Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[Cover of this season one]

ARCO 1: Piltover's Nightmare

This shouldn't be happening.

None of this should have happened in the first place.

It was her day off. The one time in the week where she could sink into her rickety couch and forget about the world. That was until she got a call that was more gasps and halting words than coherent sentences. Because this wasn't supposed to happen, because Urgot was trying to break free.

Urgot. The same damned criminal that had earned her sleepless nights. Fighting and chases down meaningless alleys. The criminal she and Caitlyn had fought so hard to incarcerate.

That Urgot was now at risk of being released by his damned crazed followers.

It should have been simple, with the special team and reinforcements. She almost thought they had it under control.

Then Vi stepped into that reinforced glass dome that was engulfed in utter misery and her eyes met Caitlyn Kiramman's for just a second before the world shattered into hundreds of pieces and the Sheriff who had taken her heartbeat fell into a pile of rubble.

What followed was a pang in the chest. The whole world stopped spinning, the air escaped from her lungs and all she could hear was static.

Then it came all at once. The sweet smell of splattered blood, the sticky heat, the scent of gunpowder that permeated the air and suddenly it was unbearable, the pull on her muscles became too much and at the same time, it wasn't enough.

It wasn´t enough.

She let the anger and all the pain of her deepest fears consume her. Because this couldn't be happening, because she had to make sure Caitlyn Kiramman was okay and all these assholes were standing in her way.

Vi didn't even feel the blow she delivered to Urgot. See, but she didn't feel it until the rumble of a body too big and too heavy ran from the tips of her toes up her spine with cold fingers.

Then the fear came, pure and raw, and it could be nothing but terror as she ran to where she had seen Cait fall and held her in her arms. And thank the gods she was still breathing, and thank the gods she found the blue of his eyes as she searched for them.

Vi wasn't sure what she would have done otherwise.

She couldn't even imagine a world without Caitlyn Kiramman.

No. It was inconceivable. She would never allow it.

She couldn't lose her. Not her too.

Holding Caitlyn in her arms. Realizing it's the first time.... The first time like this

She'd hugged Caitlyn Kiramman many times, maybe a million times in the years they'd worked side by side. They had clung to each other like lifelines when the going got tough, hugged to comfort her in her failures and lifted her in her successes.

Vi had done this hundreds of times.

But she was always greeted with long arms in return.

Caitlyn had once told her that Vi's hugs were warm, but gentle. Almost as if she was too afraid to apply too much pressure, as if a little more force would break her into little pieces. She held her without clinging.

Violet had teased that she could break bones with a bare fist and Cait had laughed too. Of course; Vi hugged as if she could break, because she could. She hugged lovingly, with a hidden fear of squeezing too tightly, as if that would make the Sheriff disappear in her arms.

"I just don't want to hurt you,"

"You're the only one who thinks that" Caitlyn had smiled, burying her cold fingers in her ribs to squeeze with all the strength of her slender arms, "I know you would never hurt me."

And she never would. Because Vi hugged Caitlyn not to hold on. But to protect.

Always to protect

Caitlyn was different, squeezing tightly, burying her nose exuberantly under Vi's chin, tugging at her shirt, burying her fingers in her skin without ever scratching. She held on, arms and sometimes legs, grunting and squeezing harder when she wouldn't let go.

It was the first time Cait hadn't held on. But Vi, her fingers trembling, long since free of the cuffs, her lips struggling to form the words.

She clung to Cait's body, nose buried in indigo hair, knees and arms wrapped around her, as if she could protect her from the horrors of the world, forever.

She was clinging, trembling like a child, still struggling to shake the heavy feeling she got from watching the ground crumble beneath the Sheriff like butter.

The blue-haired girl felt tiny in her arms now, as consciousness slowly seeped through the long, bluish lashes. Her forehead was stained with a clot of blood from a wound lost in her hair, staining a face that was too pale.

• Vi - Cait sighed, her name rising almost like a plea, as if it were something to be worshipped.

Cold fingers dug into the arms around her and she struggled to lift her head. Vi's chest cracked as she heard the fragile voice, threatening to break.

• Here I am, Cupcake. Gotcha - she whispered back, sliding her nose up her boss's chin before kissing her cheek gently.

Cait mumbled something that was lost between the edges of her unconsciousness as she melted further into the embrace, resting her head on her partner's chest. Clinging, because she's Cait and she always clings.

Fingernails scratched the bruised skin, but she didn't care, kissing the Sheriff's forehead as she almost floated in the bubble around her, too focused on the sensation. Because Caitlyn was alive. And safe.

The world could be burning right now and Violet would be watching it all with a smile on her lips.

Her shoulders tightened out of habit when she heard the footsteps approaching, even though she'd heard the unit arrive minutes before. Goosebumps crept up her skin as she heard the voice.

Commander Taylor asked - What happened? -

A dull rage - one that Vi knew wouldn't go away no matter how much she yelled or hit - made the hairs on her neck itch.

• They tried to free Urgot, we kicked their asses and Urgot too in the process. End of my report -

She wanted to complain to him, to tell him that if they had bothered to arrive earlier they might be more useful than this. But even in her unconsciousness she saw Cait as capable of getting up just to challenge her. And almost wished she had.

The commander, a man of medium height, blond hair and green eyes, let out a sigh that would have been funny except that Caitlyn Kiramman was struggling to stay awake in his arms

The man assessed the situation for a second before turning back to the pink-haired - Medical attention will be arriving in 15 minutes -

• Make it 5, the Sheriff is hurt you piece of shit - Vi spat out a warning growl.

She knew she should be relieved that Urgot was unconscious, or comatose, or maybe even dead - She didn't even care as long as he stayed out of combat - But it wouldn't cause her trouble anymore.

Just the thought that Cait might be hurt made her veins burn; all this wouldn't feel like a victory at all, until she could celebrate it beside Caitlyn

Although it looked like Taylor was about to retaliate, he only refrained from doing so. Violet still managed to punch him in the face from her position.

• Vi - Caitlyn complained. Her voice tried to be a scolding

Because of course it's Caitlyn Kiramman. Only a woman like her would scold her in this situation.

It almost made her laugh. Almost.

• You're okay Cupcake, I got you. You're all right -

Caitlyn felt dizzy as the adrenaline left her bloodstream, leaving her drifting with a burning sensation all over her skin, her body too heavy and clumsy, far from the full range of control she was used to.

The only thing she could feel for sure were Vi's fingers in her hair. The years of injuries touching her as if Caitlyn were something precious, something priceless, with the gentleness with which she always touches her, as if she could break her.

But there is something more raw, in the way she holds him against her chest, in the way she buries her fingers in her waist as she wraps her legs around her.

Violet holds on, burying her nose in her scalp, sucking in hard enough that Cait can hear her easily, holding on with everything she's got, like it's all she's left.

It's raw, honest. Gentle when she needs to be, because it's still Vi who wipes away her tears with a feathery touch as she wipes her cheek.

How is it possible that such a tender caress could come from someone who put down Piltover's nightmare with a single blow?

How is it possible that Vi can be so raw, reduced to her instincts to cling, cling and cling to her body like a ship in the middle of the ocean? At the same time that she cares for her, pampering and caressing her as if her skin were porcelain?

Because she is Violet. Only she can bury her fingers in her waist with enough force to leave a bruise and caress her face like a painter caresses his masterpiece.

She feels dizzy, somehow. This balance is exactly what she needs. 

She needs to feel Vi there, like a powerful, unstoppable presence, but she also needs the gentle caresses, the gentle promise that everything will be all right.

Vi always makes everything all right.

It was a confused feeling, between her body's struggle to stay awake and her disembodied heart, disturbed in its suicidal effort not to fall into the abyss of gray eyes her companion gives her.

She knew Vi was dangerous from the first moment she chose her to cross the fence from end to end at her side. Caitlyn knew it from the first wink, the first sideways smile, the first time she called her Cupcake, the first time she stumbled across her sea of metal.

Because Violet is attractive. Fucking attractive, and she has a unique personality that would make anyone who had the chance to get to know her fall in love.

But she was her best friend, at least the closest thing she'd had to one in years, years of hard work where she'd been married to her job. For in Piltover, nothing was ever taken too seriously, and she had slowly but steadily drifted away from the world to take on the role of protector of the town.

But now she was here, with the one person who was always by her side. No matter what the tides, no matter what the insomnia, who never let her fall and who lay by her side when she could not get up. I saw how he accompanied her in the morning to bring her coffee and in the evening to lighten her burden.

It was a dangerous fire, one that threatened to consume the Sheriff's world at the touch of a finger.

• The medical team! The Sheriff is hurt!!! -

Caitlyn was about to punch her commander when his voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

Given the choice, she would have chosen the paradise of gray eyelashes and pink hair.

She'd be happy to stay here forever.

Of course, Vi wouldn't let her refuse. Letting go of her cheek, she slipped one arm behind her legs and held the other behind her back, carrying her bridal style and dragging her out of the ditch they'd dug for themselves to the medical team.

She had confused things with her companion.

It was no fire of destruction.

It burned quickly and without warning.

But it never burned to consume her.

I was here to protect her, to keep her warm as the world collapsed on her shoulders.

Her own opinion was confirmed when the warm embrace of her partner was exchanged for the cold, lifeless hands of the medical team.

It was instinct, she would say later, reacting, guided only by her heart, to cling to Vi's arm before she could finish pulling away.

• Stay - she begged barely above a whisper - Don't leave me -

The words felt heavy on her sleepy tongue, but it was fear that burned her eyelashes with piles of unshed tears at the prospect of not being heard.

Vi clasped her hands and kissed the Sheriff's knuckles with a patience that made her shudder.

• I'm here Cupcake -
• Don't let me alone, Vi - Caitlyn demanded.

Fear as the pain cut off her words and her eyelids refused to stay open. Unconsciousness caught her in its cold grip and this time it didn't seem to want to let her escape.

• You'll never be alone, Cupcake, not while I'm alive. -

That answer, along with the butterfly touch of scarred lips on her forehead, was all it took for her fear to fade as quickly as her consciousness.

Her sleepy eyes guarded the last pleasant image she had seen before surrendering to her wounds.

Vi was truly dangerous, much more so than any journal could have warned her.

Especially if she kept smiling at her like that.

NOTE:

Howdy! Yes, your adored - and not so adored - writer is back, this time with a much longer story (maybe 20 chapters) and much less sad than its predecessor. 

I just LOVE writing this couple. And I missed posting on AO3, so yes, we're back!

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Enzo, the author of this and a few other stories on this ship. I hope you like this one. 

Also, I'll see you every Monday if the stress of school doesn't kill me first. 

Have fun!

Chapter Text

When Caitlyn was finally able to open her eyes again, to pull herself out of the fever dreams of her sleeping consciousness, out of the branches of an almost hypnotic haze that had gripped her in the first place, she realised that she was in a bed - a hospital bed - and she could quickly deduce that it was as uncomfortable as it was cold.

She shuddered at the very thought, and for a moment the terrible feeling of overwhelming loneliness hit her chest like an anvil.

She felt drifting, alone and confused. She could barely remember everything that had happened.

Caitlyn wanted to cry, for a reason she would understand only minutes later, when she finally looked down and saw her fuchsia locks strewn carelessly across her legs, covered by a thin sheet. 

Vi was there, sitting in a chair beside her stretcher, her head resting on the edge of the bed, one hand holding hers, her hair dishevelled and unkempt.

A shy warmth spread like lightning from the hand holding her to overflow her chest, and this time she could feel the tears on her throat.

She remembered the last words her partner had said to her, "You'll never be alone, Cupcake, not while I'm alive" and Caitlyn understood that Vi would never break that promise.

The Sheriff let out a shaky sigh that tried to replace her still unshed tears and stirred carefully, trying to stroke those precious pink curls that were still unable to really get up from the stretcher. Her body didn't hurt, not really, it was more of an uncomfortable heaviness, a muffled sound that kept her dazed in her lying position.

Only then did one of the nurses enter her room. The thirty-something blushed at the sight of the pink-haired woman sprawled on her lap, and smiled shyly, holding the briefcase in her arms.

• Sheriff Kiramman, I'm glad you're awake. - The woman announced - How are you feeling? -
• Tired - Caitlyn admitted - And thirsty, really -

The nurse didn't hesitate to approach her and hand her a glass of water, which the blue-haired woman drank in one gulp.

• Any noticeable pain or discomfort? -

Caitlyn denied - I'm just feeling a little tired -

The nurse nodded, looked at the pink-haired woman again and gave a half smile - The doctor will be here soon, I'll ask him to give you a moment, I don't want to wake your lover -

The Sheriff's cheeks burned as quickly as a single blink - She... I don't...

She stumbled over the words in an awkward laugh, embarrassed but grateful that Vi wasn't awake enough to hear.

The nurse laughed tenderly - Don't worry Sheriff Kiramman, I don't need an explanation, I'm just doing my job - The woman took a step away - I can see it must have been really upsetting for her, she refused to leave them for a single second. She was so insistent that they had to lend her a special vest to accompany her during the CT scan.

• Oh... Vi... - Caitlyn mumbled, somewhere between deep appreciation and embarrassment.
• I saw... It was certainly convincing - The nurse laughed - If I must be honest, it was really tender, the love he professes... Charming in many ways -

Caitlyn felt her heart melt - How long was I... unconscious? -

• The results were encouraging, no bones broken and no serious injuries; however, you did suffer a minor concussion prior to the fall, the doctor suggested a medically induced coma to allow your brain to recover - the nurse explained, then looked briefly at her chart - it's been two nights and almost three days with this one; she hasn't moved from here since you were admitted -.

Caitlyn felt the tears return with a single stroke, this time she didn't feel she had the strength to hold them back and her lips trembled almost as much as her own chest.

Vi hated hospitals.

Since officially joining the Piltover police force, Caitlyn had never managed to get herself admitted to one, no matter how serious her injuries. She actively refused, always with the same excuse: hospitals only brought bad luck, she remembered how much Vi complained about the smell of the medicine, how bland the beds were, how awful the food was.

And here she was. She had spent nearly three days in hospital

Just for her

The nurse looked at her for a second - I'll let you rest - said with a polite bow before finally leaving.

Caitlyn almost cursed herself for forgetting to ask the time, half looking over her shoulder to find the clock in the mist.

Almost four in the morning.

She sighed again as she reached for the fuchsia hair between her fingers, letting a soft caress fall across her companion's freckled cheek.

The stillness of the room was shattered by a quick widening of Vi's eyes and a full jump, her fists raised in a defensive pose as sleep escaped her pupils at a barely audible whisper.

Caitlyn held out her open palms in peace.

Vi's pupils, which she could have sworn were dwarf sized, dilated and her gaze became completely friendly as she leapt towards Caitlyn, taking her face in her bandaged hands to caress it devotedly.

• Cupcake, you're awake! - 

Caitlyn could have sworn she saw the trail of tears, but in the unlit room it was hard for her to describe.

• How are you feeling?,  Did you call the nurse? No! No, I'll call the doctor, yes, I'll call the doctor - without giving her time to answer, the brunette continued talking at full speed.

She smiled at the concern and reached for one of his hands, still resting on her cheeks, to give it a gentle squeeze.

Vi looked at her with slight confusion, coming down from his ecstasy and studying her trail in a desperate attempt to find wounds that the doctors hadn't already treated - as if that were possible, as if no one but her knew how to see and treat them properly -

A smile escaped her lips and she brought Vi's hands to her lips to kiss her bandaged palms. 

• I'm fine, Vi, I promise. The nurse has already come to check, she said the doctor would come another time -

Vi breathed a sigh of relief and sat down carefully on the edge of the stretcher.

• How are you feeling? -
• I kind of want to sleep for two weeks straight - Caitlyn laughed a little - Terribly tired, but .... At the moment it's just general discomfort, nothing hurts at all -

Vi mumbled - Please don't sleep for two weeks in a row, you'll kill me -

Caitlyn couldn't help the smile that escaped her, squeezing the hands that escaped from her cheeks more devotedly, but refused to let go of hers. 

• They told me you haven't left since I was admitted -

Vi blushed, the faint blush turning her freckles a galaxy of pink, and shrugged, trying to hide the significance of it. 

• I promised I wouldn't leave you alone - she justified, looking down at the floor as she scratched her neck.

It was then that Caitlyn allowed herself to really look at her companion, her clothes had not been changed, they were still a dangerous combination of dried blood and dust, but her skin was clean.

A bandage covered the bridge of her nose, another was stretched in a feeble attempt to cover a bruise on her chin, the bandages on her hands had been changed, and luckily she didn't look particularly injured.

• Stop looking at me like that - Vi complained.

There was one thing that stood out, though, and that was the heavy dark circles that rested heavily under her favourite grey eyes.

Caitlyn half laughed. 

• I didn't say anything - Then she patted the space on the stretcher next to her legs - Come here, it's not much space, but you'll rest better -

Vi looked at her hesitantly - Is that an order? -

• A direct order from your superior, come and sleep with me -

Vi mumbled, but not fighting her own fatigue, she kicked off her boots and slid carefully onto the stretcher to stand next to Caitlyn.

She stood motionless for several seconds, obviously uncomfortable with the limited space between their bodies, maintaining the vain attempt not to even touch her.

The gesture seemed eternally sweet to her. With delicately measured care, she laid her head on her partner's chest and wrapped an arm around her waist in an attempt to break the short distance her partner had placed between them.

Vi whimpered in surprise but gave in, circling the Sheriff with extreme care.

Holding her by the hips and making herself more comfortable, she moved underneath Caitlyn and then gently lowered her so that she was almost completely on top of her.

It was much more comfortable now that they weren't bent over looking for space, and for Vi the extra weight didn't seem to be a problem.

