#steb fics

You spent so much time surrounded by the books that you just ended up taking a side job as the assistant. It meant pouring coffee and putting back books, but it also meant reading when everything was cleaned and drinking the sweet tea that was technically only meant for the professors.

With the library not being the most popular spot, it also allowed you to brush up on skills and even pick up new things to learn. The history of Piltover, Professor Heimerdinger's autobiography, varieties of plants, but most recently, you found a book about sign language. It was interesting for sure. Every time you put the loaned books back in their spot, another one got added to the stack of other books that you still wanted to read during your breaks.

So, as per usual, you sat at the window near the counter. Even with it being your break, you still liked to be close to your workspace, just in case someone came in.

A steaming cup of tea stood beside your book as you flipped through the pages, admiring the photographs of Piltover's 'ten most beautiful buildings', occasionally stirring the cup of tea and taking a sip out of it. Stuck in your own world, though your gaze moved to outside the window ever so often. From here, you could see the main square - the market, Enforcers, students.

The watch around your wrist kept ticking away, reminding you that your break had already stopped a few minutes ago. A neat bookmark got placed between the pages of the book as you turned around, nearly dropping the hot beverage that you were holding.

Right in front of you stood a tall Enforcer. His face was blank and his hands were clasped behind his back. You were nearly jealous of his posture - you must have looked idiotic with how hunched over you were sitting.

"Oh, Officer! I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long."

The man slowly shook his head, his eyes set on you as you moved back to the counter, placing the book that you were reading back on its space. He took a step closer, his arms still behind him.

"What can I help you with today?"

He held out his hand, a small note hidden in the grip of his glove. A short list with some of the most specific books you had seen in a while. Even though you did not dare to ask him why he needed all of these, you could not help but try to theorize.

Maybe he was working on a weapon, or what if he went off into the wilderness and build a house out of nothing but sticks and mud?

"Ha, this might take me a moment to find. Would you like some tea, Officer?"

Quietly, he stared at you for a moment before shaking his head. He just had his break - after bringing these books to Commander Kiramman, his day was basically over. Patrol for an hour, and then it was time for him to relax. Finally away from all the loud sounds of the city. But being in the empty library was not unwelcome, either.

"I will be back in a sec!"

It was much longer than a sec.

With every minute, you got more and more anxious. How could you keep an Enforcer waiting for this long? There was no one in the entire library! Your footsteps sounded heavy and you felt like every breath you took was one too loud. But, after fifteen minutes and lots of going up and down ladders, you finally found all the books on his list.

"And... Phew! This should be all," you wiped your hands, "Do you need help bringing it to... your office?"

Silently, the Enforcer shook his head again, reaching for the stack of thick books as he held them in his hands.

"Oh! What name can I put these on? That way I can remember, for next week!"

Next week? Oh, to return the books.

The man looked around him for a moment before his eyes fell on the small notebook next to you. He glanced at it as he looked back at you. You furrowed your eyebrows for a moment before going 'aha!', reaching for your notebook as you opened it on a blank page, handing him your pen. If you could have, you would have chuckled. A strong officer writing in your sparkly notebook with a neon-coloured gel pen.

He put the pen back down, nodding before taking one step back.

"Thank you so much. Till next time, Officer Steb."

Even with the interaction being a little under a week ago, you still had not moved on from it. His intense, blue gaze, his straight and confident posture. His handwriting even - it was immortalized in your notebook.

You found yourself looking for him through the windows, and while walking through the square, you would keep an eye out for his tall figure. 'He still has two days to return the books,' you thought to yourself. Most people even turned their books in late. But he was an Enforcer, so you highly doubted that he would.

Humming again as you placed the books back on the shelves, your cart now empty. Except for a few students in the far corner of the library, you were all on your own. You didn't mind - it left you with some time to finish up the essay that was due for tomorrow. So, with a sigh, you pushed the cart back to the counter.

There, in front of the small spot where you always sat, stood Officer Steb. It seemed to immediately lift your spririts as the cart suddenly felt much lighter.

"Officer Steb!"

His ears slightly moved back a little, not expecting your voice to suddenly pop up, but as he saw you, he gave you a nod.

"And, how did you like the books?"

He only nodded in return, placing the stack of books down on the counter. All of them had been put in alphabetical order - he must be an organized man. You pulled up his page, making sure that you had all the correct books as you nodded, scribbling down all the extra information before handing him the handwritten receipt.

"Could I do anything else for you, Officer?"

Steb was quiet - he was quiet often times. Out of his pocket, he fished another note with a few more books on it. The Undercity's History, a cookbook, 'Haircutting for Dummies!', and some more titles. You glanced up at him, trying hard not to let chuckles escape from you.

"Are these… All for you?"

You spot the tiniest shape of a smile as he shook his head. He tapped his Enforcer badge as you nodded, an 'oooh' as you looked back at the list.

"Be right back!"

This time, you found the books much faster. Not that Steb minded if you took a while - he enjoyed the library. He liked the books, the smells, the sun - you. Maddie offered to bring all the loaned books back to the library, but by the time she could even think about standing up, Steb was already out the door. The rest of the Enforcers shrugged it off as the man just wanting to spend some quiet time on their own. It was what he did.

But you.

How… Happy you always were. Cheery, but not overwhelmingly so. A bright flash of the sun through dark clouds. A stark contrast to his stoic demeanour, fire and water.

"There we go," you hummed, brushing a strand of hair out of your face as you pushed the cart back to the desk, "Can I put it under Officer Steb again?"

Hearing his name coming from you felt new, refreshing. He nodded, reaching over for the stack.

"Well, if you use the haircut book, let me know."

Steb snorted with a smile before clearing his throat, quickly standing back up straight before nodding. He was looking forward to next week.

For months, he came every single Tuesday, always around the same time. It must be during his break, or during his patrol. Only once had someone else shown up, Officer Nolan, as she introduced herself. She was nice and very talkative, so the two of you spent quite some time at the desk, chatting away. The week after that, Steb had written something extra on a note that he had stuck in a book.

'Sorry for Officer Nolan'

It had made you laugh.

Every week, the list of books would be different from the one before. Not only that, but the topics of said books could not be further apart. It was after a month of wondering that Steb answered the burning question that you had in mind. 'They are for the entire squad. They make a list, I get the books.' It made sense. So now, every week, you would try to guess which of the Enforcers would be reading which book. A fun little game, and thankfully Officer Steb would humour you, nodding or shaking his head depending on if your guess was right.

Over time, it felt like a friendship. More details of Steb came to the surface, and he would ask about your day. Favorite foods, hobbies, things you both hated. Officer Steb did not speak much, but he was comforting company. If bringing the book was his last task of the day, then he would stay at the library for a moment, starting the book that was meant for him. The last few times, you also placed a cup of tea next to him when he wasn't looking. It was like a challenge to see if he noticed you sneaking up on him - he did, but he would have never told you.

Today had been a bad day.

You slipped on your way to the library, there was a group of loud kids in the library, your head was pounding and you were not sure if you were feeling hot or cold. With a pack of tissues in your hand, you sniffed, squeezing your eyes shut.

The large windows and bright sun felt like a curse as you wished for nothing more than it to be dark outside. At least the group of rowdy teenagers had finally left.

