Chapter Text
“What do you think, this one?” Caitlyn held up a red, knee-length dress with a floral pattern in her left hand. “Or this one?” She pushed the sage green cable-knit sweater in her right hand slightly upwards, allowing Mel to see it better.
Today was the day. Today she finally had her date with Vi.
After their unconventional meeting in the elevator at Merdarda Corp. they had both been eager to see each other again. So eager that they agreed to meet up this weekend.
Which means Caitlyn now had to figure out what to wear to said date.
She wanted to take Vi to Hayden Planetarium and grab dinner afterwards. The planetarium was one of her favorite spots in the city, a place where Caitlyn could forget about the hectic life in the city. New York was always bustling with people, day and night. Its fast paced lifestyle made it feel like you’re falling behind just for stopping a second. Everyone seemed to move forward to keep up with the city, stragglers got left behind.
Visiting Hayden Planetarium was a retreat from all that. It reminded her of how small and insignificant humans are in the universe. Nobody truly knows what outer space holds. Are humans really alone out there? Or is there intelligent life billions of lightyears away? The planetarium always helped Caitlyn realize that her work, the city, the expectations placed upon her, are not that important in the grandeur the universe has to offer.
“Mmh, none of them feel like you,” Mel said, tapping her finger against her chin and looking between the clothes Caitlyn was holding up. She stood up from where she was lounging on Caitlyn’s bed, walking past her, and started rummaging through her closet.
Throwing her options onto the bed, she stepped behind Mel, trying to see what she was doing. Mel was flipping through the coat hangers, pulling some pieces out and looking at them more closely, until she put them back. After a short while she had gathered a few items and turned to Caitlyn with a satisfied look on her face.
“Here, try this outfit.” She handed a stack of clothes over to Caitlyn. Upon inspection, Caitlyn raised an eyebrow in Mel’s direction. “That looks so … simple?” she questioned, seeing Mel’s choice: A pair of black, tight slacks, highwaisted with an intricate golden buckle, and a simple deep purple button-up blouse. “Are you sure that is enough for a date?” Her face had scrunched up in uncertainty as she looked back at her best friend. Mel, however, still wore a confident smile as she strode back over to Caitlyn. “Your legs look amazing in these pants and they make your ass look even better,” she said with a smirk in Caitlyn’s direction. “The color of the blouse suits you and if you leave a few buttons open, I’m sure you will blow Vi away,” she added with a wink and nudge to her shoulder. Caitlyn rolled her eyes, a light blush coating her cheeks, but she couldn’t argue against Mel’s explanation. “Mmh, I suppose that will look nice. I’ll try it on.”
“Please do. And add those shoes.” Mel handed her a pair of black boots. The small heel will give her an inch or two in height, the golden threads woven into the seams paired perfectly with the golden buckle of the pants.
Mel handed her a thin cream colored jacket, perfect for the cool autumn winds, once she had changed and upon looking in the mirror, Caitlyn vowed never to question Mel’s judgement again. After all, she was the fashion designer out of the two of them.
It was not too much and just enough for a date. And as Mel said, leaving the top buttons of the blouse open was definitely a way to draw anyone’s attention. She felt confident that Vi would appreciate this look.
She turned to Mel and engulfed her best friend in a bear hug, squealing in her ear. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! This looks amazing!” She smiled so big her cheeks were hurting.
Mel just chuckled at her antics as she returned the hug. “Don’t thank me, love. Just get your girl,” she replied, smirking at Caitlyn.
“I will. Nothing’s gonna get in my way now.” Caitlyn was beaming with joy and anticipation.
_____
Once she had put on a bit of make up and added a few, simple pieces of jewellery, Caitlyn was on her way. Not wanting a repeat of being late, she had arrived twenty minutes early. Now, she was standing in front of the American Museum of Natural History, home to the Hayden Planetarium, waiting for Vi to show up. She was already regretting showing up this early, all this waiting for Vi was making her overthink.
Was the date gonna be as good as she hoped? What if Vi was suddenly different from the person she met in the elevator? What if it had just been the stressful situation, the desperation in that moment, that attracted them to each other? What if Vi didn’t even show up?
She had been looking forward to this date so much and suddenly her mind was playing tricks on her. Sitting down on a bench, she decided to text Mel, hoping for some reassurance and that time would pass more quickly.
It was one of the things Caitlyn loved most about her best friend—she could always count on Mel. A few comforting words here, some jokes there and she already felt much calmer. There was still some nervous energy buzzing within her but now it seemed to be more anticipation than fear. She didn’t realize how the minutes had ticked by until she felt a hand on her shoulder. A sharp gasp left her lips as she turned towards the direction where she was touched, ready to fight whoever was there, but relief quickly flooded her senses when she saw Vi standing there. She looked a bit surprised at Caitlyn’s reaction, eyes opened wide and a stunned expression on her face.
“Hi Caitlyn. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” She rubbed the back of her neck, wearing an awkward smile.
Caitlyn jumped up from the bench and hurried towards her. “Vi! Don’t apologize, I just didn’t hear you coming.” She had grabbed her date’s hand absentmindedly. “Also, hi, I’m glad you’re here!” She added with a beaming smile.
She had been looking forward to seeing Vi again but being here now, having Vi with her, was even better than her imagination. Seeing the redhead’s smile, warmth spread throughout her body, she felt giddy at the thought of spending more time with her and getting to know her better.
Vi’s blue-grey eyes fell onto their hands, Caitlyn’s hand still grasping her own, smile forming. Suddenly she seemed to notice Caitlyn’s outfit. Her eyes widened and she took a small step back, breaking the connection between their hands. Her gaze wandered from Caitlyn’s face all the way down her body, stopped at her cleavage a moment longer, and back upwards again. Caitlyn felt heat rise up on her cheeks as Vi stared at her. It was starting to be a common effect of being around this beautiful butch.
“Wow, you look amazing, Caitlyn,” Vi said, still mesmerised by her, eyes flickering downwards again. She’d really have to thank Mel for the tip later.
“Thank you, Vi,” Caitlyn replied bashfully. “So do you.” Caitlyn had been too startled to notice when Vi appeared but she did look great. She wore a simple white shirt, topped with a tight black leather jacket. A few small metal studs were placed near the collar, drawing Caitlyn’s attention to Vi’s neck and broad shoulders. Her black jeans stuck to her legs, the rips in them giving her small glimpses of those powerful thighs. It was a shame, Caitlyn thought, that her tattoos were mostly hidden by her outfit.
“So, what have you got planned for today?” Vi asked her, looking at her expectantly and breaking her out of her thoughts of appreciation for Vi.
“Oh yeah, I wanted to show you around Hayden Planetarium, shall we go in?” She explained, tearing her eyes away from her body and back to her eyes. Vi nodded, gesturing for Caitlyn to lead the way.
Stepping inside, Caitlyn walked straight over to the ticket counter, purse already in hand. “Two tickets for the planetarium, please.”