Caitlyn settled down, biting back a smile, and wrapped her legs lovingly around her, tucking herself deeper into the embrace, secretly enjoying the comforting warmth her partner was giving off.

Vi wrapped her firm arms around her, hugging her waist and allowing her head to rest on the hospital pillow.

Violet had never been in a hospital before, at least not for this long. She'd never liked them, since the first time Cait had dragged her into one, she'd hated them with every fibre of her being. 

In fact, she'd never even been to a hospital before she became an enforcer, they'd never been serious enough that they couldn't be treated under Vander's care. Almost a necessity, since Zaun didn't really have a hospital.

There is, of course, the old clinic, well hidden in the cliffs of Zaun, with Zaunites who call themselves "Doctors", to which one might go in case of serious illness, but that is not something anyone wants to do unless it is a really serious situation. There's always a price to pay.

The first time Caitlyn dragged her to the hospital after one of the criminals she was chasing stuck a knife in her forearm - this was before she even got her Hextech gauntlets. She remembers deciding to hate it as soon as she set foot in it and took her first deep breath.

That hasn't changed. That bloody smell.

Between her childhood in the Lanes and her teenage years in Stillwater, she should be more than used to bad smells. But the smell of Piltover Hospital is bad in a different way. It's thick, foul, nauseating, sweet and generally awful in a way that still makes her hair stand on end, even though it's not the first time she's been in one. And she still has no idea why.

The noise, or lack of it, doesn't help. High ceilings that swallow echoes, machines that whirr and beep, and floors so clean and polished that shoes squeak and groan when you walk on them.

They always make her too aware of how dirty she really is. Even though they made her change her bandages and take a shower in the bathroom if she didn't want to go home anyway.

But she had made a promise to Caitlyn. She would stay with her until the end of time if necessary. - There were few things to do at work that didn't involve the Sheriff -

But this particular situation didn't feel bad at all. So close, all she could smell was the lavender of Cupcake's hair, her hands could only feel the soft, smooth, slightly cold skin.

It was as if everything was falling into place.

Like the pieces of a painting finally coming together.

Vi laid her head back on the pillow and fell into the first deep sleep she'd had in three days

Chapter Text

When Caitlyn awoke hours later (which she could guess thanks to the midday rays sneaking through her room), it was thanks to the doctor, who signaled that they needed to examine her.

She blushed as she realized that her position was still the one where Caitlyn was on top of Vi, and with an awkward whimper, she nodded and lowered herself carefully. Or at least she tried to, because the pink-haired woman grunted and pressed the sheriff tighter to her chest.

• Vander, I said five more minutes - Vi complained.

Vander? Where had she heard that before, from a friend? Family? - She wondered, looking sweetly at Vi's completely peaceful gesture.

The doctor laughed a little

• Sorry ladies, I didn't mean to interrupt your quality time, but if the studies go well, I might let you come home for the afternoon, I bet you'd be more comfortable sleeping in your own bed -

Caitlyn let out an awkward laugh, embarrassed because it was impossible to get out of the pink girl's grip.

Gently, she pushed her with her arms. The zaunite struggled at first, then grunted and opened her eyes with a slight twitch before relaxing in the presence of the blue-haired woman who followed the confused look in the gray eyes.

• Hey - she said, her voice hoarse with sleep - Good morning to you too -

Caitlyn laughed softly before the doctor did too, pulling Vi out of her reverie and making her blush.

• My fault - The man pointed out, raising his hands in peace - But the sheriff needs to do some tests; everything points to her being fine, hopefully you'll be able to take her home by this afternoon - He said, just to give them a sweet look - I'm sure they'll have more time to spend together when they get back -

Vi mumbled something too intelligible with an embarrassed gesture as she got out of bed, pushing the sheriff away with extreme care. Her hair was in an odd tangle, standing in all directions and messy, even more so than usual, but at least she looked more rested, and Caitlyn could only think how much she wished to see that sight more often.

As the rest of the afternoon passed between numerous studies, this time Caitlyn asked Vi to wait for her instead of accompanying her everywhere; after several checks, the sheriff returned to her room.

Vi was there, lying on the floor, apparently asleep.

Caitlyn wondered how she could sleep so peacefully on a place like the floor. Then her stomach churned at the thought that Vi had probably slept in worse places than a hospital floor.

The Pinkette was awakened by the sound of footsteps as she entered and turned away to help the nurses get Caitlyn back into bed; once they had retired, Vi went about telling her about the progress that had been made in her absence.

Taylor had taken over the station; Urgot and his henchmen had been locked up. The tablet had been altered to release the criminal, another security tape had been added, and the glass and chains that had held him in had been replaced. The henchmen had slipped in through a window, so Vi suggested adding electric windows.

She had finished the details when a doctor came back to report that everything had gone perfectly and that Caitlyn could go home the same day, except for some ointment on the bruises.

Per protocol, they wheeled her out in a wheelchair, and since Vi hadn't left her side for a second after all, they left her with the pain medication, the ointment, and several bandage and patch changes, along with the paperwork for the test results.

Vi left, carrying all of this in one hand and pushing the girl's wheelchair in the other.

As she left, the sheriff was cheered on, and several of her colleagues came up to congratulate her as Vi continued to pull her out.

Once at the door, the pink-haired girl helped the blue-haired girl to her feet, and since Caitlyn was still a little weak, she held on to her enforcer's arm for support. Vi didn't complain as she made her way to the sheriff's mansion.

The newspapers swallowed her image as she walked, and the gossip began to spread like wildfire.

"They say he didn't leave her in the hospital for a second."

"Bah, that's scary."

"Doesn't she know how to be alone?"

"I guess dogs really are faithful."

"What do you expect? The sheriff's the only one who puts up with her."

"Doesn't she have a family?"

"Look at her, she's filthy, how can the Sheriff stand next to her?"

"You can take the rat out of the fence, but not the fence out of the rat."

These and hundreds of other comments flew in all directions, and Caitlyn's patience was wearing thin.

How could they say that when Vi was the only one who cared enough to accompany her to the hospital? Not her subordinates, not Jayce, who was supposed to be her best friend, not even her parents.

By the time they got to the sheriff's house, her jaw was clenched so tight it hurt.

Vi ushered her in and sat her down on the couch while she sorted her things on the front mousetrap table.

• So... Yeah, maybe I should go - She admitted - These are your papers, for some reason they were given to me - The pink one laughed - Ah, yes, Commander Taylor called in the morning, he found out that you woke up, asked me to tell you that they have given us the week off, so you can rest - The zaunite pointed - So, if you need anything, call me - After that she said goodbye with a kiss on the forehead and withdrew silently.

Caitlyn blushed, unable to utter a word, and then sighed, only to find herself facing one of her maids, holding out a cup of steaming tea.

• Miss Violet asked me to prepare it for you before she retires - the woman explained at the questioning look.

The Sheriff just smiled as she drank the contents. Sweetened. But not because of the drink.

Vi, on the other hand, cursed herself as she hurried back to her house.

What had all this been about?

Ever since Caitlyn had been injured, she hadn't been able to get it out of her head. She hated hospitals, but the thought of leaving her alone in one was enough to drive her crazy.

What was that all about?

She closed the door behind her and sighed.

How much more would she be able to do?

For Caitlyn? Maybe everything

END OF ARC 1: PILTOVER'S NIGHTMARE

Chapter Text

Arc 2: The Kiramman's

The last thing she expected when she woke up the next morning was a phone call, from none other than her mother, Cassandra Kiramman; it was not at all uncommon - her parents maintained the decency of constant communication to make sure Caitlyn was well - if not for the topic of conversation the matriarch chose.

• You were hospitalized for three days Caitlyn - Sighed the woman - When we went to the hospital we found out that you... Companion -
• Vi? -
• That's right, that... Executor, the hospital told us that she refused to take a single second away from you -
• They told me the same thing and when I woke up... Well, Vi stayed with me until I was discharged...
• Apparently she really fought to stay, arguing that it was her duty to protect you, and when they told her she was off the job, she appealed that it was her oath, that she wouldn't leave you alone, even if they had a gun pointed right in her face -

Caitlyn blushed and sighed, "Oh Vi."

• Yes - She laughed a little to hide her nervousness - She can be, you know... Protective... Did she make you...? - Swallowed hard - Some kind of problem? -
• Not at all - Cassandra denied in a monotone voice - We're relieved that someone could be there for you, even if we couldn't, we're really grateful to her Caitlyn -
• Is that so? -

Now that was weird, Vi had done a hundred million things for her before, but she never thought her parents would notice, especially when they were the first ones to beg her not to take the criminal as a companion.

• The recovered enforcer´s said the same, apparently she was the one who had managed to defeat Urgot without any support -

Had that been it? Caitlyn didn't remember the rest of the battle, but since she remembered Commander Taylor, she couldn't be sure when reinforcements arrived.

• When Urgot hurt you. They said - Cassandra inhaled - They said that if she had fought, it was for you, just to protect you, as if dying didn't even matter to her -
• Really? - The sheriff didn't refrain from asking.
• Haven't you seen the news? It's all over the front pages.
• You know I don't like gossip Mother, I never watch the news -

Cassandra inhaled

• Well, maybe you care. The Council is thinking of giving you a Medal of Honor for defeating the most dangerous criminal in Piltover and saving the lives of practically your entire squadron and your own. -

Caitlyn gasped and an indelible smile spread across her face

• Oh Mother Really? Gods... - The Sheriff actually laughed - Vi will be so... .... -
• She can't know that yet of course - Cassandra corrected - The vote has to be unanimous and there is only one Councilman who abstained -

"Oh no" 

• And this councilman is? -
• Me, of course - Cassandra went on as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
• Mother! - Caitlyn grumbled - You said you were grateful to her -
• I am, but I have never had the pleasure of meeting her - Cassandra inhaled - I don't like to give my opinion without having a concrete basis, and in this particular case I would like to hear her own version of events -
• Mother - The Sheriff sighed in agony - Vi has never been paid for her work, even though she's helped out far more than any other enforcer all these years -
• I understand that part, Caitlyn, I don't deny that her work has been good. I just want to know her first hand. -

Cait let out a sigh - When? -

• Tonight at 7:00, your father will even take the liberty of cooking.
• But...
• No buts Caitlyn, I want them both home and by the gods, you know I hate tardiness -
• Mom-

But of course her mother had already hung up. 
"By all the gods," Caitlyn thought, as excited as she was nervous. Her parents had never been on the best of terms with her prickly companion.

She felt like not calling Vi, letting her have a quiet evening - wherever she was - and just telling her parents that the woman couldn't make it.

But... Vi deserved this award.

With that in mind, she picked up the phone and mechanically punched in Pinket's number.

• Howdy? - Vi sounded a little agitated, as if she had been working out.
• Hi - 
• Is something wrong Cupcake? - Vi replied calmly - Someone to kick their ass? -
• Afraid not - Cait smiled a little - They're my parents -
• Oh shit, look Cupcake, if it's about the guard.... - Vi started immediately, obviously worried.
• They want to thank you -

Caitlyn corrected without even waiting for her to finish the sentence. Part of her didn't want to know how the sentence was going to end.

• They... What?
•  They want to thank you for saving me, for taking care of me -
• Cait... - Vi inhaled - It's not necessary, really, I would do it once and a hundred times for you, I don't need anything in return -

Caitlyn smiled as she listened to her partner - I'm sorry, there's no way to stop her now - Vi deserves this - See you today at seven -

• Cupcake - She didn't look very happy.
• My father will even cook dinner himself - Cheer up, Sheriff.

Violet snorted, refusing to respond with words.

• Do it for me, okay? I don't want to have to face dinner with my angry parents.

She could almost see her pink-haired friend on the other end of the line rolling her eyes.

• Okay, okay, we don't want Dad Kiramman's food to go to waste. I'll be there -
• Caitlyn bit her lip, glancing up at the clock on the wall. Two in the afternoon - How soon can you come up? -

Vi took a while to answer - Half an hour, maybe - She hesitated - Why?

• My parents are a bit special with .... Well, you know, the presentation -
• There's no way even you could fit me into a fancy shit-eating dress -
• In a suit maybe? -
• Cait.
• Please! - The Sheriff pleaded - They're my parents, Vi -

The Enforcer's dam broke with a deep sigh - Okay, okay, give me 20 minutes and I'll be there Cupcake -

• Vi - Cait smiled from side to side - Thank you -

The pink-haired girl smiled too 

• You know I'd do anything for you -

A soft, comfortable warmth spread over her chest.

• See you in 20 minutes -
• I'll be there -

The call was finally cut off and the brunette felt a world of butterflies numbing her fingers and her heart.

Vi's frankness honestly took her breath away more than half the time.

And she loved it.

To say that getting rid of Ekko was easy would hardly be an understatement, Vi retreated from the Firelights shelter with her cheeks burning as her colleagues and friends - old and new - taunted and congratulated her with cheeky one-liners about the Sheriff she was about to leave.

She climbed Piltover in less than the 20 minutes she had promised, climbing quickly and steadily, sliding out of the pipes and greedily dodging the bridge as she made her way into the central streets in search of Caitlyn's so familiar apartment.

"Apartment" was just a figure of speech, of course; Caitlyn lived in a huge Pent-house in Piltover's most desirable business district, close enough to downtown to be a five-minute walk to the police station, fifteen to Central Park, and twenty to the Academy.

Close enough to the posh neighborhoods she'd grown up in, far enough away from her parents' grip, but not too close that it would be easy to visit them.

Vi gave a mocking nod to the guard who was staring wordlessly at her clothes.

Indeed, Vi was dressed like a total Zaunite. She was wearing jeans that had been so riveted that there were no pieces of the original fabric left, just stains here and there, with crazy designs that were slightly stained with dirt from hard work. A white tank top that revealed her tattoos and her bruised arms.

It fit a few sizes wider in uneven places than what she usually wore, it was Ekko's clothing, and even though they were practically the same height now, the four years weighed on the uneven size difference, tightening parts of the chest that Vi didn't really want tight and leaving others looser than usual that really didn't matter.

She made a flourish as she knocked on the door, taking the flower she'd brought from Zaun's poison pits and placing it gallantly in one hand.

Cait opened the door in less than five minutes, not even flinching at her companion's half-neglected appearance.

Vi's hair was tied up in a completely ruined bun, leaves and sticks still in her hair, her cheeks smudged with dirt, the shit-eating grin adorned with the small flower held out to her. The tank top was not hers, she quickly deduced, it outlined the curve of her breasts with a perfection too distracting to ignore, the loose straps worn from use hanging over her shoulders and the thin fabric falling loosely over the glorious abdomen, barely noticeable thanks to the stains of sweat and dirt.

She was a perfect walking mess, Caitlyn would have taken Vi's picture and plastered it on the largest wall in her house this very second if she could have.

She accepted the flower with learned caution, most things that came out of Zaun had poison or thorns, or poisonous thorns, which was worse.

This one in particular looked partially stained with neon green paint, but its purple leaves would have passed muster.

• A violet from your favorite violet - Vi laughed with a wink.

Cait rolled her eyes, secretly enchanted by that damn sideways grin.

• You're quite the gentleman Violet, but it's brave of you to assume you're my favorite Violet -
• Are there others I haven't heard of? - Vi feigned disappointment and put her hand to her chest.
• I think my great-grandmother's name was Violet - Caitlyn pretended to think as she stepped over why she should be allowed to enter.

The pink-haired girl did so by politely nudging her shoulder with her own as she walked past.

• Very funny - 

Caitlyn smiled, picking up the delicate flower to take it to the kitchen and fetching a glass of water to carefully place it inside.

• But I never met her - she apologized -

Vi continued to play the victim, pretending to look at the paintings she had already seen, criticized and mocked hundreds of times.

• That keeps your place as number one in my heart -

Caitlyn realized what she had said - and of course she did - she did nothing to try to correct it, Vi gasped, grateful to be turned away so her boss wouldn't see her cheeks heat up at the suggestion.

Her throat went dry and her heart jumped out of her chest. Still, she managed to let out a small laugh.

• So sweet, just like a cupcake -

Caitlyn rolled her eyes, returned to the living room with the violet in the glass, and managed to carve out a spot in the middle of the welcome table.

She didn't mind flowers, but she wasn't the type to have them all over her house. This might be a special occasion, though. Caitlyn set aside the book she was reading and the reports to leave it in its place, small but safe, beautifully adorning her life.

Though Cait no longer thought about the flower as she arranged her world to give her the space a small survivor like herself needed.

Vi watched her movements carefully, smiling warmly as she saw her little gift being welcomed.

Never expecting anything from her, the Sheriff had already given her everything, kind smiles and pomaded words, trust at first blind, then earned and maintained. And yet he still managed to surprise her.

Not that she expected Cait to do anything special with the violet she had found growing in a pile in one of the most forgotten corners of Zaun. Vi would make her joke, the girl would laugh, and the flower would be forgotten.

But there was Caitlyn, putting it in a bag and calling it art.

Chapter Text

• What is the itinerary for today, Cupcake? -

Truth was, Vi was no fan of following rules or schedules, but after years of working side by side with Caitlyn Perfection Kiramman on this point in her life, she was just goin' with the flow.

• First we're going to stop by your house so you can take a bath - Caitlyn pointed accusingly at her partner's condition - Then we're going to take the alley to the department stores and find you something nice, I already have a few places in mind -

Vi made an exaggerated military salute and nodded profusely. 

• Yes, ma'am! -

They both laughed. Caitlyn shook her head, smiling at Vi's silliness, and grabbed her purse to hang it up with a delicate movement.

The sheriff was dressed rather spring-like, if it had to be described. A light blue tank top and black satin pants and boots.

"Hopefully it isn't cold," Vi thought. She should probably remember to bring a jacket.

