Chapter Text
When she first gets the email, Akali thinks it’s a weird spam message. She applied to the K/DA contest, the newest K-pop group from singers Ahri and Evelynn, on a whim. That had been months ago, primarily because of Irelia’s prodding, and she hadn’t expected anything from it. But now? Now there’s an unread email sitting in her inbox with IMPORTANT - K/DA RESULTS - AKALI TETHI.
Maybe hacking technology got more advanced, perhaps she’ll open the email and malware will download itself onto the only laptop she’s ever known and-.
She clicks open anyway.
Her eyes scan the email and without hesitation, she slams the laptop closed. Across from her sits her cousin, Irelia, who raises her eyebrows.
“Did you read the email?” Irelia prompts.
“I won,” Akali breathes.
Irelia cheers, crossing the room and pulling her into a tight hug, but Akali isn’t celebrating. Her heart feels frozen in her chest, panic stitching her throat closed. She pushes Irelia away, jumping to her feet and scrambling toward their bathroom. Akali doesn’t even have time to close the door behind her before she’s puking into the toilet.
It should be a glorious moment, it should be a celebration, but instead, Akali clings to the porcelain bowl for dear life, and Irelia rubs her back sympathetically.
The news should be uplifting her, but instead, it burns down her throat like whiskey. Akali’s body shakes as she flushes the toilet. She knows her cousin is dying to ask are you going to take it but Irelia wisely keeps her silence. Her answer is already evident, swirling away in the toilet.
Akali gets a call two days later, while she’s on break at the restaurant she works at. She takes a hit of her vape, blowing smoke out of her nose as she searches for her device. She finally finds her phone and tucks her vape away. Not bothering to check the caller ID, she answers.
“Yo,” Akali says shortly.
“Is this Akali Tethi?” A smooth voice purrs.
Akali freezes, she would know that voice anywhere, after all, she grew up listening to Evelynn and Ahri’s music. She used to be a superfan, back before everything got bad, back before she grew up.
“Hello?” Evelynn asks again.
“Yeah, that’s me,” Akali responds, “who are you?”
“Darling, I know you know who I am,” Evelynn coos, and Akali blushes on the other side of the line, her lie not going anywhere, “have you seen our email?”
“Yep, it’s a no,” Akali fiddles with a sleeve.
“What?” A shrill voice calls from behind Evelynn, “Wait, Eve, put me on!”
There’s shuffling and Akali takes another anxious hit of her vape. Mint fills her systems and she exhales slowly, trying to focus on the lightness in her head instead of the sense of impending doom in her chest.
“Hey, this is Ahri,” Ahri’s voice is cutesy, but sends a shiver down Akali’s spine nonetheless, “we loved your submission, you brought another level to the song, and wow. I really don’t have words. Are you in Seoul? We’d love to meet you before you make your decision.”
“Will I get the money either way?” Akali gruffly says.
“Of course,” Ahri chirps, “and if you meet us, you get free dinner.”
“Fine, I have Tuesdays off, text me the place and I’ll be there. Bye,” Akali says as Olaf starts barking at her to get back. She hangs up, pocketing her vape and slipping back inside of the building. She washes her hands in the sink before heading to the sushi bar and sharpening her knife.
Tahm Kench just nods at her as he leaves to take his break and Akali sighs, eyeing the seemingly endless line of people, and then prepares for the night ahead.
Tuesday rolls around faster than she was expecting. She dresses in her nicest clothing, a silk black shirt and a pair of slacks. Irelia lint-rolls her, fixing her collar before deeming her good to go.
“You look great kid,” Irelia smiles down at her, ruffling her hair.
Akali whines, slapping Irelia’s hand away, causing Riven, Irelia’s girlfriend, to laugh at them. Akali’s face flushes red and she smoothes down her hair as best as she can.
“You get paid, either way, don’t sweat it,” Riven tells her.
“And ‘Li, if you change your mind, we’ll be happy for you,” Irelia says, more serious than before, “it’s your decision. Do whatever you think will make you happy. Fuck Mayym.”
“Fuck Mayym,” Akali repeats, the words more cautious on her tongue than they were on Irelia’s, “okay, gotta go bye!”
Akali dashes out of the apartment, quickly hopping onto her motorcycle and racing downtown. K/DA chose one of the newest places in Seoul, one that Akali had dined at a few times because she knew the owner, but free food was free food. Besides, Diana, the owner, usually had Tuesdays off too.
Soon enough, she reaches her destination, parking her bike neatly and taking her helmet off. She dismounts from her bike, locking her helmet to it, and smooths down her clothing. Akali’s early for once and walks to the host stand.
