For the ship ask! Was about to ask for Sylux, but I know already :3c so... what about Yasuo/Ahri - Jarvan/Shyvana - Rakan/Xayah ?
By this point, Nerisson, I don't think anyone could make me stop trying to talk about how good Sylux is. 😔 I have to make up for all the years I discarded the ship, I guess! This is my penance.
Yasuo/Ahri
Oh, so tasty. What can I say about them that hasn't already been said? They're popular for good reason, lol. Their interactions in 2XKO are delicious, their angst is scrumptious, their emotional constipation is delectable.
Jarvan/Shyvana
Full disclosure: I had to roll these two around in my head for a while before I could understand the angle and uncover the depth. But I actually had a pretty great discussion with someone yesterday on the way I interpret their relationship!
Shyvana knows who she is. She knows what she's about. She knows what she wants. She doesn't give a shit if humans dislike her, she's fine on her own. (Even if, deep down, she can't help but be lonely.) And then she meets Quinn and Jarvan, humans who...respect her skill? Admire her, even? They're good fighters. Dragons are usually solitary beasts, but Shyvana is starting to realize that being with other people, fighting alongside them, feels good. And this Jarvan is apparently someone of importance. Look at the way all of those people bow and sway to his beck and call, not even questioning his authority...that's hot. And the fact that he never expects Shyvana to do the same? The fact that he likes the way Shyvana doesn't idolize him or expect perfection from him? ...That's hot, too. She likes this small man. Jarvan has the soul of a noble beast yet a feral fighter, that's hot. She doesn't need Jarvan, of course. But he is hers. And she protects the things that are hers. I haven't gotten a chance to elaborate on Jarvan and Shyvana's relationship in War of Hearts, but essentially she agrees that Jarvan's made the right decision in giving mages equality, and that he is in general doing well at being king. She doesn't care the way Sylas does that "future generations of kings could be tyrants again", she only cares that the man she cares for right now is doing the right thing. And like when the dragons act up and try to destroy Demacia, Shyvana will stay by Jarvan's side and help protect Sylas from destroying Demacia too. If Jarvan wants to be king (and this is what he says he wants), then she is going to be damn sure her man gets whatever he wants. I kind of read their relationship similar to Xayah and Rakan, where she doesn't really get a jealous kind of possessive over Jarvan, just kind of a: "I have claimed this human. You are welcome to have him as well, but never forget my involvement." And then smiles showing all of her teeth.
Shyvana is one of those characters tragically lacking in content, so my interpretation of her character is extrapolated from every crumb I've gathered. I like how she's still somewhat beastial, and her half-human side didn't completely tame her dragon side.
And for Jarvan, holy shit does he love being crushed by a giant muscular woman.
Rakan/Xayah
One of my first League ships! Ugh, I love them so much. I love how they aren't perfect, but they put in effort to make it work. I love how they're a little bit toxic in the "Rakan enthusiastically endorses Xayah's most violent impulses" way. Another excellent girlboss/wifeguy ship!
