It was almost night time and rain continued pouring down without any hints of stopping.
Like Teemo predicted it got much colder, but thanks to the fire that he started earlier, the house got warm towards the evening.
Teemo was sleeping for a while now leaving Tristana by herself. With nothing to do the girl picked up a book she found lying near the couch and was currently on the last page.
"Man this is so corny. Sweet, but corny." she let out a low laugh after reading the ending.
Closing the book and putting it away she stretched and glanced at Teemo who was still deep in dream land. Smirking, the girl scanned the room once again trying to find something interesting.
It was funny how despite knowing Teemo for quite some time she rarely visited his house. When she did, it was when some important documents had to be delivered or when they had to go on missions together. Usually Teemo visited her house or they went to some secret area deep in the forest that only the scout knew about. Now after being at his place for more than one day she noticed how everything looked old.
Not old as in 'everything is falling apart' old - every furniture looked worn out and something that you expect to see at your grandparents place. Another thing Tristana noticed is that Teemo didn't have anything techmaturgical. No television, all lamps were kerosene or crystals that emitted a soft glow, gas powered oven; even the fridge had some kind of weird magical crystal that generated the needed amount of cold. The only 'mechanical' thing in his house was a small, very retro looking radio.
The girl stood up and approached the table that the radio was on and examined it. It was an old model that was very popular back in the days. The productions stopped as new, more advanced models started popping up. Seeing one today in a working condition was a rarity.
Near the table were neatly stacked news papers. As Tristana flipped through some she found that some papers dated almost a year back. As the girl continued examining some older issues she found a couple of old interviews that she had after completing some crucial missions with her Megling unit. One article though made her stop and stare at it in awe for some time.
"Ah, no way!"
The article entitled "Heroes of Bandle City" was dedicated solely to four yordles: Teemo, Bixby, Tristana and Natalie.
Tristana grinned recollecting the day when Teemo and Natalie, the local medic, came rushing to the Megling Commando training grounds to find her. After they did, Teemo quickly told Tristana that he needed her for an urgent mission. After noticing the two yordles' serious expressions, Tristana quickly agreed. Bixby - Megling Commando's best sniper and Trist's friendly rival; overheard their conversation and joined their team no questions asked.
On their way, Natalie explained that earlier that day two battered and bruised yordles were brought into the hospital. They told that their caravan was attacked by a small gang of some unknown human bandits on their way to Bandle City. The two were lucky enough to escape, but everybody else got captured alongside the supplies.
Natalie went straight to the Scouts of the Mothership camp to inform about the situation. The second Teemo learned about the attack, he didn't wait for his higher ups to give him official orders - he asked Natalie to come with him and they bolted to the Megling Commandos base to get Teemo's trusted friend.
Natalie followed the well known scout knowing that in this situation a medic will be required.
While the officials were still mapping out strategies - the four yordles were already hot on the bandits' tracks thanks to Teemo's knowledge of every shortcut location there was.
Finding the bandits' temporary camp site, the four waited until nightfall to initiate their ambush.
Bixby took a good sniping position on one of the trees and Teemo skillfully avoiding confrontation with the enemy - planted his deadly mushrooms in key places. Tristana and Natalie had to sneak up to the camp as close as they could and waited for the signal.
After hearing a distinct sound that only the team members understood - the girls threw a hand full of smoke grenades into the campsite. As the bombs exploded, releasing thick smoke and confusing the humans - Teemo sprung out of his camouflage and dived into the smoke, extinguishing the hapless bandits that were still inside.
Those who ran out of the smoke dazed and confused were instantly taken out by Bixby with his enormous sniper rifle. Those less fortunate met their slow and painful demise by stepping on Teemo's mushrooms.
As the smoke started clearing up Tristana jumped into action and blasted any remaining or fleeing targets.
After the ambush Natalie quickly ran up to the cages that held the yordles and freed them.
When the smoke completely cleared up the camp site was littered with dead bodies, with some that were still fighting a losing battle against Teemo's poison.
