Hello there people! Welcome to the next chapter! I hope you'll enjoy reading it, since I certainly had fun writing it!
„Yep! I'm totally alright! I mean, pink isn't really my colour, but I can manage!" I was relieved to hear that. I then looked at the direction the vial came from, but didn't see anyone.
„Hey, did you see who threw that vial at you?"
„Weeeell, actually it was directed at you! I just took the shot! But nope, I didn't see who did it!"
„I see..." I thought for a second and then spoke again „Let's go home. I want to examine what this potion was for."
„W-what?! But I already told you that I feel alright! And we didn't even do anything fun yet!" He looked a little bit sad.
„I know... But I don't really see why someone would throw a potion at someone that doesn't do anything. Maybe the effect takes some time to activate. I just want to be sure!"
„Okay, that's understandable I think! If someone stuck a bomb at you and you said you feel alright I think I wouldn't be fully convinced either! Hehe!"
„Hmm... I don't think that comparison really works in this situation... But I'm glad that you agree!"
„Then let's get this over with so we can do more stuff!"
I picked up one of the broken glass pieces and then we started walking back. We briefly stopped to go into one of the stores. I took everything I needed to analyze the liquid and we continued to walk back. Once we arrived, I invited Ziggs to come in with me.
„You still feeling alright?"
„Yep! I feel as awesome as ever! Hehe!"
„Good good... Just tell me if you feel weird or anything. There aren't that many pink potions, but it should still take a little while until I know exactly which one it is."
„Gotcha! I'll juuust... Well, you actually don't really have anything here yet that is really interesting, so I guess I'll watch you!"
„Fine by me. Grab a chair." He did so and then I started working on analyzing the liquid. Ziggs managed to stay quiet for most of the time. It looked like he was quite interested in my work. But after a while he suddenly began talking.
„Hey! Did you know that Rumble has a crush on Tristana?"
„Uhm... I guess?" I know that Rumble called his mech Tristy... And the way he talks to Tristana makes it pretty obvious, really... But it was very weird for Ziggs to just say something like that. I doubt that Rumble appreciates it if Ziggs just goes around and tells people that.
„Oh! And you know that spider girl Elise? In one match she lost one of her little Spiderlings and it took her the whole match to find it again! Hehe, that was really fun! Not for her team, but in general!" He chuckled a little, but I was more and more confused. Why is he telling me all of this?
„And in another match I was very injured and I ate the honey fruit and I was so into it that I didn't even notice that I picked up one of Teemos shrooms... Needless to say that this wasn't really good for me!"
„Ziggs, why are you-"
„Also: Do you know that you are my best friend? And also that I love you?"
„Uhm... You are also my best friend. And I guess I also love you?" It was kinda weird saying that, but it wasn't wrong. He is my best friend and I do love him in a way best friends love each other...
„Oh, no no! You got that wrong! I don't love you like a brother or something like that! I love you in a „please let me stay with you and hug you and kiss you and make you happy until the end of days" way! Or in short: The gay way! Hehe~"
I sat there with my mouth open. I really did not know what to say. Did Ziggs just casually confess that he is gay? And furthermore: Did he just confess that he is in love with me? I mean... It IS very Ziggs-like to do something like this as casual as possible, but so suddenly and without any context? I looked at him, waiting for him to say that this was just a joke and laughing loudly. But he did not say anything. He just sat there with his bright smile. After a while I began to speak again.
„So... That was a joke, right? I think you forgot to say that this was a joke."
„Hm? What makes you say that? That was no joke at all! All of that was 100% the truth!"
Truth... After I heard that word it immediately struck me! That potion was a truth potion! It all makes sense! That's why Ziggs said all these random things! Cause if the victim of the potion doesn't get asked any questions, they'll start saying true things themselves!
… But that also means that he really wasn't joking when he confessed those things...
„Uhm... I-I see... well... let's get you home... This potion was a truth potion... It should go away quite easily if you shower..."
„Aww, but I was looking forward to spending more time with you!"
„I know... But I wouldn't advise to walk around like that... This potion can be quite dangerous if you get asked the wrong question."
„Meh, I guess so. Okay, then I'll go home and shower! Will we do something after I'm done?"
„Uhm... I don't know... I don't really feel so good..." That was a lie, but I just felt awkward being around Ziggs right now.
„Oh, then I think it would be muuuch better if I'd shower here and then watch over you!"
„No, it's not that bad. I'll get you home so nobody messes with you right now and then I'll rest a while, okay?"