When you heard the door open again, you nearly groaned in annoyance. If they returned, then you would have had no other choice but to hide in the back, away from the noise.

But after the creaking of the door, there was no other noise. You raised an eyebrow before lifting your head out of your hands, being met with no one other than Officer Steb.

"Oh, Officer Steb," you sniffed, your voice hoarse and odd-sounding due to your blocked nose, "I nearly forgot the date."

While usually dressed in his Enforcer uniform, he now wore something much more casual. You had never seen him outside of the dark blue and gold - the black and dark green suited him. Without his beret or helmet on, you could also see his hair. You wondered if he used the 'Haircutting for Dummies' book for it all those months ago. According to Steb, the book was not for him. His eyebrows creased as he scanned you, squinting his eyes.

"Yeah, not the best day," you shrugged, wiping your hand on your shirt, "But there is no one else to run the library, so… Me it is."

He quietly stared at you for another moment before gesturing to your notepad again. The sparkly cover held many pages of his handwriting - so many that it might as well have been his. You silently hand it over, your head aching with every move you make.

'Stay here, be right back'.

Steb turned on his heels, walking right down the hall and out the door. You only raised an eyebrow before looking over the stack of books and writing down all the information you needed. After what felt like an eternity, you finally sat back down in your chair, your fingers rubbing at your temples.

The Enforcer came back not long after, a small bag in his left hand. He placed it on the counter - as quietly as he could - which made you look back up.

"You're free."

Steb's voice was so different from what you imagined.

"I-" you frowned, "Excuse me, Officer Steb? I'm not sure what you mean."

"Just Steb is fine," he looked away, "Commander Kiramman has contacted the owner of the library, your boss, and you have permission to leave now."

How had he done that?

Your bag was still packed, resting against the side of the counter, almost jumping in excitement that you got to go home.

"You are sick, yes?"

"I mean… Sadly so, I'm guessing."

He nodded, slowly reaching out to you before slightly raising an eyebrow. You breathed in, nodding as his hand made contact with your forehead. Cold, so cold. Your eyes almost closed at the sensation, the feeling of his cool fingers nice against your burning face.

Sadly, the moment ended all too soon as Steb reached into the small bag, pulling out an assortment of different painkillers and medicine.

"Once a day," he held up one of the packets, "Maximum of three a day, six hours inbetween."

He had gone out to get you medicine? You nearly wanted to start crying, your tired eyes and heavy limbs glad that they would almost be able to rest. Not to mention the bursting and pounding of your heart. Despite feeling horrible, a smile still formed on your face.

"I… Steb, thank you. I can't believe this."

He took your bag off the ground, waiting for you to lock everything up before exiting the library, side by side.

"Thank you again," you said, though it came out not nearly as loud as you thought it would have.

For all you know, he could be happily married with a large family and you would be none the wiser!   

But when you saw the blood on his blue jacket while he was helping a wounded civilian to reach the infirmary tents, you almost dropped everything to rush to him. You managed to grab his arm at some point to force him to sit down and let you examine his body. You disinfected and dressed the wounds cautiously, making sure not to cause him pain in the process. He let you do it, in his usual mutism. 

But he is... more silent than usual. 

His muscles are also hard, contracted like under a lot of tension that he cannot get rid of. You refrain from proposing a massage, not that you would mind, but he is more modest than the usual civilian, he would probably not tolerate such contact. 

Fair enough. 

You check the bandages one last time, standing behind him, silencing your beating heart. This is the first time you see him without a shirt and you wish it would have been in other circumstances…You gently pat his naked shoulder. 

“There you go, Steb.” You say warmly. 

He turns his head towards you and contemplates your face in silence. You thought he was about to say something but he just... looks at you, mute, detailing all of your face so intensely you do not know what to do under such scrutiny. 

“Hum.... Is there a problem?” You finally ask, your throat dry before his gaze. 

He blinks, like he realized he was fixing you and slowly shakes his head, his gaze returning to the ground, but he takes your hand holding his shoulder in his, and squeezes it as to say thank you. 

“You are welcome Steb.” You warmly say, still a bit shaken. 

You take off your hand and it seems to you he tries to hold it back... 

But that must be your delusion speaking. 

“Do you hold on?” You ask, turning your back to him to observe your two hands covered in dead scales. 

His organism has evidently been put through a lot of stress. You wash them and make some order on the table, putting the soiled instruments in a sink while the sterilized ones return in a large drawer. 

You only hear a deep sigh in response. Understandable. Everything happened so quickly... Ambessa’s army, the herald,... That freaky mind stuff they did, still gives you shivers down your spine. But as soon as your mind was freed from the Herald’s influence, all the medics started to organize themself, rushing to the victims despite their own wounds and fears. You have been running in all directions for almost 24 hours by now and only now did you cross paths with your dear aquatic Vastaya...  

You turn back to your mentor, cleaning a scalpel with an alcoholic wipe. 

“What about Maddie and Loris?” You ask, “I did not see them anywhere.” 

A single shudder courses him and his shoulders lower like all strength left him, elbows resting on his knees he passes a hand in his hair with another sigh. 

Oh... 

You leave the scalpel to the side and pull on the tent’s opening to close it, giving you a bit of intimacy. You come kneeling in front of him, trying to catch a glimpse of his turquoise gaze. 

“Steb...” You try, “Do you want to talk about it?” You offer soflty. 

His nostrils flare in a clear no. Whatever happened, he isn’t willing to talk about it, at least not now... Or just not to you... 

You boldly caress his cheek, making him angle his head towards you. So many emotions lay in his blue eyes 

Confusion 

Pain 

tenderness 

Shame 

Embarrasment 

Sadness 

You offer him a gentle and supportive smile. 

“Whatever happened... It was not your fault, Steb.” You say gently. 

You know nothing of what happened, but you know for a fact that Steb always does good and tries his best all the time. 

You know it in your soul. 

His pupils widen at your words and his cheek scales wave a single time as his ears perk up, proof of his inner turmoil. 

“It was not your fault, I know it.” You repeat in a whisper, giving him your undying support. 

He lets out a short breath, like he was holding it all this time, and his own hand clasps around yours, brushing his cheek in your palm softly. He seems to savor the contact and your words like it was everything he wanted to hear. 

The only words he desperatly needed to hear to go on. 

You stand up, looking into his ocean eyes, drowning with pleasure in his intelligent gaze, your thumb brushing his cheek scales fondly. 

“And if anyone dares say it is your fault, I’ll personally handle them, you can count on me.” You grin tightly, trying to make him smile too. 

Steb considers you before slowly closing his eyes and brushing his cheek in your palm before pulling your hand to his lips and tenderly kissing the supple flesh like a precious relic. 

You open your mouth agape at that move and before you can take off your hand he stands up too, towering with all his height, looking down at you, and takes a step forward. 

Caught unaware you take a step back and he follows until your lower back hits a table, blocking you between the furniture and Steb’s tall body. He did not release your hand and his own comes to cup your cheek infinitely softly, caressing the skin with the tip of his magical fingers like he would brush the petals of a rose. 

“...Steb?” You ask with a dry throat, unsure of what came over him. 

He details... 

No 

Devour your face with his eyes, pressing his body against yours, gently tilting your head back as he leans forward, brushing the tips of your noses together... 

