Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“How pathetic they all are.” Words spoken through rough gritted teeth that feel more than personal.

At first, the Darkin General thought his brotherhood were somehow lost enough to answer to his call. As urgent as this ‘final’ mission of causing the final blow to the entire world was, Aatrox wanted to give just a pinch of time so they could rally to him. After all, Darkin can track each other down relatively easily. It’s like an internal instinct that these reborn monsters were given… so he thought that was the case. Suspicion started to rise when it was only Joraal that answered the call in a rather swift manner, considering his situation of being banished to a suspected rich family in Demacia, and held as some sort of heirloom. In Aatrox’s mind, there was absolutely no way Joraal was the only Darkin currently active across the entirety of Runeterra, he could sense the activity, he could smell the bloodshed being caused. He just wanted to find someone, anyone, to answer what was going on, why no one was listening to his order.

Between the border of Shurima and Ixtal did both Aatrox and Joraal stumble upon an oddly content Varus, and it looked like he was talking to himself whilst crouched over a dead Basilisk with his tainted arrows being the cause of its demise, and by talking to himself, it seemed like a full on conversation rather than just thinking out loud. At first, Aatrox felt a slight relief in coming across him, but that quickly turned into confusion and then annoyance. What reason did Varus have being near Ixtal? Why is he hunting wildlife instead of mortals? Most importantly, why did he not answer? As it turns out, Varus was not interested in Aatrox’s idea of making an oblivion. As a matter of fact, no one really seemed to be on board with the ‘ending the whole world so we can all finally die’ idea, from what Varus told them both anyway. Varus knew Rhaast was in Ionia with a peculiar young host causing nonsensical carnage. He knew Naafiri was happy living the wild life with her pack. The others… Horazi, Taarosh, Naganeka, once such loyal allies were highly assumed to now be following their own path too.

“Why chase a humanity you can no longer get back? We are suffering, tortured every second, and you seek something a useless mortal would want?” It didn’t matter how or what Aatrox spoke to Varus, he tried to convince Varus that the hosts were influencing him to forget his true purpose, but tirelessly going back and forth proved that there was no changing this wannabe-human’s mind. It’s as if he wanted the bridges to be burnt, and live in denial of what he truly is. Joraal watched this argument quite stepped back, he wouldn’t dare try and intervene or accidentally talk over his General. His General… but was it not supposed to be ours? That thought was cut short when Aatrox stormed back the way they came, wanting to drag Joraal with him like a dog on a leash.

“It’s no matter, for if I come across that white haired idiot again, I’ll shatter him in a single swing.” The anger in the Darkin Blade’s eyes were fiery, intimidating… strong. Joraal could only stare into them whilst Aatrox lays his focus on the dusty ground beneath him. They’re sitting on naturally formed sandstone rocks on a mountain within the outskirts of Shurima, still figuring out how to process the backstab and where to go from there.

“Our freedom… why do they not want it? Why do they want let their minds fester more, General?” Joraal says, ever so somberly.

“That, I truly wish I had the answer to, Captain.” Aatrox lets out a troubled sigh, the anger fading into disappointment. He was at least grateful that Joraal did not suddenly change his mind about wanting to take part in the world’s demise, to ‘find his own path’ or whatever bullshit was being spewed. The sun starting to set towards the horizon felt like a synonym for Aatrox’s emotions to slowly but surely stabilize after a very troublesome day.

“Captain, I’m asking this so I will no longer waste my time and energy on things that do not matter.” Aatrox looks up from the ground towards Joraal’s gaze. “You won’t go against my wishes and leave my side, won’t you?” His tone is desolate, as if he’s almost ready to be let down again. Contrary to the belief of outsiders, Aatrox does have emotions that are not just pure rage and spite, but they’re reserved to those who went through the exact same agonizing pain and trauma he went through, as well as upkeeping respect for him as a noble warrior, just like how he was back when he was a glorious Ascended.

“Of course I would not do that, General.” Joraal paused for a moment, his mind starting to re-open old wounds. “If I were to leave your side and be alone again…” His voice trailed off, which made Aatrox tilt his head slightly.

“I… I can’t stop hearing them. I can’t hear my own thoughts.” A sudden panic raised in his voice, the stress and noise of screams and whispers causing him to raise his hands to the sides of his head. Aatrox slowly rose to his feet, understanding the signs of Joraal’s distress.

During the Void War, these once Ascended warriors fought through unspeakable horrors and witnessed many traumatic events that scarred them to the core so severely, that their mind and bodies started to twist into the Darkin they have now become. Some Darkin may be able to hide their traumatic memories behind locked doors in their mind, whilst others such as Joraal still continue to relive these life-altering moments, again, and again, in a vicious cycle. Being the superior, Aatrox knows it is his duty to look after his lower ranks, however he has found he has a particular… soft spot for looking out for Joraal. As if he wanted to be intentionally more tender with him; he could never really put his finger on the reason why though. Was it because Joraal has always been one of the more faithful warriors? Was it because he felt Joraal’s pain more than anyone else? Was it both or something else? Aatrox did not have time to ponder this now, as he watches his dear companion start to heave in distress.

He walked over in front of Joraal, adjusting his posture and expression to look as least intimidating as possible he can in his juggernaut form, and knelt down on just one leg. “Captain, look at me.”

Joraal did not look back at him, lost in his own spiral of despair and flashbacks, purple tendrils enveloping his bones to suffocate him. Aatrox wasn’t sure if he should perhaps place his hand on his knee, or try and move one of his hands away from his head. Sometimes this would help ground Joraal back into reality, but sometimes it would make the situation worse. He opted to shuffle himself ever so slightly closer, as the Aegis of Pain is muttering to himself in old Shuriman.

“Listen to me.” Aatrox urged in his voice a bit louder, but now Joraal was becoming restless in his movement and his speech jittery. He didn’t want to see this happen, he was starting to feel the slight anxiety himself; but the venomous side of Aatrox was also building up once more and just wanted to shake him out of it, tell him to snap out of his fragile state. There were consequences to do this though, and Aatrox knew he couldn’t afford to lose his only willing accomplice left.

“Joraal.” His voice was stern. Warm, with good intentions, but still stern. And that’s when Joraal quietened and stopped quivering. It took a lot of strength for him to even just look Aatrox back in the eyes, but once he saw the unnatural softness of his face, his hands around his own head started to loosen slightly.

“The darkness… it hurts. So much. It’s always there.” Oh, how broken and defeated he sounded. They have both suffered the same loneliness and suffocation for so, so long. To be so vulnerable and frail whilst maintaining a curse that makes you one of the world’s largest threats, it’s a never-ending cycle of being misunderstood. Isolated.

The Villain.

Going back to considering if Aatrox should perhaps physically comfort him, he takes both of his hands, armored and not, and places it on Joraal’s lap, holding his breath that he hasn’t made the wrong mistake that will escalate the situation further. Joraal quietly gasps, unable to identify his current emotion with this sudden out of character action from his leader.

“Breathe, for your mind is deceiving you. There is no threat near us.” He stroked his non-armored thumb on Joraal’s thigh, the clean white armor peace reminded him of a marble statue, figures that were supposed to be idolized. We were once idolized like such, Aatrox thinks to himself. Joraal finally lowers his hands, not sure what to do with them. Should he put them to the side? On top of Aatrox’s? No, Aatrox would freak out if he did that, he’s scared of being a further inconvenience. There was an odd flutter in his core as the thumb moves around his thigh like that, but Joraal still doesn’t quite have awareness to realize why this was the case. The whispers still remain in his mind, but just from being called his name and caringly brushed, he can at least somewhat think again.

“I can’t leave your side, General. I don’t… I don’t want to be drowning again.” Aatrox wasn’t sure if Joraal could cry, but his voice certainly sounded like he was on the verge of doing such. “Then you won’t.” Aatrox declared, his gaze drifting off to the distance behind Joraal. “We only have each other now. It is essential that we…”

He wasn’t really sure how to say it without it sounding strange. He wants to tell him that the bond needs to be strong, stronger more than ever before in fact, but Aatrox did not want to imply the wrong feeling… except, what was he actually feeling right now? He feels comfort having his hands on the smaller Captain’s lap. There’s solace in assuring Joraal that he is safe, that he makes Joraal safe. Of course Aatrox previously cared about the other Darkin in his army, but this feeling was slightly different. More foreign. Not like the usual looking out like a good General should. Would intimate be the right word? It sounds like it’s too much, but everything else is too little.