They left the Sheriff's apartment without further ado and made their way to the Zaunite's apartment. Vi lived near the bridge, her walk to the police station was much longer, but she was still close to Caitlyn.

• Where were you this morning? You look like you've been rolling around in the dirt -
• I was in Zaun helping Ekko - Vi replied with a small laugh - He's like my little brother, has a shelter project in progress and whenever I can I lend him a hand -
• That's nice, a shelter for what? –
• For people - Vi said with a little cracked slime - kids, wounded, ex-addicts trying to get off the streets, there's a little bit of everything. But they're good guys, he hopes to get as far away from the dark places of Zaun as possible, to build a safe place, far away from the toxicity of the environment and the people -
• That's very honorable, Vi, really -
• I just help as much as I can - Vi denied sincerely - It's Ekko who takes care of everything -

As she looked at her, a walking mess, Caitlyn thought about how her life would always be different from her partner's, even in such simple ways as this. While she was at home drinking tea and complaining about taking calls, Vi was killing her ass on what was supposed to be her week off.

This only made her more than enchanted in every way.

Vi went on about the shelter, about its residents. How she had come down before sunrise that very morning to help in any way she could; building houses, transporting supplies, fortifying the defenses, or directly training the new recruits.

• They need to learn how to defend themselves in case the place is ever in danger - she explained - The newbies are getting better -

Caitlyn looked at her carefully, especially at the ugly bruise that adorned the whitish skin at the bottom of her collarbone, and let out a sigh.

• You should be more careful anyway, I don't like it when you get hurt, even if it's for a good cause -

Vi laughed softly and scratched her neck like she did when she was nervous.

• It'll be fine Cupcake, it's nothing serious -
• You could at least put some medicine on it - Caitlyn sighed - Do you have the first aid kit I gave you at home? -

Vi nodded with a proud smile

• Always -
• After you take that bath you'll put on something decent to take care of those wounds -
• Aren't I decent like this? -

Vi asked, Caitlyn didn't stop, she walked over to the Pinkette and reached down to brush a small leaf out of her hair.

• You're perfectly decent all the time, but it would be so much better if you didn't drop your shirt every few steps -

Vi laughed, stepping forward to cover her blush. She paused to open the door to her apartment and led the sheriff inside.

Her apartment was well appointed considering her salary and the very high rents in the Golden City, it had a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, two bedrooms, one that was her room and an extra one that she used as a gym.

"Cramped," Caitlyn had told her once, but functional after all

The decor of the house was mostly simple, with no pictures or photographs hanging on the walls. The living room consisted of a two-seater chair in front of a small table with a pile of magazines, the control panel for her TV and stereo; the kitchen was medium sized and had only the bare necessities. And from there it branched off into a hallway where Vi's room was, followed by her gym and at the far end, the bathroom.

Caitlyn had been here a few times before, and she was always really impressed by the way Vi had adapted to her space. Now half of the main room was occupied by the half-dismantled gauntlets.

• I've been working on them since the fight with Urgot, they're almost finished -
• You could ask Jayce for help - Caitlyn suggested.

Vi gave her a bad look

• I'd rather rip my throat out with my fingernails than give the golden boy that pleasure.
• I don't understand why you hate him so much -
• I don't understand how you can like him -
• We've been friends since childhood Vi, my parents funded his research for Hextech, I grew up thinking of him as a brother - Caitlyn half smiled - If you gave him a chance .... -
• I don't think so. He decided I was a criminal the first time he saw me, I decided he was an asshole the first time he opened his mouth -

Caitlyn sighed, getting Jayce and Vi to go just five minutes without fighting was more of a challenge than any criminal she had ever faced in her entire life.

- You can wait for me in the room if you prefer - Vi suggested - I'll just take a quick shower and we'll go –

Caitlyn sat on the edge of the bed while Vi retreated to the bathroom and the Sheriff took a good look around. It wasn't the first time she'd been here, though it had changed a bit since the last time.

The zaunita had long ago dispensed illumination provided by a spotlight and instead had installed LED lights along the walls that adorned the room in a soft color-changing light.

Caitlyn sat on the edge of the bed while Vi retreated to the bathroom and the Sheriff took a good look around. It wasn't the first time she'd been here, though it had changed a bit since the last time.

The zaunita had long since dispensed with the lighting provided by a spotlight and had instead installed LED lights along the walls that bathed the room in a soft, color-changing light.

There was a shelf of small, random things that Caitlyn had yet to find a purpose for. Some forged metal gauntlets, a pipe, a pair of glasses with broken glass, some kind of key, and a monkey toy.

On the nightstand were two pictures, one of which Caitlyn could only guess was of Vi's family - a picture that definitely hadn't been there before - showing a tall man accompanied by three boys and two girls.

Caitlyn picked up the picture to look at it more closely. The older girl was holding a stuffed animal (most likely Vi) and the hand of what she could only describe as her younger sister, a short, blue-haired girl with a big grin and a missing front incisor.

The man (surely Vi's father) had his hand on the little girl's pink hair and seemed to be playfully ruffling it, Vi was looking not at the camera but at her father with a laugh that was forever captured on paper.

It was truly adorable. Vi smiled very, very much. But never before had she smiled like that. It was as if she was floating in an aura of safety, security and love that she just didn't exist anymore.

She gently put the picture back in its place, then turned her gaze to the other one. It was a picture of the two of them together.

Caitlyn could remember that day.

They had gone to a charity event at the police station where they had talked a bit about the job and different schools had brought their children (ages 8 to 15) to ask any questions they wanted. That year and the next, they had even organized little games with the kids to make it more entertaining.

Caitlyn had one of those activities all to herself, a little game about collecting clues at a crime scene and figuring out the perpetrator, designed for the older 15-year-olds. Of course, the blood was fake and the body was a rather cartoonish dummy. But apparently the kids thought it was funny. She was hoping to do it again this year.

Vi had done hers with some colleagues, an obstacle course that simulated recruit training, they had even taken the finesse to tailor it to different ages, making it easier for the younger kids and increasing the difficulty for the older ones.

Everyone had enjoyed it.

The event had been organized at the Vigilante Academy, and after a few of the fellows had picked on Vi for never having gone through the training before because she had no training - more than life would have given her - they had finally struck a nerve. Vi ended up taking on the best rookie of the generation in a race around the obstacle course, meter in hand.

The course that Caitlyn - the best of her generation and the youngest recruit to run it - had run in 1 minute 2 seconds after months of hard training.

Vi had done it - with no prior training beyond a quick explanation of where to jump and where to squat - in 43 seconds. A pink blur that had blown away every record ever set.

That was why the press had wanted to take a picture of her. Caitlyn had come over to congratulate her when Vi had lifted her into the air and placed her on one of her shoulders, flexing in a shameless display of muscle.

Cassandra had taken it upon herself to delete it from the media, but considering that several guys had taken pictures with their phones and uploaded them to the web anyway, Vi had probably printed one of them out to mark it.

Caitlyn was so distracted when the picture was taken that she wasn't even looking at the camera, she had a hand in her partner's pink hair as she looked at her with her eyes half open and her whole face flushed. Vi smiled with all her teeth, one hand on her hip and the other holding Caitlyn by the legs.

Looking back, you'd expect Vi to be sweating and barely breathing after running around a racetrack used for advanced military training in just 43 seconds. But the girl comes out fresh as a daisy, though her cheeks stand out slightly with the small blush running down the bridge of her nose.

Caitlyn sighs as she carves her smile with a finger.

Her woman looks so proud.

She expects to see that smile when she gets her medal.

As if called, Vi emerges from the bathroom with a towel in her hair, grabbing their attention. She's wearing jeans and red tennis shoes, a tight black t-shirt that shows off her incredible muscles, and she's looking at you with a wry grin.

• Should I call the police because you're trying to rob me? I hear the sheriff in this town is really strict -

Caitlyn laughed without letting go of the photo.

• This is a new -

Vi shrugged and tried to look nonchalant, although the delicate blush that was setting her cheeks aglow didn't help at all.

• Yeah, well, you and I don't have a picture together. One where we look actually good... .... I kind of like that one - She hesitates before continuing - Does that bother you? -

Cait looked at the picture again, smiled and left it there, getting up and approaching Vi in just two steps.

• No, it doesn't bother me. Actually, I quite like this photo - Caitlyn smiled and took the edges of the towel - You look especially handsome, I have to admit -

Vi blushed up to her ears looking at her without a word and Caitlyn laughed again, throwing the wet towel down to hit her in the face, then shook out her wet hair between little giggles.

• You're such a mess, you know? Your hair is still all wet, you'll catch a cold if I take you outside now -
• I'm not a baby Cupcake -

Vi stopped her wrists and looked at her through the soaked mop.

• Right -

Caitlyn removed the towel more carefully, brushing her wet locks to remove excess moisture.

• You're more like a puppy –

This earned her an insulted look, to which Caitlyn responded by sticking her tongue out at her as she finished drying her hair and took a step away to throw the soaked rag in her face.

Vi snorted in response and threw the towel somewhere in the room, running over to Caitlyn and grabbing her by the waist to stop her, shaking her slightly wet hair wildly as if she really were a puppy.

The Sheriff laughed, tripping over her legs as she tried to break away from Vi, managing to land them both on the bed between giggles.

Caitlyn was breathing with a full chest as she wiped tears from her face, Vi hadn't let go of her embrace as she let out little gasps and half laughed.

There was a moment of silence as she tried to catch her breath.

The sheriff looked over her shoulder to meet the gray gaze of Vi, who was still hugging her from behind, her face buried in her shoulder.

One, two, three seconds was the total time Vi had to react by pushing herself backwards and away from Caitlyn.

The Sheriff stood up as well, adjusting her hair and still half laughing, in a terrible attempt to hide her blush.

• Let's get the first aid kit out. I haven't fixed your bruises yet -

Vi nodded, her cheeks still red as she jumped up to get the kit and return in a few minutes. They settled into the small space on the bed, facing each other, and Caitlyn began patiently tending to her partner's wounds.

As she applied the ointment to the hard, warm-skinned muscle, Cait sighed. If her heart kept racing like this when she was with Vi, she'd be in trouble.

She wasn't supposed to feel this way about Violet, who was her best friend and partner, even if she was having a hard time hiding it lately. Violet's presence managed to give her goosebumps, electrifying her with every moment they spent together.

But the more time they spent like this, legs crossed, on the pink-haired girl's bed, breathing the same warm air...

Caitlyn became more and more convinced that no problem was too much trouble when it came to Vi.

Chapter Text

Vi truly adored Caitlyn, with every little bit of her soul.... But this was the sixth store they'd visited and she'd seen more outfits and fabrics than she'd ever seen in her entire life, and to say she was overwhelmed would be putting it mildly. Violet was used to mending her clothes like crazy, so spending money on a good outfit was something she would probably never get used to living in Piltover.

She often let the Sheriff pick out her clothes, especially for socio-political situations like this, though she would never get used to the amount of attention she was getting just for wearing x clothes.

She left the dressing room with her patience sinking into a bottomless pit, two minutes away from begging Caitlyn to give up the whole thing.

To her surprise, when she came out, she didn't find the Sheriff's undecided look, but rather Caitlyn blushed pink at the sight of her, covering her mouth with her hands in a cute gesture that couldn't hide the huge smile that was painted on her face.

• This one - Cait judged - It's perfect -

Vi looked damn attractive.

Her outfit consisted of black plaid pants, a long white turtleneck shirt, a thick belt, and a long black jacket to complete the ensemble. The monochromatic aura set off Vi's pink hair and broad shoulders perfectly.

• Tell me, by all the gods, we're staying with this one -

Caitlyn nodded with an indelible smile.

• We'll get you some dress shoes and maybe a silver necklace and you'll be perfect for dinner with my parents -

Vi sighed an exaggerated sigh of relief and retraced her steps to change.

The Pinkette avoided looking at the price before she could regret it. It was Caitlyn who paid for the outfit, not taking no for an answer.

Getting the shoes and the silver necklace was much easier and in less than half an hour they were free to go home and get ready. The autumn sun was at its peak anyway, and after getting rid of the heavy burden for tonight, neither of them felt like going back so early. It was barely 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

• Shall we go for ice cream? The park is close by - 

Vi's smile could have lit up the whole town.

•  Sounds like a perfect plan -

The looks of the civilians didn't go unnoticed either. There was an aura of uncertain doubt around them, Vi didn't usually wander around the city when she was off duty, and Caitlyn didn't usually have time to waste on such banal things. In every way, it was a singular event

Dodging the crowd, they reached the park, Vi ordered a double vanilla cone, dipped in a layer of chocolate, colored sprinkles and accompanied by red berries. Caitlyn ordered hers plain, sprinkled with granola and accompanied by a variety of fruits.

Sitting on an empty bench, shoulder to shoulder, the Sheriff couldn't take her eyes off Vi, who devoured the ice cream with grace and big bites.

• Haven't you had enough? -
• Of what?

Vi didn't even stop swallowing to answer.

Caitlyn pointed to the ice cream bowl.

• Of the sweet stuff, you always eat so much of it and I've never seen you get so full -

Vi was silent for a moment before she laughed and shrugged.

•  I don't think so, ever - she replied - when I was a child we couldn't even afford to buy sugar, sweets were never a constant. I guess since the first time I tasted it, and now that I can eat it whenever I want, I've fallen in love -

Caitlyn felt bad. Sometimes it frightened her how her life had been filled with so many luxuries that she had taken for granted, more than enough to not even see them as such. Sugar, it was just a card in a semi-infinite deck of choices, on the side of the creamer, within reach to take a spoonful and add to her coffee or not.

She had never stopped to think about the possibility, in a world where it was an inaccessible resource, but what an idiot, of course it was possible.

Why had she assumed that her life had always had the deck of options that she herself had tried from the moment she'd come out of the womb?

She turned around, ready to apologize for her rash question, just as Vi reached out to her and just like that ... Licked her cheek.

It was so sudden that Caitlyn's mouth dropped open, shocked and embarrassed in equal parts, the train of her thoughts coming to a complete stop and dissolving into a meaningless cotton ball.

She looked at her companion, blinking in search of answers, but unable to articulate a complete word.

• You had ice cream on your cheek - Vi explained with a naughty grin - We don't want the Sheriff of Piltover to go through life with ice cream on her cheek?

Caitlyn forced herself to breathe again and snorted.

• You're an idiot, you know that? –
• You're adorable when you blush, you know that? -

Caitlyn rolled her eyes even though her cheeks got two degrees hotter.

• Shut up, I'm not adorable -
• Adorable, lying and freezing. I told you to wear a jacket -

Cait looked away, in a feeble attempt to hide the icy fingers clinging to her trembling arms. How did this girl know everything?

• We take a walk to warm up? - she suggested, avoiding the question.

Vi knew Cait was running away from the conversation, but she didn't say anything anyway, just nodded and jumped up.

They hadn't even walked three feet before Vi took off her jacket and threw it over Caitlyn's shoulders.

• How is it possible that you're always cold? -

Cait sighed at the touch of the warm fabric and the scent of her companion and quickly tucked her arms inside for warmth.

• How is it that you're always warm? -

Vi shrugged exaggeratedly.

Cait laughed

• Thanks anyway -
• It's nothing Cupcake, you look better than me –

That wasn't true, the red jacket was at least a size too big, covering her arms past the wrist and hitting her thighs with every step. But it was so damn comfortable that Caitlyn prayed she wouldn't have to take it off anytime soon.

Admiring the faint tinge of nervousness that flared in her companion as a pair of older women walked past her, whispering without restraint, she reached out for Vi, catching her arm and holding on with a barely perceptible flutter.

Pinkette blushed, but squared her shoulders to make the grip more comfortable.

• This isn't going to look good on the news, Cupcake -

And of course the Sheriff knew, knew what they looked like. She knew exactly what they were playing at.

Caitlyn was wearing Vi's red jacket, which anyone in Piltover could recognize without a second glance. From the first day Vi set foot in Piltover, she'd worn that jacket over her shoulders. It was as distinctive as the VI tattoo on her cheek, and she knew it.

She knew that everyone could see that what she was wearing was not remotely her jacket, she knew what people would think of Caitlyn and Vi walking through the park on her day of disability. She knew what was going on from the moment she reached out to take her arm.

• Actually, I think we came out great from this angle. Maybe by the end of the day you'll have another photo to put in a portrait holder -

Vi burst out laughing to her relief, intertwining her fingers with Caitlyn's in a much closer and more comfortable position.

• You're crazy, Cupcake, everyone's looking -

That was true. But with that beautiful sideways smile Vi was giving her, she couldn't resist and reached up to kiss her chin.

• Let them watch then - whispered against her ear.

Violet blushed up to her ears, making the Sheriff laugh endearingly. The blush was hers and her's alone, only she could provoke such vulnerability in the woman who had defeated Piltover's most powerful criminal with a single blow.

She didn't give a damn if this was on every news station in the country, in all of Runeterra if possible.

• I'm not scared to be seen with you, Vi - Caitlyn made it clear - The only people I could care about are my parents, and if they couldn't keep you away from me all these years, they won't now that they want to have dinner with you. -

Vi let out a sigh, a laugh, a relief.

• You never cease to amaze me, Cupcake - she admitted - you're quite a box of surprises -
• Is that bad? -
• I've never liked surprises -

A silence, a sly smile

Cait stopped to look at her.

• And yet you're here.
• Yes, I'm here - Having said that, Vi tucked a strand of indigo blue hair behind her ear - You are the exception that disarms all my beliefs –

Caitlyn smiled from side to side, humming along with the walk, this time moving closer to rest her head on her shoulder.

Vi pulled her close with a feathery touch on her lower back, wrapping a muscular arm around her hips as they simply walked through the park.

There were no stares, at least none that mattered.