Your breath gets stuck in your throat while his cheek scales wave and his ears shake, tension coursing his muscles like a dark ocean, keeping you on your toes. He looks deeply into your eyes like he could read your soul through them, his third eyelid blinking once. 

He seems to wait for something 

From you 

Your consent  

Obviously. 

Your brain completely blue screens, leaving you absolutely useless between his hands.  

What the hell is happening? Your mentor, about whom you’ve been fantasizing a romantic life with for two years, the man you headcannoned was already married, the man you ardently desired and thought was dead during the attack before reappearing like a flower, wounded but alive, awaits your permission to kiss you? 

Your trembling free hand discreetly pinches the skin of your thighs, making you wince and realize that no, you are not dreaming nor hallucinating this scene... 

This 

This is all you ever wanted 

To know his embrace and warmth against your body, to feel his beating heart against your palm, his hands roaming your skin, his lips brushing yours and his eyes telling you all the love no words on the planet could ever describe... 

Waking up in his arms and eating breakfast together, going to work hand in hand and waiting for the other at your favorite café, go back to the same house you both call home, but it always feels empty and cold in the other’s absence... 

You must have hit your head in the attack 

This is the only logical explanation. 

He never demonstrated inclinations toward you. Sure he relaxed enough around you to let the stoic mask slip occasionally, but this is so incredibly rare, you are no closer to him than Maddie or Loris. 

He... 

“Steb, no.” You finally breathe after a difficult gulp. 

His eyes round up slightly as his cheek fins freeze still. 

“Steb, you must be in some sort of shock. You are wounded and disoriented, you do not know what you are doing.” You continue, “Sleep for a bit, I’ll bring you a warm meal after, all right? You... You need to rest.” 

This is for the best. 

He doesn’t know what he is doing, he might regret it later!  

You are his former protege and friend, this is not like him. 

Out of respect for him, you must stop this madness. He is in no state to consent himself. 

He considers you, shock appearing in his turquoise eyes as his breath gets stuck in his throat. His ears lower as he takes a step back, letting his hands fall back to his side and you cannot help but feel like one of you two made a huge mistake right now. 

But you can’t say who. 

You force your mouth into a friendly smile and gently guide him back to sit on the bunk. 

“There... Take a nap, I’ll bring you something to eat, you must be starving. Lay down, make yourself comfortable. I... I will come back.” 

You exit the tent in shambles while Steb fixed the ceiling intently. 

You pace the entire camp, your brain scrambled, trying to make sense of what happened, biting down your thumb’s nail. 

Steb... Isn’t like himself, you saw it yourself. He needs care and rest, but maybe not from you... 

When you reenter the tent with a fuming lentil curry, Steb and his uniform are nowhere to be found. 

Like they were never here to begin with... 

You live life at his pace when you are in the barracks, eating when he eats, training when he trains, sleeping when he sleeps, practicing medicine when he decides it is time to teach you... You become his shadow. 

You practice incisions and stitching wounds on a dummy under his impartial but merciless gaze. He has an unconventional approach to the job himself, but no defective stitches escape his eyes. He asks you to start over each time he finds one, and even if he is instransigent he never refuse to helps, showing you an easier method or a quicker trick.  

You get better and better every day and he appears pleased with you, congratulating you with a nod and a pat on the shoulder. 

When you’re lucky you go on Patrol with him and Maddie, when you are extra lucky only him. But most of the time you are partnered with someone else and you cannot wait to come back to the barracks to train with Steb again! 

He is dead silent but extremely expressive when he wants to be. You learned to decipher every throat muscle contraction, every side eye, every blink, if he uses his third eyelids or not... Every infinitesimal facial twist speaks louder than any word he could say and you’ve gone pro at decoding every single one of them. 

Maddie gets crazy when you have an entire silent conversation with Steb with only raised eyebrows, head tilts, and nods during work. Loris just laughs his ass off at her getting more and more exasperated. 

Steb shows you all the little tricks he learned on the spot and in dire situations, what truly makes the difference between life and death under gunshots, things you do not learn in books or on a dummy. 

He had to stitch some of your wounds after an intense training session, making him softly grin while you sighed deeply, a little bit embarrassed to be so careless. 

You did not know if it was appropriate to eat fish in his presence at first, so you did not. 

He ever so slowly relaxes around you, letting you see his less stoic side from time to time. This is a rarity tho. 

Your unit as a game: the first one to assemble his weapon blindfolded, wins. Steb always beats you with the riffle but you win with the revolver. Loris beats everyone with every weapon. 

Steb keeps you under his wing for months, keeping you company during breaks, playing cards with you, watching movies late at night in the break room, arm wrestling with you when you feel feisty, he cannot beat you to billiards tho but he is good sport. Each days at the barracks you are attached to the hips, so much so that seeing one of you alone raises eyebrows. 

You earned the nickname “Mini-Steb” at the barracks for a time. You find it quite funny but Steb less so. He took the floor, a rarity, and asked your colleagues to respect your individuality and character. This was such a rare occurrence that everyone obeyed without a second word, while you looked at him with round eyes. 

He is a pretty good cook and handles spices at a higher level than any human, that’s why they put a rule in place for him not to spice the dishes himself, this is the only thing he cannot do in the kitchen, cause everyone would have a rough time. You love it when it is your turn to cook with him, Maddie finds it boring because he is even more non-verbal than usual but you love it, you try to match his pace and speed as best you can like a game. 

And because he looks pretty cute in an apron, you have to be honest. 

You discovered Steb had gills on his neck and his ribcage. You noticed the last ones when he took off his shirt during a training session to use the towel on his chest. You went immediately still at that view, completely shocked and hypnotized by that scene. You had to mentally slap yourself to manage to take your eyes off that... beautiful sight and you drank your entire bottle of water in one go, feeling incredibly parched out of a sudden. Maddies asked you why you did not finish your sentence but you could only wipe the sweat off your forehead, trying to make sense of your inner turmoil. 

Him who is usually so modest and rarely if never takes off layers in front of people... You were so unprepared but that sight! 

You both have your habits on patrol, you go to the same cafes, visit the same tea salon and always go to the same bar at the end of a shift. He always asks for a consomme while you change dishes each time. 

You notice that you spoke less and less yourself, mimicking your mentor, finding words more and more superfluous when you could just act on a matter. 

Steb baked you a cake for your birthday, without you having to remind him of the date. 

Excellent chess player, owns several books on different Chess masters that he reads religiously during breaks while also learning to play Go. He goes easy on you with other games but he will hand you your ass without any mercy with those two games. 

You learned he like to spend time in libraries and bookshops during his leaves and crossed paths with him on several occasions with his bag full of new books. 

Never took a puff of tobacco of any sort in his life and heavily avoids any smoking area. His eye twitched once when you revealed to him you tried weed once with friends in high school, but he remained silent, neither approving nor disapproving. 

Drinks alcohol only for big occasions and will limit himself to one glass only. 

Keeps his uniform immaculate, his helmet shiny and his weapons squicky clean. 

Good with cats and animals in general. Owned a bird in his childhood. 

Undisputed champion in the pool. Every once in a while someone thinks that they can outspeed him in water and is immediately proven wrong, but you get the occasion to play the cheerleader to support him each time, so you don’t complain. You handed him his towel when he got out of the pool, water trickling down his well-carved body and your eyes got lost for a second before so much skin, mouth slightly agape before such a spectacle. 