Joraal tilted his head and hummed a short noise, uncertain as to why Aatrox didn’t finish his sentence. This got Aatrox out of his own head, and shook himself to finish, starting to realize how he feels. The only concern was if Joraal also felt this. I must truly be going mad, Aatrox reflected in his mind.

“...It’s essential that we solidify our bond. It is unlikely that we will have anyone else except for each other going forward.” Aatrox turned his faint eyes back towards Joraal’s lack of visible ones. “I have always had trouble admitting this, but I don’t like being alone either. And your company is the most valuable I’ve had in a very long time. We fight well together. We share and agree on the same beliefs in most cases. And…” His throat started to croak, he swallowed before deeply inhaling. “Your presence is more than comfortable. It feels correct. Do you understand what I mean?”

The madness in Joraal’s head finally came to a stop and he was able to fully process what Aatrox was saying. But coming out of his delicate state, it was undeniably a lot. But Joraal wanted to please him, not want to accidentally backstab him and not relate to his feelings, so he started to just follow along.“I think I do. But I don’t know what the exact feeling is for myself.” Aatrox moves his hands to Joraal’s waist, sliding up gently, making it almost a tickle. “I am confident we have a mutual bond already, but I think I’d like to get closer. Much more closer.”



Oh. Now it clicked.

Now he understood why he had that fluttering feeling back when Aatrox was showing the most basic of physical affection. It was a side of him that Joraal doesn’t see often, if ever. And he likes it. He is certain he has requited feelings.



“I would like to as well, General.”

Aatrox gets back on his feet, lifting Joraal with him and eye contact locked.

“ Aatrox is fine to use. ”

Chapter Text

The sky casted a brilliant orange on the Shuriman land. Its sun dipping below the horizon and casting detail shadows on the sand below the mountain the pair took refuge on. The air laid still, and the silence was starting to become deafening. Even after all that was said, neither of them really knew how to move on from that conversation. They were both planted back on the uneven sandstone floor, pondering. Joraal was fidgeting with his thumbs, and Aatrox had his arms loosely crossed.

Joraal seemed to very much relate to my feelings, Aatrox thought. But to what extent? The lack of followup to that big confrontation was making things more awkward by the minute, so Aatrox decided he would take things step by step to see how far Joraal actually would go with these so called requited feelings. The thing is, he really did not know much about Joraal, at least didn’t know much about him back when things were… great and prideful. And he was correct to assume it was the other way around, that Joraal did not know much about him during that Ascended period.

Or perhaps the case was, maybe both of them just don’t remember. Most Darkin suffer from an extent of memory loss, the severity of it was unique for each one however.

“Joraal.” Aatrox gets his attention, but is still staring at his own crossed arms, eye contact felt difficult for a reason he did not understand. “Did you ever have a relationship? Romantic to be specific.” A knot twisted in Joraal’s stomach, and he was feeling neutral about it. He started to really think for a few moments before coming to his conclusion.

“I don’t remember.” He finally stopped twiddling his thumbs and reluctantly glanced over to Aatrox. “Did you ever have one?”

His eyes turned soft and the smallest smile unknowingly came into place. The smile was something Joraal became very attentive to, it actually felt sincere, and it was not the usual malevolent smirk.

“I did. It is strange, I look back on it quite fondly, but whenever I try to imagine their face, it’s blurred. In fact, most faces in my memories are blurred now that I think about it, even my own.” He paused and rolled his eyes up, as if he was trying to look into his own brain, and his smile faded back to the usual subtle grimace. “I’m certain that nearly all of my positive memories have been either wiped or blurred. If it were a bad relationship, I feel like it would be something I distinctly remember.”

Joraal hummed in acknowledgement and nodded, but he already misses that slight smile Aatrox was wearing, even if it really was barely noticeable to most. It felt like something was missing, and he couldn’t stop looking.

“Is something wrong?”

