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The room is still shrouded in darkness when Caitlyn pushes the door open as quietly as she can. It’s nearly 5am and she’s only just getting back from the library. She’d lost track of time again, trying to get in any and all last minute studying before her finals start this week. She can hear her mother’s voice in her head telling her that sleep is more important, rather than the late night study sessions, but she has never been able to agree. She is so used to running on minimal sleep that one more week of it while doing her finals won’t make any difference. Her mother be damned.
Swiftly stepping into the room, trying her hardest to close the door noiselessly so as not to wake her roommate. Cailtyn vaguely wonders if she’s got the day wrong. Her roommate is usually up and out at this time, already halfway to either the gym or rugby field. Never one to be late to training. A freshman who makes the starting line-up every game has to prove their worth somehow right? Or so she’s been told.
Toeing off her shoes at the door, Caitlyn is thankful for the sliver of sunlight starting to break through the darkness as the sun begins to rise. She’s always had a strange relationship with the summer, when the days stretch out into the hours of the night. Though she loves lounging in the sun, reading, learning, sitting on the quad between classes, she prefers the peace of the small hours of the night, the darkness that can be hidden in, away from prying eyes. Tiptoeing to the bed, eyes straining against the low light she navigates the mess of clothes on the floor of the shared dorm room. She nearly makes it to her bed without disturbing her roommate, when she steps on something solid. Pain erupting from her bare foot she cries out, clamping a hand over her mouth quickly to muffle the sound. Not daring to move a muscle.
‘Hrmpf.’
Not fast enough.
‘Cait?’
There’s a long pause and Caitlyn thinks her roommate has fallen asleep again. Until a groggy voice, thick with sleep, breaks the peace of the early morning.
‘What time is it?’
‘It’s five.’
‘Fuck.’ The groggy voice exclaims.
Caitlyn watches as her roommate rockets out of bed, short hair wild and messy with sleep. Clumsily they stumble around the room, grabbing randomly at the clothes that litter the floor.
‘Fuck I’m gonna be late. Of all freaking weeks to be late it has to be this one,’ they grumble
‘Vi?’
Vi turns at the sound of her name. Almost shocked to see Caitlyn standing in the middle of their shared room.
‘You start at five thirty right? You’ve got time. You’ll get there. Give yourself a second.’ It’s the same words Vi said to her during her midterms when Cait was having a melt down, thinking she was going to miss a deadline. She wasn’t really, all that was going to happen was that she was going to miss the arbitrary one that she had set for herself two days before the actual date.
As if finally understanding her surroundings, Vi visibly relaxes. The tension in her shoulders dissipates almost immediately at Caitlyn’s words. Finally coming out of that sleep drunk state that follows being shocked awake.
‘But it’s the big game week. I can’t let my reputation slip this week. What if they bench me?’ Fear clings to every word. Vi’s eyes widening at the realisation she makes as she voices the words.
‘What and bench the star scrum half? I don’t think so.’ Caitlyn chuckles softly. She knows nothing of the sport, only the position that Vi plays and that it is important to the game in some way.
All Vi can do is shrug helplessly at the comment. It’s too early to argue with her roommate about the ins and outs of reputation within the sporting world on campus.
Without even bothering to change out of her sleep clothes Vi makes her way to the door, grabbing her kit bag and praying that everything she needs is in there. It’s as she reaches the door she stops. It’s not uncommon for her to pass Caitlyn in the night, but she had thought that with it being finals week it would have become a less frequent occurrence.
‘You in the library again?’ Vi asks softly.
‘Yeah, been going over the hypothetical business models that may come up in my strategic management final.’
‘You know you’re gonna smash them, you don’t need to be up in that musty library so late studying.’
It’s a dynamic they’ve had more or less from the first week of class. Caitlyn and Vi really sometimes are like ships in the night, passing only briefly. Vi preferring the morning to get her workouts in and Caitlyn working late into the night sleeping long past noon on the weekends. Accustomed to the routines after a rocky few months at the start of the year accidentally waking the other repeatedly. Always there to reassure the other, remind them of their capability. Assuage any doubts about their achievements. Neither of them are any good at accepting the compliments given by the other. Instead deflecting more back while pointedly ignoring the ones directed at them.
‘Go, before you are late for practice.’ Caitlyn deflects.
