the man fell down, gasping for breath. To their surprise, Renekton fell as well. He collapsed on his back, unconscious. When Nasus looked up, he noticed Bartley was holding some kind of blunt tool in his hand.

"Sorry, I had to knock him down." he said and put it back in his satchel. Nasus shook his head.

"Don't be, it was for the best." he said and then turned to those three.

"I'm sorry...I really, really didn't know…" he was crying, his voice was trembling from fear. Bartley helped him get up.

"I'm so sorry for what just happened. I'll give you something for having to experience that." he said, but the man refused.

"No...it's fine. You saved me, no need to give us anything." and then he turned to Nasus, "We saw him two weeks ago, but we thought he was a monster...and...and that huge weapon he had on his back…" he mumbled. Nasus nodded, understanding that Renekton doesn't look like the kindest guy, especially from the distance.

"It's fine, really. Go, before he wakes up." he suggested and they complied. After a moment they were too far to be seen anymore.

Nasus kneeled down and looked at Renekton. He's never been that violent, even when something really pissed him off. And his eyes, he was scary. He gently pulled up his eyelids to inspect his eyes. They were yellow once again. He sighed and stood up. He met Bartley's irritated gaze.

"Before you say anything, I have never seen him like that before." he said in his defence. Bartley closed his eyes and exhaled nervously. He looked back at him and nodded expressionless.

"Let's put him back in his room. Good thing everyone's gone now, otherwise we would draw a lot of curious looks." he said and grabbed his hands. Nasus took care of his legs, and together they put him in his bed.

"Besides, how hard did you have to hit him? He's been hit in the back of his had several times in the past and not even once he fell unconscious." Nasus asked as he was sipping beer. Turns out his break wasn't too long.

"Not too hard. This," Bartley said and pulled out the tool again, "Is a hammer made for knocking people unconscious. Every military medic had one." he responded.

"Ah, right. I completely forgot you used to serve." Nasus replied. He's always been curious how it happened that someone like him became a simple bartender somewhere in a desert, but he would always change the subject or respond vaguely. After some time he just stopped asking. It was clearly something he didn't want to talk about.

He took another sip. He's been wondering with Bartley what might have happened to Renekton that he snapped. Bartley suggested some kind of PTSD, but Nasus felt it might have been Xerath's doing. Renekton's mind was too strong. Only magic's influence could be strong enough to break him. Of course it was the only thing he's never told him about. But then Nasus thought, if Renekton was free, could it be that Xerath was free, too? Well, it didn't matter right now.

"I'll check on him." Nasus said and stood up. He drank the rest of the beer and went towards the stairs.

"Want me to come with you?" Bartley suggested, but he shook his head.

"It will be better if I come alone." he replied and went up.

When he entered the room, Renekton was sitting and looking at the other side of the room. Nasus got closer and sat on the opposite edge.

"Hey, Rene?" he said quietly. He looked at him with upset look.

"I don't know what happened. One moment I was laughing, and then...I…" he paused. He wanted to gather thoughts, but he couldn't describe it. Nasus moved closer and sat right beside him.

"I didn't want to talk about it, but...did Xerath do something to you?" he asked. He couldn't postpone that question any longer. It had to be asked now. Renekton looked at him and took a long, trembling breath.

"He was...messing with me, with my mind. He kept lying to me, he said I was abandoned, that you wouldn't come…" he said upset. Nasus lowered his eyes and looked down at the ground. It felt like it was his fault.

"...he wasn't very wrong though." Nasus whispered, feeling guilty. Renekton looked at him and shook his head.

"Don't say that. You said you were trying to find a way to help me." he said but Nasus got up and looked at him with tears in his eyes.

"But it wasn't enough! Five thousand motherfucking years passed and even today I don't know how to do it! They key to the crypt is gone, spell to break the curse gone, material for sarcophagus not to be found! Renekton, I'm just a failure, let's be real!" he started crying. He covered his face with his hands, he wanted to be gone. He wanted to hide that miserable self from Renekton.

He got up from the bed and approached Nasus. He spread his arms and hugged Nasus. He gasped surprised. He wanted to push him back, but something stopped him from doing that. Instead, he hugged him back and cried into his shoulder.

"Better?" Renekton asked after a moment. They were sitting on the bed again.

"Yeah, thanks." Nasus looked at him and smiled.

He was grateful Renekton wasn't angry at him, but it didn't help the fact he hated himself for not succeeding. The only thing he could do now was to make up for it all. He swept the tears from his face.

"Renekton, I know I can't make all that time gone return, but I can do something else. Let's leave tomorrow, I'll show you the world!" Nasus said determined. Renekton laughed and looked at him.

"That's ambitious, don't you think?" he said, but Nasus knew it was easy.

"Technology is quite peculiar these days. Don't worry, trips here and there aren't as troublesome as they used to be." Nasus replied and grabbed Renekton's hand. He pulled him up so he would stand. He looked him straight in the eyes and said, "I made a mental list of what I wanted to show you once you're free a while ago. With the funds I saved, it'll be a piece of cake."

"Funds you saved? You have a job?" Renekton asked.

"Of course, I had to! How would I survive that long without money?" Nasus replied and chuckled with Renekton.

"True. I was the only one who didn't have to do that." he said and sighed. He looked at him and nodded, "So, where do you work?"

"Right now, in Piltover. I'm a librarian." he said, which made Renekton let out a loud chuckle.

"How did I know you would say that?" he said and laughed again. Nasus folded his arms and rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh."

Next 3-4 weeks will be a little hard for me, exams and stuff. Chapters might be delayed or even not be posted at all. Apologies in advance. I want to say "See you next Saturday", but just can't promise it. See ya!