“Well, I…” Joraal lowered his head. He didn’t have anything to say, why didn’t he say no? Someone with a highly-strung personality such as Aatrox would surely be sick of him right now for not being direct. He knows that Aatrox cannot stand it when others are not upfront with him and beat around the bush, so why did it feel like he was getting so many passes? Perhaps it’s because as Aatrox said, they only have each other now, so maybe he’s trying to be as patient as possible? Is he desperate? No wait, how can he think like that. Thinking of his General in that way, the guilt is starting to rise in him and now he doesn’t want to look him in the eye and-

Aatrox gets up from his idle position and moves over to settle right next to him, leaving very little gap. And just like that, the racing thoughts disintegrate.

“If you want my honesty… there’s a feeling building up in me that I cannot ignore.” Very ominous, and now Joraal didn’t know what to think. It wasn’t helping that Aatrox’s expression was the typical plain and hard to read. It was either that, or pure feral anger that were the usual facial types. What he said could mean literally anything. Disappointment? Regret in what he admitted? Something negative surely.

“And what is that, Aatrox?”

A slick mix between a smirk and genuine smile appeared on his face, as well as a sickeningly deep leer. Joraal could’ve sworn that Aatrox’s eyes turned a slight deeper red too, but knowing how much his head has messed with him today, he couldn’t be sure. What he was certain, was that his heart rate felt like it had doubled. Aatrox took Joraal’s hand and effortlessly pulled him closer.

“It’s sensual. It’s… carnal.”

That knot in his stomach just got tighter, and now it felt like his heart was beating outside of his chest. If Joraal had a face, it would be a flustered yet somewhat nervous wreck, as red as Aatrox’s body in fact. He knew exactly where this was going, it clicked like a button starting up a machine, but having such a notorious God-Warrior who was known for destroying towns and tribes with no mercy, to very suddenly wanting to get sexual after an indirect love confession was giving him mixed emotions. Though Joraal isn’t some mindless traumatized soldier and knows exactly what sex is, he cannot remember if or when he’s even done that sort of business before. Aatrox is a man with high expectations, the embarrassment if Joraal didn’t satisfy his needs enough, whatever they may be, would be very hard to get over. And would Joraal even enjoy this too; so much going backward and forward in such little time to the point where he’s frozen in Aatrox’s grasp, like a predator caught his prey.

“I haven’t done this before Aatrox, I-I’m not sure if I can please you enough. I really would not know what to do and how to do it.” Joraal gulped audibly, and Aatrox was starting to feel the more unpleasant side of tension building up, which in turn made him let go of Joraal’s hollow hand. Aatrox had not done himself any good favor and completely riled himself up with raw sexual energy, and that utterly monstrous, animalistic side of him just wish he could ignore whatever Joraal is saying and dive right into him with possessiveness. Aatrox was really giving his all to keep his composure together, as the heat of his body was starting to rise into visible steam, he was like a volcano ready to explode in terms of this built up sexual frustration.

Aatrox took a deep breath to pace himself and affirmed, “Then I would show you what to do, but you will most likely find that instinct takes over for you.” Aatrox took a step back, accidentally sending a pebble flying with his sharp talon-like feet. “But, we don’t have to do this if you are not willing. I just believe that it would be rewarding after an utterly ridiculous day.”

There was a bit of a hostile bite to his tone when he uttered those last 3 words, but Joraal could easily understand why. He realized that Aatrox was right, he was confronted by a once close friend of his saying that all his brethren thinks idea is awful and no one wants to follow it, and Aatrox had to deal with his flashback episode. The least he could do was try it, and if he doesn’t like it they can both at least learn from that or figure out their very messy relationship status from there. The knot wouldn’t stop twisting as he saw the steam still rise out of Aatrox’s ridiculously toned body, and it was all about to snap.

“I’ll do it, but please don’t expect miracles.”

That sincere smile came back on Aatrox’s face, and that did slightly improve Joraal’s mixed feelings to something more positive. Perhaps to see Aatrox this happy, it really would be worth it to him. “You are really lacking confidence about this, but as you agree to it, I shall take lead for you. You do not need to worry Joraal. Has my leadership failed you before?”