Vi, as if suddenly realising why she was out of bed in the first place, glances at the watch she wears, scrambling to grab her keys. The panic and urgency settling back into her body as she hastily shoves her feet into a pair of grubby trainers that live by the door. Not even bothering to put them on properly before bolting out the door and down the hallway toward the practice field.
Once alone Caitlyn slowly changes for bed. Pulling the curtains fully closed to block out the morning sunlight. A familiar tiredness creeping into her bones as she crawls into bed. Dreaming of nothing but a familiar red-head as they hoist a trophy high above their head, atop the shoulders of their teammates, smiling down at Caitlyn, looking nowhere else.
Training is brutal. Sevika has the team running drills until no one is able to stand. So much for it being the week of the most important game of the year against their biggest rivals Vi thinks. She’s starting to regret the choice she made at the beginning of the year to join one of the top rated university rugby teams in the country while staring at the clouds passing overhead.
The game is the one thing students are talking about while ignoring their finals. Piltover University against The University of Zaun. It just so happens that this is also the game for the championship.
The University has had a 3 year winning streak over Zaun and many of the seniors want to leave with a perfect win record. Champions for all four years of their tenure. Just adding a bit of pressure from the University itself. The whole school’s going to be out supporting them on the weekend; the fault of the only starting freshman if they lose.
Vi slowly trudges back to her dorm, muscles already aching. Hoping that the next training session doesn’t leave the team gasping for air and reconsidering their choice to join in the first place.
Much like Caitlyn in the early hours of the morning, Vi opens the door as quietly as she can. Knowing without even having to look that Caitlyn is fast asleep, cocooned within her blanket mumbling to herself in her sleep. She’s always thought it’s cute, how tightly she pulls the covers around her, sometimes a slight crease appearing between her eyebrows as the mumbling gets a little louder. Always wondering what Caitlyn dreams of when it happens, Vi finds herself gazing softly at the sleeping woman time and time again.
Dropping her kit bag by the door, Vi flops down on her bed, pulling her shoes off before rolling over on top of the duvet for a nap. Cait thinks she’s a morning person, and she is, it’s just that sometimes training takes a bit much out of her and a nap is the only way she knows how to reset for the rest of the day. In all the time that she has shared a room with Cailtyn, Vi has never let the secret out. Instead choosing to let Caitlyn believe that she wholeheartedly is a morning person. Plus it’s only going to be a short one.
Just as Vi is about to doze off, the comfortable weight of sleep creeping up on her, she’s broken out of the daze by her phone. She’d forgotten she had set an alarm for this exact reason. To prevent her from following her usual post training ritual in order to complete an assignment due before the big game.
Groaning quietly, Vi pulls herself up and slumps towards the small desk at the foot of the bed. Opening her laptop she sets to work on the essay that she’s tried to start and failed to for the last few weeks. The last ditch effort to get something done to turn in. Slipping on her headphones ready to block out the distractions around her.
It’s a few hours later when a movement out of the corner of Vi’s eye catches her attention. Lost in the attempt to find the flow for her work, Vi is welcome for any distraction. Never the studious student, always looking to relax and enjoy their free time.
‘Well, good morning,’ Vi jokes playfully, pulling her headphones off and resting them around her neck.
Caitlyn, still bleary eyed, tries to locate the source of the sound. Scanning across Vi a full three times before realising her roommate is sat at the desk.
‘Sleep well?’
Judging by the way that Cailtyn looks, still coming back to the world of the conscious, not yet fully aware of her surroundings, Vi is pretty sure she knows the answer. Yet she still likes to ask.
Ignoring the question, Caitlyn swings her legs out over the side of the bed, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands.
Reaching down to pick up a hoodie off the floor and pulling it over her head, Caitlyn looks towards Vi.
‘You doing your last assignment?’
Vi is staring at her pointedly, not answering the question.
‘What?’
Eyes tracking down to the hoodie that Caitlyn has so lazily thrown on, Vi quirks her eyebrow at the woman opposite her.
‘You know if you want one of those hoodies, you just have to ask. Stop stealing mine.’
Caitlyn holds Vi’s gaze, not backing down from the unspoken challenge, wearing Vi’s rugby team hoodie.
‘Maybe you shouldn’t leave your clothes all over the floor then.’
They both stare at each other. Unwilling to be the one to back down first. After one of the longer staring contests they’ve had in recent weeks, Vi eventually gives in. Secretly she doesn’t mind Caitlyn stealing her hoodie and really she knows Caitlyn’s words are correct. She should pick up after herself, do her own laundry even.