The mission was a success.
The four then helped the freed yordles bring back all the stolen supplies to Bandle City.
Tristana remembered that after they left Teemo stayed behind and only joined them much later. When she asked where he was, the scout coldly answered that he was "Making sure that there were no survivors".
There were few things that made Tristana feel genuinely terrified and Teemo's "other side" was one of them.
When the yordles safely returned home - Teemo, Trist, Bixby, and Natalie were hailed as heroes for their successful mission.
For their dire mission the grateful yordles threw a huge party as a "Thank you". The next page of the old newspaper was full of pictures of them during that party. The pictures ranged from yordles dancing or making silly faces for the camera. The photo that stood out the most was where she and Bixby, holding their guns, were posing like some sort of badass action heroes; Teemo was standing in the middle giving a salute to the camera and Natalie was standing on a chair behind all of them and holding up a med kit as some sort of a holy relic.
Tristana smiled observing the picture and recalling the celebration. Even though the party was amazing she couldn't remember much of it.
There were a lot of yordles so naturally there were lots of food and even more booze. Teemo, being the reasonable one of course, didn't drink much, but Tristana had one too many. Why?
When she thought she had enough, Bixby challenged her for a drinking contest. Not being the one to back off from a challenge she agreed. The last thing Tristana remembered was how Teemo was trying in vain to talk her out of it. Ignoring his pleas she boldly started the challenge and after that - nothing.
Next thing she knew, she woke up back at her place with the worst hangover in her life. The following day the girl spent in the bathroom, puking her guts out and cursing everything that existed in the world. Tristana cringed at the memory.
When she finally stopped emptying her stomach, she washed her face with cold water and looked at the mirror just to see how terrible she looked. Terrible couldn't even describe it, but another thing Tristana noticed only after looking in the mirror was that she was completely naked. Having a brief panic attack and feeling sick all over again the girl desperately tried recalling what the hell happened the night before. Remembering absolutely nothing she checked her private parts for blood or... anything else. Finding that everything looked and felt untouched her mind was partially at ease.
Alcohol was something that she was careless with at times. Sure there were a couple of moments when she drunkenly made out with some guys from her unit, but nothing more. The last thing she wanted to do was to have sex, drunk out of her mind with hell knows who and then regret it. Yet who could she blame, but herself? Alcohol definitely made her a different person.
"Ugh... I should really stop going over my limit." Tristana rubbed her eyes in frustration.
"What are you reading there?" Tristana put the paper down in surprise seeing the awake scout standing near her with a curious look on his face. "That's an old issue."
Smiling, the girl jokingly cleared her throat and started reading out loud "A team, led by the infamous Captain Teemo, took down a camp of marauders and rescued our fellow yordles from their clutches."
Letting out a low laugh Teemo sat besides Tristana and took the paper, reading the article himself.
"Yeah, I think that was one of the most hectic missions."
Tristana chuckled, "You're telling me. You just barge in the shooting range all serious and needing help for some unknown mission. It's a good thing I'm used to that. I'm still amazed that we got the job done so quickly. I mean it just happened in a flash. One moment we are running heck knows where purely on adrenaline, and then boom - we are at a party."
"Yeah, I agree on that. It's as if the whole killing part didn't happen at all." Laughing, the yordle turned the page and scanned the photos.
One thing that bugged Tristana about the night she couldn't remember was - how did she got home? Did she come home all by herself? Doubtful. She found her front door locked on every lock there was, a thing she never did even when she's not drunk. She had a hunch on who could have helped her get back home and that person was sitting near her.
Tristana did ask Teemo about the night some time later when she met him. For reasons unknown the scout never gave her any clear answers. He either changed the subject or avoided answering it altogether. When she asked if it was him who led her home he only mumbled an unsure 'Yes' before changing the subject. After that Tristana knew that something definitely happened, but no matter how much she pestered him with the question Teemo kept his mouth shut. Tristana eventually dropped the subject, forgetting about it altogether.