“It has not.”

Aatrox let out a low snicker has he took hold of Joraal’s slender frame. “Then we shall have a great time. Relax.” Stars above, no wonder Aatrox has steam coming from him, his hands have become so hot to the touch that it made Joraal hiss in surprise. Aatrox slowly made his hands travel up below his armpits to massage what flesh there was there. In a way, Aatrox found is slightly inconvenient with how much armor covered Joraal’s body, and his lack of face. How he would love to dig his claws into his hips, sink his teeth into his nape and bite his lips until they bruised-

Something slipped out from Joraal’s helmet. A long, slimy appendage that was almost like a tentacle. Aatrox’s face had never changed to eyes-wide-open shocked expression so fast. Was that supposed to be a tongue?

“What the fuck is that?” Aatrox exclaimed in the most blunt way possible, not realizing that the already nervous and insecure Joraal would probably take slight offense to it. “You said you were feeling sensual, I thought it would be useful in this situation.” Ah. That makes sense, it is like a tongue I suppose, Aatrox mumbled in his mind. He then pulled Joraal closer, hands now cupped around his ass hoping that Joraal would feel this beyond the armor. He wasn’t sure how Joraal’s body worked, but his own body’s armor could still feel touch as if it had nerves in them, just not quite as sensitive. His assumption that this would be the same case for Joraal was correct, as he heard the Captain let out a breathy gasp.

Joraal’s wet tongue-tentacle-hybrid-whatever it was quickly made action to Aatrox’s face with gentle flicks to his cheek before moving to his deep purple lips. It was a unique sensation for both, but oh was it working to rile them both up. Aatrox moved one of his hands off Joraal’s ass and onto his pelvic area, hunting for the slit that male-born Darkin tend to have. Joraal already felt as if he was going to melt as it did not take long for his hidden slit to open up. Aatrox licked his lips before his first command was spoken.

“In my mouth.” He spoke with a slight weakness to his tone as if his feral heat was really starting to get to him. Without any further moment Joraal did just that and pushed the wet appendage into Aatrox’s mouth, like tongues dancing around in a french kiss. Aatrox was using that one hand to fiddle around with Joraal’s damp slit, hoping to quickly get his prize out. Joraal was already turning into a puddle of messy, guttural breaths as he felt his cock begin to emerge. Aatrox peered down, tentacle still in his throat, to watch this spectacle blossom before him, and that in turn made him part open up, clit already rock hard from pent up arousal.

Aatrox felt Joraal’s tongue start to go deeper down his throat which was more than welcomed, seeing his newly beloved’s cock now fully out and hard. It was a typical shape for a Darkin, relatively normal looking like a human’s, except the head gets slender and longer and there are bumps and ridges across the shaft. It had a beautiful gradient of his burgundy skin at the base, and a lighter red at his tip. It was like a hidden jewel, and it belonged entirely to Aatrox now. The tip of Joraal’s tongue was tickling the walls of Aatrox’s throat which made him start to choke, startling Joraal enough to quickly take it out.

“Shit, are you okay? Did I go too far down?” It took Aatrox a couple of wet coughs before he nodded. “It’s fine, I have something perfect in mind right now.”

“Anything for you.”

Aatrox lowered himself down to the floor and laid on his back, and it was at that point Joraal just realized Aatrox did not have a slit, but a soaked cunt. This made Joraal’s tongue swell in width slightly and his cock throb, he was expecting to get absolutely railed by some massive dick, but this was a very pleasant surprise.

“I did not expect you to have that opposed to a… more phallic genitalia.” This made Aatrox’s eyes roll and his mouth tut. “If I were really that desperate, I would use hemomancy to create an appendage similar to yours. Fortunately, I do not care enough about that right now, I am happy sticking to what I naturally have.” He took two of his fingers and spread one each between his erect clit. “In fact I would say I quite prefer it like this.” His striking crimson eyes were staring into Joraal’s soul and smirked as he said that, which only made Joraal so much weaker, but in a really good way. He was starting to wonder what he was nervous about, but whatever the case, his thoughts of literally being eaten alive were put to rest.

His wet, sticky tongue twitched. “So what do you want me to do for you, General?”