In a moment like this, Caitlyn simply floated in a sea of pink hair, the softness of gray eyes, and the warmth of a body unlike her own.

Yes... Nothing mattered to her when she had Vi by her side.

Chapter Text

Both were disappointed when the alarm Caitlyn had set went off, announcing five o'clock and the farewell for their homecoming, breaking the delicate sea of emotions they had been playing in.

They moved around each other with dangerous tension, two steps ahead and one behind, a turn followed by a dash. The waste of a wink, the flutter of a casual laugh, glances averted to the ground, bonds broken by foreign intrusion. In this case, the disappointing end of a clock that marks the start of the end or the beginning of everything. For better or worse, this could only just be seen.

Vi drove Caitlyn to her apartment, even though her own was much closer. And she announced that she would pick her up at 6:15 to be in time for her parents' dinner.

The Zaunite cared little for punctuality, presentation, or politeness, but if anything was important to Caitlyn, it was important to Vi. It was that simple.

She left with a flourish, a thrown kiss and a wink and walked home, lost in thought and the beating of her heart.

She didn't notice her jacket was missing until the cold blizzard made the hairs on her arms stand up on end.

And she couldn't have cared less.

She returned home and changed her clothes, putting on her shoes and silver necklace. She looked at her reflection for longer than she would ever want to accept, and after hesitating, she took some hair wax and, praying she wouldn't regret it, combed it back, at least enough to get it out of her face. Remember, Cassandra had once complained that going through life with messy hair made her look like a wild hairball instead of a person.

Looking at it now, it might be an effort to at least get it out of her face. She also didn't want to look disheveled or like she didn't care - not that she cared, but it mattered to Cait and of course she cared about Caitlyn. - It was a win-win -

She put on her black coat, perfumed herself and headed for Caitlyn's house. Remembering too late that she might want to take something to Mr. and Mrs. Kiramman, she diverted her path to buy a bouquet of flowers, hesitating before choosing a bunch of violets. It was trite, she had already given Caitlyn a violet that morning.... But they were her favorite flowers.

They had once been her mother's favorite flowers, and the color reminded her of Vander; he had always said that he adored the color violet for its significance in the spectrum. Violets not only gave him his name, they were Vi's favorite flower because they reminded her of her family.

She bought two boxes of chocolates; Caitlyn had told her that the nut-filled ones were her favorite because the raisin-filled ones were her father's favorite. She regretted not buying a gift bag as well and continued on her way to Caitlyn's house. The sheriff was already waiting for her at the front door, although she seemed to have just put away the keys to the Pent House, so she probably wouldn't be there long.

She glanced at the clock on the hall wall.

6:14

Caitlyn raised an eyebrow when she saw her arrive with the gifts and Vi blushed.

• If you dare to tease me, I will literally jump out the window - she warned as soon as she saw her.

Cait smiled, reached up to kiss her cheek, and accepted the box of chocolates with nuts inside.

• It's not that, I'm just surprised... About everything -
• It's your parents, Cait - Vi sighed - your family. This is important, just... I'm trying not to mess it up -

The smile that formed on the sheriff's lips wiped out any discomfort Vi might have been feeling. Her beautiful blue eyes warmed to a calm, gentle, warm evil. The kind you'd see at sunset on a summer evening. They were so warm that Violet felt like she could melt in her gaze.

• They're going to love you Vi - Caitlyn smiled - I know because .... -

A dry throat stopped the sheriff with red cheeks.

Violet laughed with some nervousness.

• Because...? -

"Because I love you" Caitlyn wanted to answer, but was embarrassed.

• You always find a way to find a place in people's hearts - She repaired with a half-smile.

That wasn't really a lie.

Vi seemed relieved.

• The diabolical charm - She laughed and winked - I got that from my father -

Caitlyn rolled her eyes, closed the door behind her and tossed the box of chocolates into the bag she was carrying.

• Of course you did -

Caitlyn was wearing a simple deep black fitted dress, beautifully adorned with silver earrings and a necklace similar to the one Vi was wearing, black patent leather 7 inch heels and a silver chain and suede handbag slung over her shoulder.

Balancing the bouquet and the box of chocolates in one hand, the pink-haired woman extended her hand to the sheriff, who gladly accepted it.

They walked down the steps of the building and hailed a cab directly to the Kiramman mansion. The ride was a short one, as they chatted and laughed about anything and everything. All tension vanished, at least for a few minutes.

The golden carved gate with two "K's" through it appeared in what felt like the blink of an eye.

Vi's stomach turned.

It was the moment of truth.

She felt incredible as she knocked on the front door, glancing at the watch in her pocket, it was 6:53. She had never been early for anything in her life, was this how she felt? Like a terrible embarrassment of shame?

Caitlyn's parents opened the door less than a minute later and looked at..... Surprised

• Just in time - Cassandra said, looking at them from side to side.
• Good evening, Dad, Mom - Caitlyn smiled, looking proud - This is Vi, I know you already know her, but she's my right hand -

Vi flashed her best smile.

• Good evening, Councilman Kiramman - The pink-haired woman held out the bouquet - I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I brought these for you.

Should I say she brought them as a "Please don't point a gun in my face again" request?

... Probably not

• Violets... - Cassandra accepted the bouquet with a hesitant gesture, she didn't look entirely convinced -

Vi swallowed her nerves and smiled sideways...

• They were my mother's favorite flowers.

It was a terrible excuse, and only because it was the only truth.

Caitlyn couldn't help but be surprised, Vi's parents as well as her past were a secret that the pink-haired didn't talk about. Never.

"'Were” her mother's dead? She also thought of the picture she had seen in Vi's house, of the man alone in the picture. Vi looked only 12 years old in the picture.... So young to lose

The matriarch's face softened considerably and she gave a brief smile.

• Thank you for the gift Vi, you are very welcome in this house.

Tobias also smiled as he stepped into the spotlight.

• Good evening, Mr. Kiramman - The Pinkette squared her shoulders and held out the box of chocolates - I brought these for you -
• Oh, they're my favorite, with raisins - Tobias smiled - Thank you, Vi -
• Cait always reminds me of these chocolates - Violet laughed, feeling less nervous - She always says, "I like the nutty ones best, because Dad prefers the raisin ones" -
• Actually i'm surprised you remembered - Caitlyn admitted, looking at her - I only said it once, you know? -
• Priorities? -

The zaunite shrugged gracefully, the sheriff laughed, Tobias too.

• Please, come in - The man smiled - We were eager to finally meet you Vi, we never had much time to talk before -.

"Because you saw me as a criminal who put your daughter in danger" the pink-haired woman thought, but smiled anyway.

As they crossed the threshold, Caitlyn smiled back at her.

Gods, this was going to be a long night of emotions for her poor heart. The things she was able to do for Caitlyn Kiramman amazed her more and more every day.

She still felt a little ridiculous, strange in shoes that didn't even feel like her own. But it wasn't a bad feeling.

She was proud to prove to this city that she would fight to earn their trust. Whatever it took.

Even beyond her job, Vi wanted to show Caitlyn's parents that the trust their daughter had given her meant more than anything now.

She wanted them to understand how important Caitlyn Kiramman was to Violet, because she was important as her sheriff, boss, and partner. But Caitlyn was even more important as a person For Vi .... For Vi is everything.

They had to understand that. And if that meant dressing up in ridiculously expensive clothes and behaving absurdly. For Caitlyn? Whatever it takes

Chapter Text

The start of dinner wasn't a total disaster, they were ushered in and everyone stayed to eat, and Vi had never prayed so hard to all the gods, old and new, that she wouldn't get the wrong spoon.

What the fuck did the Pilties do with forks? She would never understand.

But she had to learn to respect it.

She must have looked like a little girl eating, copying Caitlyn's every move, from the way she picked up the silverware to the way she ate the food, or what to eat and what not to eat. When to dip, when to slurp.... The pressure of a fight was something she breathed every morning, when to dodge, when to punch, she was a native speaker of violence. Perhaps that was why it weighed so heavily on her to have to be so delicate with something inanimate; Stillwater's old habits would never go away too easily, the need to swallow rather than chew for the ever-present fear that someone might come to take what was yours.

It wasn't always like this.

Vi could remember. Frying eggs while her father sang old songs and dried glasses. Back then, when Vander was alive.... Vi didn't gobble, she ate like a normal person, though sometimes she had to use the spoon as a knife and the knife as a fork. She could sit and laugh and talk.

But Vi could not remember the last time she had a family dinner. And she could say without a doubt that she had never had one as fancy as this one.

She knew that Caitlyn and her parents talked from time to time, about work, about the city, about paperwork, about things for which Vi had nothing but snappy smiles and gentle jokes.

It wasn't until after dinner that she was able to form a complete sentence.

• The food was delicious -

Even if it was something so vague and clichéd.

• I'm glad you liked it - Tobias smiled - I cooked it myself -
• My father used to say that the only good fillet steak is the one you cook at home -
• Her father is a wise man -
• He loved to cook - Vi continued, driven by the need to say more than two words at this dinner - He was the one who taught me -
• Really? I didn't know you cooked your own food - Cassandra said.

Vi nodded, too busy to figure out if that was bad by Piltie standards or not.

• I guess it's just laziness, the peace of cooking is always a nice break after work -
• I have to admit it's unexpected - Tobias thought - I would never have imagined it, cooking is a delicate art after all -
• I guess it's what I like, after a day of chasing bad guys and breaking walls it's good to relax the muscles -

Tobias hummed in agreement.

• That's nice -
• I gave it up for a while - Vi admitted; of course that time was when she was in prison, but the Kirammans didn't need to know that - But I'm taking it up again now, I've even started following new recipes -
• What would life be without change? That's what I always say - Tobias laughed - Have you tried the Pasta Bolognese from Dr. Rodriguez's magazine? -
• Exquisite! - Vi smiles - The pasta is so soft and the spices give it a touch that... -

Caitlyn was pleasantly amused to see her father and her companion talking and laughing so jovially over a common hobby was as surprising as it was enjoyable.

• I tried to teach Caity to cook, but oh gods, it was impossible - Tobias laughed, bringing his daughter back to reality.
• Yeah well, Cupcake can even burn hot water - Vi scoffed - And she always forgets her breakfast -
• Caity! You have to eat something dear -

Caitlyn's smile widened as she looked at the zaunite.

• Well, I guess someone is taking care of her pretty well -
• One day I'll forget to bring you breakfast and you'll regret trusting me with your health, you know? - Vi nudged her gently with her shoulder
• It's been so many years and you've never forgotten since the first time I told you I hadn't eaten breakfast - Cait laughed - You make it hard for me to get used to bringing it when I know you'll do it for me, besides your food is richer than anything I'll ever try to prepare -
• Yeah well, no one in this city wants the Sheriff of Piltover to faint in the middle of a mission - Vi softened her gaze - Besides, I'm doing the world a favor, it's amazing that you're able to ruin the taste of tea -
• I should fire you as my second in command and hire you as my personal chef, it seems.
• I can cook for you whenever you want, but I don't think that's a good idea, someone needs to have your back.
• And that someone is you? - Caitlyn laughed
• I'm your right hand for a reason Cupcake, you know there's no one better than me -
• I wonder. Why? - Cassandra stopped their playful conversation with a serious expression -

Vi almost choked on her saliva

• Why are you the best to protect my daughter? –
• Because I would give my life for Caitlyn Councilor Kiramman - Vi answered unequivocally.

Cassandra was silent for a moment, her blue eyes searching the gray ones. They were almost identical to her daughter's, yet completely different. The Counselor's blue was icy as a glacier and hard as a tsunami.

It was the look Caitlyn used to scold the newbies, to fight with the Council. It was the look she had never given Vi before, and it shook her to the core.

• Why Caitlyn? Why is Caitlyn so important to you? Why are you protecting her beyond the scope of your job? -
• Caitlyn Kiramman saved my life, not only by getting me out of prison, but by giving me a reason to keep going. She made me remember that I can be more than a thug, that I can fight for life and not give in to death. There is nothing in this world more important to me than that, there is no one in this city I appreciate more than her. -

Vi said, squaring her shoulders, though her gaze softened without a trace of doubt in her voice.

• I owe her my life, and more than that, that's why I swore absolute loyalty to her from the first moment. I would kill and die for your daughter, Councillor Kiramman -
• That's a noble sentiment, but how do I know that you mean it from your heart?

Cassandra thought, unconvinced by the softness that softened Vi's fierce gaze.

• We have little in Zaun, nothing to be honest. But I was brought up with a single coin of value. Believe it or not, a Zaunite's loyalty cannot be bought with gold or blood or even the heaviest of family names. And Caitlyn earned mine the only way it can be. Respect.
• Respect? - Tobias asked.
• I respect your daughter deeply, almost as deeply as she is precious to me. But it's always been this way, the values she professes, her actions for this nation and her good heart, I can respect all of that, that's why I'm loyal to her.

A moment of silence, it was as if Violet could see the gears in Kiramman's brain turning as she scanned her gaze for the slightest lie. It was the anticipation that caused her to dive in head first.

• Stillwater took a lot from me, not just my freedom -

Vi admitted in a complete burst of sincerity. After all, she had never learned to keep her mouth shut.

• My name, my identity, was just a number, "516," a color. One more inmate, and nothing inside or outside mattered, but most of all, it took something away from me. Hope -

A sigh, a pain, the need to run.

But Vi doesn't run away, not this time.

Caitlyn's parents are important to Caitlyn.

Now they're important to Vi, as well.

She wants them to understand, at least she hopes they will.

• Caitlyn Kiramman gave me all that back in one night, and more, she reminded me of who I was, but most of all she showed me something that no one could ever show me again, and that was a world full of hope. A world where people can have a second chance, where the looming threat of death isn't waiting behind every corner to slit your throat, a kind world where there are cuddles instead of beatings. I want to fight for that kind of world, and I would fight for Caitlyn because she is the kind of person worth fighting for, even if it means losing my life, because Caitlyn Kiramman is the kind of woman worth dying for -

The Sheriff couldn't even breathe, it was as if the whole world had stopped in the space of gray eyelashes and the honesty of a kind heart. Violet was brutal, even with her words, and she bled sincerity and appreciation as she spoke.

Caitlyn felt so much, so much that it was even too much. It was a visceral feeling, so much emotion she could cry, so much warmth in her chest it was almost physically painful, and like an abstract painting, when she thought it might break, her heart kaleidoscopically filled her life with new colors.

As if the Sheriff's whole world had been nothing but white, suddenly it's like everything has color again.

Then she knows with a terrible certainty. That she is so in love with the woman who is her best friend and her right hand, that she is so fucking in love with Vi, that she's suddenly afraid to get reckless and kiss her partner in front of her parents.

It's a feeling so pure that it threatens to burst out of her chest, filling her brain with absorbent cotton and her eyes with tears; she only manages to take the brawler's hand between her trembling ones, and the calm gray sea that welcomed her was so warm that she could melt into it, and she swears that a tear rolled down her cheek.

• I know my failures and my mistakes very well. But I believe that there is no better partner than me, because even though I will never be good enough to be with Caitlyn, at least I strive to be better every day, to give her the best version of me that I can be, and thus deserve the pleasure of being by her side...

Caitlyn was at a loss for words. Was it partners they kept talking about? Coworkers?

Her heart wasn't quite sure, all she knew was that it wanted to fly out of her chest and land on the pink-haired woman's lips.

Cassandra cleared her throat, stealing her attention again.

• You have a good heart Vi - the matriarch said - but you're wrong about one thing -

Cait was scared, gods.

• I cannot think of a better person in all of Runeterra to protect my daughter than you –

Vi could have sworn it was a smile, fleeting and as fleeting as the blink of an eye, but it was a smile on the lips of the coldest woman she had ever met. There she was, Cassandra Councilwoman Kiramman. Smiling at her

• We owe you a lot for the way you take care of our Caity, as parents I hope you understand our position and how much we appreciate what you do for her - Tobias finished, taking his wife's hand between his own.
• Of course I understand, Mr. Kiramman, but I don't need any kind of thanks, knowing that I'm doing my job well is reward enough -

Vi's gaze softened so much that the metal in her gray eyes melted into a mere cloud.

Caitlyn wanted to kiss that kind smile, she wanted to hug it until she smothered it, put it in a little box and keep it with her forever.

She wanted to laugh and cry and do it all at once.... But all she could say was

• You're such an idiot -

Vi laughed, with a simplicity that was only hers.

• Yes Cupcake, I'm a complete idiot for you -

And the gods knew they were no longer talking about work.

Chapter Text

After that very deep talk where Vi had revealed her feelings in open-heart surgery. Actually, everything had ended more than well.

Tobias had hugged her tightly, and if the Zaunite's heart had cried a little for the ghost of someone who would never hold her like that again, she hadn't let anyone see it.

Cassandra had kissed her cheek and told her that she was welcome to join them for another dinner, and Tobias had even started making plans for Vi to be his kitchen assistant one day soon.

Vi, who had had enough excitement for seven lifetimes, gladly accepted the invitation. Even if the food was complicated and she still knew how to use all the silverware, her effort and the uncomfortable clothes, it was worth it to see Caitlyn's smile. To see her eyes shining bright enough to light up the whole city.

Everything was worth doing just for her.

Besides. It was nice to feel accepted. To know that the most important people in Cupcake's life had finally begun to understand her.

• I didn't know you could be so sensitive, I have to admit -

Caitlyn couldn't help but smile as they stepped back out onto the cold street.

• Really, you surprised me and I know you surprised my parents as well -
• It wasn't anything special - Vi shrugged - I was just telling the truth -
• I know -

And she knew it. Caitlyn knew that this was the truth of Vi's feelings. She didn't doubt her words one bit and that scared the hell out of her.

Caitlyn shivered and before she could ask, Vi's coat was draped over her shoulders.

