Chapter 3:
Riven forced herself out of bed, she had to get up even earlier than normal for an appointment she had with Soraka. Irelia had forced her to set one with the Starchild due to her nightmares; she still couldn't sleep almost a year on from nearly dying to Singed's chemical weapons. Irelia tried her best to comfort her, even lying with her in bed at night even though the Ionian didn't need to sleep in hopes to keep her from having nightmares, it was a strategy that got mixed results. In the last few weeks, the lack of sleep had been hitting Riven particularly hard; it was hard to deal with people hating her for being Noxian when so tired.
Even with being so exhausted, Riven managed to get herself dressed and stumble her way through the Placidium half asleep to see Soraka. The Starchild gave her a warm smile as she made her way into the clinic, gesturing for Riven to follow her into her office.
"I'm sorry for making you come in so early, I just don't have any time to see you after your training."
"It's okay."
"You look exhausted, how are you doing?" Riven slumped herself down into the chair across from Soraka, she could feel the concern radiating off of Soraka.
"I'm exhausted, not sleeping and when I am sleeping I'm having nightmares, as always."
"Maybe it's time to consider the talk therapy I was telling you about. It works well for those with Post-Traumatic Str-" Riven cut her off before she could continue.
"We've already talked about that; can't you just give me something to help me sleep already? That's all I want, I just want to be able to sleep enough to function each day."
"You know I've already told you no, Riven. I wouldn't give you something like that without you at the very least agreeing to talk therapy. I wouldn't want you to become reliant on sleeping aids." Soraka watched Riven's expression closely, "Look, Irelia's really worried about your nightmares and the lack of sleep, I think it's time to really consider talking to someone, even if it's her." Riven shrugged slightly before standing up.
"Thanks anyway." Riven left Soraka's office before she could stop her. Riven slowly made her way through the Placidium to the training grounds where she would meet the soldiers she was training. She would be a bit earlier than expected but it was better than being nagged by Soraka to talk about her feelings. As she was about to turn around the corner before the training grounds, she could hear the more high ranking soldiers speaking about her in Ionian, causing her to pause.
"I can't believe Elder Karma and Captain Lito continue to protect her and hide her here in the Placidium. There's no way someone like Commander Riven should be allowed to live here let alone train soldiers, how can she be trusted not to turn on us when we need her?"
"I already spoke to a few of the Elders about her; they're looking for ways to have her removed. She doesn't even speak Ionian, forcing us to use the common tongue with her."
"I don't understand what Captain Lito was thinking, getting Commander Riven to train us, a Noxian serving in the Ionian military." Riven had decided she had heard enough, anger blistering inside her. She turned around the corner, putting on her best fake smile, they had no clue she could understand them.
"Let's start, shall we?" She asked them, doing her best to pretend she wasn't in a foul mood from not only hearing what she had heard but with waking up early for a pointless meeting with Soraka.
After yet another frustrating training session, Riven left in the early evening, making her way back home. She wasn't sure if it was just the events of the day that had set her on edge but Riven felt as if she were receiving even more dirty looks from citizens as she passed, recognising her for being a foreigner and a Noxian. By the time she had returned home, Riven was in an incredibly foul mood, a mood in such stark contrast with her excitement to return home the day prior. Riven dumped her armour and rune sword at the door loudly, taking her frustration out on her belongings, loudly enough that Irelia stepped out of the kitchen with her eyebrow raised.
"Bad day?" She asked Riven, already knowing the answer, moving across the living room to make an attempt to comfort the Noxian.
"I don't know why you bother." Riven snapped causing Irelia to stop a few steps before her.
"Bother with what?"
"I don't know why you and Karma bother protecting me, no one wants me here. You should have just sent me away after you helped me heal. Better yet, you should have just left me where you found me in that forest."
"What's brought this on?" Irelia made a slow move to run her hand up Riven's arm, being careful not to startle or anger the Noxian.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"You don't get to snap at me and then not tell me why, love." Riven pulled her arm out of Irelia's grasp, heading for the stairs. "Alright, come back later when you're in a better mood." The Captain said before heading back into the kitchen, letting Riven head upstairs. Riven laid down on their bed upstairs, curled into a ball, letting herself seethe alone.
A few hours later when Riven had the chance to calm down, she made her way downstairs, finding Irelia sitting on the couch with a book in hand. Irelia looked over her shoulder at Riven after hearing her footsteps, she watched the Noxian, letting Riven begin the conversation.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you. I was in a bad mood and it wasn't your fault." Irelia smiled slightly, placing her book down on the coffee table before tapping the spot beside her on the couch, asking for Riven to come sit beside her. Riven took the spot beside Irelia, resting her head on the Ionian's shoulder.
"Now, tell me what made you so angry." Irelia said as she snaked her arm around Riven's shoulder and into her hair, playing with it.
"I just don't belong here. No one wants me here. I overheard a bunch of the higher ranking soldiers I've been training talking about how they don't understand why I'm still here, wanting me to be removed from my position. It seems to be a pretty common belief. Many of the vendors at the market still refuse to serve me or will serve me but would rather not." Irelia pressed her lips to Riven's hair line.
"I want you here. That's why I keep protecting you; I don't care what they think. Karma trusts my judgement and so she protects you too. I will keep telling you that as often as I need to for it to be enough. Now, how did your appointment with Soraka go?" Riven let out an audible sigh, she knew that Soraka had probably already spoken to Irelia to voice her concerns.
"She wouldn't give me anything to help me sleep. She still won't unless I talk to someone."
"I think talking to someone would be a good idea; you still won't tell me anything, love." Riven just grunted slightly as her response, she hated the feeling of being vulnerable even in front of Irelia after all this time. "I won't make you talk to me, but I want you to know that you can. I love you." She said with a smile before kissing Riven deeply.
A/N: Wow look at that, triple posting on the same fic. Please leave reviews or send me PMs to let me know what you guys think so far. I really like to hear your feedback especially because it seemed a lot of you wanted this sequel/continuation, I want to make sure everyone likes it.