The woman at the counter gave her a pitiful look. “I’m sorry, Miss, but the planetarium is closed today. We’re preparing a new exhibition, it’ll open up again on Monday.”
Caitlyn's stomach dropped at these words.
Hayden hardly ever closed, but of course she didn’t check this time. And today of all days there was a closure.
Caitlyn looked over to Vi, who had been standing next to her and had heard how her plan collapsed. Caitlyn kept opening and closing her mouth, her mind was trying to come up with a solution or an alternative but she came up short. Vi seemed to notice her struggle and put a comforting hand on her arm.
“It’s fine, we can go another time,” she shot her a reassuring smile. “Let’s just take a walk around Central Park instead?” she offered, shrugging her shoulders.
Caitlyn couldn’t stop the small pout from appearing on her face. She had wanted to show Vi this place that was so special to her. Hoping Vi could experience the same wonders, talk about the stars and comets that have been recorded in the Milky Way, see the Hourglass Nebula … But all of that wouldn’t happen today.
She gave a big sigh before agreeing with her. “Yeah, let’s do that instead.” She tried to put on a brave face but her foiled plan was bugging her. All the thought she had put into this date and one small oversight on her part had messed up the plan before it even started.
Vi seemingly could sense her annoyance and disappointment. “Look, Cait, this part of the date may not go the way you planned it but we can still have fun and enjoy it,” she once again put a hand on her arm. “Besides, I spent quite a bit of my time in Central Park, this way I can show you some of my favorite spots.”
Caitlyn’s expression softened. She had been irritated and upset about the derailed plan and it had bothered her more than she liked to admit. But Vi’s positive outlook helped her clear her head. She was too focused on what had gone wrong already when she should focus on the moment and enjoy the time she had with her date. Why should she let a change of plans ruin everything?
Vi’s idea of walking around Central Park was a nice alternative. Caitlyn may not have the chance to tell her about all the space facts she knew but being in the park with Vi may give them more time to actually talk with each other. And not just let Vi listen to her drone on and on. Plus, Vi had said they could go to the planetarium sometime else, the thought of a potential second date filled her with hope. A small smile replaced the pout as she nodded at Vi. “You’re right. Sorry, I really wanted to show you the planetarium and it annoyed me more than I expected that we couldn’t go in,” she admitted, eyes downcast. She looked back up and straight into Vi’s eyes. “But now we’re just gonna do something else and I’ll stop being hung up on it. So lead the way,” she replied, genuine excitement showing on her face.
Vi broke into a grin and together they walked back out of the entrance hall. Exiting the doorway, they were almost run over by a group of excited kids and their exasperated parents. Vi put a protective hand on Caitlyn’s back, pulling her just a bit closer to get her out of harm’s way. Feeling her hand on the small of her back, being this close to her, it sent a spark of electricity down Caitlyn’s spine. Vi’s blinding smile when she looked at her made her heart beat faster. But all too soon the rowdy crowd had passed and Vi’s hand fell away from her. She missed the contact immediately.
Once they entered the park, Caitlyn turned to Vi, looking at her with curiosity. “So, what’s the first spot you want to show me?”
Vi smirked at her, standing up a little bit straighter. “Well, ma’am. Welcome to the Vi Lanes Central Park tour,” she started in a posh New York accent. “Be prepared to experience known attractions and hidden treasures with me, your esteemed tour guide.” She bowed her head slightly as she pointed to herself. The acting made Caitlyn giggle, though she tried her best to hide it behind her hand. “First stop, Shakespeare Garden. Come with me, m'lady.” She offered Caitlyn her arm like a chivalrous knight. Caitlyn laughter broke free, Vi joining in soon after, as she linked her arm with Vi’s.
As they set off, conversation started flowing between them. Questions about how their weeks had been, if they had any other plans for the weekend, a few more questions to get to know each other more.
Once they got to Shakespeare Garden, Vi turned to Caitlyn again. “I’ve never told you my full name, did I?” she asked with a thoughtful expression on her face.
Caitlyn’s eyebrows shot up, she hadn’t thought about the fact that Vi was probably a nickname. “No, I don’t believe you have. What is it?”
“Guess.”
Vi wore a sly smirk as she replied. She seemed confident, as if she believed Caitlyn would never get the answer.
Caitlyn’s competitive side, however, was awakened, not one to pass up a challenge. “What’s in it for me if I get it right?” she asked, eyebrow raised.
Vi seemingly did not expect that comeback, looking a bit surprised. She quickly caught herself again, the smirk back in place. She rubbed her chin as she pondered the stakes. “How about … a piggyback ride from yours truly? And if you don’t figure it out, you’ll carry me.”
“Deal.” Caitlyn, ever the business woman, struck out her hand, waiting for Vi to shake hers on it. A small chuckle left her as their hands met in a handshake.
“So, what’s your first guess?”
Caitlyn took a few seconds as she mustered Vi, eyes squinted in concentration. Vi’s confidence faltered slightly, the smirk dropping just barely at how seriously Caitlyn took this challenge.
She walked around Vi in a slow circle, looking her up and down, scanning her surroundings, trying to find any clue to this riddle. After a few more seconds, Caitlyn came to a stop in front of Vi again and gave a small hum of satisfaction. “I think I know it,” she stated, a pleased look on her face. “I think your name is … Violet,” she declared victoriously.
Vi’s mouth hung open in shock as she heard Caitlyn’s guess. “How did you get that?” she stammered, looking equal parts awestruck and startled.
Caitlyn laughed once more as she started explaining. “You looked too confident, so it had to be a name no-one would really expect from you. Something softer. Something that contradicts your big, bad butch attitude.” Caitlyn nodded in the direction of the garden as she continued her analysis. “The question came a bit out of the blue and that was suspicious. Something must have triggered that question. So after some looking around I found this,” she explained as she pointed towards a partially shady spot next to a tree. “Violets. That had to be your name,” she finished her monologue with a small shrug and a dazzling smile.
Vi continued staring at her, jaw slacked and full of wonder. Shaking herself out of her reverie, a disbelieving laugh left her lips. “Damn, Cait, you could be a CFO, a model, and a detective with that mind of yours. No-one’s ever gotten my name on the first try like that.”
Caitlyn’s smile widened, Vi’s compliment making her feel warm inside.
Vi turned her back towards her and crouched a little lower. “Hop on. You’ve earned your ride,” she added with a wink.
Caitlyn couldn’t help the small eyeroll added to her smile at Vi’s antics. Grabbing onto those broad, handsome shoulders, she jumped onto Vi’s back. She felt her strong hands grip the back of her thighs as she stood up and hoisted Caitlyn up more. Caitlyn’s own arms came around Vi’s neck, her head besides Vi’s. Her whole front was now flush to Vi’s back, pressed firmly into the solid muscles that were hiding underneath her clothes. Her face flushed as her mind drifted to images of what it might look like naked, how it would feel beneath her hands, how far the tattoos on Vi’s arm extended on her back…
“You good to go?”
