#jhinxsona

Jhin gestured to her to play to her heart’s content. If he heard it, he would know what kind of dance would be suitable for the song. Sona played a four-beat song that did sound more contemporary but with some traditional motifs throughout it. “It sounds fantastic, Sona. I would say, a contemporary dance—perhaps with some traditional moves mixed in—would probably be more appropriate for a song like this.” He was playing certain choreographies in his head, using small gestures of his fingers to keep track of his thoughts.

Sona smiled. She found it interesting to watch the subtle movements he did with his hands, the way his lips moved as he whispered words to himself, and his head slightly bob to his memory of her song. Ever since Jhin revealed his face and name, he had been coming to the grove without the mask. Everything was all packed in one bag.

He told her before that he had an average face that allowed him to blend in with people. She did see what he meant, but once she saw his face more often, it became easier for her to be able to discern him from the crowd.

“What is it?” Jhin asked, having caught Sona staring at him.

“My apologies. I was just thinking.”

“About my face, it seems,” he finished with an amused smile. “Is it really that surprising?”

She gave him a crooked smile. “Had I seen your face in the beginning, I would have been. But now, you seem to have a comforting face. It correlates well to the harmony hidden within.”

He felt his cheeks heat up. “My, that’s a first. I’ve never been told that by anyone.”

“And now you have,” Sona signed, giving him a pleasant smile.

He chuckled, embarrassed, and tapped his finger against the ground in a slow beat to steady his heart. “So how would you like to start thinking of a dance now?”

Sona nodded excitedly. “It may become difficult since I am the only instrumentalist, but I composed it in a way that would provide me some time to dance as I play.”

“I’m certain it won’t be as hard as you think, if you’re looking for a simple choreography.” He stood up and walked to the center of the clearing, where the sunlight shone through the trees onto him. “We may have to improvise later, but we could use this as a base.” He bowed, earning a quiet applause from Sona, and gestured to her. “Music please, maestra!”

She began to play the song again, but she kept her eyes on Jhin and his every step. Each movement was treated with the grace of Ionian dance while keeping in step with the beat. It was a step-heavy dance that would allow Sona to play the song without taking her hands off the strings. The occasional upward swing of the arms was for when Sona left the etwahl echoing a note.

He ended the song with an elegant pose. “How about it?”

Sona cheerfully clapped, getting on her feet for a standing ovation, as Jhin bowed like he was bowing to several people. “That was wonderful! And you thought of that after hearing my song?”

“Somewhat. All I did was take bits of other dances here and there and combined something together that might work.” Jhin brushed a lock of hair away from his face. “We’ll have to adjust it as you practice.” He extended a hand out as he approached Sona. “Shall we start, Lady Buvelle?”

She gracefully took his hand and walked into the clearing with him, her etwahl following behind her. “I suppose you want me to practice while playing, am I correct?”

“That would be easier and faster to learn, yes.” He released Sona’s hand and imitated Sona’s posture with his hands out like he had an imaginary etwahl. “Let’s begin.”

Dancing truly wasn’t Sona’s forte. She had danced while playing songs before, but that took her days, weeks even, depending on the complexity of the choreography. She made a few mistakes, confusing on step with another, once in a while tripping over a misstep but catching herself before Jhin noticed. She felt slightly dejected.

Jhin, having sensed her mood, nudged her arm with his knuckles. “Dancing isn’t something one can master within a day or two. But you are intelligent, and you catch up to things quickly. I’m sure you will learn this by the time you go to the city you’re performing in.”

Sona suddenly felt a twinge of guilt in her stomach. She had yet to tell Jhin that her next performance will be at the capital. That was where Shen was. She also remembered Jhin telling her that he was hired by Ionia’s corrupted council members to kill Noxians to strike terror in them. The council was placed in the capital, and Sona knew they would be able to spot Jhin. If they found out Jhin was cured, he could be killed. Her heart ached at the thought.

“Sona?”

She came back to her senses hearing her name. She turned to him, startled, and asked why he called her.

“You were spacing out. Is everything fine?”