 You are Steb’s perfect assistant in mission, guessing his needs and demands in advance, handing him the correct tools without him having to ask to save your comrades’ or civilians’ lives. You move and think like a single being, creeping out Maddie. She told you you both look like possessed when you save lives together under fire like you were connected like a hivemind. You don't see her problem: you are saving lives! 

After each successful mission on the terrain, Steb pays you a drink, always wrapped in his usual mustism. You take an ale while he usually goes for iced tea or squach, making you giggle as you imagine the thought of the other patrons discovering a 6’1 ft  stern enforcer in full gear sipping sugary juice at the bar with a straw. 

But those drinks are between you and Steb only, between Mentor and Protege 

And maybe a bit more, you bust yourself hoping? 

One day Steb takes you aside in an empty room and hands you a piece of paper. Your official recommendation and aptitude certification to enter the Medic examination of the Enforcers. Signed by his hand. You look up at him with a gasp, full of hope. 

He grabs your shoulder, looking straight into your eyes. and nods with a tight smile. 

You turn the page with another sip as lightning tears the sky apart, prompting you to look outside, observing Piltover, destroyed but still standing. You lay your forehead against the glass, thinking about all the habitants whose houses have been destroyed during the battle and are sleeping in a shelter or on the streets tonight... You feel your throat tightening under your incapacity to help them all. 

What are you for as an enforcer if you can’t even help the population efficiently? 

The wounded population came back under control allowing you to volunteer to help the teams rebuild the city, leaving patient care to proper doctors and nurses. This week of groceries has been offered to you by a market gardener whom you helped rebuild the shop. You would have been content with a simple “thank you” and shaking hands, but free food is free food and you do not have the paycheck to pass such an offer. 

Your eyes travel your street, seeing the people walking hurriedly under the rain, with an umbrella or not. A stray cat rushes past the corner of the street to disappear farther into the tighter streets of the poorer neighborhoods of Piltover.  

Not that yours is rich by any measure... 

You sigh. You have not taken time to rest since the end of the war as you feel like there is still so much to do, making all your previous efforts and accomplishments feel... insignificant. Discouraged you let your head rest against the window, letting your gaze get lost... 

You frown, is that Steb in the street down there?  

You press yourself against the window and focus on the silhouette... That is definitely him! Why is he here? You have not seen him since that day he tried to kiss you and then... vanished.  

You’re relieved to see him in... arguably better health than when you dressed his wounds, but you feel a bit angry at him! 

He seems to be searching his way with a bag on his back... 

Without any second thought, you jump on your feet, running down your stairs to your door, and open it with difficulties against the wind. You run to him. His ears perk up at your steps and he turns to face you. 

“What in the seven hells are you doing alone in the rain like that, Steb?!” You shout for him to hear you over the thunder and the rain. 

He looks at you up and down in surprise and his gaze rapidly comes back to your face. His ears and cheek scales shake. You lower your eyes to look at yourself, realizing you left your house with almost nothing on your back: short pajamas, and a thin dressing gown. 

Neither are meant to sustain the rain. 

You growl and slap his arm for even looking, making him frown, offended. 

“Why are you out during your remission Steb? Why are you... Nevermind! Come here!” You grab his arm and pull him inside your little house, not leaving him the choice. 

You growl as you force your door close shut! Stupid old house! You sneeze hard, wet and cold, but inside! Steb remains still like a cone in the entrance, dripping on your carpet, but more warmly clothed in his Enforcer uniform.  

He looks around with polite curiosity, detailing the passed wallpaper; the old-style mirror, the shoes on the ground; the huge dresser taking place in the cramped entrance… He is almost too tall to stand straight inside. 

You sneeze again, prompting him to turn to you with worry in his gaze, but you’re the one who should be worried about this... IDIOT! You take his hand and pull him into the small living room, releasing him to pull a tissue out of a box, and sneeze once more. 

Steb takes some steps in the living room, observing the pictures on the wall, the small, cold open fire, the plants, the used sofa, the rickety bookcase, and the table with four chairs next to your kitchenette. Your little nest... 

“Steb...” You call, making him turn to you, “Where did you go wounded like that? I ran through all the camps of Piltover. You were nowhere to be found!” 

He lowers his gaze to the ground, his cheek scales waving once as he presses his lips tight. 

“I was worried sick!” You continue, “I thought... I thought you did something really stupid!” You feel your voice crack as tears build up behind your eyes realizing how truly mad you were at him! 

He raises his gaze back to you, filled with sorrow and regret. He hesitates and takes a step toward you, reaching out with his hand but you slap it away. 

“I am MAD at you Steb!” You grit your teeth. 

He lets his hand fall back to his side and you have a gut-wrenching feeling of deja vu. You pinch the bridge of your nose and take a deep breath. 

Calm down... 

“You have some explaining to do, Mister! But first...” You open a closet, rummage through it, and throw him a large towel that he expertly catches. “You will take a warm shower! You’re wet to the bone!” 

He cocks his head at you with a raised eyebrow before repeating his error of looking down. He immediately turns his head away, fins and ears vibrating, and a delicate rosy shade spreading on his cheek. 

You grumble and snap your fingers. 

“To the shower, Mister!” You order. 

He obediently nods and climbs the stairs to enter the bathroom. 

You lower your gaze and gasp in shock! 

The fabric leaves LITTLE to the imagination once wet! Thank the Gods you have undergaraments! 

You instinctively cover your breast, alone in your living room, seething with embarrassment! 

You take another towel and rush to your bedroom to wipe yourself dry and put on more modest clothes. You leave dry male clothes before the bathroom door for Steb to find. 

You go back down and put some milk on a low boil. When Steb reappears you are pouring the thick hot chocolate in two cups that you put on the small table. You stop dead in your tracks when you see him 

He looks 10 years younger in those relaxed clothes ... 

He looks at you interrogatively, pulling on the collar of the white shirt. 

“I think it’s my cousin’s.” You explain, trying to comfort him. 

Comfort him? What’s it to him if those clothes belong to one of your sex friends anyway?! You mentally berate yourself as he nods silently. 

“I put your bag on the Sofa.” You notify him, “Are the clothes okay with the gills?” You suddenly worry. 

He nods once more, approaching the chairs. You push a cup to him and you both sit down, holding your own cup, both pairs of eyes glued to the table. 

Embarassed. 

The memory of the missed kiss replays in both of your minds, putting you on edge. 

“Where did you go?” You finally ask, “I was terrified...” 

He blinks his third eyelid, clearly not proud of himself before signing. 

“The barracks? I did not have time to go there, indeed...” You nod, pressing your lips in a thin line. 

You’ve been running between patient beds for three weeks and then go straight to helping the construction teams, you did not even have time to take your own stuff from the barracks for your current leave. 

Your hands tense up around your cup. 

Steb just signed. 

He never signs for very short sentences... He always made an effort to speak despite the pain. 

But not this time. 

“Your wounds?” You inquire with a calm tone, but inside you shake like a leaf. 

You nod as he informs you they are almost completely healed up, it is only a matter of days now. He signs a thank you for dressing them. 

“Don’t mention it, you would have done the same for me.” You affably smile, “Where were you going at this hour under the rain, Steb?” 

He stands up to open his bag, taking out a folded sheet of paper that he hands you, sitting back down. 

