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Had it really come to this? You looked at him with trembling lips, your words suddenly failing you.
A feeling you told yourself you’d be prepared for.
A situation you had went over with him countless times. But now that you were met with the certainty of the end you refused to believe it.
He had grown frail, the demon within him claiming his shell as its own. It was only a matter of time, even before he made the pact he was well aware of how this ride would end. But what the visionary didn’t foresee was you. Never did he even let the thought of love occur to him, but yet here you stood, unwavering and loyal. You had wormed your way into his heart deeper than that beast ever could. He did his best to warm you, scare you away for your own sake. He knew there would come a day where Raum would overpower him, and he assigned the Hand of Noxus to kill him if it ever came to that.
Yet here you stood, whether it was idiocy or stubbornness that kept you near his side, the responsibility to eliminate him fell onto you.
His voice was strained as he spoke, trying to appease your anxiety. Or was it his own nerves he tried to quell?
“You’re going to be alright.” Exhaustion prominent in his speech. “We’ve been over this countless times. You know what to do.” You eyed the vial of poison that sat on the bedside table next to a cup of his favourite wine. You looked into his eyes as you tried swallowing your whimpers, the same eyes that looked at traitors with fury, and viewed numerous maps and documents with precision now sat sunken in their sockets, dull and devoid of their once warm colour.
Not wanting to drag his suffering on longer you grabbed the vial, twisting the cork and slowly poured it into his glass. You felt his hand wipe away your tears that you desperately tried holding back. Placing the empty vial back you put your hand on his. “I’m sorry it had to come to this.” He spoke up again. It shattered you that even in his final moments he was more concerned with your well being. With tears now freely falling, you tried arguing with him, but your defence got caught in your throat.
“Don’t apologise to me. I stayed willingly knowing the price.” You rebutted, helping him sit up slightly, handing him his cup.
“A rather foolish decision if you ask me.” He quipped as he brought the cup to his lips. “Don’t you dare start now.” You couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, even in this dire state he made sure to have the last laugh. You sat with him as he finished his cup, placing it back and helping him lay back down properly.
His breaths grew more laboured as the concoction worked it’s way through his system. His chest visibly heaving beneath the blankets. Watching his complexion get paler with each passing moment, you brought his hand close to your chest as you rocked back and forth softly, humming some tune that you used to hear him hum to himself when deep in thought. You watched as the corners of his mouth twitched upward as you felt him squeeze your hand, bringing you some relief that at least he was confortable. Mustering his remaining strength he turned his head to properly look at you, making sure to take you all in, his mouth opening slightly as he spoke three simple words; “I love you.”
And with that his eyes dulled. His grip loosened as his body relaxed. Stroking his cheek with your thumb you bent over and kissed his forehead softly. “You can finally rest now, Jericho.” You whispered to him, before standing up.
“And so it is done” you spoke as you closed the door behind you, looking up at Darius, who gave you a curtial nod as he placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder.