Chapter Text
Soraya
First Smile
Mel was starting to worry that her daughter would always have a permanent scowl. She was way past the milestone of having her first smile by three weeks and Mel was growing concerned as she stared while Soraya frowned in focus as she messed with a dress that Ximena had sent over. She seemed perplexed by the material and its puffiness as she grabbed at it and squeezed it in her hands.
At least she was curious. Mel was never too concerned when it came to that. She seemed to like learning. But if she wasn’t in the middle of trying to discover all of Runeterra’s secrets (such as her discovery of toes and what she can and cannot put in her mouth), she was rather opinionated for a baby, making sure she was heard, especially if she wanted something. She would grab at something and grunt, somewhat angrily, before frowning at Mel so her mother would get whatever it was for her.
Mel had no trouble with her daughter being vocal. But the fact that she hadn’t smiled yet was concerning. She had tried to make sure she was raised well and happy here despite the harshness of Noxus. Maybe she had been wrong and the environment had already gotten to her. It had stopped any type of joy that she could experience as soon as she was born. A silly thought, a voice in the back of her head told her. Soraya was probably just a late bloomer. That was just an average and didn’t consider late bloomers or those who possibly smiled earlier.
But she couldn’t help but feel guilty about it. She should’ve stayed in Piltover for a little longer before giving birth to her daughter. Even if there were reminders of all she had lost there, it would have been better she had been raised there than here with nothing but war, blood, and colonization. And at least Mel would be closer to Jayce’s family there, too. Caitlyn would have adored her and Mel was sure Vi would figure out a way to get the girl to smile. Maybe even Ximena could figure it out. She had raised Jayce by herself for the longest and he had possessed the brightest smile Mel had ever seen in all of Runeterra. Maybe if Soraya had lived with Ximena, she would have been more successful than Mel had been so far.
“You’re a challenging little thing, aren’t you?” Mel says as she leans over to pick Soraya up. Her daughter made her displeasure known with a loud, angry-sounding squeal as her mother took her away from her very intense exploration of this new and alien fabric before slumping in what Mel read as defeat as she was cradled in her mother’s arms. Soraya gave a loud grunt, letting her mother know that she won but Soraya wasn’t too happy about this defeat.
“I’m sorry to have interrupted your research, my little star,” Mel said, amusement lighting her tone. “I’ll let you get back to it in a moment.”
Soraya gave a displeased gurgle but didn’t fight. She, instead, turned into Mel and gave small snort before her face became more neutral as her hazel gaze met Mel’s green, staring up at the mage as she did. There was an inquisitive intensity in her eyes and it seemed her earlier anger was forgotten. Mel gives her a soft smile.
“Has something else caught your attention, little sunray?” She murmurs at the baby as Soraya continues to watch her. “Always so curious. Very much like your father.”
And in that moment, Mel saw it for the first time. Soraya’s lips twitched subtly at first, Mel believing it was a trick of light before her lips stretched and showed off her gums in a happy curve, stunning Mel. The mage blinked once, twice, before her vision blurred with tears. She hugged Soraya to her chest.
“There you are, my beautiful girl,” she whispered.
Soraya wouldn’t understand now but when Mel tells her when she’s older, she’ll tell her how she made Mel’s glow even stronger in that moment.
Vander
First Pair of Boxing Gloves
“Here,” Vi said as she handed over the box to her daughter. “Got you something.”
Vander stared at the box as she raised a brow in confusion. “It’s not my birthday last I checked,” she responded as she turned it over.
Vi chuckled. “Does it need to be your birthday for me to spoil you?”
Vander shrugs, nonchalantly, as she places the box down. “I guess you have a point,” she says before looking at Vi. “But, seriously, what is it?”
Vi scoffs as she smirks down at her. “Now, that’s not how a surprise works,” she told her daughter, who frowned before sighing and grabbing the box again. Vi watched as she stared at the box for another long moment before gripping the top flaps and pulling them open with practiced ease. As soon as she did, she paused and Vi watched as her caramel brown eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion as she did. Silence stretched between them and Vi felt her stomach starting to tie in knots as Vander continued to stare.
“Do you not like ‘em?” Vi asked. “I can always return them from where I bought them.”
Vander’s head shot up and her eyes widened. “Absolutely not!” She snaps before averting her gaze and fixing her tone. “I mean… no. They’re fine. I just…”
Vi watches as she twiddles her thumbs before wringing her hands together in a nervous gesture. She knew Vander still wasn’t used to gifts. Living by herself for so long at such a young age, it made sense to Vi that she wouldn’t feel right accepting gifts. There had to be some type of catch. Not everyone was kind. And Vander… Vi had seen how she was when they first met. Her walls were high for someone so young and Vi hadn’t been able to chip away at all of them yet.
“Tell me how you’re feeling, kiddo,” Vi nudged gently as she continued to gauge her daughter’s reaction.
Vander frowned in thought before looking up at Vi. “I’m feeling… mixed,” she began. “Mostly happy. But… a little sad? I think? I’m not sure.”
“How come?” Vi continued.
Vander thought long and hard, giving a small hum. She bit her lip, a nervous habit she had developed, and Vi was trying to break her out of. Vi tapped the girl’s nose to bring her attention to the action, and Vander released it but was still quiet for a minute. “I’ve never had someone be so nice,” she went on. “Especially an adult. It’s… weird but in a good way.”
Vi can’t help the warmth that spreads through her chest. She’s proud of her kid. Getting her to talk about her feelings had been hard for the first few months but they were making so much progress. “It’s normal to feel overwhelmed,” she said. “I felt very overwhelmed for a while after getting with your mother. She likes to spoil.”