“Evening, Yasuo,” Akali smiles up at the tall man.
He dips his head, “Hello. I don’t see you on the list, did Leona squeeze you in?”
“Nope, I’m supposed to be meeting some people. Table for four? I think it’s under Ahri or Evelynn,” Akali rubs the back of her neck.
Yasuo hums, clicking on his tablet. He seems to find what he’s looking for as he gathers four menus and straightens his posture.
“Will you need any rescuing today?” Yasuo says, voice even but Akali can hear the teasing undertones to it.
“Yasuo,” Akali whines, “that was one time.”
Yasuo heartily laughs, “Yes, but we had to hide you in the kitchen, I can’t remember a more disastrous date. Speaking of date, they’re here.”
“Yasuo, it’s a business meeting it’s not-” Akali argues before Yasuo clears his throat. Akali turns around, eyes wide for a moment before she schools her expression. Her eyes catch on the tallest member, Kai’Sa if she remembered correctly, whose long legs seem to go on for days. Kai’Sa has a button-down on, the top button undone, it’s clearly more conservative than Akali’s own look, but she looks good nonetheless. Two weird pods float by her shoulders.
Kai’Sa’s smile is small but warm, and Akali feels a bead of sweat drip down the back of her neck. Her attention turns to Ahri, who’s somehow more beautiful in person. There’s an aura around her that Akali can’t describe, and it makes her want to step closer. Ahri smiles up at her, ears twitching and tail swaying behind her. She’s gorgeous.
And finally, Akali drags her eyes over to Evelynn, who’s been staring at her this entire time. There’s something captivating about her gaze, and Akali feels trapped underneath Evelynn’s hungry eyes. Evelynn’s dress is a dark purple and skin-tight, leaving little to the imagination. Akali can’t help it as her eyes travel down the slope of her neck, the curve of her chest, and then straight back up.
“You must be Akali?” Ahri speaks first, brightly, “A pleasure to meet you.”
Ahri steps forward, arms outstretched, and Akali takes a step back. Yasuo stands behind her and she bumps into him, but he doesn’t flinch. Ahri’s eyes widen in hurt at Akali’s actions, before the sashimi chef gathers ahold of herself and outstretches her hand.
“Hi, nice to meet you,” Akali shakes each one of their hands, lingering a little too long on Evelynn’s.
“Your table is ready, ladies,” Yasuo interrupts, breaking whatever spell that K/DA cast on Akali. Akali is the first to follow the taller man inside and around the cozy restaurant. In a corner, she spots Leona and Diana murmuring, and both wave to her. She waves back, smile wide, as Yasuo leads them to a private booth in the back.
“Here you are,” Yasuo bows lowly, “enjoy your meal. I’m sure Diana will be over shortly.”
“Doesn’t she ever get a night off?” Akali grins, “We’re fine, I promise.”
Yasuo meets her eyes for a second before nodding and leaving the four alone. It’s silent for a moment before Kai’Sa attempts to start a conversation.
“So,” Kai’Sa smiles at her, “I take it you’ve been here before.”
Akali just nods, chin out defiantly, and more guarded than before. Yasuo isn’t here to protect her, and neither is Irelia, so she’s on her own, like usual.
“What do you recommend?” Ahri asks, and the warmth in her tone nearly causes Akali to choke on her water.
No one talks to Akali like that, not anymore. She doesn’t even know if anyone’s ever talked to her like that, with so much care and respect in her tone.
For a second, Akali is almost convinced that Ahri cares about her opinion. Almost. And then her brain brings her back to reality, where she’s no one at a table full of someones.
It’s impolite not to answer, Mayym’s voice chastises in her head, I raised you better than that.
Akali averts her eyes from the rest of the group, glaring down at the menu, “The special’s always good, and so is everything. Can’t go wrong here.”
“Is that so?” Evelynn’s voice is hypnotizing.
Akali can feel the demon’s eyes on her but refuses to look up. She doesn’t answer the question, stapling her lips shut and scanning the menu even though it hasn’t changed since last week. Ahri tries to coax her into a conversation, but Akali doesn’t respond now that she has her head on straight.
They only want her here so they can use her. They don’t care about her, no one does, how could they? When her own mother doesn’t-, no, now’s not the time for that.
Either way, Akali knows Ahri and Evelynn’s type. They take everything they can, they take until there’s nothing left, and then benefit. They don’t think about what they leave behind, they don’t think about how their consequences have actions, none of that matters.
And Akali knows because she was once like that too.