‘Alright fine, but it’s going in with your washing this time.’ Vi chuckles, turning back to her laptop.
‘So, just like normal then.’ Caitlyn retorts.
The sound of Vi’s typing, the only noise that cuts through the silence that settles in the room once again.
Padding over to where Vi sits, Caitlyn glances at the screen over her shoulder at the assignment that Vi is working on.
‘Want me to proof that for you when it’s done?’
‘I mean if it’s not going to take time out of your studying. I know you’re itching to get back to the library already.’
Vi’s never been one for studying, having secured her place on a scholarship only having to keep a 2.3 GPA, had been thankful when Caitlyn had first offered to help her with the essays that she needed to do in order to keep her place on the team.
Caitlyn hums an acknowledgement, eyes already scanning the text on screen, not fully paying attention to Vi as she mouths the words as she reads.
‘Hey,’ Vi suddenly turns to Caitlyn, breaking her out of her focused state, ‘how about you come to the game Saturday and if we win I’ll buy you your own hoodie.’
Caitlyn just scoffs.
‘Me? Come to a game? Now why would I do that?’
‘To support your favourite roommate.’ Vi states simply as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
‘We shall see.’ Caitlyn replies with a smirk before returning to her bed, collecting her toiletries and making her way out of the room and towards the showers.
Vi just grins to herself before returning to her assignment.
There’s a shrill beeping creeping into Caitlyn’s consciousness. Pulling her away from the sleep she’d been chasing. Both her and Vi had finished their finals the day before and had enjoyed an evening of take-out and movies cuddled up next to each other in Vi’s bed. Accidental glances, soft brushes of fingertips, that moment when Vi laughed so hard at something in the film she nearly snorted her drink through her nose, grasping Caitlyn’s upper thigh wildly. A perfect evening.
They’d enjoyed the relief of the end of class, all exams and assignments done, but Vi had been the one to remind Caitlyn that the big game was really the end of the year for her, so they had separated reluctantly, Caitlyn returning to her bed, Vi mumbling a goodnight before rolling over. The beeping that had brought Caitlyn back to consciousness she recognises it as Vi’s alarm. A grumble emanating from the opposite side of the room followed by silence as Vi stops the incessant noise.
Vi could have sworn it was only five minutes after the alarm had gone off, rolling over to check the time on her phone. Staring at the screen, unable to understand the numbers reflecting back to her. They can’t be right. If they are, she's already late for the game today and that definitely isn’t going to happen. She hears Caitlyn stir in the bed across from her, glancing up to see a pair of blue eyes watching her carefully in the dim light of the morning.
‘What time is it?’ Vi asks hesitantly.
‘You’re the one looking at the phone. You tell me what time it is,’ Cailtyn retorts, grumpy at being woken up by an alarm the day after finishing class.
‘Well it’s wrong because it says it’s nearly half nine.’
‘Vi,’ Caitlyn huffs, ‘if it says it’s half nine then it’s half nine. Why are you so concerned if your phone is displaying the right time on the first full free day of the school year?’
‘Because if it is then I’m going to be late to the most important game of my college career so far.’ The strain is apparent in Vi’s voice, the panic rising as the realisation starts to sink in.
‘Vi–’
Caitlyn is cut off before she can get any further. Vi’s mumbling to herself. Something about never being late for practice and then being late in the week running up to the game and for the actual game itself. Caitlyn’s sure she hears Vi say Sevika is going to murder her, but thinks that may be an overexaggeration.
Watching Vi wildly move around the room, picking up clothes, putting them back down as if unsure of what she is trying to achieve. Full panic taking over her every action. Caitlyn can’t stand to watch anymore. Stepping out of bed, drawing herself to her full height she cautiously steps in front of Vi, afraid to spook her further. Slowly, ensuring Vi’s eyes are on her, she closes the distance between them. Raising her hands, she gently rests them on either side of Vi’s face. At the touch Vi, leans ever so slightly in, accepting the immediate comfort that is provided. The movement doesn’t go unnoticed by Caitlyn.
‘Look at me. There is still plenty of time until the game. You being a little bit late this morning will not change what happens today. You are still going to smash it on the court.’
Taking a steady breath, Vi nods slowly processing what Caitlyn is saying to her.