Now after stumbling on this old article her question reemerged and this time she is going to get a straight answer.
"Hey, Teemo. Can I ask you something?"
The scout looked at her with a puzzled expression. "What is it?"
Tristana took the paper from Teemo's grasp and put it away and looked at him in the eyes, "Did you brought me home after I got wasted that night after the mission?"
The scout visibly tensed up and turned away. "Um..."
Tristana crossed her arms eyeing the scout.
"W-well, yes. It was me."
"Ha! I knew it." Smiling the girl noticed that Teemo didn't look all too happy for some reason. "Alright, what are you not telling me?"
"I-It's nothing..."
"Right. Then why you dodged the question each time I asked you about it?" Tristana was getting tired of his silence. "Stop beating around the bush and just spill it out already!"
Teemo wanted to continue playing the silent game, but he didn't have a choice now. After letting out a long sigh, the scout was ready to talk.
"Loook at the purdy explosionnsss!"
Teemo looked at the faulty techmaturgical street lamp that was randomly flickering on and off and then back at his drunken friend, "Uh, yeah. They are. Heh..."
Tristana giggled, nearly tripping and pulling the scout with her. Thankfully Teemo got the hang of her random tripping and quickly readjusted the girl on her feet.
The party was really something, but toward the end it got a little out of hand. He didn't drink much so it wasn't big of a deal for him. He couldn't say the same about Tristana who was leaning on him for support and giggling non-stop.
"Whoaaaa... The mooon's sooo biiig!"
He had to admit - the night was indeed beautiful. The sky was completely clear of clouds and you could see all the stars and the full moon which seemed almost unnaturally close at the moment.
"Sooo prettyy~"
Teemo thought this was the longest half hour of his life. Guiding - no, dragging a very drunk Tristana home was no easy task. Drunk was an understatement. She was completely smashed. Bixby had the genius idea of challenging her for a drinking game right before she left. Tristana won, but Teemo thought that those two won't remember or care about it in the morning.
"You are going to have such a bad hangover in the morning..." said the scout relieved to see Trist's house.
Tristana only smiled at him and mumbled something unintelligible leaning on him even more.
It was a tough "mission", but honestly Teemo wouldn't be able to sleep until he knew that Tristana was home safe and sound. Nearing the front door Teemo blew a sigh of relief.
"Alright, I need keys." The scout looked at his drunken friend who was leaning on him and barely keeping her eye open. Asking Tristana about the keys was pointless. Using his free hand, Teemo carefully started checking her pockets, making the girl let out a random giggles in the process.
Not finding the keys in the front pockets the only place left was the back pockets on her pants. Letting out an uneasy sigh, Teemo put his hand in the back pocket. Just as he grabbed the keys, Teemo gasped in surprise when he felt his crotch being grabbed.
"OOOohh~ Is that a mushroooom in your pocket?" she asked in low, lusty voice.
Teemo's face became hot in matter of seconds as he tried to get the keys out that conveniently got stuck on a loose thread.
"Uhh, you are kinda... Crushing them." Grunting, the scout pulled hard finally taking out those blasted keys and making Tristana let go on his crotch.
The scout quickly opened the door and without a warning scooped up Tristana bridal style. Not closing the door, Teemo carried the girl into her room and carefully laid her on the bed.
After exiting the room, Teemo stood still calming down his inappropriate thoughts and letting out a sigh of relief that the pair finally made it.
"Ok, I'll just lock the door from the inside and climb out of the window. That way I won't have to take the keys with me."
Teemo closed the door, locking it and leaving the keys there so Tristana can easily find them later in the morning. Wanting to check on his friend just before he left, Teemo silently went to her room.
Entering he noticed that the bed was empty. The room was completely silent Tristana seemingly disappeared into thin air.
"Trist?"
Hearing a faint laugh from behind him, the scout slowly turned his head.