„Okaaay, fine by me!" We went towards Ziggs' home. Luckily we only met a few Champions on our way, and they did not ask us anything. I said goodbye to Ziggs and after he went inside I took a deep breath. I knew exactly who was responsible for this, and I decided to pay him a visit immediately. It took a while to figure out where he lives and to get there, but once got there, I knocked loud on the door. After roughly 5 seconds the door opened and revealed the culprit.
„Ah, Vait. To what do I owe the pleasure?" His voice sounded as superior as ever.
„Oh please Heimerdinger. You and I both know why I'm here."
„Hm, I certainly do not know that. Please enlighten me."
„Fine, then I'll say two words: „Truth potion". Does this ring a bell?" For a brief moment I saw a faint smile appearing on his face, but it turned into a neutral look again.
„No, I still do not know what you mean. You have to articulate a little bit better if you want to have a conversation with me." I had to try really hard to not flip out. How can one yordle be this freaking arrogant?
„Listen! Don't you feel at least a little bit guilty? You did not hit me with it, you hit Ziggs. One of your students and a yordle that looks up to you and that likes you. And you didn't even use the proper type of vial. With this vial you could have severly hurt one of us. Do you really think that is worth it to get me to tell you something that even I don't know?"
„Do you, by any chance, have definite proof that I am the one that threw the potion? Did you see me throwing it?"
„Oh please, I don't have to see you to know that you did it! Or do you know any other person here that would gain anything by throwing a truth potion at me?"
„Did I not make myself clear? I asked you for DEFINITE proof. With reasoning this weak, no court in the world would say that I'm the culprit." I heard him chuckling. I really hate this guy...
„Fine, be that way... I just hope that you are smart enough to realize that trying to throw another truth potion at me would be a waste of time... I'll just go home and shower if one of those hit me... So don't go around and put other people in danger, yes? And now, have a good day I guess..." I turned around and headed home. Heimerdinger just shook his head and closed his door.
I decided to go home for now. I really don't know what I should do now. One of the side effects of the truth potion is that the victim – once the effect of the potion ends – forgets everything that he told someone during that time. So Ziggs won't even know that he confessed his love to me... Should I just tell him? But I already felt so awkward after he said it... Maybe I should just ignore it? But can I really do that? I sighed and went inside my house. I'll figure something out, but for now I'll just go to bed... Maybe sleeping will help me reach a conclusion.
2 Weeks later.
It's been two weeks since the incident. I've settled in quite well by now. I know most of the other Champions and have fought in some more Summoners Rift matches. And I've heard that some people outside of the League are cheering for me when I fight, so that's good!
But something that really isn't good is that I still don't know what I should do with Ziggs. The first few days I tried to just ignore it, but it felt really awkward walking around with him, knowing how he really feels. Not that I have anything against that... I couldn't care less if someone is gay, straight or anything else. But it's kinda weird to know that he loves me, especially when he doesn't know that I know... That's why I tried to avoid him. I know this isn't the best solution in the long run, but I think it atleast is until I figure something out.
I suddenly heard someone knocking on my door. It was probably Ziggs, he did it almost every day. I'll just ignore it, as always... But then I heard a voice that I wasn't expecting.
„Vait, I know you're in there. Open up." Rumble sounded annoyed... Maybe angry?
„... Are you alone?"
„Yes, and now let me in."
I sighed and opened the door. Rumble really was alone. At first he looked angry, but once he saw me his expression softened a little bit. I probably didn't look so good... Overthinking something all the time does that to you. He came in and immediately started talking.
„So, now tell me why you are trying to avoid Ziggs? I thought you two are best friends? Do you even know how sad Ziggs is since you've decided to ignore him? And it is quite hard to see someone like him down!"
„I know... And I don't like to ignore him either... But I do have a reason."
„Then tell me!" I took a deep breath and began talking.
„Well... Ziggs got hit by a truth potion and he confessed his love to me. And he doesn't remember confessing because that is one of the side effects of the potion... And now I feel awkward being around him! I really don't know what I should do..."
„... Is that all? I mean, it is kinda understandable I guess, but is that really a reason to ignore your best friends like this? I'm pretty sure Tristana also knows that I love her, considering that she sometimes mocks me during our matches, but she still spends time with me, probably ignoring it. Can't you do the same?"
„I wish I could... But I feel something very weird around him since then... I can't really describe it..."
„... Maybe you love him as well?" I looked at him confused.
„Hm? What makes you say that?"