• You're spoiling me, Vi - the sheriff groaned, but she tucked her hands into her sleeves anyway - I'll get used to it -
• I think it's too late, you're already spoiled Cupcake -
• Can I be even more spoiled and ask you to walk me home? The evening is beautiful and I feel like walking -

Vi smiled and stretched out one arm in an exaggerated way.

• You know I couldn't say no to you, princess -

Caitlyn took her hand, surprisingly warm between her icy fingers, and wrapped it around her shoulders with an indelible smile.

• Quite the gentleman -

Vi laughed, Caitlyn too.

They walked shoulder to shoulder under the stillness of the moon, talking of nothing and everything, losing their tension and excitement with each step until they returned to the comfortable comfort of their intertwined hands.

The most beautiful thing about the night was that in this solitude, their secret was safe under the moonlight.

There was no avoiding the glances, or the flirting, or the way their shoulders pressed closer together, not even when Caitlyn buried her cheek in Vi's shoulder and was hugged around the waist as a reward.

It was hers, hers alone.

Blushing cheeks against blushing cheeks.

Soft hands with rough, scarred hands.

If this was the kind of world Vi was talking about, Caitlyn was more than happy to stay in it for the rest of her life.

She couldn't help but sigh as she saw her home in front of her. Gods knew she didn't want to say goodbye, even though it was already night.

But Vi had to say goodbye and although Caitlyn wanted to be avaricious, she took off her coat and gave it back to her.

• See you soon -
• At the end of this week, back to work Cupcake - Vi half laughed - Try to rest Princess, the gods know you need it -
• You too Vi -

Caitlyn breathed in cold air and spread her hands, she didn't want Vi to turn around and leave.

But she did, leaving a kiss of cold lips on the freckled cheek as she watched her walk away.

She wanted to grab her by the sleeve, beg her to spend the night with her, to hold her like she did in the hospital.

To tell her that she didn't want the whole galaxy, that she wanted the moon that offered her silver eyes.

That she doesn't want the angels and the sky.

She wants to burn on the edges of the hell of her pink hair.

That Caitlyn never wanted paradise

Not if it doesn't include Vi in the middle.

With her emotions as clear as they are terrifying, her chest shakes left and right with the revolution of a hurricane making landfall.

She closes the door behind her back, takes off her dress, walks barefoot to her bed and tucks herself under the covers with a last sigh that carves her name like a precious secret locked inside her chest.

As if it were a sin to say it too loudly, as if calling Vi a little louder would suddenly open the door and reveal all her truth.

Cait wasn't ready for that, she couldn't lose her best friend over this. But she was still too much of a coward to let go of the warmth in her chest, to fight the smile on her face.

She wasn't even brave enough to let go of a red jacket that didn't belong to her, because Vi was right.

These years together had spoiled her and left her always looking for more, one more little piece of this pink-haired Zaunita, one more hug, one more tight kiss, closer, warmer, more hers.

She hugged the red leather like a lovesick fifteen-year-old and let sleep overtake her eyelids. They could win the duel for now.

The next morning she would have paid for not waking up next to the sun, but her mother ensured that she would not have that pleasure. When she answered Cassandra's call, it was 8 am.

But Vi is a wounded animal. Even under the flirtatious, arrogant mask, she's just a wounded animal. Fearful and defensive. She might scare her if she took too many steps in a single day, so he lets her go with a sigh and the promise of seeing her again written on her lips.

• Hello?

God, she was exhausted.

• I hope Vi has a better suit than the one she brought to the dinner, the motion was passed. Vi will receive a medal in front of the city directly from the council for her work all these years as an enforcer - explained the councilwoman.

Caitlyn jumped when she heard the news.

• I beg your pardon? Mother that... -
• A meeting will be called in front of the government palace at 10 a.m. for both of them to attend. The Council will give a live lecture, dictating both the condemnation and all of Urgot's criminal acts, ending with the surviving squadron giving their testimony. You will close the conference by quoting what has happened, your speech must be up to the task -

Caitlyn inhaled, rearranging her thoughts in a vague attempt to follow her mother's lead.

• How personal can it be? -

Cassandra thought for a few minutes before humming.

• As much as you want to, the rumors between you and Vi are already out there, and it's national news that she stayed with you the whole time you were in the hospital, not that your partner did anything to cover it up. -

Cait half smiled. She was starting to get an idea.

• Okay.
• Then the Council will give the medal to Vi, and the conference will be over, it is expected to last a few hours, so at one o'clock a gala dinner will be organized, where I expect the presence of both of them, in remembrance and thanks to Vi, as well as to celebrate the receipt of her medal -

Caitlyn sighed again, she had hoped to have a quiet and personal meal and celebration with the brawler, but her plans, as always, never went as expected.

However, she half smiled, Vi had never been remembered or praised in all her years in the profession. She deserved it, Cait wanted the Zaunite to know that she was not an outsider in Piltover, and that her worth depended not on Caitlyn alone, but on all the good she did for this town.

• Understood mom, we'll be there -
• Great, I'll see you on Friday.

And with that, Cassandra hung up, leaving Caitlyn speechless.

Friday?

That was in two days!

She had to prepare her speech and both her and Vi's wardrobes for the gala and the medal cerem

Vi would have to wear her enforcer's uniform for the morning, but in the afternoon her mother would expect nothing less than a gala. It was clear that her Pinkette wouldn't touch the clothes with a ten-foot pole.

She jumped out of bed to grab her phone, gods, she had several calls to make.

END OF ARC 2: THE KIRAMMAN´S

Chapter Text

ARC 3: A MEDAL OF HONOR FOR COURAGE

If she's 100% honest, Vi doesn't understand a damn thing, because she's summoned to the Council at 9:30 on the Friday of what was supposed to be her break.

People murmur as they pass, all with different theories. The one she hears most as she passes is that Urgot will be put on trial, but that's too fancy for a trial, even for Piltover.

Caitlyn didn't give her much explanation either when she informed her that her attendance was mandatory and remarked how important punctuality was, she was also completely blunt when she asked Vi to wear her full uniform, from the black leather boots, the signature blue pants, the white logo t-shirt, and the blue jacket with gold shoulder pads, she even asked her to wear her cap. Gods, Vi never wore that damn hat.

Her hands were sweating as she walked towards the increasingly imposing Council building.

Was she in trouble?

Had she done something wrong and no one told her?

Thousands of thoughts - all terrible - were running through her mind, and they only doubled as she got closer, people staring at her as she passed, whispering, some laughing, others just watching.

It was almost as if she was walking straight to her death sentence.

Her impassive nervousness settled when she saw Caitlyn waiting patiently for her outside the huge wooden doors.

• Cupcake -

Vi greeted with a half smile, Caitlyn turned with a slight twitch at the sound of her partner's voice, the smile filling her cheeks at the sight of her, erasing any sign of nervousness.

• Are you going to tell me what this is all about? You're starting to scare me -

Caitlyn didn't say much as she smoothed Vi's shoulder pads, knotted her loose tie and closed the last button of her shirt. The sheriff was wearing her neat uniform, the blue dress with white ruffles that had earned her its nickname, she even wore her tall top hat, the brown leather gloves and the boots that raised her a few inches to almost reach her partner's chin.

• It's no big deal Vi, you're here to give your testimony about what happened during the raid on Urgot -

Vi looked at Caitlyn, who was meticulously arranging each piece of her uniform, straightening her insignia, arranging her badge, running her fingers through the creases.

• It's... Too meticulous for a trial, Cait - Vi insisted, looking at her with concern - If I'm in trouble, you can tell me -

The Sheriff paused for a second and looked at her in utter confusion before her expression relaxed into something much kinder. A gap-toothed smile, one she only gives to Violet, and one capable of melting her to the core.

• It's nothing bad, Vi, I can assure you that you're not being accused of anything, I can't give out a lot of information. This is important to the Council and the City. But please trust me -

Vi knew Caitlyn was hiding something in the quick flutter of her eyelashes and the tap of her feet on the asphalt. Her girl knew a little more than she was telling her.

But... Violet would trust Caitlyn with her life blindfolded; she'd done it before, and she'd never let her down.

Besides, Caitlyn's feathery touch, loosening knots of tension Violet didn't know she had, could relax her even if the whole world came crashing down on her. Those blue eyes weren't lying to her when they swore she was safe.

So she sighed and nodded.

She'd follow those azure irises to the edge of hell with a single glance.

Caitlyn led them inside after studying her partner's uniform, their hands held together the whole way.

The Sheriff seated them in the front chairs.

Vi had never been in the Council Chamber before. Caitlyn had been there often, and she had seen it on a few television shows. It was where they tried criminals, but the Zaunite didn't like to participate, it was Caitlyn who handled her cases in front of the bench, and she certainly did it like an expert.

Entering through a pair of double doors, there were at least 100 black leather seats in two rows separated by a wide aisle. The audience descended in steps several inches thick until they reached the front seats, which were attached to a railing.

At the front were two tables, one for the defendants and one for Piltover's security, and in front of these was a wide dais with the six seats of the Piltover councillors, next to a platform with a microphone on which they passed the witnesses. The accused was placed in the center of the circle.

Caitlyn could feel the vibrations of Vi's heels as they lifted and hit the floor in a repetitive motion, so she slid a hand over her partner's clothed thigh and grabbed the opposite wrist, holding on with a gentle touch. She didn't want Vi to be afraid, it hurt her that her girl thought she was here for nothing but trouble, and yet gods knew she wanted to see Vi's true reaction to the medal.

She endured the secrecy as best she could as the councilors and witnesses slowly filled the room.

At ten o'clock on the dot, the chimes of the capital sounded and one of the councilors took the floor to begin the conference.

As her mother had warned, the conference lasted more than an hour, resuming the story of Urgot from its beginnings causing problems, first in Zaun to the point of reaching Piltover, becoming one of the most dangerous criminals and that had caused more deaths, material and physical losses, in all the history that had the city of progress.

He was accused of terrorism, homicide in various degrees, multiple violations of the law, smuggling of illegal weapons. The list of crimes was so long that it alone took more than half an hour.

Vi seemed to relax as the conference progressed, perhaps too much, Caitlyn would swear she was struggling not to nod off.

An hour and a half later, witnesses began to pass by. The guards who had guarded the prison on the day of Urgot's escape told how the followers had come out of nowhere. The guards of the first recon team, a group of five with a single survivor. And finally, the Special Forces team that included Caitlyn and Vi.

They all gave their version of events, how they had been called in with a red alert, how they had arrived quickly and how things had gone wrong until Vi had finally arrived to save the day.

Some had seen her fistfight with Urgot, others remembered only how she helped the medical team clear the debris to free the wounded, and others how she had defeated more than a dozen followers as soon as she entered the prison.

When it was Caitlyn's turn to give her testimony, I could see her Pinkette in the distance growing increasingly nervous, biting her nails and bouncing in her seat, convinced she was in trouble.

• Our first indication that Urgot would be released was the arrest of one of his followers who had wandered too close to the town of Piltover. Who, after an interrogation with my partner Vi, gave us the clue that Urgot would be released that very day. And finally, we mobilized our best unit in the shortest possible time after receiving the whistle from the reconnaissance team.

The councilors listened in silence, all of them, for there was nothing to discuss. As their mother had said, this was not about whether Urgot deserved to be in prison or not, or whether he had been freed by his followers. They were here to remind the people how crucial Vi's participation in the operation had been.

• Upon arrival, my partner Vi cleared the way for the Special Forces and prevented the arrival of the rest of Urgot's followers by covering the main entrance while the tactical team and I entered the special prison as sheriff. -
• What did you see when you entered, Sheriff? - asked one of the council members.
• The prison had been completely taken over, the guards had been knocked out or seriously injured and were acting as hostages. The scouting party had been wiped out, and the followers were preparing Urgot's release. The only thing preventing the criminal from getting out was a control panel in front of his cell -
• The control panel was JUST outside his cell? -
• It was poor design on the part of Piltover's security, I'm afraid - Caitlyn explained - My team did their best to stop them, but the followers outnumbered us, and one of them finally activated Urgot's release mechanism. After that, everything went haywire -
• The Special Forces team was able to hold off the followers, but they were incapacitated by Urgot, I understand? - asked Councillor Medarda.

Caitlyn sighed and nodded.

• The tactical advantage gained by taking them by surprise was wiped out the moment Urgot was released. He used his physical enhancements to take out more than half the team; that was when my partner Violet arrived to confront the criminal.
• You gave the order for Violet to enter the prison, Sheriff Kiramman? -
• Reinforcements were requested from the moment we entered the Special Prison when we saw that we were outnumbered, but the official request for their entry was never verbalized on my part.
• I must ask the witness, Officer Violet, to give her side of the story at this time.

Vi stood up nervously, was ushered to the front of the council table, was handed a microphone, and the question was asked again.

• What made you enter the prison and abandon your original position? -
• When Cup-Caitlyn asked me to prevent the arrival of the rest of Urgot's followers - Vi began, trying to remain serious despite her nerves - I did, I knew that Caitlyn could keep the rest of the followers at bay, so I did the same with my side. The ships with the rest of the followers fled to the harbor after the first wave was completely stopped.
• Did you stop all those followers by yourself? -
• That's right - Vi confirmed - Most of them surrendered after they saw there was no chance to continue.
• Could you give an estimate of the number of followers who have given up thanks to you? - Cassandra asked

Vi hesitated

• 100, maybe more, the ships were overcrowded -

There was a moment of silence

• You may return to your seat for the moment, Miss Violet.

Vi left the microphone with the guard and returned to her seat.

She had been questioned, but she didn't feel scolded. Maybe she was just thinking too much about it and this was just another test, maybe it was always like that.

Caitlyn regained the floor with a clear throat.

• As I said, it was with the arrival of my partner Vi that the real battle against the criminal Urgot began, feeling himself cornered, he began firing powered bullets into the prison walls, knocking down several. My partner stepped forward sooner than anyone could have predicted, and one of her gauntlets was shattered as she tried to stop one of the bullets aimed at the main exit.
• Can you explain why that exit is important, Sheriff? -
• If the main exit was destroyed, the access to the rest of the prison would also be destroyed. All sorts of criminals would be released, years of work and service would be wasted, and the safety of the entire town would be compromised.
• Miss Violet sacrificed one of her gauntlets to prevent this trial. Did I get that right? - Cassandra corrected
• The criminal's bullets are very powerful, the gauntlet shattered. The Sheriff sighed - It was when Urgot noticed her and the rest of the followers tried to restrain her, Vi defended herself, but the remaining gauntlet was caught by the criminal's improved mechanism, forcing her to release it to avoid being swallowed, during this struggle Violet was thrown against some debris and was unwell for several minutes -
• What happened during those minutes? –
• I have to admit that it all happened too fast, the criminal's followers began to dwindle in numbers and strength due to the continued efforts of the remaining team and Vi's involvement. But then Urgot fired a bullet too close to the main position of the retreating corps, and I was wounded by the impact, falling to the rubble and losing consciousness. I am afraid that this is all I can remember of the event until the medical team arrived.
• Can you tell us what you remember when you woke up? -
• The first thing I found was my partner Vi, she had pulled me out of the rubble and was holding me with her arms, protecting me with her body until the medics arrived. She was the one who pulled me out of the facility and brought me to them.
• Do you remember anything else? -
• Everything was dark and blurry, I'm afraid, but I knew I was safe, so I begged Violet to stay with me.
• Was that it, Sheriff Kiramman? -
• I knew nothing bad would happen if Violet stayed by my side.
• Did you give a clear order for Officer Vi to stay by your side during the entire medical procedure? -
• No - The Sheriff explained - I never ordered Violet to stay by my side, it was a personal request, not as a Sheriff, but as a life partner. The willingness to comply or not was left to Vi's decision.

The councilors nodded silently.

• Thank you for your testimony Sheriff Kiramman, it was enlightening.

When Caitlyn returned to her side, Vi was asked to come forward to give her testimony.

She explained in her best words how the interrogation and subsequent arrival had gone, how she had held the fleets at bay and the rest retreated. How she had disposed of the followers in front of her as she entered, and how she had held Urgot at bay until her gauntlet was caught.

• What happened after you were injured in battle? -
• I could hear the rubble collapsing before I saw it - I explained to Vi - When I turned around I saw a scene I only expected to see in my nightmares, I could see Caitlyn falling into the pile of rubble, several fellow Vigilantes were buried under it, some wounded by shrapnel.... But Caitlyn was still alive, though wounded and knocked out. It was then that I understood that if I wanted any of us to come out of there breathing, I had to fight -
• One of you? You were hoping to come out of the mission alive, Officer Violet? -

Vi remained silent, but denied it sincerely.

• Honestly, no, things looked pretty fucked -
• But you got up and started fighting anyway. Why? - Cassandra asked.
• I knew reinforcements were on the way, I just wanted to buy some time, get as many followers out of the way as I could and pray I could hold out long enough for them to save the rest -
• Your own death didn't concern you? - Medarda said
• It's my job, every day I wake up knowing it could be my last. Knowing that I would give my life to protect this city and its people. Death is not something that scares me, Councilor. -
• Why, may I ask? - Cassandra asked.
• Because it would be worth it. - Vi shrugged - I will die sometime, today, tomorrow or fifteen years hence, but I will. From illness, accident or part of my job; but at least I know that the moment it happens I will make it worth it, I'm not afraid to die in battle if it means keeping the people I care about safe, Caitlyn, my team or the citizens. That was the charge I accepted when I took my plate. I would kill and I would die for this City Councilman –

Caitlyn was thankful that she had not told Vi about this conference. Her words had not been planned or carefully put on paper, they came from her heart and were therefore completely sincere.

Vi was not good at lying or pretending, she had a pure and honest heart. And you could see it in her eyes

• I would kill and die for Caitlyn -Vi rectified - I was more than willing to give my life if it meant there was a chance that Cait would be brought to safety, so that's what I did, tightening my bandages and fighting fist to fist. There were hardly any followers left after the debris fell, many had been incapacitated, so approaching Urgot was almost unreal, the movements were learned and mechanical, I didn't even have to think about them, so when I saw a gap I threw myself through it -
• So, as I understand it, you defeated Urgot, the most dangerous criminal in all of Piltover, a man condemned to 7 life sentences. With nothing but your bare fists? -
• I know people sometimes forget, but I have been fighting and surviving in this world since I was old enough to walk, so fighting with my bare fists is nothing new to me. They have kept me alive for over 20 years without the need for gauntlets. Of course, weapons are useful, but they would be useless if I didn't know how to fight without them.
• The gauntlets don't give you strength? Is that what you're saying? -
• Of course, they provide resistance and protection; I really hurt my hands by not wearing them, my knuckles are a mess now. But the strength to wear the gauntlets and fight comes from me. It's always been like that.

Another moment of silence, a proud smile from the Sheriff.

• What did you do after you defeated the criminal, Miss Violet? -
• I knew that Urgot would not move for several minutes, so I ran to look for Caitlyn in the rubble, I had to make sure she was all right.
• The Sheriff and several witnesses say that you protected her with you´re body, even outside the battle and when you heard the rest of the forces arriving. Can you explain why? -
• I feared for her safety, and for a moment when I heard the footsteps, I thought they might be Urgot's followers. There were hardly any Enforcers left at that point, but I had to keep Caitlyn safe, no matter what.

The councilors nodded.

• After the Sheriff left with the medical team, several witnesses claim that you helped the team's forces clear debris, even though that is not part of you´re job -
• It is so - Vi complete - The machinery and personnel to remove the debris would take too long, had the strength and skill to help transfer the wounded and we needed the time if I wanted to ensure a minimum of lives lost. It was two plus two, it doesn't matter if it's not part of my duties, I was there and I could help, so I did it.
• The medical team claims that more than 15 lives were saved thanks to your action - Cassandra clarified to the public - After that, could you explain where you went? -
• To the main hospital in Piltover to see Caitlyn.
•  The Sheriff said it was not a direct order, but a personal request. Did you know that? That it was not part of your job? –
• Of course Caitlyn has her own way of doing things as sheriff, I can always tell the difference when she asks me for something as my boss or as my partner. I knew it wasn't my job, I could totally understand that, but I wasn't willing to leave Cait alone when she was so scared and confused, I couldn't do it, not as her life partner, as she said herself -.
• So I understand that you go to the hospital right after you finish helping clear debris and transporting wounded Vigilantes, after a grueling battle, without rest, a change of clothes, or even minimal attention to your wounds, right? -
• I've been used to injuries all my life, there was nothing to worry about, so I did it, I stayed by Caitlyn's side throughout her studies and when she was put in a coma to recover from her concussion. I stayed with her day and night until she woke up.
• Weren't you tired? -
• Of course I was.
• And why not rest? If Caitlyn was already in the hospital, why not go? It's not like she'd notice - Medarda asked.

Vi gave her a mean look.

• I didn't need Cait to notice my presence or not, I wasn't there for the flattery, I was there as her companion, because Cupcake concerned me more than anything else in this city, more than bathing or changing, more than the gods than my gauntlets or whether Urgot had been captured or not. I couldn't leave Caitlyn alone until I saw her wake up, until I was sure she was okay, physically and emotionally -
• Why?
• Because it's Caitlyn, Caitlyn is the most important person in this town to me, without her.... - Vi hesitated, shuddering at the thought of losing her - I couldn't live without her.... Do you understand? -
• So you wait, beside her all the time? -
• That is, until she finally woke up, and even after that, I didn't leave until I was sure she was on the couch in her house, safe and sound -

Another silence.

• That's all we needed to hear of your testimony, Miss. Violet, please return to your seat -

"Gods, Pilties are really weird" Vi thought, quietly retreating.

Is this how a trial works?

She wasn't sure, but Caitlyn seemed happy and content, so she must not have been too bad.

Chapter Text

It was only a few minutes before Caitlyn was called before the Council. Not as a witness, but as sheriff and head of security.

• The attempted release of Urgot, as confirmed by several witnesses and experts - she said in a clear voice - Could have caused irreparable damage, not only to our town, but to our lives. The repercussions are incalculable, even I dread to think what might have happened if this event had not been stopped. -

Vi looked at Caitlyn, who looked as happy as a little girl. The council members nodded at her words, silently approving her speech.

Jayce stood beside her, holding a black folder, and the blue-haired woman quietly handed her the microphone.

• The work of an extremely valuable person to this city was the one who stopped him - This time the golden boy spoke - Therefore the City Council has decided to award a medal of valour to this incredible woman who saved our city -.

Was that why Caitlyn was acting so weird?

Did she get a medal?

It wasn't even the first time she'd been awarded one for her work as Sheriff, she'd received one for imprisoning Silco and one for community service after helping to build an orphanage.

Why didn't she tell her? Was she afraid of saying something she shouldn't? Vi would always be ready to help!

She knew the Sheriff deserved it more than anyone, and she was happy for her.

Would Caitlyn be able to think otherwise?

I mean. Sure, she'd gone out of her way to stop the criminal, but that would never mean she'd be angry if it was Cait who got the medal.

The sheriff, impassive, took the microphone back and continued to speak.

• Even though we, as a city and as a government, have failed her in countless ways. - Vi felt the blue eyes meet hers and shuddered to her core - this woman continues to work day and night, watching over our protection. In her words, willing to kill or die for her job, for the people of this city, even. For me.

This time Vi was a bit confused. She felt as if something was missing from this conversation.

And Caitlyn's steady gaze did things to her heart that made it hard for Vi to think.

• This is just a thank you for your many efforts to keep this city safe, Officer Vi - it felt strange for the Sheriff to say - as my partner, second in command and enforcer. I repeat, this medal comes not only from me, but from the kind councillors of this town, from the fellow officers whose lives you have saved, from the citizens of this town. And, of course, from me. For saving me, and much more. For always keeping that promise, for protecting me and keeping me safe on and off the battlefield. For hundreds of things I could never finish listing. -

Caitlyn felt the tears flood her eyes even more and her lips trembled. Vi's grey eyes had also glazed over.

• Thank you, my dearest Violet -

This time the Pinkette shivered from toes to hairline, her brain wobbling at the intimate way Caitlyn caressed her name.

Jayce cleared her throat as she found the word, almost bursting the bubble, but the Zaunite's gaze never left the companion still in front of her.

• Please take this medal and wear it on your uniform as a token of its inestimable value, as a reminder of its importance as the sword and shield of our shining city of progress.
• I...

Vi blinked a little in surprise as the microphone was handed to her, fingering the medal with her bandaged fingers, undecided.

• I don't really know what to say, I was just... .... Well, I was just doing my job, it's no big deal - the pink-haired girl cleared her throat - I mean, I appreciate all the attention and everything, but... -
• I'm one hundred percent sure that no one could have done as much for this town as you, Vi - Caitlyn interrupted her mid-sentence - Please take this as a token of our appreciation as a town -

Vi barely sighed, loosening her confused expression, her eyes glittering with something hard to digest in the direction of the gold medal, then at Caitlyn. But she nodded slowly, as if surrendering to the assumption

Jayce motioned for Vi to stand next to him and the pink-haired girl did so with doubt written all over her face, stepping beside the golden boy to stand next to Caitlyn.

It was as if she expected this to turn into a joke at any moment, a very crude one to be honest.

• As many know - Jayce continued - The Medal of Valour confers special privileges on its recipients. By law, recipients of the medal are entitled to various benefits listed in Mandate 28 of our Golden City Charter, Appendix 2930. These are listed below -

Privileges? 

• Any recipient of the Medal of Honour may have their name inscribed on the Medal of Honour Sash (Code 38/1560). A person whose name appears on the Medal of Honour Register receives a certificate from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that he or she is entitled to a special pension of $1,027, in addition to any other pension - military or otherwise - that he or she may receive as a civilian. From 1 December 2004, this pension will be subject to cost of living increases.

Jayce clarified by showing the camera the black box that contained the rest, which, as required by law, was the corresponding certificate. In which he quoted:

"Piltover's Sword and Shield, Violet's Medal of Honour for Valour".

•  Medal of Honour recipients are entitled to wear the Medal of Honour on their guard uniform at all times and are also entitled to air transportation benefits in accordance with DOD Regulation 4515.13-R. -

Jayce continued to quote as Vi carefully took the small black box and looked at it curiously.

She'd seen one of these before, in Caitlyn's office, hers said something like:

"Sheriff of Piltover, Peacekeeper of the City of Progress."

It was written on something she thought was called obsidian, carved in golden letters, probably gold. It was signed by all six councillors, two witnesses (Commander Taylor and Caitlyn as Sheriff) and included the city seal, and where Caitlyn's medal had the Piltover logo, hers had the Zaun logo.

• Special identity cards are issued and exchange privileges are granted to the decorated and their dependants. - Jayce paused to continue - Decorated military personnel receive a 10% higher retirement pension, thanks to code 10/3991. As with all medals, retired personnel may wear their Medal of Honour in "appropriate" civilian clothing. The regulations also stipulate that recipients of the Legion of Honour may wear their uniform "freely", except on political, commercial or extremist occasions; recipients of other decorations may wear their uniform only on specific occasions. -

Vi still looked at the engraving, her name in the neatest cursive she'd ever seen, though there was something that surprised her a little more than the rest.

"Under the protection of the Kiramman Clan" appeared in an index at the bottom.

Under the protection?

Vi had heard that term before, though obviously never accompanied by her first name, let alone that family name.

It was traditionally used for engaged couples, as an addition that respected the couple's union. For example, before Caitlyn's father married Cassandra, his name appeared as "Tobias Sato - Under the Protection of the Kiramman Clan".

Apparently this was respected as the family name that carried the most weight between partners. But gods, she was not Caitlyn's consort.

The Sheriff had described their relationship as "life partners", but that had too many implications.

They weren't friends, but they weren't just "boss and subordinate".

So how did Caitlyn see her?

• Among other things, the military salute is mandatory for all ranks in the military, regardless of the rank of the person being honoured. - Jayce went on to quote the list - Decorated individuals are saluted before all other military personnel, again, regardless of rank.

How did she see Caitlyn herself?

She wasn't a friend, she wasn't family, and she certainly wasn't 'just' her boss.

Caitlyn...

Caitlyn was everything to Vi.

The revelation made her cheeks burn to a new level and her throat went dry.

Was she allowed to love the Sheriff of this town as more than just her right hand?

Fear and happiness at the thought combined in a powerful whirl that threatened to explode his heart with every accelerated beat.

Oh gods... She really was in love with Caitlyn.

Vi felt like she was flying as Jayce finished listing the benefits of the Medal of Honour, and the rest of the witnesses and lieutenants stood to give her a big round of applause.

She stepped down from the podium after Jayce bowed out, still surprised at her own achievement, and her colleagues gave the protocol salute as she passed, many of them also congratulating her on the recognition. Not everyone looked happy, but it didn't matter.

Caitlyn hugged her as soon as she reached the bottom of the atrium stairs, hanging onto her shoulders so tightly that she had to bend slightly to wrap her back around her, Cupcake looking even happier than Vi, which made her smile inevitably.

Violet loved this woman with every fibre of her soul and the gods knew she couldn't be sorry.

She rounded her waist and buried her face in her partner's shoulder.

• You knew what it was, didn't you? You could have said that to prepare a few words or something - Vi laughed breathlessly.

Finally losing a tension she didn't know she had.

• You were so deserving of this medal, I wanted to see your true reaction - Caitlyn laughed through tears of pure joy, - I'm so happy for you, Vi.

The Pinkette held an indigo hair behind her partner's ear and smiled, feeling her own eyes tearing.

• I'm happy too, Cupcake -

It was as if the world ceased to exist when she looked into those blue eyes.

For Caitlyn was the delicacy of a bird in full flight. Her steps are painted with luminescence and her hair is a colour she swore she'd only seen in her dreams.

Her smile is absolute, powerful. Precious in her determined gait.

More beautiful, if possible, because it is hers alone.

She shares it with very few.

Vi knew all this, and perhaps that was the reason for her lucky wish; with her heart dancing on a string, waiting to fall or see if it sprouts wings.

What matters if Vi stumbles? She's already broken several bones, and her heart is so patched up that it barely retains its original shape.

Pain isn't something she fears, it's something she's gotten used to.

Maybe that's why it's so scary to fall in love with Caitlyn.

Because she throws herself into a world that promises not to hurt.

There's no greater fear than that of the unknown.

And yet Vi has always been the type who enjoys a fall.

She lets Caitlyn lead her. She lets Caitlyn handle the awkward questions the paparazzi know how to ask in the worst possible space-time for a person.

Her immaculate heels echo, shattering a half-hearted peace, her eyes raised to the sky, she's a sheriff, but she walks as if the city belongs to her. As if the world would mould itself under her feet.

She doesn't feel her own hand as it takes Caitlyn's, suddenly too aware of the heat, the colour of the city. Of her awkward jokes and short answers.

She's only aware until the sheriff pulls her away, hails a cab in the middle of a busy street to get away from the welter of trouble and unwelcome that Piltover is adept at creating.

• They're like flies - complains the Sheriff, finally away from the cameras - Rolling a decomposing corpse -.
• Nice mental picture Cupcake - Vi laughs. She really does.

So does Caitlyn, and tension is just a word that has no meaning in her vocabulary. Just ink and a few vowels.

There's a lot to be afraid of when you love someone, Vi knows that better than anyone.

But there's little to be afraid of when that someone is Caitlyn.

• The medal looks good on you, Vi - the blue-haired girl smiles - I'm really happy for you -

Vi smiles back and touches the medal with her fingers.

• I was totally surprised Cupcake, especially since it's signed "Medal for Vi, under the protection of the Kiramman Clan".

Caitlyn's cheeks instantly light up, like summer sunshine through the clouds, and she snatches the black box from her hands for a closer look.

• I, uh- Gods - Cait's words tremble - I think my parents might have - Uh - The girl clears her throat - misunderstood our amh- Relationship.... -

Caitlyn babbles and Vi starts to laugh.

• I never said it bothered me, cupcake, I was just a bit surprised, that's all -
• I, uh-

Cait breathes hard, trying to keep the blush on her face from competing with her companion's hair.

• Stop teasing me! -

She raises her hands in silence, unable to stop laughing.

• You're beautiful when you're angry, almost as beautiful as when you're nervous.

Caitlyn's cheeks get two shades hotter, and her eyes flutter with a nervousness that hasn't been there before... 

Or maybe it was, like when they lay down together in the hospital.

Perhaps it was always there, hidden behind perfect blue eyes.

In averted glances cast in a failed attempt at dissimulation.

Blushing cheeks hidden by poorly trimmed sneers.

Perhaps it was just that Violet had never noticed.

Vi was used to loving with all her heart, used to receiving little in return. Maybe that's why she'd never questioned exactly how she felt about Caitlyn Kiramman, not after the way she'd caressed her cheek after those three nights together investigating the fence. Not after the hug they'd shared when they'd managed to lock Silco up.

After becoming her partner and eventually her right hand, Vi had stopped asking herself why she was incapable of hating this incredible Piltie who brought together everything she had ever learned to fear. Because she could trust her.

Maybe it was the routine they had maintained over the past few years. But she'd gotten so used to the absurd happiness in her chest every time she saw Caitlyn laugh that she no longer thought about her. Or the way her body shivered when she brushed against hers, or the way she always seemed to give in to her touch.

Because the need for care and protection was nothing new to Vi. Because making her happy was a desire as strong as her own instincts.

Because loving Caitlyn was as easy as breathing,

She could curse herself for being so blind, but the reality was that it mattered little now.

She was in love with Caitlyn Kiramman.

And she couldn't regret it, not even a Little bit

Chapter Text

• So - Vi hummed as she sat down in Caitlyn's living room.

The taxi had brought her to the home of none other than her boss in the blink of an eye.

Cait smiled and sat down beside her.

• Don't get too comfortable sweetheart, my mother wants us at the mansion in - The Sheriff stopped to look at the watch on her wrist - Exactly 1 hour 14 minutes -

If Vi had noticed the pet name, she didn't say anything and sighed in frustration.

• We had dinner the other night and don't get me wrong, your parents are a delight Cupcake, but I don't understand what the difference is between that and a gala, nor why it should be in exactly 1 hour 14 minutes -
• 13 minutes - Caitlyn corrected - And it just so happens that the dinner the other night was pure family business. A gala is bureaucracy, now that you have received a medal, you are not only my right hand, you are someone important to the Piltover social circle, especially since my parents have coined you as someone who is under the Kiramman's wing. -

Vi sighed dramatically

• It's just a medal -
• Your salary is basically multiplied. The top leadership, including Taylor and Jayce as head of the Special Forces, have been ordered to give you the military protocol salute. - Caitlyn made a gesture - Your social status has risen from that of an ordinary citizen to the level of the most important clans in the city of Vi, it's not something you take casually -
• Ouch, you said I was ordinary -

The sheriff turned pale for a second.

• You know I didn't mean that –

The brawler laughed.

• I'm just playing with you, honey I know what it means. If I like what it means is another thing -

Caitlyn put a hand on Vi's, trying to look into her eyes.

It worked.

1. This city has treated you like shit for too long, you deserve respect Violet, more than I can give you as my second in command. Respect you just earned, not for me or my parents. For no one but yourself, for your selfless actions. I know it's part of your job, but you're invaluable in my life, it's time the rest of the city realised that in these lives as well -

Vi fell into the depths of blue eyes.