“A shelter?” You raise your eyes to him, tension visible on your face, “Why would you need to go to a shelter?” 

His shoulders lower slightly before explaining. 

“Oh... No. Steb I am so sorry for your house... Is your family okay at least?”  

He blinks at you, interrogation in his eyes. 

“You spouse? Your siblings? Parents?” 

He shakes his head, moving his hands. 

“I... always thought you were married.” You admit, biting your lower lips as you feel a bit stupid. 

He gives you the same interrogative expression again. 

“I don’t know. You look like a man who has his life sorted out, I imagined you coming home to your family once the evening came...” 

He shrugs. 

Evidently, he came home to an empty house once his shift was done. Just like you... 

“And now that your leave has come, you cannot stay in the barracks...” You put two and two together, massaging one temple before sighing, “You should remain here. It’s a bit cramped for two but we should manage.” 

He immediately frowns and shakes his head. If you did not know him you would thought he took offense to your proposition, but knowing him he must worry about you first, a single woman inviting a simple colleague to live with her like that... 

“Steb, the shelters are full to the brim, aren’t properly heated, and have difficulties providing three meals a day right now. I am not letting you go back into the streets like that! I have a sofa bed, it’s not the high of luxury but I would feel better knowing you have a real roof over your head.” 

He gulps, not really on board but evaluating his options.  

“Plus you will need a workstation if you want to join the insurance for your house and shelters don’t have those.” You hammer home. 

He closes his eyes, like he is about to make a decision he will regret, looks back at you, and nods. 

“Great...” You nod weakly, “Good...” You finish your cup in one go and slam it on the table, “I need to grab something.” 

Steb silently observes you skirting the table and leaving the room as you rush up the stairs. You close the door of your bedroom and lay against it, pressing your hand against your eyes. 

‘The fuck are you doing, you idiot?’ you ask yourself. 

You reject him and then invite him to live at your place for a time? 

But you could not just leave him like that! What kind of friend would you be? You tap your cheeks repeatedly and take a big breath. 

It’s just for a short period, you rationalize! It’s gonna be weird but it will be short!  

You reenter the living room and discover Steb cleaning the cups in the sink. He turns to you as he hears your steps, wiping a cup with a dish towel. You look into each other’s eyes for several seconds before you both turn away, embarrassed.  

You feel your cheeks heating dangerously as his ear tips shake... 

“I’ll open the couch for you.” You clear your throat. 

You turn the screws for it to unfold but when you pull on the sits you pinch your skin between metal bars, making you yelp in pain and surprise. Your finger is now bleeding! You try to shake it to numb the pain but Steb arrives at your side, taking your hand gently in his to observe more closely. 

“I pinched my skin.” You explain, baffled by your clumsiness. 

He takes a box of band-aids out of his bag and you refrain from chuckling! You’ve been doing the exact same since you became an official Medic: boxes of band-aids in every bag and pocket! 

He wraps your finger cautiously and considers it for a small moment before raising it to his lips and gently kissing it like he would console a child. 

Like it just down on him, he takes your hand away hurriedly with a shocked expression, the rosy shade spreading again while you open your mouth slightly agape, a tight knot in your stomach. 

“Thanks, Steb...” You finally manage to speak “I... You can finish the bed while I cook us a quick meal? There are pillows and sheets in this closet.”  

He gulps and nods, releasing your hand entirely. 

You slightly tremble as you cut the vegetables, remembering his tall, half-naked body against yours under that tent...  The fire between your legs and the utter confusion in your head. 

He looked so lost... 

You shake your head. Steb was wounded and in shock and you were most likely the first person to extend your hand to him at that moment and he simply forgot himself!  

Your desires and silly dreams do not matter, you should focus on offering him a solid shoulder to lay against! His recovery should be your sole focus!  

You turn toward him with a wide smile and a voice full of enthusiasm! Too much to be honest... 

“I hope you are hungry!” 

He looks at you a bit confused as to where this sudden energy comes from all of a sudden! You pour your stew into two large plates, add a bowl of diced cheese, and one of chips, and bring the tray to the sofa bed. 

“Apparently this is a special soiree, they broadcast only old B horror movies tonight on the third channel! Tempted?” You ask Steb with a little grin and a beating heart.  

Steb cocks his head, interested. 

------------------------------------------------ 

The fire burns gently as you snack on the cheese, while Steb eats his stew slowly with small spoonfuls, watching the classics of the genre. He slowly relaxes, laying back, combing his fingers through his hair, and tilting his head to the curious creature's designs. You hand him the chips bowl, that he refuses, shaking his hand. 

“The remasters aren’t that good! For those results, they should let us enjoy the queerness of the originals!” You comment, making Steb slightly chuckle and nod in agreement.  

The movies are old but the grains have been forcefully smoothened and the restored sound rings bizarrely. 

Steb lays back, picking cheese dice from time to time, both focused on your old TV post. You comment from time to time at the absurdity of the scenarios, earning a chuckle from your former mentor. You realize he is a movie enthusiast and knows a lot about all those movies, telling you how they made that effect, why they chose this instrument for this scene, etc... 

At some point, you are more looking at him signing than the screen, kicking your feet with a smile, hypnotized by the Vastaya! It is pleasant and you cannot help yourself but look at his gorgeous face illuminated with amusement. 

Too lost in the enthusiasm your hands brush inadvertently when you try to pick some cheese.  

You both look at each other, frozen before you take off your hand while Steb looks a bit confounded. 

“Sorry.” You clear your throat. 

He gently shakes his head and resumes watching, stopping his info dump but ears shaking a bit. 

You focus hard on the movies, you cannot look at him, too embarrassed. 

You try to be relaxed but he is just so close to you, and each time he enters your vision you have a flash of his lips right above yours, patiently waiting to press them tenderly together. 

You craved it childishly for two whole years... 

You mentally slap yourself. 

The next movie is... an experience, that’s for sure. 

‘Creature from the Black Lagoon of the Shadow isles.’ 

That’s a mouthful. 

You’ve never seen the movie but Steb is familiar with the synopsis, it dates back to the very first Vastayas, when the rest of humanity was not prepared for them and looked at them with some fear and suspicion. 

In this one, a first-generation Aquatic Vastaya captures a woman after getting smitten with her.  

A B movie through and through.  

But Steb explains to you this movie was in fact created by a Vastaya ally and wanted to show them in a new light. 

Still with the baggage and bigotry of the times, you cannot help but notice as the creature appears for the first time... You Steb explains that it was a pioneer of the genre and Vastaya’s held it long likea conerstone of their movement for equality, and it is still dearly regarded in his community. 

“Do you still to watch it then? Since you already know it?” You ask. 

He nods frankly informing you that he never watched in its entirety before. 

You cringe several times at some dated and now offensive jokes but Steb just... starts laughing. You look at him hiding his mouth behind his hand as his shoulders shake, holding his side. He lets himself fall down on the sofa-bed as his chest trembles with clear laughter. You look at him curious before he starts to sign, his hands still shaking. 

“Oh, the design of the creature is wrong!” You understand, looking back at the weirdly shaped Manfish, “That much?” you turn to Steb again. 

He nods, trying to catch his breath with a deep sigh. 

“I mean, it’s true you do not look alike at all. You are way more elegant and-” You almost say handsome but bite your lips into silence before putting your foot in it! 