Vi’s question brought her back to the present. Her blush intensified as she locked eyes with her, faces now mere inches apart.
“Ye-yes, we can go on,” she stuttered slightly, her dirty thoughts and the closeness making it hard to think straight.
Vi seemingly chose not to comment on her predicament despite the smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.
The continued on through Shakespeare's Garden, Vi occasionally pointing out specific flowers and telling Caitlyn some facts about them.
Vi continued to carry Caitlyn throughout Central Park, garnering them some smiles from other visitors.
“Vi, you can put me down. People are starting to stare,” she told her as yet another person grinned their way.
“But why? You won the piggyback fair and square. Besides, let them stare, I don’t mind and I enjoy carrying my date around.” She shrugged, the small movement of her strong frame jostling Caitlyn around more than she thought. Her arms tightened around Vi, pressing her on body harder against Vi’s.
“And you seem to enjoy being carried as well,” she added, looking at Caitlyn out of the corner of her eyes, mirth shining brightly in them.
“Oh, shut up,” Caitlyn laughed, swatting slightly at Vi’s shoulder.
They went on to Belvedere Castle, enjoying the panoramic view around the park. Vi really knew some locations that were less frequented by the public, a small, almost hidden path to an old bench granted them a private spot with a pleasant view on Turtle Pond afterwards.
Caitlyn thought that the date was ruined when they couldn't get into Hayden Planetarium. She wanted to plan the best date ever because Vi was … different from all other people she had met. Vi was funny, charismatic, caring and kind among other things. But what impressed Caitlyn the most was how real Vi was. In a world where everyone seemed to put up a front, a world where everyone was too scared to be perceived as anything but perfect, Vi was unapologetically herself. In return, Caitlyn wanted to show Vi something of herself, her safe haven, to show her what she was like underneath her polished exterior.
So when Hayden was closed she thought she lost the opportunity this time to reveal herself to Vi. But her positive demeanor and honest attitude made it easy to talk about anything. From small talk to traumatic experiences, talking with Vi was just easy. And she had to admit, walking and chatting with Vi, she could open up and was having the time of her life.
Maybe altered plans and being slightly more spontaneous could have its perks too.
“Hey, see these little turtles with the red spots on the side of their heads?” Vi’s question broke her out of her thoughts. Looking over at her, Caitlyn saw an almost childlike glee in her eyes, lighting up her whole face. Following the direction she was pointing, Caitlyn saw a small group of them sitting on the rocky shore, enjoying the late autumn sun.
Nodding at her, she waited for her to continue. “They’re red-eared sliders and they’re the most common species here in Central Park. The bigger ones are the females, the males are smaller and have a tail.” She was indicating two differently sized turtles. “And the red on their heads will fade over time in males,” she added, grinning at Caitlyn.
Seeing the joy and excitement on Vi’s face brought a smile to her face. The butch next to her, built like a brick wall, tattoos and scars covering her body, kept on surprising her with her softness. On the outside, people would make her out to be unfeeling and harsh. But spending time with this beautiful woman showed her that judging people too quickly could make you miss out on the most wonderful people.
Caitlyn’s head tilted to the side, curious. “How do you know so much about these turtles?” she asked.
Vi’s expression shifted slightly. The happiness still on her face but her eyes took on a faraway look, like she was lost in thoughts.
A few seconds later, she chuckled, shaking her head. “Powder, my sister. That little monster kept me up so many times, wanting me to read to her or tell her some new things. At first I read her any books we had at home: children’s books first, once we ran out of them there were cookbooks, old novels, even encyclopedias,” she chuckled at the memories, seemingly lost in them. She turned to Caitlyn again, shrugging her shoulders. “At one point I had gone through all the books but she still wanted new stories. So I had to look up info on other things around us to keep her happy. We went to Central Park from time to time. Powder loves animals, especially monkeys,” a big grin appeared on Vi’s face. “We couldn’t afford to go to the zoo so we checked out whatever other animals we could find here. The Turtle Pond,” she explained, jabbing her thumb in the direction of it, “was a big hit. We’d spend a lot of time sitting here, just observing these little guys. And the more time we spent here, the more she wanted to know about them. So, I read up on them, anything I could find, just for Pow to have her bedtime stories.”
Caitlyn had been hanging on Vi’s lips as she told her tale. The gentleness with which Vi talked about her sister was always amazing to see. Back in the elevator, when they first met, the stories about Powder were told with such fondness and love. While she had never met the infamous sister, the bond between the two of them was clear to Caitlyn, just from the way Vi had spoken about her.
Maybe one day she’d speak about her like this.
“That’s the reason why I also know that these turtles press the backs of their front legs together and wiggle them in front of the turtle they want to mate with.”
Vi was grinning and gesturing with her hands, her arms in front of her chest, as she made batting motions with her hands, imitating what the turtles would look like.
Laughter bubbled up in Caitlyn’s throat as warmth spread around her body. How could Vi be so cute? The dorky way in which she had moved mixed with her blinding smile—Caitlyn was in deep already. If seeing Vi’s smile already brought her so much happiness on their first date, how much more could Vi bring out in her?
_____
Caitlyn had no problems with boats. She had spent many summer days atop of them, enjoying the sun as the waves lulled her to sleep. But all the boats she had been on had been yachts or sail boats, belonging to her family or their friends.
This little row boat was not her usual style.
Another stop on the Vi Lanes Central Park tour was taking a row boat across the lake. She said it was a Lanes tradition to get out on the water and enjoy a moment of peace in their own little bubble.
Caitlyn was not complaining about the alone time with Vi. She was also definitely not complaining about Vi taking off her jacket due to the exertion of rowing. And she was complaining even less about the bulging biceps she got to witness because of that.
Vi kept pointing out different things back at the shore but Caitlyn wasn’t really listening. Not because whatever she said wasn’t interesting, no, but the longer this date went on, the harder it was to not get distracted by the handsome woman she was with. Caitlyn’s thoughts and eyes kept jumping to Vi’s lips and how much she’d like to kiss them. Her muscular shoulders and back, reminding her of how nice they felt to touch when Vi gave her the piggyback ride. Her red hair, looking so soft and inviting, making her want to run her hands through it.
Vi’s beauty and attractiveness was making it hard to focus on anything but her.
However, observing her made Caitlyn notice that Vi’s eyes also seemed to stray every once in a while. She seemed much better at hiding it though. Caitlyn’s wandering gaze had been called out more than once already.
“You’re staring again, Cupcake.”
Caught again.
Her attention snapped back to Vi’s face as a blush spread across her face. Not just at Vi pointing out her staring but also the nickname.
Cupcake.
Vi had said her face took on the same color as the frosting of the cupcakes when they first met. And how right she was. Caitlyn was flushing and blushing like crazy in the elevator with her. Just the memories of how easily Vi flustered her, the professional CFO, ice queen in the office, brought heat to her face.