“I need to tell you something. Something I have been keeping from you.” She looked at Jhin. His gentle expression made the guilt grow. “My concert… It’s at the capital city.” Did she dare tell him that her sponsor was Shen? How would he react? Her lips parted to say something, but she pursed them again. “It might be dangerous for you.”

Jhin smiled in understanding. After what he had told her about the council’s cabal, of course she wouldn’t tell him this. “Is it better if I didn’t go?”

Sona shook her head firmly. “No, I want you to go. I’m worried that something might happen to you.”

A quiet laughter broke out from his lips. “I’m not considered a notorious criminal of Ionia for nothing, Sona. I have ways to hide from them if I so wished.” He smirked in confidence, cocking a brow. “It’d be difficult for them to catch me at this point, since they’ve given me unlimited funds to have whatever weapons I wish.” He saw Sona lower her head, looking troubled. “You did no wrong in withholding that information. I don’t blame you.”

“Do you think… if you went… your compulsions would come back?”

Ah, a reasonable question. Jhin hummed in thought. “Considering I haven’t had any of those thoughts lately, I’m confident that I wouldn’t give in to the urges, at least.”

But what if she had mentioned Shen? Would he still be able to say the same with that confident tone in his voice? She couldn’t bring Shen up to him. Not yet. Not until she was sure. “I would like to think you’ll be fine. But if anything does happen, I can stop you.”

Jhin raised his brows, lowering his head to stare at her. “That’s quite a bold statement.”

She also met his eyes with a smug look. “I’ve done it before. I can do it again.”

They both stared each other down, their faces inches away from the other. Jhin noticed a hint of green that swirled in Sona’s eyes. They seemed to sparkle as she stood up to him in mock defiance. He immediately broke away with a chuckle as he turned away to step back from Sona. “You would never let me anyways. After all, I probably can’t bring myself to do something like that anymore.”

Sona mentally apologized to Jhin for not telling him. He would understand… right? She shot him an accepting smile when he turned back around. “Do you promise?”

Jhin smiled, extending his hand out to her. “You have my word. Shall we try again?”

“Sona, dear, how is that choreography coming along?” Lestara asked as Sona was brushing her hair to prepare for bed. She came by with a lit candle and set it on the dresser between their beds. “Your song is done, so all you would need to do is practice a dance, yes?”

Sona nodded. “Yes, mother. I’ve already started practicing something the other day.” She wanted to keep this conversation short. The less her mother knew about her time in the grove, the better it was for a simple explanation.

Lestara was silent, a complex look on her face. Sona glanced at her mother from the reflection in the mirror. Strange, her mother was never one to fall silent so quickly once she initiated a conversation. “I don’t want you to push yourself too much for this concert, that’s all.”

She set her brush down and approached her mother at the foot of the bed. “I promise I’m not pushing myself. Everything I do is planned that my health is also the highest priority.”

“I know, dear. I understand having a concert almost three weeks later, especially at a city as grand as the capital, is important. Not to mention, you made two new songs within two weeks.” She ran her hand through Sona’s hair. “I can’t imagine how exhausted you must be.”

Sona sat on her knees on the floor, laying her head on her mother’s lap and giving her mother’s hand a reassuring squeeze. Her head suddenly perked up. “Mother, I have a question.”

“What is it, dear?”

“Do you think Shen would also be able to recruit… musicians to play parts of two songs?”

“If it’s the capital city, I’m sure many experienced musicians would gladly assist you. Do you want me to send Shen a message about this?” Seeing Sona nod, Lestara made a mental note of what to write. “How many musicians would you like then?”

“Three is enough. I’ve already adjusted both scores with the three parts I need. All I need to do is send Shen a copy and have the musicians learn it by concert day.”

“Then I shall do just that and have the message be sent to him within the day. Just leave the copies of your scores on the dresser, and I’ll send it early, before sunrise.” She paused to think. “What made you change your mind?”

The corners of Sona’s lips curled up into a delighted smile. “I just had an idea. That’s all.”

Jhin stared at Sona in surprise. “You want me to what?”