He raises his head, looking at you with the remnant of his laughterstill shaking his shoulders and questions in his blue eyes. 

“I didn’t say anything.” You pretend, ostensibly turning towards the TV post. 

He raises back in a sitting position, way more relaxed and jovial once again, his face much looser and with a tight mocking smile. He is way more interested in this movie than the other. You observe him with a side glance, how he shakes his head with playful disagreement, and how he giggly winces. 

At least one of you is pleased.  

You devour your chips bowl as more and more misadventures happen to the scientific crew researching the Fishman until he gets his hand on the woman. 

When he catches her in his cave, the ambiance changes drastically.  

Is it the change in the lighting, the way the actress crosses her legs in this tiny bikini, the music much more subdued and lascivious, but suddenly you are not watching a horror movie anymore... 

But a completely different genre! 

You clear your throat as the creature stands proud before the woman, towering like a predator over her. But she does not look frightened, she smiles, a cheeky grin, brushing her naked legs together suggestively as an oriental flute starts with slow percussions. 

What... What are you watching exactly? 

Steb tilts his head slowly to the side, as lost as you are as the Fisman approaches his victim, his hands gently parting her legs open and delicately caressing the skin from her ankles to her thighs. 

“Huuuuuuuuh...” You let out, a bit frightened by what you are seeing on your tv. 

The music picks up as the Vastaya plays with the hem of the bikini, letting it slap the skin of her stomach while she chuckles playfully. 

You frown more and more, petrified. Should you be watching that with Steb next to you? 

When did the transmission change from old duds to erotic tapes? The creature waves over the body of his partner, as she arches her back in an almost pornographic way, making you dig your nails into the small pillow you are holding, your breath escaping you. 

The Vastaya’s clawed hand brushes the neck of the woman who throws her head back, lowering to her breast, pulling the top, threatening to tear it apart like paper. 

You’re about to scream when the Fishman starts pulling the panties off but the post suddenly cuts to black. Your scream is blocked in your throat, wondering what just happened when you hear a quick respiration next to you. You turn your head to Steb who lowers his hand holding the remote, taking deep breathes, as confused as you are.  

His large chest rises up and down in an impressive fashion while his fins tremble, proof of inner turmoil and raging emotions. 

“Good idea, Steb. It is very late, we should be sleeping already!” You declare jumping on your feet to tidy up the plates and exit the room rapidly. 

You cannot look at each other, you would implode under the tension. You throw the plates in the sink and hurry to the door as quickly as you can. 

“Goodnight, Steb!” You throw, litteraly fleeing the scene.  

You run to the upper floor, putting as much distance between you two as you can before taking a deep breath at the top of the stairs. 

You will give it to the movie, they did sensual and intimate way better than a ton of pornographic content you had the occasion to consume!  

But it had to be this film! With these characters! With him next to you! 

You suddenly wonder if a deity just decided to play with your nerves and put you in situations for their own enjoyment. 

You sigh entering your bathroom to freshen up, splashing water to your face. When you reopen your eyes, you notice Steb’s uniform hanging in the back to dry. You approach to admire it, his higher rank plake shining on his chest with... medals?  

You squint, taking a closer look. 

Steb earned a medal for his actions during the battle, and while you will never take that away from him, you cannot help but admire the irony of the situation 

Steb the decorated hero is in the streets, without a roof over his head because his house was destroyed. 

You sniff, Piltover fell so low! It is infuriating! 

And dishonoring for him! 

You should keep your head on your shoulders and focus on helping him instead of dreaming like a child! 

That said, it was hard to keep the memory of that day under the tent at bay, knowing that the man of your dream in sleeping in your living room. 

Still feeling the ghost of his touch on your skin... 

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Steb sighs deeply, trying to calm down the beating of his heart. 

He had to stop the movie, he could not watch a second more, not so close to you! It was beyond him! 

He often wondered why his parents always cut the film when he was around in his childhood. He does not wonder anymore, and he would have liked to discover it on his own and not pressed against your warm body, when each of his breaths is filled with your scent, getting to his head. 

He sighs again, wondering where all of his self-control went... He just loses it around you. 

He had time to think about his actions, about that day... 

He was not in his normal state and was desperately searching for a gentle hand. 

He found you. 

He berated himself a lot during those three weeks, he was convinced he deeply shocked you that day and that you were deeply angry at him for trespassing the limits of your relationship. Hr first thought it was shock speaking and he would have tried with anyone else. 

But 

But he caught himself thinking back at the softness of your skin in his hands, the plump of your parted lips he wanted to taste at least once... Memories of your training under his tutelage coming back to him, comforting his shaken heart full of doubt. 

At least you 

At least you were all right 

He did not lose everything in this senseless war. Someone was still at his side, even if you were mad at him.  

He buries his nose under the cover you provided him. This too smells just like you... 

It pierces his heart a million ways, but he likes it deep down. 

He brushes his cheek against the fabric, letting the scent invading his lungs gently... 

He closes his eyes, surrounded by your reassuring and warm presence, in some form of peace for the first time in weeks... 

☆TagList☆

He tries to keep it cool, but you know him. You know his weaknesses. And you know how to make him beg for you.

You hum a tune, kissing the top of his head as you ramp up the speed to its maximum, making him squirm and jolt in your embrace. He digs his nails painfully into your skin, but you welcome this pain with grace. You can endure these shots of pain when your Steb looks so dazed and blissful in your arms.

This face, all red and panting.

This body, glistening with sweat and jolting at each of your whims.

Those.

Are pieces of art.

Only the luckiest get to admire them.

And by chance, this lucky person is you. And you will do everything in your power to keep being the only one worthy of such a spectacle.

Steb moans and mewls, humping his cock against your naked thigh, the toy buzzing furiously in his tight ring of flesh. He jolts and struggles as you play with his nerves, rising and lowering the settings of the sex toy as you like it, torturing him most exquisitely.

"Pe… Petit coeur…!" He begs, out of his mind, eyes rolling into his skull, "Plea-Please…"

You caress a strand of hair behind his charming ear, admiring his blissful expression, his cerulean eyes gleaming with love and lust beyond your human comprehension.

When a Vastaya loves, it loves deeply, and in ways human minds have difficulty deciphering. But you are okay with that, as long as this adorable aquatic Vastaya only has eyes for you, his Petit coeur, you are happy.

"Yes, sweetheart?" You purr, caressing his ear tip, adding to the tease.

"Can I… Can I cum…?" He manages to ask with his broken voice, gasping for air in all these stimulations, "P… Please…"

"Yes, my love. You may." You kiss his forehead and raise the intensity all the way up.

He winces, hissing between his pearly white teeth at the raw pleasure spreading in his limbs and veins. His cheek scales undulate on his gorgeous face, his fins waving on his spine, and his gills palpitating open like he has pain to breathe properly.

You keep the pressure up, raising the tension higher as his limbs contract all around you, his erect cock twitching at the electricity coursing his nerve endings.

Until.

He comes undone, spilling his white seed on your thighs and sheets.

You don't mind. You don't mind if it his.

In fact, you are extremely permissive with your Vastaya lover and expect him to unload at your discretion, even if it means spilling some on you.

