Through the Rift ◇ League of Legends x Reader

💔 Garen

◇ Happily together, though in secret, Garen thought nothing could come between him and his love. It was two against the world, and yet he let his self-righteous ideals drive a wedge between them ◇

I waited patiently at our spot, humming quietly to myself. Garen barely had time to get away after Sylas escaped. It's been hectic in Demacia and I've taken great care to avoid both sides.

As much as I'd love to help the mages, to help my people, I was selfish. I didnt want to lose what I had with Garen. He made me feel free, like nothing could catch me. Nothing and nobody could touch me.

He was mine and I his. Garen is everything to me.

I know Sylas searched for me, even now, but I can't help him. Hes capable on his own.

I was quickly stirred from my thoughts, hearing the familiar clink of armour as a certain someone appeared in my view. I grinned, running up to him and pulling him in for a hug.

"Good, you're still safe. I was worried that the mages might have gotten to you," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"I've made sure to steer clear of them. I'd rather not be roped into anything, " I told him, leaning into his warm body. I felt him squeeze me, as though he were scared I would fly off or something.

"Everything okay?" I asked, looking up at him with worry. He sighed, brows pinched.

"No, it's not. Ever since Sylas escaped things have gone down hill. Lux is still missing and the rebels just keep gaining ground. Wisteria and Jarvan are trying to hard to put an end to this madness. Jarvan gave Wisteria permission to start executing mages-"

I was quick to push away from him at that, staring at him in disbelief .

"He what? Does he have any idea what that means?" I demanded, anger flaring up inside my gut.

"It needs to be done, Y/n! I know how you feel about this kind of stuff, but mages are dangerous, too unstable, unpredictable.  They're a scourge on Demacia that-"

"Garen, I'm  a mage. Does that make me a scourge on Demacia?" I spat, bitterness clinging to my words. I felt the tears welling in my eyes as Garen stared at me.

"What? No, you're not. I know you.  You'd never hurt anyone-"

"So why do you insist all mages will? Were just trying to survive and you rip our families apart. You give us two options. Join or die. What did you expect to happen? That'd we'd quietly comply? Yes, master. No, master. Of course, master. Is that what you think, Garen?" I yelled, not giving him time to answer as I stormed off.

I hugged myself, choking back the sobs as I fled. Garen forced my hand. I fled into the woods, searching for Sylas's scouts. I was quick to find them, allowing them to lead me to their camp.

I stormed in, finding Sylas at the war table. He stared at me in shock, awaiting my explanation.

"Don't ask. Just tell me what I need to do. I helped you get out, I plan on helping you end this. Jarvan gave Wisteria permission to start executions on mages. I dont know where they're starting," I started, voice cold anddistant. Sylas didnt push it, moving off of that alone.

◇ Garen, in the war room ◇

"Its too much, Jarvan! You've given her too much," I told him, storming into the room. He looked up at me with such a grim expression that told me he knew.

"I can give her the order to stop, but I doubt she will. You know how Wisteria is, how she's been lately," he sighed. I slammed my hands on the table, still desperate to keep Y/n safe.

"Do something, damn it! I will not lose them to this. I dont care if I have to stop Wisteria myself, I am keeping Y/n out of her hands," I spat. Jarvan looked at me as I realized what I said. I didnt say anything else as I turned and walked out.

◇ Teribisia, Y/n ◇

"Lux, Wisteria is coming. She has orders to execute all Demacian mages. It's a culling. You either need to fortify this place or leave," I told her, watching her face fall.

"My brother wouldn't let this happen. There has to be a mistake," she pleaded. I grit my teeth, my heart aching at the mention of Garen, but it was still too sore from what he said. The anger I'd felt flared up once more.

"Garen doesn't care, Lux. He doesn't! He thinks were a scourge on the earth, but were a special case because he knows us. That he knows we'd never hurt anyone. Hes a hypocrite and a self-righteous pig. He chose his side," I deadpanned, turning away from her to come face to face with someone I wasn't ready to see.

"Y/n, Lux, listen to me. You have to get out of here. Abandon Teribisia. Its not worth your lives," he said, reaching a hesitant hand towards me. I walked towards him, watching his face light up before getting promptly slapped.

"Garen, stop being so blind you idiot. We aren't leaving these people. We've chosen our side. You've chosen yours. You don't get to pick and choose who you save. Save the non mages and kill us, or save us and risk your ideals," I spat, feeling the tears start to rise. I told myself I wouldn't cry, but Garen knew me too well.

He reached a hand up to brush them away but was quick to withdraw it, looking conflicted. He stared at me before risking the chance to hug me.

"I will always choose you, Y/n. Always. I know sorry can't make up for what I said, but please, try to forgive me. I'll fight for the mages. Jarvan already started drafting laws for their freedom," he murmured in my ear, holding me close to his chest.

My eyes widened at the thought, thinking it impossible. I was tense under his grasp, fighting with my emotions before I remember which Garen was.

A man with loyalty, morals. Ideals he thought were right and fought for. Someone who just wants to do right.

I felt his hold on me slacken, his shoulders dropping before I pulled him back to me, letting the tears fall.

"I love you, Y/n. I will do anything to keep you safe. Even.. even if I must turn my back on everything I've ever known," he murmured, voice soft.

"Good. Because I can't stop Wisteria on my own and neither can Sylas," I told him, pulling back and giving him a weak smile.

Things weren't going to be normal right away, that much was true. But somehow, I felt closer to Garen after that.

Somehow, I think we were going to be okay in the end, afterall.

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