Sona had notified Jhin of the changes to her score and played her part of the song for Jhin to hear. She shrugged sheepishly, scratching her cheek. “I want you to dance on stage with me. Together.” She cupped her hands together on her lap, anxiously waiting for a response. When no response came, she looked up to see Jhin still in shock. “Not in plain sight, of course. There will be background instrumentalists for the two songs, and they will be in costume,” she hurriedly tried to explain. “You will be in costume too, of course, for your safety. That is, if you would like to be on stage. With me.”

He blinked several times, finally processing Sona’s request. “I, uh, that is a rather…” He couldn’t find the words to reply to her.

“I won’t force you to go if you wish not to. It was just a thought I had. You taught me the choreography, after all.” She picked at her etwahl, waiting for Jhin again as she listened to the hum of the strings. She strummed a motif that sounded like his name.

“I apologize, I was at a loss for words.” Jhin tapped his finger against his knee. “I would gladly dance with you on stage, since I’ll be in costume. I was thinking about how it would work out—the dance, I mean.”

“You could dance next to me!” she suggested. “On the off chance I make a mistake, I’m sure you can help me catch up.” She pursed her lips, thinking about her next words. “Would, would it be strange if I asked to change the choreography?”

He cocked a brow. “To what, may I ask?”

“Since… there will be background music, that can allow our dance to have more movements. Do you have any ideas?” She bit the inside of her cheek, hoping that she isn’t pushing her luck. She already had enough trouble with the steps, but if it meant Jhin would have more fun with the dance, she’d give it a try.

“We can add more contemporary moves to the choreography, but…” he trailed off and started muttering to himself under his breath. He had a thought, but it might have been a bad idea. He looked at Sona, who was preoccupied with another bird that had landed on her etwahl. The sunlight was glinting off the yellow highlights at the tip of her hair, almost making it look golden like her etwahl, specks of light decorating her fair skin.

It was an elegant sight to see.

His breath caught in his throat. He cleared his throat a few times, lowering his head to hide his blushing face. “Well,” he cleared his throat again before continuing on, “we can try a more contemporary style of dance that requires cooperation as a pair.”

“Similar to ballroom dancing?”

“Actually, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. But I didn’t want to impose in your space without asking you first.”

“No need to ask!” Sona cheerfully strummed the strings. “As long as you can dance with me, I am willing to learn. Besides, I do know ballroom dancing thanks to the culture of Demacia.”

Jhin’s eyes lingered on her for a moment before standing up without a word. “In that case, figuring out the choreography should be much easier for the both of us.” He stepped out into the sunlight, his back turned to Sona. His hand hovered over his chest, taking a deep breath to steady his heartbeat. Calm down, he thought to himself. He turned to Sona with a gentle smile, his hand extended out to her. “Shall we dance?”

Giggling, Sona took his hand and walked to the center of the clearing as her etwahl positioned itself in front of her. She held Jhin’s hand as they took a bow. Her other hand plucked a few notes as Jhin slowly slipped his hand out of hers and began with the steps, Sona following along. Her etwahl swung along with her as she danced to the side while plucking at the strings.

At the silences, where the background instrumentalists would be playing, Jhin gently took her hand to position themselves closer. He placed his other hand on the small of her back as Sona placed hers on his shoulder. “Let’s see… Basic steps should do in the beginning.”

As they danced a few rounds of basic steps, Sona gazed into Jhin’s eyes as they danced, secretly hoping that she wouldn’t make a mistake—or worse, stepping on Jhin’s feet. She kept at a steady breathing to remind her of the beat and the song as they danced. Jhin humming the parts to fill in the silence helped her greatly. She twirled under his arm and back to the side to resume playing on her etwahl as Jhin started improvising while still keeping to their originally choreographed steps.

At each break, they pulled closer together and started with basic steps again but with more variety in movement. Once they were nearing the end of the song, the dancing became more elaborate and smoother in flow as they fell in sync with each other.

Jhin twirled Sona under his hand twice before she stepped back into place. They froze in place as they rejoined together. They stared into each other’s eyes, like time stopped for that moment.

The sunlight colored Sona’s eyes with green and shadows of the cherry blossoms dancing within, her hair shining like the ocean. Her cheeks were tinted pink, but a redder shade began to seep in as she squeezed Jhin’s hand tighter. Rosy lips slightly parted without a sound as her sea green eyes peered into Jhin’s own, as if they were looking for something within.

