Chapter Text
It was dark when Vi opened her eyes. There was a silver patch of moonlight lighting up her floor, but it was the only light in the room. Even through her blanket, Vi could feel the frigid air around her, and her body shook uncontrollably.
Using one hand to push herself into a sitting position, Vi looks around her apartment, but finds nothing unusual. When her feet hit the ground she hisses from the cold. The floor feels like ice against her bare feet and Vi rushes to throw some thicker pants and a jacket on.
Still shivering, Vi lays back down, hoping to sleep through the rest of the night. But the extra layers didn’t help at all and her constant shivering made sleeping near impossible.
“What the fuck…” Vi mumbles, rubbing her hands together. It was definitely way colder than usual. Yes, it was winter, but her building had heating. Getting up again, Vi walked over to the radiator only to find that it was completely off. There was no sign that it was working, which did explain the freezing air around her. So, her building had heating, but doesn’t any more. Or at least, her apartment didn’t.
“Shit,” Vi threw her coat and some socks on, almost forgetting to slip on some boots before heading out the door. She barely thought about how Caitlyn would react or if she would even answer, she just walked down the snowy streets to the sheriff’s townhouse, hoping she would be there.
She wrapped her arms around herself as she trudged down the sidewalk, the snow crunching under her feet. The streets were eerily empty. But obviously, no one else was crazy enough to walk in the cold at… well, whatever time it was. She laughed at the fact that she didn’t even bother to look. This was so stupid. No. It was only stupid if she walked all the way there and no ones answers the door.
Oh well. She was already on her way.
It was an almost painful walk there, but she made it and knocked a little harshly on the door. She waited, tapping her foot quietly. She almost knocked again, but she didn’t get the chance when the door opened to reveal Caitlyn.
She rubbed her eyes and when she realized it was Vi standing there, she was suddenly wide awake. “Vi?! What are you doing out here?” She exclaimed, grabbing her wrist and pulling her inside. “You’ve barely got a coat on. What were you thinking?”
Vi laughed a little, her body still shaking like a leaf. “The heater in my apartment broke.” She explained. “I couldn’t sleep so I came here.” Caitlyn let out a breath, holding Vi’s shoulders with warm hands.
“That’s a much better reason than what I thought you came here for.” Vi laughed at the sheriff’s accusation, carefully slipping off her boots. Caitlyn places her hands on Vi’s cheeks, and then her forehead. Her touch feels heavenly against Vi’s flushed skin and Vi can’t help but lean into it.
“You are so dumb, you know that?” Caitlyn teases, earning a smile from Vi.
“Yeah. But only for you.”
“How sweet,” The sheriff retorts, leaving Vi and grabbing some wood for the fireplace.
“I can do it,” Vi offers, taking a step towards the bricks. “You must be tired. I’m sorry I woke you up.” Caitlyn just gives her a look and throws more logs onto the pile. With a sigh, Vi sits down in front of the fireplace.
Once the fire is lit, Caitlyn plants herself next to the enforcer and rests her head on her shoulder. It’s quiet, other than the occasional crackle of the wood. Vi liked it. She felt at peace, warm and so, so loved.
Caitlyn’s breathing had slowed down, keeping a steady pace. Vi gingerly places a kiss on her head, hoping not to wake her up. But, moments later, Caitlyn looks up with her pretty blue eyes and uses one hand to pull Vi closer and plants a kiss on her lips.
“Thanks, cupcake, for letting me stay here.” Vi whispers, faces still only inches apart.
“I wouldn’t have left you out there for anything, love.”
Vi smiles, resting her forehead against the sheriff’s for a moment before standing up, pulling her partner with her. Grabbing onto her shoulder and waist, Vi sways back and forth slowly, dancing to a phantom beat in her head.
It was only then that Vi noticed Caitlyn’s bare legs. “Where are your pants?” She chuckled, still moving them back and forth. The sheriff looks down, laughs, and meets Vi’s gaze again.
“I guess I forgot to put them back on when I went to the door,” She smiles, nose touching Vi’s. Vi leans forward, closing the gap again. She’s not shivering anymore, and her cheeks aren’t just flushed from the cold, now.
“I’m so in love with you,” Vi whispers, laying her head on her girlfriend’s shoulder. She felt so good. So content, here in Caitlyn’s arms, by the fire in the middle of the night. This is how it’s supposed to be.
“I love you, too, Vi.”
And Vi really, truly believed it.