Vander chuckles. “Tell me about it. I swear that my room was filled to the brim with gifts when I first came home,” she jokes, reminiscing about how Caitlyn had decorated her room to the max. It had been too overwhelming for Vander, and she had Cait and Vi’s help to minimize it later. Vander still kept the rest of the gifts and decorations but they had put them away until she felt more comfortable. Cait had apologized profusely to Vander afterwards.
“It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by things you’re not used to,” Vi continued. “And if you don’t want to put them on right now, I’ll take them back and wait until you’re ready.”
Vander took a deep breath before setting her face with determination. “I am ready.”
Vi gave a soft smile. “Want me to help you put them on?” She asked and Vander’s eager nod was all she needed. Vander reached into the box again and pulled out the sleek new black boxing gloves Vi had got her. Vi could see Vander vibrate with excitement as the brawler helped her slip on the gloves. She was about to jump out of her boots with how happy she looked as Vi made sure to strap the gloves securely around Van’s wrists.
“Good?” Vi asked as she finished strapping the last one.
“Perfect!” Vander exclaimed before outstretching a fist. “Let’s take this to the gym now! I wanna break them in!”
Vi ruffled her hair. “Of course. You go on ahead. I’m gonna get your mother, first,” she told her, the girl running off before Vi could even finish. Vi watched her go, feeling her pride strengthen. She was raising a good kid.
Celeste
First Friend(s)
“I don’t think this is smart,” Soraya heard her sister complain as the two headed toward a group of children. “There is no reason for us to associate with them.”
Soraya rolled her eyes. “Come now,” she groaned. “Don’t be so egotistical.”
Celeste scoffed but didn’t argue as she continued to follow her to where the other Noxian children were. Celeste had a bad habit of isolating herself, priding herself on this “the strong live, the weak die” mentality. The brutish Noxian principle that their mother was working to change. Soraya could understand using it sometimes but it did not work in everyday routines. Celeste needed friends and social bonds. That’s how you build up a good army and your own strength at the same time. Camaraderie was useful! And also healthy for children their age, as Mother kept insisting.
“If we are rejected because of your naive ideas, you owe me a good sparring session,” Celeste grumbled.
“You have a deal,” Soraya responded before calling out to the group. “Hello!”
The children looked their way. Soraya could see surprise fill their faces, widened eyes and slackened jaws appearing as Soraya and her sister came to a stop. Soraya was used to it. She was the daughter of the Mel Medarda, who was the daughter of Ambessa Medarda- the Wolf of Noxus- and Soraya herself was a prodigious fighter, sparring with older children or some of the younger soldiers. The allure gets… boring after a while but she doesn’t get frustrated anymore.
“Ms. Medarda,” one of the group says, a boy taller than her and skin the color or sand. He does a Noxian salute and bows toward her.
“Please,” Soraya responds. “Ms. Medarda is my mother.”
Celeste speaks up. “He is respecting you,” she says. “Our mother is the leader of Noxus after all.”
“And I would prefer it if he used my name instead.” Soraya watched as the boy straightened up. “Why have you all gathered here?”
The children looked between each other, a nervous energy coming off of them before a girl spoke up. She was small, probably the youngest of the group, and her brown eyes shimmered with nervousness. “We were going to play some soccer. Would you like to join?” She responded, her shoulders drawing up.
“We could really use some more teammates,” another boy spoke up. “We’ve got an odd number of people.”
“Of course!” Soraya chirped, grabbing Celeste’s arm and bringing her forward. “My sister and I would love to!”
Celeste grumbled some before snatching her arm away from the older girl. She, instead, faced the group. “I… have not played this game before. How is it done?”
The girl from earlier brightened up. “I could teach you! It’s very simple!”
Celeste gave a nod. “That would be adequate,” she murmured.
Soraya held back a chuckle. Her sister was so formal. She should organize more impromptu outings like this for Celeste. Then, she wouldn’t sound like a robot.
“Let’s do it, then!” Soraya chirped. “My sister could use some new hobbies!”
Celeste harrumphed as she sent a glare her way, embarrassment apparent but Soraya only smiled wider. They were divided into two groups. Soraya was the captain of her team, which she named the Sand Coyotes, and Celeste’s team was named the Black Wolves. Her sister ran a tight ship with her team despite not knowing all of the rules and what she lacked in skill, she made up for with determination and enthusiasm. She ended up leading her team to victory against Soraya.
“You were amazing!” The girl who had helped Celeste- Soraya learned her name was Selene- chirped later as they dispersed and traveled home. “You move so fast! How did you do it?”
Celeste gave a proud smile as she continued to kick the ball, practicing the moves she had observed, down the dirt path. “I pride myself on speed,” she said. “Even my prodigal sister couldn’t beat me in a race.”
Soraya scoffed. “I could, too,” she complained, playfully.
“But you haven’t!” Celeste kicked the ball towards Soraya, who stopped it, albeit a bit clumsily.
“You’ll have to teach me!” Selene exclaimed, bouncing on her toes as she followed the two. “You looked amazing.”
Celeste froze up and Soraya saw as her cheeks darkened with a blush, giving out a quiet snicker as she gazed upon her sister. She rubbed the back of her head. “W-well, I’d have to find a time between lessons and… my chores… and other things,” she mumbled before setting her face with determination. “But I will teach you how to better your speed and stamina.”
Selene squealed. “Thank you, Celeste!” The girl ran off with a smile and a happy farewell, Celeste waving back awkwardly.
“Looks like you made a new friend!” Soraya said as she slung an arm around Celeste’s shoulders, beaming with pride.
Celeste didn’t fight her this time as she watched as where Selene had left. “Yes… I guess I did…”