Ahri and Evelynn want to use her, but they’ll kick her to the curb like everyone else does. Akali doesn’t need that type of drama in her life. Underneath the table, her fists clench.
“Hey sweetheart,” a soft, familiar voice greets and Akali looks up to see Leona smiling down at her.
Akali’s face flushes, “Shouldn’t you be enjoying your night?”
“Heard you were here, couldn’t just leave your order to some random waiter,” Leona smiles and then turns to the others, “can I get you anything to start?”
The girls rattle off their drink orders, along with their entrees, and Leona easily memorizes them. She looks back down at Akali, hesitates like she wants to say something, and then decides on another smile before leaving.
“A friend of yours?” Evelynn raises an eyebrow, something akin to jealousy in her tone.
Akali ignores it, “Yeah.”
“She’s pretty,” Ahri adds, but Akali can hear the difference in this fake cheerfulness compared to earlier.
Akali makes eye contact with Kai’Sa whose face is bright red. Akali merely raises an eyebrow, a silent are they serious to which Kai’Sa looks embarrassed. At least one of them seemed to be sane.
God, it was gonna be a long night.
Akali knows that anytime a stranger tries to have a conversation with her, it’s like pulling teeth at best. She’s cagey, always has been, and it’s made even worse in stressful scenarios like this. Though, she knows that Irelia would be on her back about not giving her full effort, so she tries to be nice.
Their questions are mostly generic and Akali gives simple responses, enough to barely answer the question but not enough to give too much away. Ahri keeps rattling off questions, while Evelynn quietens down. She seems to understand what Akali’s doing and frowns at that.
Evelynn’s the closest one to her, and when their food arrives, the seductress scoots closer. It’s a minuscule move at first, but Akali notices it all the same. She notices everything now, after everything she’s been through.
“Can I try that?” Evelynn murmurs, their arms barely brushing on the table. Akali doesn’t respond for a second, too focused on the warmth protruding from Evelynn’s skin, and how easy it would be to reach out and hold her hand.
It’s an idiotic thought, and Akali banishes it as soon as she gains control of herself. She stiffly nods and Evelynn reaches over with her fork, stabbing a piece of steak and eating it. Akali is ashamed of the way her eyes go to Evelynn’s jugular, the elegant way she swallows doing more to her than she’d like to admit.
Akali’s grip on her fork tightens and she can see Evelynn smile as if that was the plan all along. It’s a tiny thing, but it gets underneath Akali’s skin and burrows inside of her, boiling her blood. She doesn’t like being outplayed, much less made fun of. There’s something patronizing about Evelynn’s smile as if Akali’s been caught in one of her traps.
Akali abruptly stands, gruffly excusing herself to go to the washroom.
When she gets to the bathroom, she immediately heads to the sink. Her face is redder than she’d like and she takes a deep breath. Her eyes close instinctually, and she focuses on calmer memories. She imagines her apartment, with Irelia and Riven next to her, Leona and Diana across from them. Maybe if she was lucky, Qiyana and Ekko would be there too.
Her eyes open and as she gazes at herself in the mirror, there’s a brief moment where they glow red, before cooling to a gentle blue.
“Your eyes are really pretty,” Ahri says, in the mirror behind her.
Akali turns, suspicion in her eyes, “Why’d you follow me?”
“Nature calls,” Ahri says, all prim and proper, “not everyone’s out to get you, baby.”
Akali doesn’t bother commenting and turns back around. Ahri heads into a stall, going about her business as Akali pulls out her phone, sending a quick update to Irelia.
“Who was that woman from before?” Ahri asks as she washes her hands.
“Leona?” Akali answers with a question and Ahri nods, “She’s a friend.”
“Just a friend?” Ahri dries her hands.
“Why does it matter to you?” Akali fires back.
Ahri laughs, a pretty little thing, but when their eyes meet, Akali feels fire burning in her lower abdomen. The gumiho takes a step forward, then another, and Akali is frozen as Ahri gets closer. Reaching up, Ahri cups the side of Akali’s face, a soft, wicked smile on her lips.
This close, Akali can see the deep whisper marks on her cheeks, the freckles sprayed across the bridge of her nose. She can see the brilliant blue of her eyes, and the desire raging within them. Ahri is a forest fire, and Akali can feel the flames flickering against her skin.
“It matters because I don’t like to share my girls, Akali,” Ahri presses up on her toes, mouth right next to Akali’s ear, “none of us do.”
Maybe to anyone else, that sentence would’ve done wonders to them. Not to Akali, not when she can picture Mayym cheering Faey on, that’s my girl, and giving her the silent treatment. Not when she can picture Mayym looming over her, fist raised, spittle flying because Akali was her firstborn but never enough, never her girl-
Akali scowls at that, “I’m not your girl.”
