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Vi lay on her side facing Caitlyn. It had been a very, very long time since she had shared a bed with someone – certainly not since she and her sister were very small. She still wasn’t used to the feeling of being so physically close to another person in a way that didn’t involve kicking their ass. As much as craved closeness, it also felt like something off-limits to her. Even if it was Caitlyn.
For some reason she didn’t quite understand, especially if it was Caitlyn.
But if Caitlyn sensed Vi’s apprehension, she didn’t appear hurt or offended by it. She allowed Vi to keep a gap between them on the bed, giving her the space she needed as they quietly enjoyed one another’s presence.
Vi closed her eyes and listened to the thunder rumble outside, rain pounding hard against Caitlyn’s bedroom window. The sound of the storm and the soft glow and warmth of the fireplace helped her to relax.
“Powder used to be terrified of thunderstorms when we were little,” she said. “Our parents usually wouldn’t get home until after we were asleep. And on nights it rained really hard I would let her sleep in my bed, and I would just hold her while she cried. She’d always fall asleep pretty fast.”
Caitlyn’s brow furrowed. “How old were you?”
Vi opened her eyes, thinking.
“Well, it happened a lot, but I think the first time I was maybe eight?”
“And how old was Powder?”
“We’re four years apart, so…four, I guess? She was old enough to talk in full sentences but still drawing all over the walls.” Her lips quirked into a small, threadbare smile. “Then again, she never grew out of that habit.”
Caitlyn knew what the faraway look in Vi’s grey eyes meant; Jinx had, indeed, never grown out of the habit of drawing on every available surface, only this time it was usually strange and disturbing sigils on surfaces she planned to blow up with her colorful but deadly homemade bombs.
“You were only eight and caring for a four-year-old alone?”
Vi narrowed her eyes the way she always did when she was annoyed.
“Kids grow up fast in the Lanes," she said coldly. "The adults are too busy trying to survive.”
Caitlyn tentatively reached out and moved a strand of pink hair away from Vi’s brow.
“Who held you?”
Vi looked confused. “What?”
Caitlyn frowned. “Who held you when you were scared?”
Vi looked away.
“Vander did. Sometimes. I mean – like a hug for reassurance, that kind of thing.”
“I know Vander loved you very much,” Caitlyn said gently. “But I don’t think that’s really the same as being held . Do you?”
Vi shrugged. Caitlyn noticed that her grip on her pillow tightened, as she curled tighter into herself.
She scooted closer to Vi and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close and tucking the crown of her head under her chin.
Vi stiffened as if she wasn’t quite sure what was happening.
“It’s okay,” Caitlyn said gently.
It took a moment, but she soon felt Vi relax within her hold. Vi let out a very long sigh and buried her face in Caitlyn’s chest.
“Thanks, Cupcake,” she whispered.
They lay together for a long time, Vi resting and breathing easy as Caitlyn held her and ran her fingers through her hair.
“Thunder and rain,” Vi said quietly.
“Hm?” Caitlyn asked.
“I know I said we were oil and water before,” Vi said. “But I think we’re more like thunder and rain.”
“How so?”
“I’m like thunder – always making people jump,” Vi said with a light laugh. “You’re like rain. You know, helping things grow and all that.”
Caitlyn smiled. “If I’m rain, would it be unacceptably cheesy if I said you can be my flower if you want to?”
Vi chuckled. “Yeah, a little. I appreciate it anyway, though.” She glanced up at Caitlyn. “But it’s okay. I’m alright with being thunder.”
Caitlyn cupped her cheek.
“I’m alright with you being thunder, too.”