Her cheeks still red, she shrugged at Vi, acting nonchalant. “I like what I see,” she winked at Vi, a wave of confidence crashing over her.
She seemingly didn’t expect that response from her. Her rhythm in her rowing strokes stuttered, the boat swaying a bit more than usual. Her eyebrows had shot up as she was gawking at Caitlyn. A second later, however, a grin spread on her face.
“You can look some more if you want. And,” she added sincerely, “confidence suits you. You should do that more often.”
Despite feeling rather shy at the compliment, she decided to play into the confidence even more, flirting without restraint.
“Oh yeah? Don’t mind if I do,” she said, letting her eyes rake down Vi’s body. “You’re looking much too handsome not to stare.” Her voice turned more sultry as she leaned forward. “Especially with those arms on full display,” she muttered, her index finger toying with the sleeve of Vi’s shirt before trailing down her arm, feeling the hard muscles ripple underneath her touch.
Goosebumps rose up on Vi’s arms, her eyes blazing as they followed the path of her finger. Her mouth had fallen open. Instinctively, she had leaned closer as well. Caitlyn’s finger dropped away, causing Vi’s fiery gaze to jump back to her face. Sparks were flying as their eyes locked. Her eyes soon fell down to Caitlyn’s lips and back up again, pupils dilating. She leaned closer, her face now just inches away from Caitlyn’s, so close that she felt her breath ghost over her lips, before stopping.
Her grey-blue eyes stayed on Caitlyn, waiting, asking for her permission. Giving her the chance to close the gap.
And she wanted to. God, she wanted to kiss Vi so badly.
But just before their lips actually touched, a booming thunderclap roared through the sky, causing them to jump apart, water sloshing over the side of the boat at the sudden movement.
Unbeknownst to them, a storm had rolled in overhead. They had been too caught up in each other to notice the greying clouds looming right above them.
And this storm that was now splashing them with rain, getting worse by the minute, while they were still on the lake.
“Shit, shit, shit.” Vi was swearing under her breath, frantically picking up the oars that had been forgotten in their little moment before. She quickly turned to boat around, pumping her arms to get them to one of the docks.
Caitlyn would have loved to ogle those arms any other moment but the rain in her eyes was making it hard to even see Vi clearly. She quickly took off her jacket, holding it above her head as she tried to shield herself from getting completely soaked. Vi, still hanging on the oars, was off worse. The downpour was pelting her relentlessly, nothing to protect herself with. Strands of her red hair were now plastered onto her face, as water trickled down her nose, droplets falling down the tip of it. Her clothes were drenched all the way through already, the white shirt becoming sheer, giving Caitlyn the chance to glance at the defined abs hiding underneath.
She wished she could have seen them under different circumstances.
But Vi was starting to shiver slightly, still getting lashed by the rain. She had to focus on other things now.
“Vi, stop for a second and move over a bit,” she ordered. Vi’s brows furrowed at the request, confusion evident on her face as she looked at her.
“Cait, it’s storming and we should get off the lake real fast, why would I stop now?” she questioned, arms not stopping. “I’ll get us off this lake and-”
Caitlyn grabbed her arm, effectively stopping the rowing and shutting Vi up. She was sitting there, eyebrows drawn even more, open-mouthed. Caitlyn’s hand reached for the oar, loosening Vi’s grip and put it on the oarlock. Vi let her but followed each move with her eyes, still bewildered as to why they paused their rowing in the heavy rain.
Caitlyn stood up, the wobbling of the boat making it hard to balance. Vi’s hand shot out to steady her immediately, grasping at her hip. Caitlyn sent her a grateful smile and mentioned for her to scoot a bit to the side. Vi followed the instruction and watched Caitlyn sit down beside her. The size of the row boat forced them to sit flush together. Caitlyn held up her jacket above them both, finally giving Vi a cover for the relentless rain.
Vi stared at Caitlyn who just smiled at her. “I felt bad about you getting soaked, I just wanted to help,” she explained. “But now, I’d really like to get off this lake.”
Vi understood the implication and picked up the oar again. Rowing was a bit harder now that they were sitting beside each other, as Vi had to be careful not to elbow Caitlyn with every stroke. But having the jacket as an umbrella made it easier to actually see where she was going.
The proximity also seemed to help with Vi’s shivering. Her skin had felt quite cold when Caitlyn sat down next to her which was unusual. Every time she had touched the other woman, her skin seemed to be blazing, running hot all the time. After a few minutes pressed up against each other, Vi’s skin had turned much warmer already and her shivers had subsided as well.
Soon after, they had finally reached the shore. Vi jumped out, turning to offer her hand to Caitlyn to get off the boat as well. Vi held onto her hand as she surveyed the area, finding a small canopy. They raced over there, seeking more cover from the rain.
Slightly out of breath upon arrival, Vi looked up at the sky. The dark clouds showed no sign of the rain stopping soon. Not long ago they were enjoying the day in the bright sunshine of a beautiful autumn day.
Caitlyn’s laughter broke her out of her thoughts. She was standing there, soaking wet, clothes and hair stuck to her but snickers escaped her. Vi turned fully to her, about to ask her about the reason for her laugh. As soon as Caitlyn saw her looking at her though, she threw her head back as a louder cackle escaped her.
Caitlyn saw the gears turning and wondered what was going through Vi’s head at this moment. She must have looked like she had gone mad. They both resembled sopping wet cats more than themselves at this point, they had just been battered by the storm and here she was laughing like a maniac.
“Cait? Are you okay?” Vi asked her concernedly. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her head tilted a tiny bit, giving her the appearance of a confused puppy. “What are you laughing about?”
Caitlyn’s laughter slowed to chuckles as she looked at Vi. How cute she looked right now but there was also a bit of concern in her eyes.
“Look at us, we look horrible!” she giggled as she ran her hand through her hair, pushing wet strands out of her face. “I can’t remember the last time I got caught in such a storm!”
It was true. Getting caught in the rain like that, without a chance for safety, just letting it happen to her - that last happened when she was a child. Out on the Kiramman summer home, aged seven and running wild with a few local kids. They had shown her a little forest they frequented, the hideouts they had built from branches and moss. It was unlike anything Caitlyn had seen in the city. In New York there were no forests, no woods, just grey streets and picturesque buildings. Any garden attached to the home of her parents or their friends had been in pristine condition, not a blade of grass out of order and no wild flowers anywhere.
In the forest she could crawl over fallen trees, slide down muddy hills. It reminded her of her shooting lessons but it was much more free. Out there with the other kids she could explore however she wanted, climb trees without the concerned voice of an instructor telling her to get down.
Out there, they had also been caught in sudden rain. Water dripping down through the foliage made them squeal, not with displeasure but joy. They could finally test out how sturdy their hideout really was, they jumped through puddles. And Caitlyn felt so free, so unburdened from the world she knew. She could just be a child playing in the rain.
