[System Alert: New Bond Available – Ahri]
[Location: ???]
The alert pulsed quietly in Cole's vision as he left the garden behind. He didn't say anything to Ahri—he didn't need to. Her quiet nod had been enough.
They walked the silent streets of upper Piltover side by side, not touching, not talking, but tethered by something that wasn't there before. Something fragile. Real.
By the time they reached the edge of the entertainment district, most of the eateries had shuttered for the night—except for one.
A small rooftop bistro, softly lit by amber lanterns and candlelight. The sign read: Moon & Marrow.
"Hungry?" Cole asked, breaking the silence.
Ahri gave him a look. "I haven't eaten since noon."
"That's not an answer," he said, half-grinning.
She sighed dramatically, then smiled just enough. "Starving."
'Someone might recognize her' Much to her surprise, Cole covered her with his jacket
"Can't be having people recognize you up there" a faint blush painted her cheeks
They took the elevator up. A tired server seated them at a quiet corner overlooking the city skyline, offering menus and leaving without fuss.
The wind was crisp, but not biting. From up here, the chaos of Piltover looked like a model city—tiny, quiet, contained.
"I used to love places like this," Ahri said, glancing over the edge of the railing. "When things were simpler. Before everything became… visible."
"Visible?"
"To everyone. The cameras. The fans. The pressure to be perfect, even when you're falling apart inside." She stared down at the menu, not really reading it. "But you get used to it."
Cole tilted his head. "You shouldn't have to."
Ahri didn't reply. The candle on their table flickered as if in agreement.
They ordered something light—warm broth, dumplings, tea. Nothing fancy. Nothing idol-worthy. Just food.
Halfway through her bowl, Ahri paused. "This is the best thing I've had in weeks."
"Is that a compliment to the food, or your schedule?" Cole asked.
She looked at him over the rim of her cup. "Both."
For a few moments, they just ate.
No tension. No walls. Just quiet breaths between spoonfuls.
"I didn't expect to talk to anyone tonight," she admitted. "I went there… to be alone."
"I wasn't supposed to be there either," Cole replied. "But something told me to follow."
Ahri's gaze softened. "A lot of people want things from me. It's hard to tell who actually sees me."
"I do," he said. "And not because you're Ahri from K/DA."
She gave him a look—part grateful, part wary. "Then what do you see?"
He didn't hesitate. "Someone holding the weight for too many people… and starting to crack under it."
She looked down, eyelashes brushing her cheeks. "That obvious?"
"It's not a flaw," he said. "It's what makes you a lovable person."
A silence passed, gentler than the last. Then she chuckled softly. "You're better at this than you let on."
Cole leaned back. "I had a good teacher. Her name was Loneliness."
Ahri gave a small laugh. Real. No polish to it. "Touché."
They finished dinner without any need to fill the silence. As they stood to leave, Ahri hesitated at the railing, staring down at the twinkling lights below.
"Do you believe people can fix each other?" she asked suddenly.
"No," Cole said. "But I believe they can choose to stay when the pieces start to fall."
She didn't answer right away.
Then she stepped closer.
Not close enough to touch.
But close enough to trust.
___
They returned to the garden.
The same bench. The same moonflowers. But this time, the silence was warmer.
She sat down first. He joined her without asking.
Ahri tilted her head toward him.
"I never thought I'd meet someone like you," she whispered. "Someone who… didn't flinch when I stopped pretending."
"I'm not here for the mask," Cole replied. "I'm here for the person underneath."
A breath. A blink.
She leaned slightly into his shoulder
[SP Gained: +150]
She murmured into the air. "You're not walking out clean, you know."
He smiled faintly. "Didn't plan to."
"Come to the studio tomorrow," she said. "The others are skeptical. But… maybe they need to see what I saw."
"And what's that?"
Her eyes met his. They glowed just a little now—not magic. Not glamour. Just her.
"Someone worth believing in."
[Bond Status Updated: Ahri – Trust Initiated]
They walked together through the sleeping streets once more. The garden lights faded behind them.
But for the first time in a long while…
Ahri wasn't walking alone.
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