He spasms in his orgasm, letting escape a delectable, long moan, shaking in your embrace. You hug him all the way, cradling him as he goes down from his high, as the toy falls silent at last, whispering him sweet nothing, proud of your man.

Finally, you can only hear both of your respirations in the small bedroom, hugging each other tight.

"Are you feeling all right, my love?" You ask with a soft smile, "Did you enjoy yourself?"

He purrs lightly in response, nodding as he snuggles into your boobs like soft pillows for his tired mind, feeling ready to drift to sleep.

"Do not fall asleep, Steb." You warn him, prompting him to raise his wondering blue gaze to you, "Now you are taking my strap, my darling. We are done when I say we are…"

Slowly, Steb opens his ocean eyes, discovering you in the green and blue lingerie you saw the other day.

His colors directly on your skin, adorning your curves.

His cheek winglets undulate while his ears flap, his pupils growing twice their normal size. You stand, hand around your arm, behind your back, awaiting his judgment. You try not to show it, but you are a bit embarrassed. You are not as good looking as the beautiful mannequin wearing the lingerie on the poster of the boutique, and you are a bit afraid it will diminish the overall surprise…

Steb adores your body, but is it not just a boyfriend's job to comfort his girl?

You hope he still likes the surprise.

"So?" You try, spinning on yourself to let him see you under every angle, "Do you like it?"

His gorgeous lips stretch in a smile, his green cheeks getting rosy with heat, as he opens his mouth to close it back. He lets out a bashful chuckle, caressing his hair back with his hand, gulping.

You bite your lower lip a tad worried.

"Is it good?" You ask before his non response.

He nods almost aggressively, dissipating all your doubt. He grabs your waist to pull you in a hug, before tipping you over as he claims your lips for a delicate, yet ravishing kiss. He purrs loudly, his tongue trembling against yours as it hugs it tight.

You yelp in surprise, earning a chuckle from your Vastaya, as he pulls you back on your feet, parting from your lips with difficulties, leaving you both panting.

Without any warning, he circles your legs right under your butt and lifts you up easily to carry to the bed, where he lets you both fall into gently. He giggles all around, kissing your tummy, nuzzling his cheek into the soft flesh with glee, his hands traveling your hips and thighs, grabbing a handful here and there, kneading the meat of your body like he loves.

He hoist himself higher to claim your mouth once more with devastating tenderness before kissing your sternum, then each boob still clothed in his colors, before lowering himself between your legs, lifting your thighs to place them on his shoulders, an hungry growl rumbling in his throat as he kisses your inner thighs. He bites and nibbles the skin to his heart content, before pressing his nose in your clothed pussy to take in a good whiff of your sexual musk like a junkie.

His winglets dance as he inhales your smell deep into his lungs with a satisfied sigh. He gives it a wet kiss before taking a long lick at the panties, trailing your slit down to up through the fabric, making you whimper and moan.

"Mine… All mine…" He groans out loud with his painful voice, "My petit coeur… In my… Colors…!"

"Are you happy?" You ask, fire on your cheek and in your heart.

"Very… Now I want to… Devour you…. Up." He lets you know, his sparkling eyes full of promises.

To 

Explode 

“Not now sweety...” You exhale. 

You try really hard to focus on the stall in front of you to ignore your little one pulling on your dress to beg for another candy. But she inherited your headstrong attitude and Steb’s determination, she does not get discouraged easily and she has decided to show it to you. 

“Mum! Mum! Mum! Mum! Mum!” 

“Not now, mummy is busy...” You warn, losing your patience a little more. 

Those vacations were supposed to be restful. 

But being pregnant in the summer with a small child is never restful, especially with those temperatures! You feel sweat pearling on your forehead despite your large hay hat and rolling down your spine under your dress. 

Your cute sandals are KILLING your feet, all swollen and burning.  

Your back and hips are painful 

You’ve been out for more than 2 hours and you’re thirsty. 

“Mum...” She whines exasperatedly, still pulling tirelessly. 

You sigh deeply with closed eyes, on the verge of loosing it 

“Prunelle, the more you ask, the slimmer the chance to get what you want.” 

She grumbles but keeps pulling as you try to choose between spice mixes on the stall under the amused smile of the keeper. All those scents and noise and moist air are starting to make you feel dizzy 

Where is Steb? It’s been a while since he ventured with his list of groceries. 

“MUM! MUM! MUM!” 

You deeply inhale before spinning toward your daughter and kneeling before her with the best contained expression you can muster, fighting back literal tears of rage and exhaustion. 

“Prunelle. My daughter. I swear to all the Gods of Runeterra, if you do not stop I will lose it for good.” You warn with a shaky voice, holding her shoulders to make her look at you. 

“But muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum...” She stomps her feet and starts to cry as a threat. 

You feel your nails sharpening into claws as she starts her tantrum in public, earning judging looks from passersby. 

You’re going to lose it. If a miracle does not happen, you will lash out at your unruly 5-year-old daughter in public if you don’t find a solution right now! 

“There is a bench right here. Do you want to get under that tree’s shadow?” You almost beg her feeling your eyes getting wet. 

“Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!” She starts to wail and cry for good 

“Prunelle... This is not the time...” 

But she starts screaming at the top of her lungs as big crocodile tears roll down her green cheeks. You feel yourself sobbing and choking at all of that overstimulation, way too much for your pregnant self on the verge of collapse. 

You gasp as you hear sounds of running and Steb appears out of nowhere, finishing his sprint gracefully. His bag is full of the groceries he needed to find while yours is pitifully empty, you got nothing done with your daughter in your way 

Steb warned you, he proposed to take her with him but nooooooo, you had to pretend to be up for the job despite your 6-month pregnancy and a terrible previous night, and now you are both crying in public before your husband who tries to make sense of what he is seeing. 

Steb’s gaze instantly switches from worried and confused to focused. He grabs a large water bottle with ice that he swiftly pays, lifts your wailing daughter in his arms to carry her, helps you stand back up, and circles your waist to guide you out of the open market towards the car. 

He makes you both sit down in the open car for ventilation and forces you both to drink icy fresh water while he puts the groceries in the back seat. He reappears before you with your fan and Prunelle’s plushie which she immediately grabs, her last crocodile tears rolling down her green scales. 

He takes off your shoes as you fan yourself and your daughter and gently massage your sore feet, looking up at you with a gaze demanding explanations. 

“Prunelles kept begging for new sweets and I did not plan enough water for the day and now here we are...” You explain tiredly 

“I want candies!” She immediately starts again. 

Steb starts signing his disapproval as she keeps arguing. He refuses to buy her more sweets as long as she won’t be more consistent with her teeth brushing, he asks if he needs to remind her of the weeks of pain she had to endure because she earned a cavity. 

She grumbles, advancing the argument that she was way more consistent with it since that happened. He still refuses as he already gave her chocolate earlier, if she truly wants something sweet she could have a fruit once you return to the house. 

She recoils, uninterested in the offer, defeated in her endeavor she prefers to hug her plushie and mumble under her breath. With that dealt with, Steb collects your shoes to put them on the back of the car. He comes back with a tube of sunscreen and applies some on her little legs, arms, and head before massaging some on you gently. Once done, he grabs your daughter to sit her down correctly and puts her seatbelt on, he helps you on the passenger seat and sits behind the wheel. 