• I'm invaluable in your life, cupcake? -
• I, uh- No -

Cait stumbled over her words, blushed up to her ears and pulled away a little.

• It's amh...-

The Sheriff cleared her throat, not having the words in the dictionary to get out of this one.

Violet could barely hold back the laughter in her eyes.

• You know what I meant! - Caitlyn condemned, her face flushed to the tips of her hair - We need to change and get ready, I've left your suit in the guest room. As your boss I am not going to listen to any more objections, go upstairs, take a bath and change. If you need help with your tie, I will be ready to receive you in my room in 30 minutes.

The Sheriff turned, as she had said, and continued on her way to her room without a second look.

The Pinkette knew that card, the impenetrable Sheriff of Piltover only focused on bureaucracy. That didn't stop Vi from jumping like a little girl, almost flying to the spare room as Caitlyn's words scratched at her heart, spilling their warmth to her fingertips.

She took a quick shower, dried and perfumed herself and changed into her outfit, just as Caitlyn had requested. Navy blue trousers, a light blue, almost white shirt, a jacket in the same shade as the trousers and a tie that she couldn't knot.

Surrendering to the prospect, she checked the clock to make sure that exactly 32 minutes had passed. Still struggling with the knot, she went to Caitlyn's room and knocked on the door.

When the blue-haired beauty opened the door, she seemed much more relaxed and less embarrassed.

And she looked fucking gorgeous.

She was wearing a fitted navy blue dress that matched Violet's outfit, it moulded her breasts leaving her shoulders exposed with an elegant straight neckline, it came down to her waist shaping her hips in a tight curve but letting the fabric fall loose to the undiscovered terrain of her legs with a bold mid thigh slit that left some skin exposed. Her hair fell in beautiful curls at the ends that fell down her back.

Completely stunning.

Enough to take away her speech for the moment of a blink or two.

• Fuck - Vi said - did I go to the wrong room? I was looking for the Sheriff, not a goddess, my apologies -

Caitlyn laughed, slapping her arm

• Don't be an idiot, I haven't even started with the make up, now come here or you'll ruin the tie before you get it knotted -

She pulled Vi into the room anyway, undoing the odd knot the Pinkette had tried to make from scratch, nimble fingers moving dangerously close to her chest before dropping the perfectly knotted tie onto the neatly pressed shirt. Vi couldn't ignore how intimate it all felt, even as she punched away at the sensation with her fists.

• You look very handsome in that suit -
• I always do.

Vi winked in response. Never good at taking compliments

Cait rolled her eyes as she walked over to her dressing table.

• I promise I won't be too long, you can wait here if you like -

Vi didn't need a second request to plop down on the bed. If it bothered Caitlyn, she didn't say anything about it

Watching the Sheriff apply her make-up was a spectacle in itself.

If you asked Vi, she would tell you in any language in the world that Caitlyn Kiramman didn't need any make-up to look absolutely perfect.

And while that was certainly true, she liked Caitlyn to feel pretty in the mirror, make-up or no. The Sheriff liked it from time to time, and Vi was no one to tell her whether to do it or not, she could only appreciate the results. To be so beautiful in any situation.

The Sheriff had an unsolved murder playing in the background, the details of the body were explicit, telling how the killer had torn the skin, leaving the muscle alive, starting from the back in what they had determined to be 'angel wings', breaking the ribs to expose the lungs from behind, all with the subject alive. Apparently they had poured sea salt into the lungs and tissue and the man had died from the pain.

Vi was always amazed at how easy Caitlyn found graphic violence, especially considering it had been a real murder. It wasn't that it frightened her, she'd known first hand how fucked up the world was since she was very young, Violet had seen so many dead bodies and so many loved ones that she doubted anything could shock her at the moment.

But for Caitlyn, protected little Caitlyn, to hear that was so in character, and yet she was always surprised by the delicate opinions she had about it, chatting as if they were talking about the weather.

Maybe that was what she loved most about Caitlyn. Delicate without trying to be, but she wasn't helpless. She was a dominant woman in every precious area, confident and feminine by her own standards.

Vi had learned to reject the feminine in herself, it made her feel unprotected and weak, something to run away from because she had never embraced it as her own. Something that couldn't exist in a world where people expected to stab you in the back at the first moment of carelessness.

But for Caitlyn it was different, she was feminine because she liked being feminine. And it wasn't a weakness, it was a fucking natural strength.

With her high heels and her gorgeous dress, the slits where she needed them and the skin she showed because she could, because she knew she was beautiful.

And when Cait wore make-up, when she dressed pretty. It was for her, just for her.

Because Caitlyn was beautiful and amazing and she knew it. And she didn't need to be beautiful and amazing for anyone else but herself, not even Violet.

Independent, that was the word.

What she loved most about Caitlyn was that she wasn't dependent on her.

There is nothing more beautiful than the security of a woman who belongs only to herself.

She could take care of her because she was Vi, who showed her love with care and protection. But Caitlyn was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, even of returning the favour and taking care of Vi.

Caitlyn didn't depend on Vi, she didn't need her as so many people had needed her before.

She stayed because she wanted to stay, not because she was incapable of leaving.

Sometimes they could be total opposites, absolute femininity versus brute strength, delicacy and elegance with the roughness of out-of-control. And yet here she was, sitting, swinging her legs, admiring the work of art that Caitlyn had taken a beautiful, perfect face and turned it into something simply divine.

Vi couldn't tell you what products she was using, what their names were or what they were for, let alone whether or not they had caught the Podcast Killer. But she could have told you what Caitlyn's movements were, delicate and decisive, picking up the brushes and things to place them with the same delicacy as a painter to a painting.

For Caitlyn Kiramman was absolutely magnificent and the show lasted less time than Vi would have wanted.

As promised, Cupcake took about 20 minutes to finish, and she took a moment to tidy up her make-up, putting all the brushes and small bottles in their proper places before getting up to leave.

Adjusting her jacket, Vi sighed and followed the Sheriff out of her house.

The mansion where the gala was held wasn't exactly the Kirammans', but Medarda's, which sits on the outskirts of Piltover, on the edge of a steep cliff overlooking the entire town. As they walked in, Caitlyn's hand tucked into the crook of Vi's arm, she talked a lot about mid-century architecture and such, but she wasn't really paying attention.

All Vi could think as they made the round of greetings was: rich and crowded.

The overhead lights twinkled, caught between the bulbs or the ornate lamps that ran the length of the lobby and the crystal chandeliers. The whole place was bathed in gold, decorated with immaculately set round tables, an elegant bar and a dance floor where international musicians sat comfortably on a small stage attached to one wall. They played instruments that Vi had never seen, let alone heard, and as Caitlyn subtly guided Vi through the crowd in search of a quiet place where the two of them could be together, she found herself looking to the nearest bartender for a drink.

The guests consisted of the city councilors and leaders of the city's major clans, all of whom came up to talk to Vi, some even asking for a picture with her.

The comments all revolved around the same thing, her relationship with Caitlyn and her work as an Enforcer:
"When you arrived I thought you would betray us"
"I must admit I never thought I could trust you"
"I thought the Sheriff was insane".

Did Violet get anything out of those comments? She knew what these people were thinking, there was no need to dress them up with pretty smiles that hid the fact that they were only treating her this way because of the law, not because they had any real respect for anything she did.

Bureaucracy had never been her thing, fortunately Caitlyn Perfection Kiramman was hanging on her arm at every turn, handling every conversation as if she had been born to deal with assholes.

Vi was used to violence, nasty comments were her bread and butter in Stillwater, she wasn't the type to be easily broken by words. But Piltover had a different kind of violence, a verbal one, one where Vi couldn't get away with a good forehand, and only Caitlyn was capable of protecting her from that kind of violence.

Cupcake would interrupt conversations when the jump of a nervous twitch betrayed Vi's discomfort, she would squeeze her hand between hers at particularly nasty comments, the gentle warmth and reassurance the Sheriff provided was like a bubble, one the Zaunite liked to float in.

• Are you all right? -

Caitlyn asks, but after a moment Vi says nothing.

The brawler looks over her shoulder and sighs.

• Yeah, well, I'm trying, I just... I don't know, I'm used to dressing elegant, I don't know if this is my thing -
• Believe me, you look stunning, really –

The Sheriff's comment is more than enough to make Vi blush, Caitlyn's gaze lingering on her body a little longer than usual.

Though Violet disagrees, she has to admit that the outfit they've put together for her is quite flattering. It was the nicest thing she had ever worn. She thought it would make her feel uncomfortable, but somehow she feels quite good dressed like this. At least as long as she does it next to Caitlyn.

• - Well, look who it is! - A voice calls from behind, snapping her out of her thoughts - The ladies of the moment! -

Vi and Caitlyn turn to see Mel Medarda approaching with open arms, wrapped in a fur coat and an elegant red dress. Her hair falls loose in a neat updo that makes her no less impressive. Her smile is broad and welcoming as she hugs Caitlyn.

• How are you? - she asks Caitlyn, pulling away after a socially appropriate amount of time - I hope you're feeling better. I heard about what happened when you were in hospital -
• I'm much better now - the Sheriff assures her cheerfully - I was very lucky to come out of the whole ordeal with just a few scratches and a big bump on my head. I don't think I'd be here if it wasn't for Vi –

Vi's chest tightens as she hears this, but she doesn't have time to deal with it before the hostess approaches her with open arms. She makes a sound of surprise as she is embraced and it takes her a moment to return the gesture.

• I'm sure. From what everyone says - Mel says as she separates herself from Vi, with complicit eyes - you saved the whole city. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.

Vi feels her neck heat up at such admiration. She freezes, and Caitlyn must have noticed, because she starts rubbing circles on the side of her arm.

• I was just doing my job to protect this city, no need for so much praise, I couldn't have done it without Cupcake -
• Well, I'm glad you both came back safe and sound - Mel sentences naturally - The last time I saw you, you looked like you'd been through hell -

Vi snorts

• If you can call the feeling of losing Caitlyn a hell. I went through it. We'd been through it –

Caitlyn looks at her curiously

• Wait, do you know each other? -

Mel waves her hand dismissively

• Just in passing, your lovely girlfriend was quite prepared to throw a chair at the doctor who told her she couldn't go into the CT scanner with you, so I just told them to leave the little couple be. Vi looked lost and you were unconscious, so I kept her company -

Both their faces blush

• She didn't... - Caitlyn stutters.

Vi interjects

• It wasn't like that... -
• Oh gods Cait, I'm not your parents - Mel laughs at them both - They don't need to explain anything to me, anyone with eyes can see they were made for each other. You make a lovely couple –

Caitlyn spends a ridiculous amount of time wiping the blush from her cheeks, while Vi carries on the conversation with Mel with ease; it's impressive the views they share, thanks to neither of them having been born in the cradle of calm.

They exchange petty questions about the new measures being taken to contain Urgot, and a few ridiculous comments about the medal Vi has just received, before another guest takes it away and Cait laughs nervously when they're alone again.

• I didn't expect you and Mel to be friends -

Vi shrugs

• She's seen war - her voice is a little raw as she admits - I think we both understand that, we've seen the cruelty of the world first hand, that's all -

Cait leans her head on her companion's shoulder as she whispers

• I'm glad then –

Chapter Text

The rest of the evening was surprisingly quiet.

They had dinner with the council members, dodged the bitter comments, and escaped before 12:00 noon.

They had risen too early that day and were completely exhausted. Every minute had seemed like an eternity.

By the time they arrived at Caitlyn's apartment, Vi was already dozing off in the back seat.

The Sheriff had to make a little effort to wake her up, which she thankfully did, and they both shuffled up to the elevator.

When the door to the apartment was in front of them, Vi grunted and straightened her shoulders.

• Well, Cupcake, I'll leave you here. I'm exhausted -
• Don't you want to come in and relax a bit? I can make some tea - Cait said,biting her lip.

She hadn't enjoyed Vi enough that day and boy had she wanted to. They had been so busy the whole time that she hadn't even been able to properly congratulate her for the medal.

• Cait, I honestly fall asleep as soon as my butt touches the couch and I can't swear that you'll get me up from there anytime soon.
• Then sleep with me -

Cait let the comment slip out so quickly that for a moment she thought the naughty voice wasn't hers. There was no way it was.

Except that it was. She'd said it.

• A sleepover? You would have told me and I would have brought clothes -

Vi laughed to take the weight off the matter.

Caitlyn did the same, looking down to hide her red cheeks.

• Come on, I'll lend you something, you've already gotten me this far -

Vi hesitated, looking at the door as if it would attack her at any moment. Cait could sense her hesitation and grabbed her arm, pulling her into the house.

• Besides, it's late - The sheriff argued, which was silly considering it wasn't nearly as late as when they'd gotten home - We can... We can get something to eat, like, Netflix and chill. But I' y'know, watch a movie. If you want to... I- I know it's been a rough day-

Vi chuckled, but her gaze softened, and she finally regained her footing to walk into the living room on her own.

• Well, well, you know I'll do anything for you, Cupcake, I'll stay -

If Caitlyn smiled a little more with the affirmation, I'd say it was the light thing.

She led Vi to her room and made sure to lend her some clothes, simple shorts, a tie shirt she had never worn because it was too baggy on her. Leaving her to shower and take off her heels in God knows how long, Cait called the kitchen service to ask the chef to bring some snacks.

She plugged in the TV and turned it on, flipping through movies, too indecisive to choose one, as Vi finished her shower.

The T-shirt Cait had outgrown (a very ill-advised gift) fit Vi perfectly, loose but held in place at the shoulders, masterfully accentuating her perfect arms. The short, however, was a bit shorter than she would have expected, cinching in at the waist more precisely than she had ever seen it before, and if her legs seemed longer between the free expanses of skin, perhaps it was her overheated imagination. Besides, it was the first time she'd seen the gear tattoo extend around her hips and end at her feet.

• Do we have a movie today? - Vi asked, snapping her out of her trance.

Cait looked back at the paralyzed TV and shook her head honestly.

• You can pick it, I'll take a bath and get into my pajamas, I promise I'll be quick –

Vi plopped down on the mattress next to her and took control, immediately switching from mystery to action movies, Cait didn't complain, they were probably going to end up watching horror anyway. It was in many ways the favorite part for both of them and the adrenaline they were no strangers to was more than amusing.

She went to the bathroom, did her business, and if it took her a little longer to perfume herself, it was definitely because of the weather.

When Vi came out, she was dozing on the mattress, still sitting up, it was as if this woman was incapable of relaxing completely.

• Anything interesting? -

Vi blinked to look at her and nodded, pointing to the TV, a movie was playing.

• It's called "Incantation", the story of a woman and her daughter, I think the woman did something in the past, I don't know, I didn't want to watch anything until you came, but it looks interesting -
• Terror? -

Caitlyn smiled and walked over to the bed to get under the covers.

The satin dress she'd chosen because it looked pretty - and that had nothing to do with the way it fit and draped around her curves - was a little colder than she'd expected for early winter and she didn't feel like catching a cold.

The food arrived as Vi crawled under the covers beside her, popcorn, a bowl of sweets, appetizers, nut biscuits.... Perfect, the sweet and salty combination they both needed.

They turned out the lights, and if their legs and hips collided on a bed where there was definitely a lot more room, it was just coincidence.

Caitlyn didn't understand why this felt more intimate than all the hundreds of times they'd had sleepovers before.

Maybe it was because this time they didn't have one eye closed as they went through the data of a case for the fifteenth time.

Maybe it was because they were in THEIR bed in THEIR room, not covered with blankets in the living room.

Maybe it was because they weren't half a couch away from each other, with their legs fighting for more space, but cuddled tightly together.

Maybe that was why Caitlyn laid her head on Vi's shoulder, maybe that was why Vi responded by wrapping her arms around her waist, and if her ears seemed warmer, it must have been her imagination.

The movie was a little nastier than they had expected, so more than half of the snacks were left half eaten. The horror, however, was to be expected, and the final ending shook her to the core.

• It was... Well... - Vi laughed and took control to get out of the credits - Shit -
• If the ending is a bit sad –

The two shrugged, Caitlyn reached over to turn the lights back on, Vi picked up the food and put it on the cart that Cait's servants used to transport the food. They shook out the blankets and the sheriff turned off the TV.

• I'm exhausted -

Cait breathed heavily and collapsed onto her pillow.

Vi, sitting next to her, laughed a little and brushed away a clump of dark blue hair that had fallen across her face.

• I guess I should let you sleep, honey, I'm dead too -

And maybe it was all those little reasons that had marked this day and all the ones before it, or maybe it was tiredness, or maybe Cait had drunk more than she thought she would that night, but she was all too aware of her own hand reaching out to grab Vi's t-shirt before she got up to leave.

The words weighed on her tongue, but she said them anyway.

• No - she asked - stay -

Vi blinked in her direction and not even the dimness of the room could hide the flush in her cheeks.

• Cait... -

- Please - The Sheriff blushed as well - Can you stay and sleep with me? The bed is big enough for two –

The small smile that Vi gave him was enough to loosen the knot of fear in her throat.

• Well, we made it in a hospital bed - One of Vi's legs went back to the sheet where Caitlyn was resting timidly and she pushed it with delight - Give me some space then -

Caitlyn smiled, there was no hiding it, and rolled to the side, not really moving away from Vi as their hips still collided as the pink girl got back into bed.

They turned off the light and watched each other in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, but incredibly close. Intimate in a hundred ways Cait couldn't even begin to name.

Vi tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and stroked her chin gently.

• Good night, Cupcake -

She whispered softly, as if caressing the letters as gently as she stroked her cheek.

Caitlyn shuddered to the core but nodded, pushing herself closer until their knees collided, shyly circling around her partner's waist and still looking into her eyes, gauging her reactions as she whispered back.