‘It’s a pitch but I get what you’re saying.’ Vi smirks, knowing full well no matter how many times she explains the rules of rugby to Caitlyn she still has no clue what is happening.
Vi knows she’s right anyway. It’s the stress of game day creeping into her bones. Driving every thought and feeling she’ll have until the final whistle blows.
Breaking the moment between them, Caitlyn pats Vi on the cheek twice. A sign to get going, get moving, face the rest of the day with the confidence that Caitlyn sees in Vi all the time. A smirk gracing her lips briefly at the stunned expression that falls across Vi’s face at the sudden change in contact.
‘Here, come on,’ Caitlyn starts to fish through the mountain of clothes that pools around Vi’s bed for the telltale gold and blue rugby shirt, ‘you really should have got this ready last night.’
‘Yeah, well someone distracted me with food and films and I wasn’t about to say no to that,’ Vi retorts, grabbing her boots and shoving them into the sports bag that almost permanently lives by the door.
Caitlyn just rolls her eyes at her roommate.
There’s a long pause before Vi shyly voices a question.
‘You are coming today right?’
‘No,’ Cailtyn deadpans.
‘But you said–,’ panic rising in Vi’s voice.
‘Of course I’m coming you doofus,’ Caitlyn chuckles, ‘I’ve got to support my favourite roommate right? Also my parents have been expecting me to go to at least one big campus event all year, so why not make it the biggest, most important sporting event that happens here? Plus someone said they’d buy me a hoodie if I went and you know I’m a sucker for free merch.’
‘Alright then.’
Vi pauses, debating if she should voice the thought that has crossed her mind.
‘Come find me after the game. The team and I will go for food regardless of the result and I kinda want you to tag along.’
The last part is rushed. Vi’s cheeks blushing a deep crimson to match her hair.
‘You know I will. Now get going or you are going to be late and I know Sevika is going to kick your ass if you turn up late on game day.’
Vi just grins at Caitlyn, before grabbing the last of her things and bounding out the door. Win or lose, getting Caitlyn to the game and dinner after is a win to her.
The route to the stadium is packed. Hundreds of students mill about, enjoying the sunshine and the freedom that comes with finishing the final semester of the year. At Piltover University sport has always been a top priority and a source of great pride for every student on campus. They excel at a number of sports, but the last few years the game that everyone has looked forward to as a collective is the championship rugby game. It’s the only game that falls outside of the university schedule and one that historically has had an amount of shenanigans attributed to it. Not to mention the bragging rights over the summer into the start of the new season.
The game attracts every student. Even the most studious need a way to let off steam and the game and the activities that surround it have always been a great starting point.
Caitlyn meanders through the crowd, observing the boisterous happenings of the carefree students. Rugby balls being tossed between groups, barbeques tempting with their smokey flavours wafting along the summer breeze.
She’s never really understood the hype of big sporting events, preferring the comfort of her room and a film or two rather than the crowds and noise. But she’d made a promise to her roommate earlier in the year that she would attend at least one of their games and if that was to be the most important game of the year then why not? There had always been another excuse; more studying, needing to catch up on sleep, out of town. Really it was more that as she had gotten to know her roommate better, she had felt drawn to them in a way that she had never experienced before. It scared her, but in a way that made her consider how much she cares for them and the desire to see them happy.
Now with finals out of the way she had no choice but to make it to the game. Try as she might, Vi had explained the rules and flow of the game to her over and over again, but it had never sunk in. On the occasions when Vi would watch games on her laptop in their dorm room, Caitlyn would bombard her with questions. Vi’s patience stretching deeper than the ocean, calmly and plainly explaining time and time again. Always with a smile that lit up her face.
Caitlyn is early, but that isn’t anything new. She’s always been punctual, even if she does prefer the safety of the nighttime and the quiet that it brings. Clutching the ticket Vi had given to her in a rush that morning after racing back to the room, fishing it out of her sports bag. It’s a ticket in an area designated for friends and family of the team. Somewhere close to the pitch, close to the action. If Vi hadn’t given her the ticket she probably would have been so far away the players would just look like little blobs of colour.
Moving with the flow of the crowd, Cailtyn finds her seat. Making small talk with those around her, humming along to the pre-game music pumping out through the stadium speakers.
The music fades and a roar erupts through the stadium. The countdown has begun. The seconds ticking away until the start of the game they’ve all been waiting for.