She was beautiful. So beautiful.

The specks of sunlight that was shining through the cherry blossoms lit Jhin’s face like a mask. His skin was sun-kissed compared to Sona’s fair complexion. His hands felt bigger… slightly calloused… secure. A lock of his black hair slipped out of his ear as he breathed out, but he didn’t seem to care. He didn’t seem to see it. His eyes reflected only Sona.

He was captivating. So captivating.

Jhin gently cupped Sona’s cheek, caressing her with his thumb.

She closed her eyes and leaned into the touch, her hand touching his.

His heart beat so loudly in his ears that he was sure Sona could hear it. But it didn’t matter to him anymore.

Her heart pounded against her chest as she gazed up into his eyes. Was Jhin feeling the same way?

Mustering the strength to speak, Jhin whispered, “No art can compare to your beauty. You are the silence to my loud thoughts. My heart blooms for you, Sona Buvelle.”

Sona smiled blissfully at his words. Her fingers delicately brushed against Jhin’s forehead as she tucked the lock of hair behind his ear.

They inched closer and closer until they were able to feel the other’s breath against their lips. They stayed a hair’s breadth away as they pressed foreheads. Their lips closed the distance with a gentle touch that lasted for a moment longer before they slowly pulled apart. They gazed at each other lovingly, their hands still cupping the other’s cheek.

This time, a spotlight flashed at the side of the stage, where a woman dressed in a sky blue dress that twinkled in the light like her golden instrument stood and continued a soft melody before the lights faded back on the stage. She let a chord resound before the darkness drowned her figure.

The story was reaching its end, and the audience desperately wanted to see their leads get together and elope like they wanted to.

However, the man sang of the truth. He couldn’t be with her, for he was only her knight. Nothing more, no matter how much they wished to the stars above to grant their love. The queen would never accept the marriage between a princess and a knight. He then sang a lullaby that spoke of another world where there were no laws to keep them apart.

The princess sang with him melancholically in a harmony that reflected her acceptance of the truth.

Quiet sobs were heard from the audience as the princess and knight parted ways to revert back to what they were before their love changed them: a princess and her devoted knight. They couldn’t be together. It just wasn’t possible in this world. But they wanted the other to be happy, asking each other to move on but to be true to their heart. The lights faded to dark after the knight kneeled before the princess and presented a rose to vow his dedication to her happiness, that he was her ally, her friend.

A moment of soft sobs broke out from the audience before the woman in sky blue appeared again with a happier melody. The stage lights shined on the princess, happily strolling in the rose garden with her arms linked with another man’s. She smiled as she sang of her fulfilling marriage with a man who treated her with respect and sought for the betterment of her people. Behind her followed the trusted knight of the princess now dressed in a white suit and black tie with his crimson cape pooling around his feet.

The princess turned to her knight and plucked a rose for him, thanking him for his dedication to her and her happiness. She asked him, “Where is your light? Your own happiness? Surely, you’ve finally found the rose your heart desires.”

There was a look of apparent confusion on the musician’s face as she continued to play the song. This wasn’t part of the script. Yet the princess’ words matched the melody of the song.

The knight smiled as he held the rose up to him. “I have, indeed. She is a woman of beauty and grace, a woman who I’ve dedicated my love to for years, a woman who helped me know silence, a woman I love like a rose glistening with dew in the early morning sun.” The light dimmed as a single spotlight shined on the knight. The princess and her husband began to sing in harmony to the music. “My love. My muse. Sona Buvelle.”

The woman in sky blue froze, her aqua locks bouncing as she jerked her head to the knight. Her love. She watched Jhin approach her as he unbuttoned the crimson cape and left it to fall behind his steps. Her lip quivered as he tucked the rose behind her ear and cupped her face.

Slowly, other cast members walked out onto the stage, all singing in harmony to what Sona would have been playing for the final act. Members in the audience were slowly standing up in realization of what was happening with gasps and murmurs of excitement.

