Smiling, you stood at the counter mixing the batter together while Marcus sat at the table keeping his daughter busy.

The little one was easy to impress with a few games, but it could not be prevented that she kept looking at you.

You showed her how you mixed the ingredients.

"It looks different from yesterday's.", she said, sticking a finger into the dough to taste.

Marcus shrugged, playing hurt.

"Why are you never satisfied with my food?", he asked.

She looked at him with serious eyes.

"Because you don't know how to cook."

The answer surprised you so much that you almost fell over laughing while standing.

Warningly, he glared at you.

"What did I do to deserve this?", Marcus sighed, rubbing his face with both hands. "That makes no sense at all, last time I used the dough that (Y/N) left behind."

"Huh?", you raised an eyebrow. "Chasing me out of the apartment but my food is good enough for you... I'll keep that in mind, sheriff."

Teasing, he stuck his tongue out at you as you dropped the first finished pancake onto Ren's plate.

She eyed the round daler skeptically before her little fingers tore off a steaming piece to shove into her mouth without blowing.

Concerned, you looked to Marcus, but he just shrugged.

"She's done worse.", he whispered with half a grin and half horror in his eyes.

You nodded, a little shocked, and turned away again to make more pancakes.

Ren looked up at him, recognizing the soft expression in his eyes, then looked to you. Curious, she frowned, head tilted.

"Are you going to marry my daddy now?", she asked suddenly.

Surprised, you almost dropped the bowl. Panic-stricken, you glanced at Marcus.

He was at equally confused. Immediately he had to laugh nervously.

"How- how did you get that idea?", he asked and had to clear his throat in order not to choke on his own words.

As if it were a matter of course, she looked at him.

"When two people love each other very much, they get married.", she explained with her mouth full. "That's what you told me."

He looked at you in search of help.

You could do nothing but smile helplessly. Your eyes jumped from her to him and then back to her.

She looked so innocent and at the same time so serious that it couldn't be a joke. She really believed it would work that way.

Carefully you tried to explain the situation, hoping to save you and Marcus from disaster.

"So... in itself your father is right, but...", your eyes jumped to him, but you quickly realized that he was more overwhelmed with the situation than you were. "But these things take time, you know."

You patted her red hair.

But she was not satisfied with this answer. Of course not, after all she was Marcus' daughter. With lips pressed together in disappointment, she looked at Marcus.

"But you said you've known each other for a long time.", it was unbelievable how reproachful a harmless fact could sound from the mouth of a child. "Then you have already had time and loved each other long enough. You slept in one bed last night. Now it makes sense to get married. That's what you've always said."

Pressing a hand over your mouth to suppress a laugh, you had to crouch behind the table and take a breath.

Grimly Marcus looked down at you. His face was so red that it looked like a tomato.

"A little more support wouldn't hurt..!", he hissed with panic in his eyes.

"I'm running out of excuses!", you defended yourself.

"Little fox...", he had to take a deep breath. "The truth is... that (Y/N)... doesn't want to marry me."

A shocked gasp escaped you.

"You back stabber!", you wanted to hit him but he caught your hand.

Laughing, he jumped up from his chair, hands raised for protection, and backed away.

"That was a joke! A joke!"

Ren jumped onto her chair.

"Then you're getting married?! I'm going to be a bride!", she screamed enthusiastically.

With tears in your eyes you collapse with laughter.

"Why doesn't anyone ask me what I want?!", you shouted as if you were about to die.

Grinning, Marcus bent over you, wiggling his thick eyebrows.

"I want to wait too!", he shouted and grabbed Ren to tickle her. "But dad will marry again, I promise you!"

When the hustle and bustle finally calmed down and Ren had terminated her longed-for pancakes down to the last bite, you could finally breathe a sigh of relief. With a nudge against Marcus' shoulder, you pointed to the dirty dishes.

"Your turn.", you said and pressed a kiss on his forehead.

Not enthusiastic but not mad either, he started to do the dishes.

"So...", you dropped your head on the tabletop. "A wedding then."

He blushed at the word.

"That was just a gimmick to please her.", he muttered, but couldn't stop smiling at the thought.

"I wouldn't mind... someday. In the distant future."

He glanced over his shoulder.

"Oh really? We're moving fast."

Amused, you huffed.

"We're making up for what was missed in the past."

"Don't say that too loud. Ren will get ideas."

Chuckling, you stretched your arms in the air and took a deep breath. Your eyes wandered out the window, over the rooftops of Piltover. The dark cloud over Zaun came into view.

Suddenly your good mood turned dark.

The smile faded.

"You know we have to take care of the problem quickly, don't you?", you asked.

Marcus sighed. His eyes closed but you couldn't see the desperate expression on his face.

"I'll do what I can.", he assured. "But... things are not that simple."

You frowned.

"Forgive my directness, but now that our issues are settled... Are you hiding something from me by any chance?"

He bit his tongue. He would have loved to admit it. But that would have caused more pain than solved problems.

"I'm... trying to be as open as possible.", he turned to you, a sorry expression on his face. "But even I have to follow some ruled. And those say I can't tell you everything without being... approved."

You sighed.

"Fine. I'll accept this answer. For now."

"I love you."