“Not yet,” Ahri smiles, and then Akali steps back, breaking out of the embrace. Anger bubbles in the back of her throat, then shame, and all of Ahri’s bravado fades at the look on Akali’s face. Akali can feel her entire body shaking and she scrambles for her phone, she needs to talk to Irelia now, or else-
“Akali, Akali, look at me,” Ahri says firmly but Akali wants nothing to do with her, not right now.
“L-leave,” Akali stumbles out, shaking fingers pressing on her phone and dialing her cousin. Ahri looks like she wants to argue but follows Akali’s command, fleeing the room.
“‘Li?” Irelia answers, “What’s up?”
“I, I, I,” Akali stammers unable to even form a sentence. Her heart is beating too quickly, the lights are too bright, everything is toomuchtoomuchtoomuch -
“Breathe with me,” Irelia’s voice is strong and grounding, “in, out, in, out, there you go.”
Akali numbly follows her cousin’s commands for a few minutes, before her breathing returns to normal. By then, she’s sitting with her back against the wall, phone pressed tightly to her ear.
“I can pick you up if you want,” Irelia tells her, “or I can make an excuse to get you out of there. Whatever you need, kid.”
“It’s too much, I can’t even do one dinner with them,” Akali bemoans, closing her eyes, “how would I possibly be in a group with them? My goddamn mouth won’t even open half the time, they probably think I’m some kind of freak.”
“We don’t,” a new voice cuts in.
Akali’s eyes snap open to see Kai’Sa kneeling in front of her, hand gently outstretched. Akali eyes it warily, but lets Kai’Sa put it gently on her knee. Kai’Sa smiles at her and softly squeezes.
“I have to call you back ‘Lia,” Akali says abruptly before hanging up.
“Hi,” Kai’Sa says.
“Hey,” Akali awkwardly responds.
“Are you doing alright? Ahri mentioned you were having a panic attack,” Kai’Sa’s gaze is soft, but there’s no pity in her eyes. It’s comforting.
“Yeah, yeah,” Akali answers and her mouth feels dry, “she just said some stuff that, uh, got to me, I guess. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, you can’t help that,” Kai’Sa’s gaze is sympathetic, “can I hold your hand?”
Akali is even more off-put by this suggestion and wordlessly, Kai’Sa withdraws. She nods, still keeping one hand on Akali’s knee, as she hums.
“When I was a child, I stumbled into the Void, you can see my symbiote, right?” Kai’Sa asks and Akali nods, “I lost a lot of myself to the darkness, but I escaped. Still, I’m terrified of the dark. Perhaps it should be something I should just get over, but it’s not that simple. Ahri and Eve accept me for who I am, no matter the past. We want to do the same for you.”
“You don’t know me,” Akali argues.
“No, we don’t, but we want to,” Kai’Sa tells her, “they come on…too strong I admit. When they first approached me, I turned them down too. But I would’ve been stupid to let an opportunity like this go, as would you. Do you really want to work at a restaurant all of your life?”
Akali’s eyebrows furrow, “How did you-”
“Private investigator,” Kai’Sa answers, “those girls are thorough. I’ve told them to back off, but they mean well. They want the best for everyone and the group. Sometimes those things intertwine, and in this case, the best thing for us is you.”
“What? But I’m-”
“Please don’t put yourself down again, I don’t know if my heart can take much more of it,” Kai’Sa interrupts, firm but still kind.
Akali is left speechless, feeling exposed at how easily a stranger can read her. Her skin crawls at that, scales starting to form on her back. She feels vulnerable and hates it.
“We’re on your side, Akali, let’s go finish dinner?” Kai’Sa suggests, offering a hand to Akali.
Taking a deep breath, Akali takes it and allows Kai’Sa to pull her to her feet. Kai’Sa opens the bathroom door and holds it open for Akali, who trails behind her. Their hands are still intertwined, but Akali doesn’t even notice until they get to the table. Kai’Sa squeezes her hand before letting go, and Akali sits down next to Evelynn.
“Everything okay?” Evelynn murmurs, more subdued than before.
“I’m fine,” Akali says gruffly, and then tries to fix her tone, “sorry. I’m okay, thanks for checking.”
Evelynn’s eyes glow at that, a smirk on her lips, “I’m glad, darling.”
Akali looks up and across the table to see Ahri, the poor woman who looks like she’s about to burst into tears. Barely meeting her eyes, Ahri’s ears lay flat on the top of her head, shoulders curled in.