You drive with open windows, the bottle next to you as you fan yourself. You regularly turn toward Prunelles to fan her and propose her water but she keeps grumbling, frustrated to not have more sweets. Steb drives cautiously but rapidly to be home as soon as possible. His gaze travels from the road to you, sweaty and panting next to him and he gently grabs your hand to squeeze it tenderly. 

You observe the sun’s rays reflecting on the ocean’s waves away as you drive on the white cliffs of the region, surrounded by sunflower fields  

You sigh of relief when you reach the vacation house. It is Steb’s parents’ house but they went traveling and proposed you use it for your vacation as it is in a sunny location and close to the sea.  

You immediately accepted, of course, tired of Piiltover’s heavy and polluted atmosphere 

Here you can smell the ocean and are surrounded by lavender and lemon fields. 

Steb jumps out of the car and gentlemanly helps you get down too before freeing your little one that started to doze off, cradled by the car’s movement. Once again, holding her with one arm under her bum and circling your waist he brings you inside where it’s fresh. 

You sit down on the sofa, exhausted and wet with sweat. You observe through the bay window as the sun slowly sets, painting the sky in red and pink. Steb helps Prunelle get rid of her shoes and swiftly kisses her forehead before collecting the groceries in the car. 

Prunelle lays down on the cold tiles of the living room, desperate for some freshness on her scales after standing in the sun for so long despite her hat. Your cat Compote appears out of nowhere and meows at her, wondering why she is on the floor before imitating her, stretching his spine as he kneads her little arm. 

Steb reappears and places the grocery bag in the cold room for now before turning toward your small family, you slouching inelegantly on the sofa, Prunelle spreading her limbs like a starfish on the ground, and Compote living his best life.  

He stands there, hands on his hips, observing his little family melting under the sun. Only the cat came from a fresh spot and is not dying of a heat stroke.  

Steb takes out his jacket that he carelessly throws on the table before kneeling in front of Prunelle, observing her panting with a little smile. He takes one of her clean paintbrushes on the table and tickles her nose with the hair.  

She instantly sneezes loudly, making Compote jerk away in surprise.  

She sits up brushing her little nose with a grumble as Steb lowly chuckles, He helps her stand up to help her onto a chair, cleaning off the table of her art furniture. He sits her down and takes a container from the cold room and a bowl.  

"Ice cream?!" She immediately shouts almost standing up on the chair  

He puts the container down on the table and signs to her that this is a homemade yogurt ice cream with little sugar in it and he only takes it off because she is obviously too hot to be comfortable. She has the right to two scoops and that is all! No more sweets and dessert for the day and she will brush her teeth immediately after! She starts to negotiate but when Steb pretends to take the ice cream container away she immediately folds down and complies. 

 "Okay dad, okay, I'll brush my teeth, pleaaaase..." She begs extending her hands to the ice cream desperately. 

 Steb nods and as promised serves her two scoops and a kiss on the cheek. He takes another bowl out and serves you some with a tender smile. You silently thank him, smiling tiredly at him as you take the bowl from his hand. He leans forward to kiss your wet forehead and returns to your daughter. While you both eat, you on the sofa and her properly on the table, Steb grabs a towel that he soaks in fresh water and softly taps your daughter's head to freshen her up as she gobbles down the treat.  

You take a spoonful of the frozen coco yogurt Steb cooked the day before, letting it melt satisfyingly on your tongue as its cold bites your mouth so deliciously. You sigh of relief, a little more at ease at last.  

Steb kneels before you to gently massage your sore feet properly this time, soothing you in the little ways he can while you eat.  

"Thank you, my love." You sigh, "I am at the end of myself."  

He doesn't look up at you, fully focused on his task, but his cheeks’ scales wave and his ears flap around.  

You are a couple  

A team  

He is your husband and the father of your children  

You are not alone  

Never  

Once you are done, he stands back up and gently kisses and caresses your pregnant belly with a purr, earning a little kick in response, making him chuckle. He collects your daughter and goes up to the bathroom to brush her teeth as he ordered. You grumble as you stand up, feeling your dress sticky with sweat, you collect the bowls and spoons and wabble to the sink to wash them  

Exactly 3 minutes later, you feel an arm circling your waist and a tall body pressing itself against your back with a low purr.  

"Don't" You warn, "I am sweaty and gross."  

For sole response, Steb presses you tighter against himself and buries his nose in your hair to inhale your musk, letting out an almost animalistic growl of satisfaction.  

He kisses your cheek swiftly and turns your head to make you look at him signing.  

"The pool? I mean sure, why not?" You agree, wiping your hands dry with a cloth.  

He smiles, kisses your nose, and turns excitedly to Prunelle who just comes back down, hugging her plushie. He signs to her and she almost throws Mister Bunny away to sprint to the pool, through the window bay. Steb stops her before she collides with the window in her frenzy and helps her take off her top and shorts, leaving her in her undergarment. You start unbuttoning your dress as Steb undresses himself down to his boxer  

None of you three are motivated enough to climb the stairs to change into your swimsuit, you'll bathe in your underwear today!  

Steb helps you finish the buttons and slide off the dress before opening the bay window while Prunelle stomps impatiently, ready to sprint to the water! He slides the bay open and she bursts out of the house running and throws herself in the pool like a canon ball.  

Prunelle doesn't know how to swim properly, but as an aquatic vastaya she cannot really drown either so you are not too worried. Steb takes out your floaty for you to lounge lazily while he teaches her.   

Prunelle pierces the water again with a big gasp, not easily switching between her lungs and gills yet. Steb kneels at the edge of the pool and wet his neck first before entering to join her as she splashes him with all her might.  

You observe your husband and daughter laughing and playing in their natural habitat  

Simply happy  

Your gaze lowers down to your round belly where your second one peacefully rests for now...  

You smile, caressing it lovingly, fantasizing about your life with a family of five. You cannot wait for them to come out and meet them at last...  

Steb is also impatient, you see it in his eyes and feel it in his hugs, he wants to hold your second baby in his arms right now, to drool all over them like the doting father that he is  

You cannot wait  

For such simple happiness once more  

Together 

You sit down at the edge of the pool carefully, letting your exhausted leg rest in the fresh water while Steb is playing with Prunelle. He grabs her and sits her down on his shoulders and spins away rapidly or grabs her and throws her in the water, both laughing with their heart as they splash the entire zone. 

You observe your husband and daughter playing, silent, smiling, kicking your feet, and lathering water on your legs, tummy, and arms. Prunelle laughs and shouts loudly before disappearing underwater with Steb. 

They remain under the water for several minutes, swimming in different directions, you can only follow their distorted reflection under the surface as you hold your heavy belly with a sigh. They pierce the surface back after a moment in a different spot, Prunelle agitating her limbs in all directions to move in the water and remain over the surface. 

Steb makes her follow him around, showing her the correct movements for swimming and she tries her best, her tongue sticking out as she focuses on her arm-leg coordination. 

You jump a bit feeling a soft sensation brushing your side, discovering Compote rubbing himself against you with a purr. You gently scrub under his chin, looking at your little family with love. 

A hand brushes your leg softly, Steb looking at you tenderly with a soft smile and laughing eyes 

Happy 

Just happy  

With you 

And his family 

His very own happiness  

After the chaos and the war, the wounds and the betrayals, he has found the warmth of love and will never let it go. 

At any cost