With what Caitlyn thinks is a bit of a fanfare and excessive for a college sport game, the team rush out of the tunnel onto the field. Flares of fire shooting into the air forming a corridor that they sprint down, fanning out into a neat line facing towards the stands.
Serious, composed, focused. Every face on the pitch ready for the moment the whistle blows. Only aware of those on the field with them. The cheers from the crowd just background noise. Not a single one of them reacts as the players from The University of Zaun enter the field. A show of intimidation familiar to the players, a game they started hours earlier during their warm ups.
It feels like it takes an eternity for the formalities to finish, anthems to play and hands to shake dragging out the show that is sport. Eventually a hush settles over the stadium. The atmosphere electric, a single breath held by everyone.
The whistle blows and the noise erupts as Zaun kicks the ball towards Piltover starting the eighty minutes of all out warfare on the field.
The ball caught by one of the backs who is let loose on the charge. Gaining ground. Ten, twenty, thirty metres with no challenge. Support from either side, urging them on. Urging them into the wall of bodies determined to halt their progress.
It takes twenty minutes of near misses and nail biting drives before anyone manages to get on the scoreboard. Vi, from a scrum, sends the ball out wide, where the right wing player effortlessly runs onto the ball that's been floated into the space just in front of them with expert precision, carrying all their momentum and speed as they make for the try line. Stepping past the opposition with a grace that Caitlyn had would have thought more of a dancer than a rugby player.
The try puts Piltover ahead with a conversion, ball sent straight down the middle of the uprights. Securing a seven point lead.
The remainder of the half is a stalemate. Neither team able to make much ground over the other. Penalties awarded on both sides but kickers feeling the pressure of the game and unable to convert the opportunities to those desperately desired points.
By the time the whistle blows for half-time a nervous tension has crept over the stadium. Piltover had been pegged to win the game easily. It is clear that they have been taken by surprise by Zaun and their ability to shut down each drive Piltover creates.
Caitlyn finds herself wrapped up in the energy of the stadium. She finds herself caring about the result. On the edge of her seat at every near miss, every big hit. Even shouting at the ref for a deemed missed call according to those around her.
As the second half starts, Zaun seems to catch Piltover off guard racing through their line of defence to score an early try, bringing the score level once again.
Caitlyn watches, eyes drawn to Vi, easily identifiable from anywhere in the stadium with her red hair. Vi pulls the team in after the try and spends a few moments energetically speaking to the team. There is no way to know what she says to the team, but Cailtyn knows that it’ll be words of encouragement. Words said to her when a grade for an assignment is not what she would have expected. Words of encouragement. Telling them to move on, reset. Treat this as the first moments of the game, not the second half.
It seems to work. The team seems to find the energy to push the defensive line back. All the way almost to the five metre line. The ball is fumbled into touch and a line out awarded to Zaun. A line out close to the opposition's try line should be won. Cailtyn at least knows that fact. So when she sees the ball sail over the top of the player hoisted into the air, into the hands of a waiting Zaunite her heart sinks. The run that is made by the player is unimaginable. Passing the half way line, the ten metre, all the way up to the opposing five metre line. All of a sudden the flow of the game is stolen by Zaun.
With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Zaun scores. Two tries to Piltover’s one. The only saving grace is they don’t convert. The score a tantalising seven to twelve. The game is not over yet.
Vi has the ball and is on a one woman mission when she is clotheslined by a fullback. Cailtyn’s pretty sure she can hear her nose break from when she sits in the stands. The medical team race onto the field to where Vi is attempting to slowly pick herself up. It’s not a pretty sight and Cailtyn knows Vi is going to be nursing some cracking black eyes for the next few days.
Patched up and determined to finish the game Vi runs back onto the field minutes later with a noticeable white strip across her nose. Maybe it isn’t broken, Caitlyn thinks. That or Vi is just being stubborn and wants to finish the game.
In Vi’s time off the field the team scored from the subsequent penalty bringing the score to a frustratingly close ten to Zauns twelve.
The minutes are ticking down. Into the last five of the game, it seems that all hope may have been lost. Zaun in possession, changing phases together, driving Piltover’s defence back. All they have to do is hold their ground, try and force the penalty from their rivals.
