Chapter Six: The Date (Part 1)
"Why do I have this sudden feeling of unease?" Varus asked himself as he quickly flew down the Halls, eyes searching frantically for the Noxian assassin and Demacian scout. His hand tightened around his bow while he turned a corner sharply, stopping when he heard a vaguely familiar laughing.
"Aren't you worried about your fellow snobby Demacians catching you with a degenerate like me?" Varus heard Talon just a few feet away. Peeking around a pillar, he spotted Talon and the scout strolling down the hall. He couldn't help but smirk when he noticed the assassin's fingers intertwined with Quinn's. Varus flew from pillar to get closer to the duo without them spotting him.
"The only one we should worry about is Valor. You're lucky he didn't spot you." The scout chuckled, "He would have gouged those pretty eyes out."
"I was behind you for at least ten minutes yet he didn't see me and from the sky nonetheless? That chicken needs more training." Talon said as he stopped. He grabbed the scout's chin and smirked, "Unless I am just that good."
"Don't flatter yourself." Quinn rolled her eyes, shoving the assassin's hand away from her face.
"Where were you taking me again?"
"Down to Gragas' Tavern—since its Valentine's day he has a special offer for couples."
"Excuse you? When did we establish we were a couple?" Talon asked, his eyes narrowing playfully at the girl.
"We didn't but who could pass a deal on drinks?" Quinn said smugly as she continued down the Hall. Talon remained behind for moment, his thoughts in a jumble. He jogged to catch up with the scout.
"I thought Demacians avoid drinking?"
"Please don't mistake me for Garen." The scout said with a slight annoyance, "That man even looks at a cup of milk with a cautious eye."
"Do I sense some hostility between you and the Mighty Moron?" Talon asked, letting out a small chuckle when Quinn's expression turned dim.
"This whole week he has been skipping skirmishes for an unknown reason—that's why I was in the garden today."
"I see…" Talon's eyes narrowed when he was reminded of his sister's current habit of ditching him for something else. He remembered how she asked him to spar with her but then ended up disappearing before he could answer.
The two stopped in front of the swinging doors that lead into Gragas' Tavern. They frowned at the poster full of hearts on various photos of other couples in the League. Talon and Quinn awkwardly stared at the phot of Vi and Caitlyn putting cookies into the other's mouth.
"Gragas' Valentine Day Dessert and Drink…" Quinn read the giant red words on the poster, "Two free drinks and half off two desserts from Morgana's Bakery for couples—proof of dating required."
"What the hell does that mean?" Talon asked as he glared at the pink poster. He noticed that Quinn had already walked through the swinging doors and he hurried in after her. Varus took advantage of the noisy doors and he jolted inside, taking refuge in the rafters.
The assassin's face turned into a dark glower when he saw the decorations around the tavern. He saw balloons along with pink and white ribbons cover the bloodstains on the wall. Flowers were on every table as well as the bar itself and Talon noticed an unusual smell.
"Good gods, Gragas cleaned the tavern for once." He whispered to himself as he looked down at the clean floors.
"There is no one here." Quinn said while she glanced around the room.
"O'course there ain't—ye be coming in almost before closin' time." The two heard Gragas belch at the bar. They turned their attention to the large man and saw him guzzling wine and scarfing down chocolate cupcakes. "Whatdya want, kiddos?"
"Are you still doing the Valentine's Day Drink and Dessert?" Quinn asked as she looked up at the clock above Gragas and saw that it was past nine.
"Eh?" Gragas scratched his chin through his long beard as he blankly stared at the scout and her assassin. "Ye do know its fer couples only?"
"Uh, we are together." The scout replied.
"Heh, sure, and I ain't drunk." The large man laughed before he took another swig from the wine bottle.
"No, really, we are." Quinn stepped towards the bar.
"Oi, don't be thinkin' ye can get by ol' Gragas. Yer ain't the only ones tryna get free drinks. That lil maniac, Jinx, tried to pass off her rocker as boyfriend. So get out."
"But—"
"Unless… ye got some proof." Gragas said as he took a bite of cupcake.
"Proof?"
"Aye. Prove to me you two are in love." The large man chuckled as he batted his eyes. Quinn turned back to Talon with a confused expression. He only responded to her with a shrug. The scout looked back to Gragas who had his hands folded under his chin as he waited patiently.
"How?"
"Oi, just give yer boyfriend a kiss, dingus!"
"You're a sick man, Gragas." Talon growled lowly as he pulled his hood over his eyes.
"Oh? Do ya want to take the Ahri route and kiss me instead?" The large man challenged the assassin, puckering his lips at him. Talon couldn't see the look on Gragas' face but the noise he made was disgusting.
"Get over here." Talon sighed as he yanked Quinn towards him. The scout bumped into his chest and then glanced up at him, giving a tiny giggle when she saw him blushing. Talon grabbed her face and quickly pecked her on her lips before shoving her away.
"Eh? What was that?" Gragas frowned, "Don't kiss her like ya would yer grandmum! Take down the hood and give her a looong smooch."
"I don't think the drinks are worth this torture." The assassin covered his face with his hand when Quinn hopped over to his side. She pulled down his hood, revealing his long brown hair. The scout forced Talon's hand down with a giggle before she wrapped her arms around his neck. Talon glanced over at Gragas, avoided his eyes, and saw that he was watching them with a smug grin.
"Come on, Talon. Just kiss me like you did in the garden." Quinn whispered. The assassin looked down at her golden eyes and gave her a small nod. He reluctantly pressed his lips on hers. After a few seconds into their embrace, a warm feeling overcame Talon and the whole tavern seemed to melt away. He let his arms wrap around the small scout.
"Ugh, this is getting weird to watch." Varus said as he let his legs hang over the rafters, "I assume it would have been a thousand times weirder if Talon looked into Gragas' eyes considering he is still under my magic. Come to think of it, these two have been extremely lucky of not running into any—"
Before the archer could finish, the swinging doors of the tavern were pushed open. Varus held his hand over his mouth to keep himself from laughing and gasping when he saw the man and woman standing in the doorway. The woman's green eyes widened in disbelief as she saw the assassin and scout still wrapped in their embrace, not even noticing that others had entered the room.
"Talon!" The woman shouted.
Quinn quickly pulled away from the assassin and glanced behind him. Her face paled when she recognized Katarina's blood-red hair. The scout's stomach jumped into her throat when she looked at the man standing behind her—it was Garen. He stood there, staring at her with his a disappointed look across his face. Varus looked over at Gragas and saw that he was slowing making his way out of the room. His large body slipped through the door that he had behind the bar, but he reentered to grab the plate of cupcakes.
"Why'd you stop?" Talon looked down at the shocked girl.
"Talon!" Katarina shouted again. The assassin groaned as he recognized his sister's voice. "Turn around and look at me when I'm talking to you!"
"Of all places…"
"Of all places is right." Varus chuckled as he watched the four people stand in silence. "I would hate for Talon to look into his sister's eyes… at least that's how I should feel. A Noxian is still a Noxian." Katarina stomped over to Quinn and Talon in a rage. The scout quickly hopped away from the two siblings when Katarina yanked her brother's hood back. She flipped him around and Varus saw his magic take effect.
Hello again, sorry for the long wait, I went to the dentist for a toothache and they gave me medication that makes me sleepy. The past couple of weeks I have been sleeping for more than 14 hours. But the next chapter should be here soon.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope to see you again.