Chapter 5:
Riven fiddled with the keys to her and Katarina's apartment, trying to open the door. She cursed to herself, she could never remember how the damn lock worked and Katarina refused to change it, apparently she thought it was cute seeing Riven get so frustrated over something so small. Riven wasn't in a particularly good mood, she came home bearing bad news, again.
Eventually Katarina opened the door for Riven from the inside, smirking widely at Riven not being able to open the door on her own yet again. The assassin's hand wrapped around the collar of her commander's uniform and pulled her inside, pushing her up against the door and kissing at her neck.
"You're in a bad mood," she murmured against Riven's neck in between kisses, "Let me help you with that." Riven relaxed slowly into Katarina's touch as she efficiently undid her uniform, she had certainly gotten good practice over the years. She felt Katarina pull her uniform shirt and coat off her shoulders and let them fall to the floor, the assassin's quick fingers were already at the bandages binding her chest, yanking them off.
"What's gotten you all riled up?" Riven smirked as she felt Katarina's lips moving down her collarbone and to her chest.
"It's been too long." The assassin replied, putting her mouth on Riven's exposed nipple, eliciting a short exhale from the soldier.
"We fucked just yesterday." Riven chuckled slightly before moaning as the assassin bit down.
"I know." Katarina replied before moving to the soldier's other breast.
"You're insatiable, you know."
"You love it really."
"I do." She sighed as Katarina undid the belt holding up her pants, sliding them down to her ankles along with her underwear.
"On your hands and knees on the bed." Riven stumbled quickly in order to obey the command, causing Katarina to give a possessive smirk.
Hours later when the pair were lying in bed, covered in sweat, Riven's bad mood returned to her. The assassin had done a good job at keeping it at bay for a period of time, but that didn't change the future. Katarina picked up on this and raised her eyebrow, waiting for Riven to speak.
"I have bad news."
"What does High Command want this time?" She knew Riven was leaving again, this always angered her.
"I'm leaving for Ionia tomorrow." She paused as Katarina stiffened slightly. "I have a bad feeling about this one, Kat."
"Why's that?" Katarina had her classic scowl on her face.
"We're being forced to work with those bastards from Zaun, I don't trust them. I also don't know if we can win against Ionia. It just doesn't feel right, Kat."
"Let me get you out of it then. I've told you many times that I can just get you promoted so you stay here."
"You know I can't let you do that." Katarina sighed indignantly at Riven's refusal to let her help. "I don't know when I'll be back. Could be weeks, could be months or even longer." Riven wrapped her arm around the assassin's waist and pulled her into an embrace under the bed covers.
The next morning, Riven woke up Katarina to be able to say goodbye. Katarina quickly put on some clothes and joined Riven for a quick breakfast, largely eaten in silence. The assassin got like this almost every time the soldier left.
Riven stood in front of the door, hesitating to leave this time. She never wanted to leave Katarina, but this time in particular, she felt it the most.
"I love you, Kat. I hope I can come back soon." The assassin said nothing, eyes stuck to the floor. After several moments passed, Riven continued speaking. "You know, you've never said it back. We've been together almost three years now."
"I know." She murmured, just loud enough for the soldier to hear her.
"Say it. Please." Katarina lifted her gaze from the floor, making eye contact. Riven could see Katarina's hands shaking slightly.
"I love you, Riven." She quickly pulled the ashen haired woman into a tight embrace, putting her mouth to Riven's ear. "You don't get to make me say it and then not return. So you better come back."
"I'll come back for you, always." She pulled back, smiling at Katarina before kissing her goodbye and stepping out the front door.
It wasn't long after this that Fury Company was betrayed by Zaun. In moments of reflection, Katarina always cursed herself for not ignoring Riven's protests against her interfering and getting her promoted. Maybe she would have been safe.