"Trist? What are yoooooouu...?" he trailed off after witnessing the girl.
Right before him stood a completely naked Tristana, wearing a very devious grin. Thanks to the bright moon that was slightly lighting up the room, he could clearly see the girl's small curves on her well built body as well as her average sized (by yordle standards) breasts. Teemo felt as if his face was on fire. Shaking his head, the scout closed his eyes.
"O-OOOOoookkkDon'tlookDon't-!"
The girl came closer to the surprised yordle and leaned on him, pressing her bare chest against his. Snaking her arms around his neck, she whispered softly "Come on Captain. I know you want to~"
"...Not like this."
Teemo stood still as if he was paralyzed. The girl that caught his interest since day one was practically crawling all over him with very obvious intentions and yet he knew that this was not right. He wasn't like that.
"It's not her... It's the alcohol that's making her act like this."
Having enough, the scout hugged the intoxicated girl, taking a long whiff of her body odor that was an odd mix of gunpowder, sweat and alcohol.
"Tristana. You need to go to bed and sleep. Please..."
For some time there was no answer.
"Fine!"
Teemo was suddenly pushed away. Regaining his footing, he looked at the enraged Tristana.
"Who needs you anyway? Why didn't Bixby or, or something didn't guide me. NNOooooo! It had to be YOU. Captain Pussy!" turning around and wobbling back to bed the girl continued her barrage of insults. "Why am I even friends with you? You're just some loner, lunatic that people talk crap about, but are friendly because they are afraid of you! Ha! Nobody is friends with you!"
Her words stung.
"Get out of my house! You... You..." Finally plopping onto the bed she let out a loud sigh. "Screw you..."
The silent scout walked past Tristana and swiftly climbed through the window into the chilly night. Teemo stood outside for a few minutes just cooling off and looking at the beautiful moon. After glancing back at Tristana's house, he took off sprinting back to his place to finally get some rest.
Tristana couldn't believe what she just heard. There was a long silence between the two yordles. The only thing that was heard were the heavy raindrops hitting the roof and the booming thunder somewhere in the distance.
Now she knew the reason why for some time Teemo acted a little off after that mission. Even though he smiled and said that everything was fine - she could tell when his smile was fake and when it was real.
From the corner of her eye she could see that Teemo was wearing an unreadable expression after he finished telling the events that unfolded that night.
Teemo, being is his right mind, helped her back home when she was drunk out her mind and as a reward she insulted him. Her dad once said: "Kid! If you're going to drink, do it smartly and know your limit. Because if you won't you will do one of these things: you'll do something that you will regret; you may wake up knocked up with the "daddy" nowhere to be seen; you will ruin friendships. When you are drunk, all those little bad things that you keep to yourself about your friends will come out - twice as harsh."
Did that ruin their friendship? She hoped it didn't. This whole thing was almost a year ago and they are still close friends. Tristana knew the reason - Teemo was a forgiving person and never really held any grudges against people, even those who treated him unfairly. Sometimes she thought that he was too nice for his own good.
Still. She couldn't just leave this whole thing without saying anything...
"Teemo..." the girl whispered, making the male slowly turn his head and look at her.
She wasn't good at apologizing, she never was.
"You... Thank you for... Watching over me..." she bit her lip trying to form some proper sentences. "I acted like a complete idiot; I always do when I drink too much. I shouldn't have said any of those things... I..."
The girl grunted in frustration and rubbed her forehead, "Why is this so hard..."
"Listen... I want you to know one thing. Even if... Even if you are a 'loner', a 'lunatic', a 'person with sometimes questionable morals', an 'unrepentant killer'..."
Pausing, Tristana locked eyes with Teemo, giving him an honest smile.
"There's no one else I'd rather have as a friend."
I wasn't sure about posting this chapter for a while. Why? I thought that I crammed too much stuff in this chapter. I hope the pacing was alright as well as other things.
Like always - thank you for reading and write your own brutally honest thoughts about this chapter if you feel like it.