Of course she was brought back to reality when her parents found her. She had snuck off without telling her parents. They wouldn’t have let her go if she had asked. When the storm hit, they were, naturally, worried where their daughter was. So when she emerged from the forest, soaked to the bone, she had to listen to their lecture. The smile she had worn, so wide that it almost split her face, was quickly washed off. Her parents had been concerned about her wellbeing but she also had to endure the telling-off about how ill-mannered it was for her to get dirty and to run off into the woods to play pretend instead of going to her piano lessons. She had been grounded for weeks and didn’t get the chance to play with the local children anymore that summer. In the coming years, every time they returned to the summer home, they hadn’t invited her to play anymore. Apparently too cautious, too embarrassed to bring her out there again, in case the Kirammans got angry again.
She never got the chance to play in the rain again like this one time.
Getting caught in the rain with Vi reminded her of the childhood experience and how fun and freeing it was. It might not have been planned or ideal for their date but, once again, Vi brought out a side of herself she hadn’t seen in a long time. And for that she was grateful.
Vi still looked a bit unsure, apparently not having expected this reaction from her after their dashing escape off the lake.
“Okay, I’m glad you enjoyed it?” She sounded unsure, her statement turning into a question. Caitlyn saw that Vi was not all convinced with her excitement but seemed to let it go. She slicked her wet hair back, droplets still running down her face. “But I guess it’s better now to get somewhere dry. I’d rather not catch a cold out here,” she explained, trying to unstick her shirt from her stomach.
“You’re right, let’s go and freshen up somewhere”, Caitlyn agreed. As exhilarating this had been, she had seen how much Vi had shivered earlier. It would be better for both of them to get somewhere warmer now.
Luckily, they had spent so much time in Central Park that the dinner reservation Caitlyn had made had drawn close. A nice Italian restaurant was waiting for them a few blocks away. They each grabbed their jackets again, using them as umbrellas as they jogged towards their destination.
Central Park was deserted now, puddles their only obstacles on the trodden paths. Vi was still leading the way, her extensive knowledge made it easy for them to navigate the shortest way around the garden.
Vi could even make running from the rain fun. Little quips here and there, puns to make the other laugh. Being behind Vi in their race meant Caitlyn could silently adore her date without being caught.
Her infatuation was sure to show on her face. Seeing more of Vi’s softer, affectionate and caring side was a lovely sight. Being on the receiving end of that was even better.
It had gotten colder due to the rain but that hardly affected Caitlyn. The little smiles, the soft touches, the intimate moment they shared—it made her feel all fuzzy and warm inside. She was feeling on top of the world. Over the moon. It was as if the outside world had disappeared and she was in her own little bubble. A bubble where Vi and her were enjoying their time together. Where no troubles could reach them and nothing could get in their way.
A short while later they had reached the restaurant. A smaller Tuscan-style restaurant, ivy crawling up the brick-wall exterior, flowerpots lining the entrance.
Stepping inside, they were greeted almost immediately by a waiter, who looked a bit startled at their dishevelled appearances. He did, however, escort them to a beautiful table. A bit off to the side, inside a small nook, secluded and away from prying eyes.
“It looks great in here. Do you come here often?” Vi inquired, eyes roaming around the room and taking in the charming interior.
Caitlyn nodded. “Yes, I found this restaurant one day on the way home while stopping for dinner. They make the best lasagna in all of New York here,” she told her, mind wandering to the dish. “And it feels like you’re stepping into an Italian cottage, I love the vibes of this place.”
“Best lasagna you say? I’ll keep that in mind, I’m sure you have great taste,” Vi shot her a grin.
After ordering their drinks, they went straight back to their casual conversations. It was amazing how easy talking to Vi was. She could fill the silences, she could tickle little facts out of Caitlyn without her even noticing. And she was also open about herself. Offering bits and pieces about work, retelling stunts with her friends. Vi also told her about her boxing. She started when she was pretty young and had always kept at it. She thought about going professional but ultimately couldn't make it. She was still working out frequently though and had picked up on teaching a few weekend classes throughout the month at a gym close to her apartment.
That explains the buff arms, Caitlyn thought. And legs. And abs. Oh, this butch woman made her mind constantly wander.
Their food arrived shortly after. Vi had followed her recommendation and ordered the lasagna. Caitlyn had asked for the Zucchini Risotto with Shrimp.
Caitlyn sat back and watched Vi take the first bite from the lasagna. It was almost comical how her eyebrows shot up and her eyes widened.
“Oh my god, Cait, this is so good!” she moaned at the taste, immediately going for the second bite. Caitlyn kept watching her as she chewed, eyes closing in pure bliss.
She opened them and looked at Caitlyn in wonder. “How does nobody know about this place if the food is so good?” she questioned amazedly. She licked a bit of the sauce off her fork and Caitlyn’s whole focus shifted there. The movement of her tongue. The way Vi’s eyes closed again as she tasted it.
Caitlyn’s mind quickly wandered to other scenarios where Vi could use her tongue like that. Heat crept up her face and neck as she imagined what Vi’s tongue might feel like between her legs, how she would use it to—
“Are you okay, Cupcake?” Vi’s voice had brought her out of her daydreams. “You haven’t touched your food yet.” She pointed her fork at Caitlyn’s plate but the glint in her eyes showed Caitlyn that she got caught, once again, staring at her date. And Vi obviously enjoyed it.
She quickly gathered some risotto on her fork and shoved it into her mouth, blush deepening in embarrassment. She swallowed too soon, almost causing her to cough, needing a sip of her wine to wash it all down before looking back at Vi. “I’m fine, the food is great too!” she said, a smile plastered on in hopes of hiding the turmoils she just went through.
It didn’t seem to work judging by Vi’s grin. She had folded her hands together, fork dangling in the air, and her chin rested on top, just watching Caitlyn’s performance. Which was apparently not as convincing as she hoped. “Cute,” Vi muttered under her breath as she winked at her before going back to eating, smirk still in place.
Caitlyn took a deep breath and sipped her wine once more. The redhead was so charming and distracting, completely derailing her thoughts several times throughout this date. She needed to get a grip, she thought.
After a few moments of eating in comfortable silence, Caitlyn’s eyes fell again on Vi’s face, illuminated by the candle set in the middle of their table. The small flickers casting shadows here and there as her eyes landed on the tattoo underneath Vi’s left eye. The Roman numerals.
“What’s the reason behind the tattoo on your face?” she asked, curiosity getting the best of her.
Vi chuckled at the question, one hand coming up to touch the tattoo. “I was young and stupid basically,” she explained, shaking her head slightly. “ Thought it would be so cool and tough to have my name tattooed on my face. And having it done in Roman numerals seemed even cooler. It is what it is,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders.
Somehow, Caitlyn thought, that it fit the other woman as well. The rough edges. The bluntness. A tattoo, gotten without much thought. She could picture a younger Vi clearly in her head. Wanting to impress with it, to look strong and scary with it. Being so proud afterwards.
Even in her imagination Vi crept inside Caitlyn’s heart, being all cute and endearing.