“I’m really sorry, Akali, I didn’t mean to cross a boundary,” Ahri starts, eyes welling with tears, “I didn’t mean to-”
“It’s okay, Ahri, I know you didn’t mean any harm. I’m not angry,” Akali cuts her off, gently, even though she doesn’t think she’s ever been gentle before in her life. Akali is a wrecking ball, she’s a dragon running through a china shop, she’s never been gentle or subtle. But, maybe she can try to be.
Ahri looks at her in disbelief, “Really?”
“Really,” Akali reassures and hesitantly outstretches a hand. Ahri takes it, and Akali presses a kiss to her knuckles, “We’re okay, I promise.”
It’s an intimate gesture, and Akali second-guesses it as soon as she does it, but Ahri beams. She seems to preen under the attention, regaining her posture, and her ears flick back up.
“Give me your other hand Rogue,” Evelynn practically demands
Akali raises an eyebrow but offers her right hand. Evelynn immediately intertwines their fingers and Akali glances down at their hands and then back at the demon.
“You held everyone else’s hand but mine,” Evelynn scowls, but it comes off whinier than anything. Akali snickers under her breath and Evelynn’s scowl grows. When she sees Leona coming, Akali lets go of Ahri and Evelynn’s hands.
She hears the snarl and the growl instantly, knowing the noises come from their respective owners. It’s a possessive noise, and Akali wonders if they’ve somehow made a stake on her soul already. It causes an uncomfortable feeling to settle in her chest, especially at how hard intimacy is for her.
“How was it?” Leona asks, ruffling Akali’s hair, and K/DA all tense at that.
“Stop it,” Akali pouts at her, “go bother Diana.”
“Diana is busy at the front of the house,” Leona tells her, “you know how she is. Oh, Irelia texted me-” a silent are you okay “and wanted to know if you can bring home some food for her and Riven.”
“You spoil them too much,” Akali rolls her eyes, but the yes is evident.
“Someone has to take care of you annoying kids,” Leona grins, “don’t worry about the bill, by the way. It’s on the house. Di told me that you’re not allowed back for another two weeks though, we have to make money somehow.”
“Fine,” Akali acquiesces, “I’ll see you later.”
Leona presses a kiss to the crown of her head, “Bye, kid.”
Leona leaves and the rest of K/DA still don’t relax. Akali eyes them cautiously.
“What’s the big deal?” Akali voices.
“Who is she to you?” Ahri’s voice is taut with jealousy.
“Like a sister?” Akali says confused, “She and her wife got me my first job here.”
K/DA all relax simultaneously. Akali would think it comical if it was happening to anyone else.
“Why are you guys being so fucking weird?” Akali is genuinely confused, “I literally don’t know you.”
“Well, uh,” Ahri rubs the back of her neck, “I think I imprinted on you, and you accepted.”
“What?” Akali’s eyes widen, her dragon traits were normally fairly dormant, “Did all of you do that?”
“It happened when we met today,” Kai’Sa says softly, “when our eyes met. You accepted mine too.”
Akali turns to Evelynn who wordlessly nods. The chef is stunned into silence as all the information rushes over her. Imprinting was rare now, even for vastaya, and Akali hadn’t heard of it happening for centuries. It was even rarer to be able to imprint on multiple people, but she supposed that might be because of their long lifespans. If what the others said was true, then even if Akali didn’t join K/DA, the four would have a bond for the rest of their lives.
She closes her eyes, concentrating on her breathing. She can hear the numerous heartbeats in the room but focuses her senses on the three closest to her. It’s easier than she expected to find Ahri’s heartbeat, then Kai’Sa’s, and finally Evelynn’s. They weren’t lying, she can sense her soul in each of their hearts.
“Oh,” she gasps, eyes wide.
Evelynn reaches out for her hand, but Akali pulls her hand back. She stands abruptly, and all three pairs of eyes turn to her.
“Thanks for dinner, I should head home, I have work tomorrow. I’ll…I’ll be in touch,” Akali tells them.
Before she can leave, three things wrap around her left arm, quicker than she can blink. A lasher, connected to Evelynn, a tail, connected to Ahri, and a hand, connected to Kai’Sa.
“Don’t be a stranger, baby,” Ahri tells her softly.
“Get home safe,” Kai’Sa adds.
“Darling…” Evelynn doesn’t finish her sentence.
Akali feels an overwhelming amount of emotion hit her square in the chest and she stiffly nods. She meets their eyes once more before gently extracting herself. Grabbing Irelia’s dinner, she hurries to her bike and then away from the restaurant, away from her chance at a new start.