“Does that slime stick of yours have tastebuds?”

“It does.”

“Then devour.”

Joraal eagerly got onto his knees and spread Aatrox’s legs apart, fitting himself inbetween nice and snug. He took a quick glance at Aatrox’s face to try and read his emotion, but it seemed to have went back to general stoic expression. Desperate to change this, Joraal got to work with the tip of his tongue circling Aatrox’s swollen clit. The shockwave this sent up Aatrox’s spine made him audibly shudder, and oh, was Joraal really starting to feel that feral side of the Darkin rising up.

“Fuck, that’s so…” Aatrox couldn’t even finish his sentence without throwing his head back on the sand coated floor and letting out a quiet whine. He managed to prop himself back up slightly, enough that he could reach his hand on Joraal’s neglected cock that’s already slick with precum. Joraal hissed once more, almost like a cat’s hiss as he was overwhelmed with the delight of having his now lover’s hand jerk him off and experiencing the salty but pleasant flavor of Aatrox’s juices. He saw Aatrox’s chest rising a bit more heavily now, and watched as he took his armored hand and started kneading his right pec.

“Inside, I need that inside, please.” Aatrox sounded almost out of breath, and Joraal happily obliged to serve. With a quick flick, he prodded his tip against Aatrox’s entrance before breaking inside. A choked moan spat out from the back of Aatrox’s throat which made Joraal rumble in delight. Joraal pumped his tongue slowly, not even giving Aatrox much chance to stretch out, and the squelch of running juices was making both of their minds go blank. Joraal put one of his hand on top of Aatrox’s pelvis, hoping he could feel his own tongue work through those muscle. Sharp teeth started to grind as Aatrox was using every ounce of willpower to hide back his pathetic moans, not wanting to look so weak to his inferior.

“More.” And that’s the only word Joraal could utter in such a scratchy but dark tone. The spikes on his arms suddenly grew out taller and sharper, like a hedgehog activating its self defense, and a deep growl was rising from his chest. Aatrox’s eyes started to roll back and he couldn’t keep his head up, having to let go of Joraal’s enraged cock to scratch the dusty ground beside him.

“Hhah, ahgh fuck Joraal!” Aatrox was so close to his climax, so close to that desperate release he had been yearning years and years for, and Joraal could sense it. The edge was about to be tipped over and just then…

Joraal pulled out. He couldn’t verbalize it, but it was evident that he did not want Aatrox to cum yet. After feeling the sudden emptiness in his womb, he squinted and let out an old Shuriman swear. Why would Joraal do that, he was SO close and now he’s left with a twitching clit that feels like it’s on the urge of exploding. “Fucker, what are you doi-” The Blade could not finish his sentence before the Aegis slammed the General’s arms down onto the ground, restraining them. Aatrox let out what could only be described as a choke and a cough combined, and stared as Joraal towered over him. Despite being slightly pissed off from not being able to cum, he was amused and quite proud that Joraal built his confidence and dominance so quickly.

“Come, show me what else you can do!” As if it were the final challenge. Joraal let out a rabid snarl as his cock plunged straight back into Aatrox’s pussy without needing a hand to help guide him in, and that really set Aatrox off into a surprised, unapologetic loud moan. He felt his walls pulsating as the ridges of Joraal’s dick started to pick up a rhythm, and now the threatening Darkin General had turned into a ferocious mess, consistently letting out noises with each deep plunge into him.

Oh, how desperately Aatrox wanted to grab his masculine clit and caress it until he saw stars, but he dared not to fight back Joraal’s steady grip. That same tongue-colored appendage from earlier swiped back and forth between each of Aatrox’s puffed chest, and the mix between pain and pleasure was becoming hard to differentiate. “Ah, hahgh, ahahhh-” The moans were raspy, harsh, and more high-pitched than ever before, feeling reduced to a literal cocksleeve. He felt Joraal going faster, indicating his finish would come swiftly, and poor Aatrox had to use every ounce of energy he had to state his final command to the dominant.

“Inside. Joraal finish it inside, I’m gonna-” And Aatrox’s body broke. His body unwillingly arched upwards as he roared his release, Joraal pounding through it to only then release Aatrox’s arms to start scratching and drawing blood at his hips, making Joraal violently hiss out his seed inside of the overused and swollen throbbing pussy. Aatrox couldn’t even close his mouth or catch a breath and Joraal kept leaking inside him, finally feeling all the tension deflate.

Joraal was still clinging onto Aatrox’s hips, all scratched and bloody and kept inside him to catch his breath. Aatrox, on the other hand, was completely out of it, eyes rolled all the way back to the point where he was most likely seeing the Aspect’s stars. Joraal’s spikes on his arms retracted back to its normal length and he gained enough composure to finally get his speech back, and carefully pulled out of Aatrox to reveal an extreme amount of thick cum pour out like a river stream.

“Aatrox? Are you okay?” He was looking over at his partner who looked utterly destroyed. Did I really go that hard on him, Joraal pondered to himself, only after that thought did Aatrox flutter his eyes back towards Joraal’s gaze, a pool of drool leaking out of one corner of his mouth.

“By the Sun Disc’s strength…” Aatrox was still trying to catch his breath, “Gods…”. At this point, Joraal was concerned he made Aatrox use up so much energy that his form would start decaying, and he started to internally panic as he finally tucked away is long tongue.

“Aatrox, I think… did I go too far? You burn through hosts so easily that I’m concerned you can maintain it for much longer after… that.”

He gripped his claws into the ground to pull himself up, feeling the sore aftermath slowly close back up as if it never even existed. He exhaled, slightly tired eyes following up towards Joraal who was towering over him in concern. Suddenly, a lighthearted chuckle erupted from Aatrox, who seemed rather content considering all that he just experienced. Joraal can only stare and give an internal sigh of relief.

“You worry far too much about me. I know my limits, I will be fine for a little while longer.” He got up carefully, not wanting Joraal to realize that he his legs were actually quite weak from being thrashed into so hard. Aatrox walked behind Joraal, who was slightly confused by this, and in a moment of pure serenity within the air that lies still, he wraps his arms under Joraal’s torso and nuzzles his head slightly into his shoulder. “As always, you never fail to disappoint me. And that, is why our bond is as strong as it is.”

If hearts could sparkle, both of theirs would be dazzling as one, brighter than the stars in Mount Targon. It was at this moment, Joraal truly realized as along as Aatrox was by his side, there would be little to fear about. Sure, Aatrox cares about his goal of oblivion, and most of the time he was a miserable, angry, spiteful fallen warrior, but he wasn’t so monotone like the other Darkin viewed him as. If Joraal could now describe him in one word now, it would be ‘Passionate’. Passionate about his goals, passionate about his views, passionate about the hatred of his enemies, and passionate about the few he truly cares about.

He thinks back to what Varus said earlier that day, about how he’s found peace with his hosts and is slowly finding his humanity. He thinks about what Aatrox said, that chasing humanity is pointless as only mortals can truly obtain it. It was now the first view Joraal strongly disagreed about, because even someone as troubled as him can see even just a glimpse of it within the notorious Darkin Blade. If Aatrox truly had no humanity, then surely he’d be incapable of any sort of care, let alone burning love.

If Aatrox truly had no humanity, he would let Joraal suffer during his most vulnerable moments.

If Aatrox truly had no humanity, he would not care if Joraal stuck by his side throughout this wholr cataclysm.

If Aatrox truly had no humanity, he would not want to bond. He would mock and laugh at such petty things like love, romance and relationships. And he did, in the past at least. But for now at least, something has shifted. But only time can tell if this would stay, but Joraal wanted this to be his new purpose.

It’s wishful thinking, but maybe they will both be able to find a new path outside of destruc-

“You are right though. We should start making our way to harvest worthless mortals to rebuild ourselves for longer. I can only go for so long without wanting to feast on the fear and doom of such pitiful creatures.” He unraveled Joraal entirely, and walked to the edge of the mountain to break out his scarlet, almost leather-like wings. He gave them a good stretch, like a human would when waking up in the morning after a long and cozy slumber, and turned back around to Joraal.

“I suggest we start moving now, dear.”

If I could smile, it would be warmer than the sun itself.

“Always by your command.”