Caitlyn, in the stands, is on her feet, too nervous to sit still. Unaware she’s been swept up in the emotion of the day and the game. Concerned for her roommate, wanting to ask if she is alright, ready to insist she goes to the medical staff after the game to get herself checked out again.
With the clock in the last minute, it seems like Zaun are about to serve Piltover their first defeat in four years. That is until Vi intercepts a pass. Time seems to slow. The crowd, waiting in anticipation of what will happen next. Vi can’t make the run, the defensive line is too strong to make it through to the try line. Instead, she does something Cailtyn had only heard Vi talk about happening in games. Vi kicks the ball. Hoping for a hail mary. A drop goal. Everything slows. The ball sails through the air. Every single pair of eyes in the stadium follows its path as it falls gracefully through the uprights. Three points. That’s all they needed. Three points and Piltover wins.
The crowd erupts. Caitlyn finds herself hugging the man sitting next to her. Unsure of how or why, just wrapped up in the elation of seeing her roommate seal the victory for the university. Caitlyn can’t help the mumble of that's my roommate that slips past her lips as she smiles so wide her cheeks begin to ache. Pride and something else rising within her. She has to find Vi. She has to congratulate her. But she knows it’ll be a while before Vi and her team are ready to leave the stadium.
So Caitlyn follows the crowd. Allows it to pull her along as she beams at every Piltover student she passes, sharing in their joy. She’ll wait as long as she needs to see Vi. To see the same look on her face as she had as she was hoisted onto the shoulders of her teammates, trophy held aloft for all to see, eyes locking with hers.
Cailtyn makes her way to Jericho’s, the only student bar not overrun with professors on a weekend. Ask any student on campus where to go for a drink and food and every single one would tell you to go to Jerhico’s. Caitlyn had an idea that it would be where the team would congregate after the game, to either celebrate or wash away the pain of defeat, even before Vi had hastily texted to meet there after the game while she should have definitely been focussing on the game’s start. There she will wait as long as she needs to see Vi and share in her victory.
Nearly an hour passes by before the relative calm of the bar is broken by a roar and thunderous cheering as the team finally make their entrance. Immediately they are bombarded by students who decided to watch the game here at the bar, crowding close to pat the team on the back. Two of the students grab Vi and hoist her into the air to another round of exuberant cheering and yelling. The pride evident on her face. Pure joy emanating from her.
It takes no more than a second for her eyes to find Caitlyn's. Locking on and looking nowhere else the second she is found. A smile that is already stretching across her face seems to widen. Her whole body lighting up as she takes in her roommate sat patiently waiting for her to appear.
Caitlyn can’t help but return the smile that she sees from Vi, the pure joy that exudes from her is contagious. It doesn’t matter that the dark bruises are starting to appear under her eyes, or that there is a strip of white medical tape across her definitely broken nose, everything but the pure happiness that Caitlyn sees in Vi’s eyes is irrelevant.
‘Alright, put me down,’ Vi shouts down to the two students who have hold of her legs as she sits on their shoulders.
They place Vi down gently, slapping her on the back in congratulations before making their way to seize another team member to parade around the bar. Giving her the freedom to bound over toward Caitlyn.
As Caitlyn stands to greet her, Vi wraps her arms tightly around her and lifts her off her feet.
‘We won,’ Vi beams at Caitlyn.
‘You sure did,’ Cailtyn grins back, slipping her arms around Vi’s back to return the hug. Softening at the embrace, sinking into it.
‘I guess I owe you a rugby hoodie now don’t I?’ Vi chuckles.
‘Now come on Vi, you know that you’re never getting the one I have back. So really you are buying yourself a new one.’ Caitlyn throws her head back as a laugh ripples through her body.
‘I should have seen that one coming really Cupcake.’
Cailtyn scrunches her nose at the nickname but doesn’t bother to correct Vi this time, finding it rather endearing these days.
Vi seems to have forgotten that she has picked Caitlyn up until Caitlyn tries to wriggle free, a frustrated huff escaping her lips when she finds that regardless of the inches she has over Vi’s height, her feet are still nowhere near the ground.
Placing Cailtyn back down slowly, Vi reluctantly breaks the hug. Her touch lingering as she drags her hands down Caitlyn's arms to tangle their fingers together.
Caitlyn can only hear the blood rushing in her ears, the sound of the bar muffled, Vi her only focus.
They don’t know how long they stand like that. Hands clasped just watching each other, taking the time to observe. It’s only when someone calls out Vi’s name do they snap back to the moment. Suddenly back in the bar, remembering why they were here in the first place.
Vi just pulls Caitlyn with her, back towards the team, never letting go of her hand. Caitlyn can’t help but smile softly to herself. Not typically a social animal, she’ll go anywhere Vi wants to drag her at the drop of a hat. The comfort and belonging she feels in the woman’s presence is enough for her to agree to anything.
Squeezing into a booth together, legs pressed against each other, neither say anything just basking in the warmth that radiates from the contact. Caitlyn can’t help but watch as Vi interacts with her teammates. Laughing at their jokes, making fun of each other. Gently taunting each other with mistakes from the game. Always verging on an insult but never with the intent behind it. Relaxed and friendly, open and jovial.
The conversation ebbs and flows naturally. Food is ordered, some of the team opt to celebrate with drinks and shots that both Vi and Caitlyn pass up when the offer is directed towards them. Caitlyn’s never been one to drink, preferring to keep her wits about her. Vi’s refusal causes Caitlyn to cock her head towards the other woman with an unspoken question.
‘I don’t feel like it. Plus I’m already going to wake up feeling like I’ve been hit by a bus,’ Vi jokes lightly.
They watch as Vi’s teammates revel in their victory, in their freedom. The seniors put on a show for the younger players about how best to down their shots, teaching them to continue their legacy both on and off the field.
It’s only when Vi leans her head against Caitlyn’s shoulder some time later that the team seem to remember that they are still there. The movement catching the attention of some of the more eagled-eyed players.
‘You asked her out yet, or do we have to put up with another year of you pining?’ One of them shouts across the table.
Caitly feels Vi stiffen next to her. Caitlyn can feel the fear and embarrassment radiating off of the woman next to her. Caught out, unsure how to proceed.
Vi glares at her teammates. She’s been given away, her secret out. And to the woman that she’s been talking about, dreaming about for months. Too scared to do anything that may ruin the friendship they have formed over the year.
Both of them know that they’ve been dancing around each other for months. The pair using the excuse that they are roommates and good friends for the lingering touches, the late night movies curled up together in each other's beds.
Caitlyn leans in towards Vi’s ear, intending to be heard by only Vi over the noise of the bar. This close she can smell a hint of Vi’s body wash. It’s a familiar smell, it lingers on the hoodie that she has stolen from Vi with the promise of keeping it now that she attended one of her games. She can sense Vi soften slightly as she moves in closer.
‘Vi, all you had to do was ask,’ Caitlyn breathes into Vi’s ear sending a shiver down her spine. Cailtyn’s words have a grip on Vi that even she wasn’t aware of. Ever so gently Caitlyn cups Vi’s chin in her hand, drawing her in. Brushing her lips softly over Vi’s.
The kiss is short, chaste even.
When Cailtyn pulls back to look Vi in the eye she is met with a stunned expression. Vi’s mouth hanging open.
‘ Oh ,’ Vi sighs.
‘You big doofus, how could I say no to you?’
‘Shut up,’ Vi responds, cupping the back of Caitlyn’s head pulling her into a searing kiss. A kiss that holds so much care, so many feelings bottled up for too long.
The team is roaring their appreciation, wolf whistles and chants of I told you so are drowned out. Nothing else matters. It’s just Caitlyn and Vi.
When Caitlyn tries to pull back, Vi’s lips chase her, drawing her back in, gliding over each other languidly. Like they have all the time in the world. Eventually when Caitlyn does pull away Vi nips her bottom lip gently, playfully, enjoying the blush that rises high on Caitlyn’s cheeks.
Separated only by inches, their breathing heavy, eyes darkening with desire. Their fingertips trailing over each other's faces, along their necks, shoulders, daring to trace every inch of each other's bodies.
Someone yells get a room and it jarrs them back to reality. Both blushing deeply, suddenly aware of the many people surrounding them.
This time it’s Vi’s turn to lean in and whisper in Caitlyn’s ear.
‘I think it’s time to go, don't you? Plus I’ve heard of a great way to get rid of a headache and I want to run it by you.’
Caitlyn’s blush deepens further at the insinuation. Wordlessly she grabs her jacket, briefly saying her goodbyes to the rest of the team and pulling a cackling Vi out of the bar and back to their dorm room.
The end of the school year has never felt so good to either of them.