“I couldn’t have come this far without you and your support. You are my love, my muse. No matter what, you stood by me and believed in me when things have turned for the worst. I am more than willing to do the same whenever your silence engulfs you like my darkness once did.” He kneeled on one knee, pulling out a crimson box from the pocket of his suit. “Now, I want to move on to the next act of our story. I would like to stay by your side until the end of time, darling.”

Tears surfaced from Sona’s glassy eyes as she gasped when Jhin opened the box to a beautifully crafted ring of sterling silver and a rose quartz glimmering under the light.

“Will you marry me, Sona Buvelle?”

Sona choked out a sob as she nodded in pure joy. She desperately tried to hold back her tears as Jhin slid the ring onto her finger. She cried into Jhin’s shoulder when he pulled her into an embrace. She was so, so happy.

The audience cheered and squealed to see Sona accept the proposal. Everyone stood up to applaud this special moment, ecstatic that they were able to see this proposal in-person.

But it wasn’t as special as it was to the two lovers who held each other lovingly, tuning out the sound of the audience and the cast members to their hearts beating in a symphony.

“What’s the surprise?” Sona signed.

“We’re almost there, darling.” Jhin was holding his hands over Sona’s eyes as he guided her up a small hill after their performance. “I was planning on coming here as soon as the opera ended yesterday, but we got held up by everyone congratulating us.” He chuckled. “Fortunately, sunrise makes this place just as beautiful.”

When they came to a stop, she let Jhin slowly uncover her eyes to reveal the very grove they first met in. Time only enhanced the scenic view of the cherry blossoms that now bloomed like a forest. The rising sun colored the trees in beautiful colors of red, orange, and yellow to their pink hue.

Sona breathed out in speechlessness, emitting a light huff of white from her lips. The grove looked more beautiful than she remembered it to be.

Jhin smiled at her surprised face. “There’s a reason why I wanted to have my next opera in this city. While the capital is more grand, this city holds more meaning to me than every other city of Ionia.” He pressed his lips against Sona’s cold cheek. “Because it’s where I met you.”

Without a word, Sona began to play the tune of their first performance together. It was the song she made in their time in the grove and performed at the capital several years ago. Letting her magic spill from her fingers onto the strings, Sona watched the fallen petals dance to the rhythm of her song around them.

He placed his hand on the small of her back and watched in awe. This song held something special to them both. It simply reminded them of the times they sat in the clearing listening to Sona’s music and talk to each other with a growing comfort between them. To others, it may not have been the most memorable. But to them, it was everything. Everything that lead up to this moment.

The music stopped, and the petals that were dancing in the air now gently floated back down. Jhin chuckled as he brushed loose petals out of Sona’s hair. “Have I ever told you why I like roses so much?”

Sona tilted her head in curiosity. “No, you haven’t.”

“Roses make everything beautiful, whether the petals are sprinkled on a stage or a whole bouquet adorning a display. Not even the morning dew can tarnish it. But you must take good care of a rose, or it will wilt. I like the precise and dedicated care so that it will eventually bloom with a beauty that can’t be compared.” He gazed into Sona’s eyes with bliss bubbling inside him like butterflies.

“Am I supposed to be the ‘rose your heart desires’?” Sona teased.

Jhin huffed in laughter. “Oh yes, but it’s much more than that.”

“Then what?”

“Everything we’ve done up until now, starting from this grove to the finale at the capital city and now to this… It just reminds me of the very reason why I like roses.” He embraced Sona from behind and watched the sunrise together with her. “My heart will always bloom for you…”

“And my heart will always bloom for you…”

Like a rose.

A/N: NOW we're at the end of this story! I thank you all for reading the story I wrote (out of spite, originally, but then it took over my life), and I don't know how to express the gratitude I feel towards the positive feedback for this! I appreciate each and every comment--even the “HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME”--I received thus far, as it only motivated me to keep writing and see where it takes me.

However, I cannot thank my best friend @bekkodraws / @bekkomi enough for supporting me through a rough patch and then helping me write this story as I gained my motivation and inspiration back to draw and write again. I honestly couldn't have gone through with this story without her and her dragging me into the abyss that is JhinSona-- Love ya, my dude!

Anyways! Thank you all so much for sticking by this story! I hope you enjoyed the fluffy ride ;)