“What about the other tattoos? Are they more thought-out?” she asked, wanting to tease the woman opposite her a bit.
Vi chuckled and nodded her head. “Yeah, they weren’t stupid teenage ideas. Especially the one on my back and arms. It’s an homage to my parents,” she explained, expression sombering.
“They worked in the metal industry. Long hours at the factory, constantly dealing with the high temperatures, the smoke just to cast some iron or other metal to be used in construction. And all that for a wage that was hardly enough to make ends meet.”
Her eyes turned distant the more she talked about her parents, a sneer on her face as she remembered the working conditions they were faced with. She continued, her voice turning a bit shaky. “They died when I was thirteen. Powder was just seven. An accident at the factory.” She paused for a second, taking a deep breath. Caitlyn reached over, her hand clasping Vi’s, offering her silent support.
“Powder was too young to fully understand what it meant. She missed her parents, wondering when they were coming back. How do you explain to your little sister that your parents aren’t gonna come back?” Her eyes glazed over, tears welling up in her eyes. She swallowed hard, sniffling once before blinking the tears away, trying to be strong.
“They gave Powder and I as much as they could in a world where nobody cared for them. Just two factory workers from the Bronx. We didn’t have much but we knew how much our parents loved us. We got a small payment from the factory for the inconvenience as they put it,” she said, teeth clenched. Vi was trying to contain her rage as the story brought back memories of how badly they were treated back then. Caitlyn squeezed her hand, hoping to ground her, to bring her back to the present.
She felt Vi squeeze back, taking a deep breath she continued. “That payout was a joke basically. We should have gotten more but we’d have needed a lawyer for that. A lawyer we couldn’t pay. So we moved in with a friend of our parents and lived on the money for a while before it ran out. He became our guardian and taught us so many things. He is also the one that got me into boxing.” She squeezed Caitlyn’s hand again, her voice softening.
Her eyes had dropped down to the table, not looking at Caitlyn as she told the tale of her past. But at the mention of their family friend, a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. A smile that showed flashes of happiness and the love Vi must have had for this man. But there was also sadness hidden within it. Underneath the layer of joy, there was melancholy and sorrow. It seemed like every memory of people Vi had cherished had been tainted with grief. Every beautiful memory turned sour as they progressed in her head. Vi’s expression tugged at her heartstrings. She may not know how this anecdote will end but it surely can’t be good. Her heart ached at what Vi and her sister had been through.
“Vander was his name,” Vi continued. “He was there for us when no one else cared. Without him, Powder and I wouldn’t have had a roof above our heads. He was basically our second dad.”
The way Vi talked about him in the past tense made Caitlyn swallow hard, she could imagine what had happened to him. She rubbed her thumb across Vi’s knuckles, scarred and showing the signs of the battles she had fought. She was not sure if she was trying to comfort Vi with the touch or if it was her that needed the reassurance and strength to hear the rest of it.
“He died when I was seventeen,” she continued quietly. Her eyes dulled, a far away look appeared in them. She looked like she was fighting back tears and it took her a few seconds before she resumed the story. “Powder and I had dreams when he was still alive. I thought I could go pro with boxing. Powder wanted to go to college. It seemed like all those dreams shattered the moment he left us. Our world was turned upside down again. I did the best I could, trying to keep as afloat. Taking on jobs to get enough money, saving every penny we didn’t need to get food or water or electricity. Boxing was now only an afterthought, especially since Vander wasn’t there to coach me. It wasn’t easy, there were a lot of … sacrifices.” Vi’s eyes flickered away, withdrawing her hand slightly from Caitlyn’s touch. She had curled into herself, looking like she was trying to shield herself from whatever went through her mind. She was distant, more closed off than she had been all day.
“But we made it. Powder can study in college, she can live her dreams. Make something out of herself. And that’s all that matters.”
She cleared her throat, turning to sit upright again. Vi pulled her hand back complete and took a sip of her own glass of wine before looking at Caitlyn sheepishly.
“Sorry, I guess it got carried away a bit. Didn’t wanna trauma dump like that, “ she shrugged, trying to shake herself out of those memories though she was wringing her hands nervously.
Caitlyn, who for the most part of the story could only stare wordlessly at what Vi had to go through, couldn’t believe her ears. This woman bared so much of herself to Caitlyn, a woman she hadn’t known for long. She had trusted her enough to tell her about the worst moments of her life, was willing to reveal more than Caitlyn ever expected. She made Caitlyn feel as though she had given her a piece of herself, a piece of her soul, that nobody could ever take from her again.
And here she was apologizing for it.
Her mouth set into a straight line, brows furrowed and shaking her head slightly. Her mouth opened to refute the unnecessary apology Vi had given her but Vi had started speaking again before she could get any words out.
“It’s all fine now and we can move on from this,” she interjected, still uncomfortable with all she had said and trying to change the topic.
Caitlyn, however, was not having it. She was not going to skip over that without saying anything.
“Vi, please. Can I say something? About what you’ve just told me?” she asked. She may not want to let the story pass without comment but she also didn’t want to overstep Vi’s boundaries. She hadn’t forgotten how much Vi disliked it from their encounter in the elevator.
There was a bit of uncertainty in her eyes as Vi looked at her. The kind that showed itself by not fully wanting to look at Caitlyn head-on, avoiding her piercing gaze. Yet, she gestured for Caitlyn to go on.
“Thank you. I just want to say that I truly admire how you’ve managed to overcome all this, Violet.” At the mention of her full name, Vi met Caitlyn’s eyes fully.
“And I also want to thank you for sharing this with me, trusting me with this story.” Caitlyn slid her hand across the table, reaching for Vi’s hand again. Vi’s eyes followed the movement. Caitlyn stopped just before they actually touched and turned her hand, offering her palm up. Wanting to leave the decision to Vi, whether she wanted this comfort or not. Not wanting to spring it upon her.
Vi’s hand slipped into hers, squeezing it for a second before allowing them to grasp each other tenderly. A squeeze that seemed to say thank you in return. Caitlyn smiled softly at Vi, running her thumb across her knuckles again before continuing.
“You have been through a lot. More than anyone should go through. But you were so strong and brave through it all, you weathered every storm. And you fought so hard to give your sister and yourself a good life. It’s not nothing, as you said. It’s everything and you should be so proud of what you have achieved. For your sister. For yourself.”
There seemed to be tears gathering in Vi’s eyes, not accustomed to hearing such praise for this. Caitlyn’s soothing gaze stayed on her, unwavering.
“And all the while you stayed true to yourself. Loving and caring. Honest. Kind. Compassionate. I could go on. Throughout it all one thing didn’t change: You’ve got a good heart. And that’s beautiful, so please don’t ever lose it.”
“And don’t ever talk down what happened, you deserve all the credit for what you did,” she added, her expression more stern now to emphasize how seriously she meant it.
Vi’s eyes had stayed on her throughout her monologue, despite emotion almost overwhelming her. An expression of wonder had settled on her face after listening to all Caitlyn had said.