„Well, I can only speak for myself, but when I started to fall in love with Tristana I also felt weird being around her! It took me a while to realise that I've fallen for her. So maybe it's the same for you?"
I thought about it for a second. Could I really love Ziggs in a romantic way as well? I haven't really thought about a relationship with anyone until now, considering that I spent most of my life traveling around the world... But it somehow sounds right... Maybe it is true?
„Okay, maybe a simpler question first: Can you even see yourself being together with another dude? Cause if not, then the first question should be answered too."
„I... think so? I haven't thought about it really, but I don't think I would mind being in a relationship with a guy..."
„Hmm... Well, I guess you could be in love with Ziggs, but you should think about it some more. But in the meantime you should go to him and apologize! That's the least you can do!"
„Yeah, you're right... Thanks Rumble, I'll immediately go to him!"
„No problem, and now go! He's probably in his house" Rumble basically pushed me out of my house and I started running towards Ziggs' house. I was kinda worried... Will he be upset with me? Probably... But I'd deserve it. I knocked on his door and waited. Once it opened, I saw Ziggs looking really down for a second, but then that sadness turned into surprise.
„Oh... Hi Vait?"
„Hello... Can we talk?"
„Uhm... Sure, come in!"
He let me in and pointed towards his couch. We sat down there and he began talking.
„Sooo... What did you want to talk about?"
„Well, you know how I've been ignoring you for the most part the last two weeks?"
„Oh, you diiiid? I didn't notice at all!" His sarcastic tone stung, but I had to endure it for now.
„Yeah... There was a reason... You remember when you got hit by that potion?"
„Yep! But after that I only remember that we went to your home to analyze it and the next thing I remember is that I'm at my house showering! So what was that potion?"
„It was a truth potion. And it made you forget all the things you told me there..."
„Ah, I see! And let me guess: I told you something that made you feel uncomfortable and that's why you were avoiding me!"
„That's... Actually right."
„Yeah, I thought so. So what was it? Oh, it was the thing I did to you when you were asleep during our sleepover years ago, right?"
„No, it was... Wait, what?"
„Uhm... Nothing! Keep talking!"
„I'll ask you later what that was... But no, you told me that you love me..."
„Oh... Yeaaah... That... I can see why that made you uncomfortable! But don't worry, you can reject me! I don't mind! But please let us stay friends! I don't want something like this to ruin our friendship!" He sounded kinda sad at the end.
„Nah, it wasn't really your confession. I don't mind, really... It's just that I'm confused... Maybe I feel the same for you? I don't really know at the moment..."
„Wait... You do? I mean, you maybe do? That's more than I ever thought you would, haha!"
„Soo... How long have you known now?"
„Oh, quite some time actually! Shortly after I left for Piltover I realised it. I thought going there would make me happy, and it somehow did. But something was missing, or rather someone. I had to think about it for a while but soon I knew that you were the one I missed. And that I am indeed in love with you..."
„Wow... That is quite some time... And you just ignored those feelings instead of telling me?"
„Well, of course! I didn't know how you'd react! There are people out there that hate gay people! And while I was quite sure you were not one of them, I really didn't want to risk our friendship! So I just stayed quiet and enjoyed spending time with you. That was enough for me! Everything above that would just be a nice bonus!"
„Oh... I see..." I really wouldn't have thought that Ziggs had these feelings for so long. He always seems so carefree, as if he had no problems at all. But I guess even he does have them sometimes.
„Soo... What will we do now? You said that you maybe feel the same for me, but what do you mean exactly?"
„Well... I don't know... I feel kinda weird being around you ever since you told me that you love me. Rumble said that this weird feeling could be because I love you as well... He also had a weird feeling before he realised that he loves Tristana."
„Maybe you secretly find it disgusting that I love you and don't know it yet and when you realise it you will just tell me that I'm disgusting and that you don't want to have anything to do with me anymore!" He sat there with a big smile and laughed after saying that. I'm glad that he is feeling better again.
„Don't be stupid! I don't have anything against you being gay... Would be pretty stupid, considering that I could be gay as well..."
„Haha, I guess that's true! Weeeell... I don't know if this'll help you figuring things out... Maybe this will just confuse you even more... But it's worth a shot!"
Ziggs came closer and closer. His face was just inches away from mine. I knew exactly what he was planning to do, but I didn't back away. I myself wanted it to happen. And then he leaned in for a kiss. It wasn't a very long kiss, maybe 15 seconds or so, but as the one receiving it it felt pretty long. After he was done he looked at me with a very big smile and a blush on his face.
„Weeeeell?"