Lightsmith

Popmahbubble

<Sweet Victory>

(US) Deathwing

Human Protection Paladin

Lightsmith

The sun was setting over the fields of Arathi, casting a warm golden glow across the landscape. Stormwind’s soldiers were in the midst of preparing for another skirmish, gathering their strength and sharpening their weapons for the days ahead. But amidst the bustle, one paladin stood alone, her armor reflecting the light like a beacon of hope. Popmah Bubble, a proud protector of the Alliance, stood watch over the encampment, her blue eyes scanning the horizon, her mind far away from the duty at hand.

She’d always been the unshakable wall. The one who stood strong no matter the odds. The one whose shield never faltered, whose resolve never cracked. But tonight, as the soft breeze played with her auburn hair, Popmah couldn’t escape the knot in her chest, the one that had been twisting for weeks now.

It was Her. Aeloria, the blood elf warlock who had somehow weaved her way into Popmah’s heart.

Popmah had first met Aeloria months ago on the outskirts of Lordaeron, during an uneasy alliance between the Horde and Alliance to fend off a growing threat from the Scourge. The blood elf had been at the forefront of the battle, her dark magic flowing like a torrent as she summoned demons to fight alongside their forces. Popmah had been repulsed at first—warlocks and paladins rarely saw eye to eye, after all. Her duty was to fight the forces of darkness, and yet Aeloria seemed to command it with ease.

But there was something in Aeloria’s eyes—something that made Popmah hesitate. The warlock was more than just her dark magic; there was a quiet strength in her, a depth of sorrow and wisdom that Popmah couldn't ignore. They had fought side by side on that day, their roles clear. Popmah was the shield, protecting those who fought at her side, while Aeloria conjured fire and shadow, breaking the enemies before them.

It had been after the battle, though, that Popmah had truly noticed the blood elf.

Popmah couldn’t stop thinking about her. The way Aeloria had looked at her when the battle was over, as if seeing her for the first time—truly seeing her. The brief exchange of words, a simple thanks, had somehow lingered in Popmah’s mind. The warmth in Aeloria's smile was unlike any other, and in that fleeting moment, the paladin had felt a flutter in her chest. It was ridiculous, of course. She, Popmah Bubble, a sworn protector of the Light, falling for a warlock—one who communed with demons and wielded shadows. But no matter how many times she tried to ignore it, that feeling only grew.

And now, here she was again, standing in the same camp, waiting for the inevitable confrontation that had been coming ever since that first battle. They were on the same mission, and she knew Aeloria would be passing through soon. Popmah had never been good at hiding her emotions, and as much as she tried to tell herself that it was a fleeting attraction, she couldn’t push away the feelings that swelled within her every time Aeloria came near.

“Popmah,” a voice interrupted her thoughts, and she turned, startled.

There, standing at the edge of the camp, was Aeloria herself. Her usual attire was far from the typical warlock garb—she wore dark robes adorned with silver filigree, the colors of her people, yet her appearance was undeniably striking. Her green eyes shimmered with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

“Did you need something, Aeloria?” Popmah asked, her voice sounding far steadier than she felt. She forced herself to remain composed, to maintain that shield she wore so well. But deep down, her heart was pounding.

“I was hoping to speak with you, actually,” Aeloria said, taking a few steps forward, her gaze never leaving Popmah. The way she looked at her made Popmah's breath catch in her throat.

“Of course,” Popmah replied, even though her thoughts were spinning. “Is something wrong?”

Aeloria’s smile softened, her eyes flicking over to the distant horizon before returning to Popmah. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something for a while now. You’re… different from the other paladins I’ve encountered. You’re not like the others, who view me with suspicion or disdain. You don’t seem to judge me for what I am.”

Popmah’s heart skipped a beat. “I don’t judge anyone for their past, Aeloria,” she said firmly, though a small part of her was unsure of her own words. “I judge people by their actions, not their magic.”

Aeloria studied her for a long moment, and then, as if weighing something, she spoke softly. “I’ve seen the way you fight. The way you protect. There’s a purity in you, Popmah. Something… untouchable.”

The compliment sent a wave of heat through Popmah, and she struggled to find words. She wasn’t used to hearing such things. Not from someone like Aeloria.

“I’m… just doing my duty,” Popmah said quietly, her voice betraying her uncertainty. “Just like you. We all have our roles to play.”

Aeloria’s smile deepened, and she took another step closer, her presence calming yet electric. “Your role as a protector, yes. But I wonder… if you could protect someone who isn’t so… innocent.”

Popmah's throat tightened. She had no idea where this conversation was going, but every word from Aeloria made her heart race.

“What do you mean?” Popmah asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Aeloria reached out, fingers brushing against Popmah’s gauntlet as if testing the waters. “I mean… could you protect someone like me?”

Popmah’s mind reeled, her body frozen in place. The blood elf’s hand was warm against her, and she couldn’t pull away. She didn’t want to pull away.

“I—” Popmah faltered, then caught herself. Her gaze fell to the ground, heart heavy with the weight of her own desires. “I don’t know if I can protect you in the way you need. You’re… not like me. You’re not a part of the Light.”

Aeloria’s expression softened, her fingers gently tugging at Popmah’s hand. “I’ve never needed the Light to find my way,” she said, voice full of quiet conviction. “But maybe… maybe we could both find something new together.”

Popmah looked into Aeloria’s eyes, the air between them thick with unspoken words. She wanted to resist. She wanted to remain strong, to be the shield she had always been. But the truth was, she couldn’t deny the pull, the longing that had only grown since the first day they met.

“Popmah…” Aeloria whispered, her voice laced with something more, something Popmah had never dared to admit. “I don’t want protection, not from you. I want you.”

The world seemed to stop, and in that moment, all the walls Popmah had built around her heart crumbled. Her breath caught in her throat as she gazed into Aeloria’s eyes, her own feelings laid bare. And for the first time, Popmah realized that maybe, just maybe, it was okay to let someone else in.

Maybe she didn’t need to be the shield all the time. Maybe, just this once, she could let herself be the one protected.

Without another word, Popmah closed the distance between them, her shielded heart laid bare for the first time. And as Aeloria’s soft laugh filled the air, Popmah knew that the Light wasn’t the only thing that could guide her forward.