“Caitlyn, you are incredible, do you know that?” Vi blinked away the tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks as she broke into a wide smile. She squeezed Caitlyn’s hand once more, still staring, awestruck, at her.
Caitlyn shrugged her shoulders as she tried to brush off Vi’s compliment. “I just told you the truth, nothing incredible about that,” she explained, dismissing Vi’s astonishment. She had done nothing special after all if you’d ask her.
For a moment it looked like Vi wanted to argue but she relented with a smile. “I guess I can compliment you more some other time.” She squeezed Caitlyn’s hand one last time before both of them went back to their meal.
By the time they had reached dessert, they had settled more and more into a comfortable silence. It was amazing, Caitlyn thought, how quickly she felt relaxed enough with Vi that neither of them felt the need to fill the silences. Vi had the power to almost fully turn off her constant flurry of thoughts, her overthinking slowing to a minimum. She wished she could have this calming effect of Vi with her all the time. She wished she could have Vi with her all the time.
But Caitlyn knew that this date was drawing close. It was getting quite late, the restaurant was emptying out significantly and the rollercoaster of emotions today was making her more tired than she wished to be. And yet, all she wanted to do was stay here longer. Spent more time with Vi. Get to know her even better. Finally get that kiss that was rudely interrupted by the storm earlier…
“You know, I was so surprised how awkward you were when we met up in front of the museum earlier.”
Vi interrupted her daydreaming. She was looking at her, a dreamy look on her face. She was twirling her wine glass, the content sloshing around. The glass looked tiny in Vi’s hands, the stem so small with her big, calloused fingers wrapped around it.
“You also looked adorable when I caught you off guard. So unlike the woman in the powersuit, who stepped onto the elevator at Merdarda Corp. Very cute, Cupcake,” she added with a wink before sipping her wine again.
“I am neither awkward nor adorable, you take that back!” Caitlyn felt her cheeks flush, flustered by Vi’s comment.. “I am the embodiment of calm, cool and collected, thank you very much,” she said, head held high, her best business expression on her face.
Vi chuckled as she leaned forward across the table. “You were almost believable if it weren’t for that adorable blush.”
Caitlyn’s eyes narrowed. She could tell how hot her face had gotten, her cheeks had to be so red but she was not gonna let it slide just like this. She prided herself on being rational and logical. She was always staying calm under pressure. She prioritized facts over feelings. She may be a lot of things but adorable? That she was not.
“I am not adorable. Get that out of your head.” She emphasised her point by pointing her finger at the woman across her but it did not have the effect she wanted. No, Vi’s smile just got bigger.
“You are literally pouting right now.”
Caitlyn was horrified to realize Vi was right. Without wanting to, she had started pouting, not wanting to agree with Vi.
Maybe it was time to change her strategy accordingly. Maybe with another tactic she could get Vi to stop calling her cute.
“Well, is it working?” she asked, laying on even thicker with her best impression of puppy dog eyes. “Will you stop saying I’m adorable?”
Vi laughed a little. “Is it making you look cute? Absolutely. Are you convincing me you’re all composed? Not in the slightest.” Her grin turned playful at the end and it was too handsome to keep up the act. Caitlyn knew was not gonna win against this woman and her charmingly distracting and attractive smile.
With a sight she fell back against her chair. “I concede, maybe I am not always as calm as I’d like. But it seems to be only you who can fluster me like that.”
Vi’s eyes softened at her admission. “I’m glad I can be that person for you, Cait.” She looked down at her hands, playing with one of the rings she was wearing. “I never thought I’d have a chance with you, not in my wildest dreams. Upper class New Yorker. Successful job, old money and all that. But I was so ecstatic to meet you today. Nervous, but ecstatic,” she confessed, her eyes meeting Caitlyn’s across the table. “But seeing you there, looking a bit nervous yourself, it made me breathe a little easier.Cause you seemed to look forward to seeing me and were as jittery as I was.”
Caitlyn grinned at Vi. “I guess I get a bit nervous when a hot, butch woman with big muscles goes on a date with me.”
Vi let a short barking laugh. “Was it the guns that got you? Really?” she asked, flexing her biceps at Caitlyn. “I guess I should wear only sleeveless shirts from now on.”
Caitlyn laughed. “Oh god, please don’t do that. As much as I like this idea, I could never concentrate on anything els-”
Vi, still showing off her muscles, had turned her arm, moving it to show Caitlyn a better angle, but she had missed her wine glass on the table. Her elbow clipped the rim of the glass and tipped it over. It all happened so quickly neither of them could react before the red wine was spilled across the table and onto Caitlyn’s lap.
Vi jumped up from her seat, a horrified look appeared on her face. “Oh my god, Caitlyn, I am so sorry!” She lifted the glass back up, looking helplessly and overwhelmed from Caitlyn to the stains she had caused.
Caitlyn had frozen when she felt the wine drip into her lap, more shocked and surprised than angry. The sudden fall of the glass, the sloshing of the drink, it all felt like it was happening in slow motion to her and yet she was too bewildered to move.
One wrong move and the good mood had shifted, replaced by something sullen.
Looking up from the mess in her lap she saw Vi still standing there, nervously shifting from foot to foot. She saw the worry on her face, uncertainty clear as day.
“I’m not mad, Vi. It was an accident and I can get these stains out,” she tried to assure her. But Vi did not seem to believe her. She tried again. “Please, Violet, it’s alright. Sit down again. I know you didn’t do it on purpose.”
Vi hesitantly went back to her chair. She picked up her napkin, anxiously wringing it between her fingers. “Caitlyn, I am so sorry about that,” she groaned dejectedly, unable to meet her eyes. “I didn’t wanna ruin the mood or your clothes.
Caitlyn realised that Vi would keep on blaming herself, no matter what she would say to convince her otherwise. With a deep sigh, she thought it would be best to get Vi out of the restaurant. Maybe some fresh air and a change of scenery would help. Get her away from the scene of the crime to clear her thoughts.
Vi had looked up from her hand when she heard Caitlyn sigh and was now looking at her, expectation and anxiety in equal measures.
“Let’s get the check and get out of here.”
Vi’s face fell. It was all the more sign for Caitlyn to finish this quickly. She called for the waiter and settled the bill while Vi was silently sitting there, looking miserable.
Soon after, they stepped out into the crisp night air and walked towards the nearest subway station. Vi was still uncharacteristically quiet, hands balled into her pockets. She kept staring ahead, withdrawn and not interested in small talk.
On occasion she was glancing in Caitlyn’s direction, whenever she thought she wasn’t looking. But Caitlyn noticed. The hesitation. The look on her face that screamed I messed it all up.
She stopped in her tracks and turned to Vi, who looked surprised by her sudden stop. “Please, Vi, stop beating yourself up. It’s not the end of the world,” she tried to reassure her, sending her an uplifting smile.
