20 Love with Time

The time has come. 

The decision to leave Piltover has been made, and the weight of it presses down on me like a boulder. I stand in front of the large, ornate mirror in my quarters, staring at the reflection of someone on the verge of departure. The clothes on my back feel heavier than they ever have before, as if the fabric is soaked with the memories of everything I've built here in this city—the people, the moments, the fleeting happiness that I can't seem to hold onto for long.

My time in Piltover was always meant to be temporary, yet it feels like I've only just begun to scratch the surface of what I could have here. The thought of leaving this place, of leaving Sevika, stirs a deep ache in my chest. But duty calls, and Noxus cannot wait. My clan, they need me.

I push the sadness aside as I finish gathering my things, folding the last few garments neatly into my bag. I turn to the door, heart pounding, and step out into the hallway, where I'm greeted by the familiar faces of my closest friends.

Shoola is the first to find me. She's standing by the door of the lounge, leaning against the frame, a knowing smile on her lips. Shoola's the kind of person who doesn't need to say much for you to understand everything. Her expressive eyes and the way she carries herself always tell the story before her words can.

"Well, look at you," she says, her voice warm and full of affection. "I guess this is it."

I nod, my throat tightening. I can't help but feel a lump rise in my chest as I face her. She's been one of the few people who truly understood me while I was here in Piltover, even when the world around us was falling apart. Her support, her loyalty—it's something I will carry with me wherever I go.

"You're going to Noxus, then," she continues, her voice softening with a touch of sadness. "I just... I wish you didn't have to go. But I know you have your responsibilities. Your family."

I step forward and give her a tight hug, feeling her warmth and strength. "I'll visit soon," I say, pulling back to meet her gaze. "Promise me that, Mel. Promise me you'll come back and not let everything swallow you up."

"I will," I reply, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat. "I'll come back. I'll find a way."

Shoola smiles, though there's a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I'll hold you to that."

With one last lingering look, she turns to leave, and I let out a shaky breath. It's hard to say goodbye, but it's harder to say goodbye without knowing that you'll be back. With Shoola, I have no doubts. She'll be there when I return.

I turn away, and there, at the end of the hallway, is Sevika. She stands with her arms crossed, her eyes trained on me with an intensity I can't seem to shake. There's tension between us, an unspoken yearning that lingers in the air like a storm waiting to break. My heart skips a beat at the sight of her, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.

I take a few steps toward her, unsure of what to say. The moment feels too heavy, too charged, but I can't run from it. Not anymore.

"You're really leaving," Sevika says, her voice quiet, almost incredulous, as if the thought of me walking out that door doesn't quite fit into her world. "Just like that."

I stop in front of her, meeting her gaze with a steady look. "I have to, Sev. Noxus needs me."

Sevika steps closer, her presence overwhelming in the best way possible. She stands in front of me now, her hands reaching out to gently cup my face, her thumb brushing across my cheek. "I know," she says, her voice thick with emotion. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to miss you."

"I already miss you too," I whisper, my breath catching in my throat as she leans in, her lips capturing mine in a soft, lingering kiss. It's a kiss that feels like everything—the promise of things unsaid, the love that we've fought to build, the depth of emotion that neither of us can ignore. It's all wrapped up in that one moment, in the press of her lips against mine.

When we pull apart, Sevika doesn't move. She just holds me there, her forehead pressed to mine, her breath slow and steady.

"Thank you for showing me what love is," I murmur, my heart full of everything I can't put into words.

She smiles softly, her fingers running through my hair. "There's more of that waiting for you in Noxus," she says, her voice full of promise.

"Please, I do not have anyone there."

Her expression shifts slightly, as if she's considering something. She pulls back from me just enough to grab something from her belt. With a single movement, she hands me a piece of paper.

 "What's this?" I ask, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion as I take the document from her.

"It's an absence paper," she says, her voice steady but with a mischievous edge. "Officially signed and approved by the council."

"An absence paper?" I repeat, still not quite understanding. "Why would you—?"

"You're not the only one with duties, Mel," she interrupts, her smirk widening. "There needs to be more diplomatic relationships between Piltover and Noxus, so I'll be coming with you."

I can't help but stare at her, disbelief and a growing sense of excitement bubbling inside me. "You did not."

"Oh, I did," Sevika says, her grin widening. She steps even closer, her body warmth enveloping me as she pulls me into her embrace, holding me close. "I'm not letting you go without me. Not now. Not when we've come this far. Not when you are the only person I care about."

I can't contain my smile as I relax into her, the weight of everything lifting off my shoulders. "I'm glad," I admit, my voice barely a whisper. "I'm glad you're coming with me."

Last time I left Piltover, I did so with a broken heart, with no one at my side. This time, it's different. This time, I'm not leaving alone. I have Sevika, and for once, I feel like I have everything I need.

"You knpw I'm not leaving you behind," Sevika says quietly, her voice full of sincerity as she presses a soft kiss to my forehead. "You mean too much to me."

We stand there for a moment, wrapped in the quiet comfort of each other's presence. The world outside doesn't matter anymore—not right now. All that matters is the here and now, the feeling of Sevika's arms around me, the knowledge that we're going to Noxus together, and that when we return, we'll do so side by side.

It's a strange feeling, knowing that I'm finally going back to my past, to the place that shaped me, but this time with Sevika by my side. I don't know what the future holds, but for the first time in a long while, I feel like I'm not facing it alone.

"Let's go," I whisper, my heart full. "Together."

Sevika arms tightening around my waist before she pulls back slightly, her hand gently brushing against mine. We stand there for a moment longer before she leads me out of the room. "Together, always, Buttercup."