It didn’t seem to have an effect on Vi though. She smiled sadly and shook her head slightly. “You don’t have to lie to me, Cait. I messed up but let’s be honest, we don’t really fit, do we?” she asked, “We’re from different worlds. You, the rich CFO, got your life in order. And then there’s me, a mess who’s working at a coffee shop, barely making ends meet. Not to mention,” she added with a humorless chuckle, “also too stupid to not spill wine all over her date.”
“Vi, that’s not—”
“We’re not a good match. Oil and water. We don’t mix.” She shot her another sad smile. “Thanks for this date, Cupcake. I’m sorry there won’t be another.” She averted her eyes, emotion crossing over her face and started walking away while Caitlyn was still standing there. Dumbfounded at Vi’s outburst of doubt.
After a few seconds, Caitlyn’s brain jumped into motion. She jogged up to Vi, grabbed her arm and turned her around to face her. Vi had clearly not been expecting this, her eyes opened wide in shock.
“You listen to me, Violet Lanes,” she exclaimed, jabbing her finger into Vi’s sternum. “Don’t you think I have a say in all of that too? You don’t get to decide all of that on your own without hearing me out!”
“Cait—”
“No. Listen,” Caitlyn rants, eyebrows drawn. “I actually liked this date, Violet. Very much so. And yes, our backgrounds couldn’t be more different as they are but I don’t care. You looked past all the things people usually expect from me and got to see me being myself. You gave me the feeling where I can be honest and true and that’s what I care about. Nothing else.” She took a deep breath, trying to calm down after her own little outbreak before continuing.
“So I’d be very happy if this wasn’t our last date,” she said, reaching for Vi’s hand and intertwining their fingers. “I can’t and won’t force you. I just want you to know my feelings on this matter. Now it’s up to you to decide if you want to end it here or not.”
Vi stared at her in stunned silence, her mouth opening and closing as she seemed to process all of the things Caitlyn said.
“But this must have been one of the worst dates ever with all the things that got messed up,” she finally blurted out. “The closed museum, the storm, me spilling wine all over you—none if it worked out the way it was supposed to be!”
Caitlyn chuckled and shook her head. Yes, a lot of their plans got thrown off course along the way but was it a bad date? Absolutely not. She couldn’t remember the last time she had this much fun, was this spontaneous. And it was Vi who turned this date into such a memorable time for her. She couldn’t believe Vi would think she hated this date. “No, you idiot. Not everything went according to plan but I still loved that date because I had it with you.”
These words seemed to knock out the air from Vi’s lungs. She stood there, frozen. Only her eyes were moving, searching Caitlyn’s, trying to find any sign of doubt or insincerity there.
Caitlyn was getting a bit impatient. She could almost see the wheels turning in Vi’s head but at the same time she wished for some reaction, any reaction from the woman across her.
She did not expect Vi to lunge forward. Her hands cradled her face and she was suddenly a hair’s width away from her. Her breath hot on Caitlyn’s lips. Caitlyn sucked in a breath in surprise.
Vi did not close the gap though. She waited, still so close to Caitlyn. Her eyes searched Caitlyn’s again.
“Can I kiss you?” She whispered, her thumb running across Caitlyn’s cheekbone.
Not trusting her voice at this moment, Caitlyn nodded. Immediately Vi closed the gap between them. Caitlyn was kissing her back, her hand coming to rest on Vi’s neck as she pulled her closer.
Vi’s lips were soft, much softer than she imagined. Their mouths sliding against each other, Caitlyn felt pure bliss. She had been thinking about this moment all day long and finally she had what she wanted. Their kiss was soft and slow, even a bit shy but Caitlyn wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Running out of air, Vi broke the kiss. She rested her forehead against Caitlyn’s, her hands sliding down to hold her waist, both of them catching their breaths. Caitlyn wrapped both of her arms around Vi’s neck, pulling her impossibly closer, fingers playing with the hair at the base of her skull.
For a moment they stayed like this. Embracing each other, savouring this moment.
Suddenly, Vi started peppering her face with small kisses, making Caitlyn giggle quietly. “You’re amazing, Cupcake,” she whispered, gently nuzzling her cheek with her nose. With one final peck to her lips, Vi drew back, Caitlyn’s hand falling from her neck. Caitlyn immediately missed the contact, wanting to pull her close again. But Vi, apparently not wanting to let go either, linked their hands and pressed a soft kiss to Caitlyn’s knuckles.
“C’mon now, we’ve got a subway to catch,” she winked at Caitlyn and started walking towards the subway station, pulling Caitlyn along.
Caitlyn could not wipe the dopey grin of her face as she let herself be tugged forward. Moments ago Vi wanted to end everything before it had fully started. Now she felt on top of the world. She was glad that Vi changed her mind about their future and was giving them a chance.
Throughout the whole subway ride, both Caitlyn and Vi kept stealing glances and little touches from each other, a hand on a waist here, a brush of their hands there.
Caitlyn couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this happy. Every time their eyes crossed, she felt giddy, euphoric. She couldn’t wait to see where their journey would take them.
Reaching Vi’s stop, both of them stepped out onto the platform, neither of them truly ready to part ways.
“This is me,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck, "I should get going now but I really enjoyed today, Cait. And sorry about what I said earlier. Maybe we do fit together,” she admitted shyly. “I hope we can see each other again soon,” she added with a hopeful smile.
“I hope so too, Vi. Thank you again for this date, I’ll call you.”
Vi leaned in for a kiss, to which Caitlyn was happy to oblige. A soft sigh left her lips when Vi pulled away.
“Huh, Pow will love this story, the ex-con and the upper-class business woman, she won’t believe it,” Vi chuckled lightly.
Caitlyn’s smile froze at that. Had she heard right?
“Ex-con? What do you mean?” She questioned, not quite processing what Vi had just said. She had never mentioned anything about it before.
Vi seemed to be oblivious about the turmoil of thoughts in Caitlyn’s head. “I spent a few months at Stillwater but I’ll tell you more about it next time, don’t worry. You’ve got a subway to catch.” With a kiss to her cheek, Vi stepped back and turned towards the exit. But not before turning back and winking at Caitlyn. “Can’t wait for the call, Cupcake. See you soon!”
While Vi was cheerfully on her way home, Caitlyn’s mind went into overdrive. She stepped into her subway, completely lost in her thoughts.
Why had she been to prison? And why had Vi never mentioned she had been to prison? This whole time she had admired Vi for her honesty, how openly she had talked about the good and bad things. How she made Caitlyn open up about herself more, be more vulnerable. But this? Holding back something like going to prison? Caitlyn didn’t know what to think. Had she been so wrong about Vi? Why did she never say anything about it? She hadn’t held back anything, no matter how big or small it was and yet she left her there at the subway station after dropping a bomb like this.
Upon getting home and entering her apartment she took off her shoes before making her way to the bedroom. Her mind was still reeling as she collapsed onto the bed. She stared at the ceiling as if it held the answers to her questions but nothing came.
A groan left her mouth as she ran her hands down her face.
What was she gonna do?