• Good night, Violet -

Vi lowered her hand from her jaw to her shoulders, caressing the line of her back that cracked under her feathery touch, and stroked a little closer until Cait's elbow was on her covered stomach.

It was the Sheriff who closed the distance, opening her legs to wrap around Vi's and resting her head on her shoulder.

The zaunite maneuvered to slip one hand under Caitlyn's ribs and the other around her waist, pulling her closer, pushing their bodies to the physical limit and sinking her nose into the blue hair.

They both sighed, in joy or peace?. It was hard to tell.

Which made them laugh a little, now, in their truly comfortable positions.

Caitlyn sank her face deeper into the crook of her partner's shoulder and neck, and feeling more secure than she had ever felt in her entire life, she fell sound asleep, her smile hidden in their intimate embrace, and her secrets hidden behind the door.

END OF ARC 3: A MEDAL OF HONOR FOR COURAGE

Chapter Text

FINAL ARC: Open Door Secrets

Vander looked out at the slowly rising tide, the water swirling, trembling, and churning, and though the sky was gray, his gaze was completely calm. Waves crashed at his feet, splashing drops of sadness on the leather of his shoes.

• Gathers, unites, corrects, reveals, erodes, but is able to heal - the man said with a sigh - Look how it rises and falls -

Vi looked at his peaceful face, his cheerful smile, his eyes full of life.

• Look how it takes everything with it - Vander pointed out, still deep in thought - If you're not fast enough you'll catch up with my little buttercup -
• I don't need to be fast, I have my fists for that -

Vander laughed heartily

• Little one, I'm sorry to tell you that you can't get away with a good left hook, in this fight you only have your heart for defense -
• Won't you be here to protect me? –
• I'll always be here, my little girl - Vander lovingly ruffled her fuchsia hair - But there are storms you have to learn to swim through on your own -.
• You still haven't told me what it is -
• Water - Vander shrugged, then looked speechlessly up at the gray sky - Well, and time -

The storm raged, the man sighed, Vi looked up at him, still confused.

• Vander? -

But her words didn't reach him.

A particularly large storm slammed into her chest, the eye of the hurricane pulling her into the raging swell and then....

A gasp, she was in her bed.

What a strange dream, she thought, straightening up and trying to normalize her breathing.

She wasn't underwater, she was in her bed. Caitlyn's bed. The one they'd slept in last night. Together.

The blue-haired girl barely stirred at the Pinkette's abrupt awakening, which earned her a sigh of relief, as she did not like the idea of waking her like this. She gingerly slid off the bed and moved lightly to the bathroom to relieve herself and wash her face, hopefully ridding herself of the hazy haze that had just woken her up.

And amidst the waves of strangeness and suffocation, she remembered. Vander

Vander had been in her dream. Smiling and alive as always, full of that fleeting charisma that had soothed her fears as only he could.

Vi sighed again and washed her face, hoping to finally free herself from her battle with Morpheus.

"In this contest, you have only your heart to defend you," she suddenly remembered the distant voice of her mentor.

What had he been referring to?

"It gathers, unifies, corrects, reveals, erodes, but it can heal" - He had said - "See how it takes everything with it"

• Water - Vi thought, her cheeks soaking wet - And time –

The statement slipped from her lips too quickly for her to catch up. Worried about disturbing the beautiful cutie who was still asleep, she peeked over the edge of the bathroom door, but Caitlyn didn't seem to be having troubled dreams like she was, because she was snoring her head off.

Vi smiled, she could never get enough of Caitlyn in the morning and her precious awkwardness before coffee.

The zaunite was used to the lack of caffeine, and often washing her face with icy fingers served as a nice pick-me-up to wake up and start her day, but Caitlyn wasn't really awake until she had a cup of coffee between her hands.

Before that, she was a half-corpse, moving awkwardly, grunting a lot, and hungry. Vi loved that part, loved knowing that she was one of the few people in all of Runeterra lucky enough to know the little gremlin that was Caitlyn as soon as she woke up.

They'd had sleepovers before, some more fun than others. Spending the night between cold cases or just watching movies until the wee hours of the morning.

They had never slept together, in the same bed. Not since the hospital, and not so peacefully, and for some reason Vi's heart felt like it wanted to burst out of her chest with happiness.

She came down the stairs almost flying and said good morning to the few staff the Sheriff had. Caitlyn didn't like feeling useless in her own home and thought it was a waste to pay as many employees as her parents had, she had a few people who took care of this and that and they all knew Vi on a personal basis.

She greeted the chef with a smile who asked with amusement if she would be making breakfast today and Vi hummed with delight as she expanded into a kitchen that was twice the size of her own.

It felt good to be in Caitlyn's penthouse. The room wasn't cold and ethereal like the Kiramman mansion. It was spacious, but cozy enough to feel like home.

Plus, the view was incredible.

She brewed the coffee pot, and after getting some instructions from the chef on where this and that was, she got down to business.

When Caitlyn awoke, there was no gentle warmth surrounding her, for a moment she thought she'd had the craziest dream. There was no way she had asked Vi to sleep over last night, with her, in her bed. It was crazy.

Then the smell of pancakes hit her.

Vi had cooked for her before, several times in fact. The first few weeks she stayed before she got the job as a vigilante, and even before she got her apartment; and at the sleepovers they'd had. Cait was always surprised though, Vi could be an early riser, she got up early no matter what day it was. It was amazing.

She groaned as the sunlight hit her face and crawled out of bed, letting the smell lead her to the kitchen.

She could make out Vi's touch with her eyes closed.

Vi had just finished serving the pancakes when a beautiful blue-haired gremlin came down the stairs.

Caitlyn was a tangle of fluffy hair, slobber dripping from her lips, her eyes half-closed as she walked between small guttural grunts and a lot of clumsy steps.

She crashed into the chair before she could sit in it, falling heavily onto the island directly in front of her.

Violet smiled and leaned over to kiss her head, leaving her plate of pancakes and her indispensable cup of coffee in her wake.

Caitlyn almost groaned with relief as she felt the hot edge of the coffee and took a deep gulp.

• Good morning - Vi greeted, sitting down next to her with her own plate.

Caitlyn looked back at her with dreamy eyes.

• Morning Vi, did you know that I really adore you? -

Vi smiled, biting into her pancakes to take a large portion, humming an agreement.

Cait drank almost half of her cup with absolute devotion.

• I'll never understand how you can be stunning at this hour - she admitted with a sigh - I think I have a hangover. You're not hung over? How can you not be hung over? -
• Sweetheart, I've had fruity drinks with stronger alcohol in Zaun than the shit they served for dinner, no offense to Mel. It would be impossible to get a hangover from that stuff -

Vi smiled reassuringly, Caitlyn didn't need to know that she was actually used to only getting a few hours of sleep because the nightmares never really gave her any rest.

Caitlyn grunted in response and let her head fall against the wood.

• Silvia - She called, the maid appeared in the blink of an eye - Can you bring me something for my headache? Please -

The woman nodded and left quickly, while they waited for the pill, Vi imitated Cait leaning her head on the island while she looked under her arm and indigo hair to capture the blue eyes she loved so much.

• You know, I had a nice dream today -

Caitlyn smiled at her, still leaning back on the table.

• Really, what did you dream? -
•  I had a dream about my father - Vi admitted, moving her hand to caress the Sheriff's cheek - He's amazing, even in my dreams he comes to give me life lessons -
• And what did he tell you? –

The Sheriff leaned closer, tangling her lazy fingers between the bare calluses of Vi, who hummed as she caressed Cait's palm between her own.

• He told me something cryptic about water and time, he said I couldn't use my fists and something else, he told me - she fell silent, her smile practically wiped away - That he'd always be with me -

Cait gave her an affectionate hug.

• Are you okay? -

Vi blinked and nodded with a sigh, the maid returned with the pills and a glass of water and they both got up from the counter.

• Sure, just... Uh, I don't know, maybe it's just that I haven't been to see him for a while -

Caitlyn swallowed the pill as she looked at Vi and then cleared her throat.

• It´s it okay if I...? Uh... I mean, do you want to go? It's your last day off after all, I'm sorry I didn't want to keep you -
• Are you kicking me out? -
• No! No! Not at all - Cait panicked and denied it - No way, I just... I don't, I really love having you here, I love your company and everything, seriously, if you ask me, I really wish you'd never leave, but...
• Cupcake, baby, come on, I'm just teasing you –

The blue-haired girl stopped her panic by narrowing her eyes to give Vi a mean look, sighed dramatically and punched her partner in the arm.

• I'm serious Violet, if you want to visit your father it's okay -

Vi looked down at her hands before returning her eyes to Cait.

• Do you.... - She savored her words before saying them - Do you want to come with me? -

Caitlyn went completely blank, Violet never talked about her past, she always ran away from conversations with pain written in her eyes and the same excuse "You're happier without knowing it Cait".

Suddenly she was invited to her hometown. Her hometown, it was just... So abrupt.

• I can introduce you to Ekko, and uh- We can visit the area, I know some nice places -

Vi looked nervous, blushing up to her ears and her fingers trembled.

Adorable. She wanted to go with Caitlyn.

• Nothing seemed better Vi -

The answer was simple.

There was nothing to think about.

If Vi wanted her to go with her....

Then she would be there

Chapter Text

Vi kissed Caitlyn's cheek goodbye and promised to be back in less than an hour to pick her up and take her to her appointment.

She arrived home in less than 20 minutes, took a quick shower, and finished getting dressed. Black cargo pants, a white sporty top, and a black jacket to go with it, she brushed her hair to the side and headed back to where she had agreed to meet Caitlyn.

When she arrived at the bridge, she saw Cait already waiting for her, wearing long straight cut navy blue pants, a crop top with an almost purple colored corset and her trademark leather boots. Vi thought to joke about the lack of her red jacket, she could have sworn she'd seen it leaning back against Caitlyn's desk chair, but.... Who was she to complain to the sheriff?

Besides, Cait looked lovely in it, and the thought of her holding it like a treasure made her heart pound in countless ways.

• You look beautiful, Cupcake -

The Sheriff turned to look at her companion, the blush that had been born on her chest rising to her cheeks in an instant. She tucked her indigo blue curls behind her ear and smiled shyly.

• Is this okay? I'm a little worried about being overdressed for...This -
• You look perfect and absolutely lovely, Cupcake, I promise -

Cait laughed again and held out a hesitant hand, which Vi took without hesitation.

• Then I'll let you lead me -

A smile of pure pride crossed Vi's face and she pulled her companion to lead her across the bridge. She felt excited and nervous at the same time to show her partner this small part of her world. She knew that Caitlyn's visits to the fence were not known for being particularly good, so this was doubly special.

This was her world, ever since she was a child, and it would remain so until the day she died.

This part of her hometown, where the world was still kind to her memories, where she walked in an area of safety that almost made her float, carved amidst the smiles of yesteryear.

This place where the ground was not slippery, even if it was bumpy; here where young Vi had found her best friends under the shadow of galaxies created by pools of oil and toxic waste.

• Welcome to Vi's Memory Box, First Stop -

She stopped just over the bridge and looked down at the lower bank of the Pilt River.

• This is where I got my first kiss -

Caitlyn looked at her companion with curiosity.

• Really? -

Violet nodded with a sweet smile.

• The girl told me about the meaning of flowers, which the Ionians used to send messages in ancient times.
• The language of flowers - Caitlyn recalled - I studied it one summer –
• She said that violets symbolized the loss of shyness and the freedom of the pure heart. And that giving a violet as a gift meant that you would stop hiding your true feelings and declare your love without restraint.

Caitlyn smiled

• Adorable.
• Then she put a violet in my hair and said, "A violet for my sweet Violet" And then she kissed me -

Cait laughed

• So violets, huh? It was a nice first kiss -
• Definitely -
• Mine was disgusting -
• Don't fuck with me. Really? -
• It was with Jayce and it was actually an accident - Cait wrinkled her nose - I was helping him build a prototype and he went to reach for something, I reached out, he put his head up and we fell. It was disgusting, repulsive, weird, and we hit each other so hard that his nose started bleeding; so when we parted, he had the taste of blood on my lips -

Vi shook her head and laughed before commenting with complete irony.

• What a heartthrob Jayce is, huh? -
• I remember he apologized about a hundred times for "stealing" my first kiss, I told him it was okay because it was accidental, and he promised to help me get my first date - Caitlyn smiled, a little smirk this time - He kept his word, he even took me to her place, we made a whole plan so my parents wouldn't find out because I still didn't want them to know I was going out with a girl, and he took me to the place -
• I hope the girl was worth it –

Vi believed that people were made up of many things, flesh and blood, love and doubt, memories and complexes.

But more important than all those little things that made up the "I" present.

There were the instants.

People were held together by these little gears that passed in the blink of an eye.

An instant is a short, almost unpredictable period, there are those who collect them and those who forget them. There are even those who live them without realizing it.

On this day, Vi shared all her moments with Caitlyn as they walked quietly through the lanes.

Accelerated

She and Claggor had put a bottle on the wheel of their bike to make it sound like a motorcycle and had raced down the hill, almost hitting a tree pole before skidding.

That afternoon, Violet had had to carry her little brother on her back because he had skinned his knee in a fall.

Stains

A paint stain on a wall, the origin of her nickname "Pink Beast" because she couldn't get the paint out of her hair after Mylo threw it in her face.

Fear

Her first parkour lesson.

The building where Vander caught her the first time she jumped from rooftop to rooftop.

Unexpected

An apple stand where Powder lost her first incisor, she could remember it, hanging on her arm as she asked questions about the Tooth Fairy.

Disappointing

The corner where a boy proposed to her was the first time she got flowers, and gosh, it was adorable.

Should she have felt more emotion?

Maybe not, not that anything would have been less than perfect, it wasn't the boy's fault either, it was just that he was a boy. And not a girl.

Sweaty

Her first party with boys her own age who actually liked her.

She was 14, it wasn't what Violet had imagined, but she'd do it again.

Huge

The first time she convinced Vander to take her to a concert.

The day she sat on her father's shoulders and sang songs until she was completely hoarse.

They heard more than ever, fulfilling all her expectations.

Happy

Her wonderful Santa Claus brought her what she asked for. That year he was

Pathetic

She didn't even notice her, Eliza walked right by her, and that was her best t-shirt.

Satisfied

Vander gave her a difficult job to do.

The plan was perfect, no one saw her, and there was no inconvenience.

Her father trusted her, and she had never felt better.

Pride

Her first street fight was against a boy older and bigger than her.

And she beat him anyway.

Legendary

Her name reached number one in the Boxing Machine Arcade, breaking Vander's previous record by 30 points.

The entire board was marked with the name "Vi".

Painful

A man took Vi's favorite toy and threw it into the power lines.

The rabbit Vander had hand-stitched for her.

She hadn't cried this much since her parents died.

Desperate

Mylo slipped into the river and drowned.

The water never felt as heavy as it did that night.

Sour

Twelve o'clock dindong and wine in her glass,

Violet should have kept the cherry juice.

Tender

Took Clagor on his first date, the boy was a sweetheart and they both brought flowers to each other.

What fools

Shameful

Vander found the naked girlie magazines she kept under her pillow.

Her cheeks had never been so red and her father had never laughed louder.

Way to come out of the closet.

Free

While she and her dad were shopping for parts, Vi saw a really pretty girl walk by and talked about it.

Never had a conversation with Vander been so amazing as the way they spent the morning talking about women.

Rebel

She got her first piercing.

She was happy and proud, maybe it's not the metal ring, but everything around it.

Humiliated

She told a girl she liked it and the girl called her a butch.

She had never been more frustrated in her favorite jacket, shit, and had even asked Vander to do her hair that day.

And this corner, opposite the center of one of the quietest and safest apartments in Zaun, both now and before. It was the only moderately touristy area, but I was not here for the international shopping.

But for a cobblestone street further to the left.

There was a dry oak tree with drooping branches on its sides that looked like two big arms, Pow always said it looked sad and she and Ekko had nicknamed it "Mr. Sandly". But they weren't here for Mr. Sandly, they were here for everything around it.

The oak tree stubbornly refused to die, but every time its leaves grew, they fell again, and everything around it was littered with faded leaves, wilted flowers, and its main attraction for a group of children.

Branches

Magical

First a twig, then Yoda's saber. Hood's bow, Potter's wand. Peter Pan's sword.

If only her siblings would never grow up.

• Look, Cupcake! - Vi picked one up off the ground, it was extra long and straight - this one would be perfect! -
• Perfect for what?

Cait looked at the wood with doubt in her eyes.

• To play with, of course -
• How... How would you play with a branch? -
• Caitlyn Kiramman! You've never played with a branch before?! -

Vi shouted, as if the Sheriff had just committed a mortal sin.

Cait burst out laughing.

• ... No? -

Vi denied dramatically, handing the branch she was holding to her partner before turning to pick up another.

• Look, I'll show you, but you have to pay attention. A branch can be anything you can imagine, like .... A bazooka! - It took a fighting stance - A cutlass! - She made a metallic sound with her teeth that made Cait laugh - A magic wand! - Vi pretends to cast a spell - A sword! To your positions, my soldiers! The enemy captain has arrived - She pretended to speak in a hoarse voice to people who weren't there - TO FIGHT I WILL NOT BE CATCHED ALIVE! –

Caitlyn burst out laughing as Vi made her branch collide with hers, swallowing the comment that people in ancient times didn't fight with their swords like that because it wasn't effective at all, and went about blocking the blows with laughter.

Vi seemed to be totally into her role, which slowly made Cait fall into the spiral, and before she knew it, she was already having fun.

She let herself go, fighting like a fencer as they ran through the cobblestone hallways, chasing each other with branches like they were 5 years old.

Correction, Caitlyn Kiramman had never done this even when she was five.

They tripped over the fun in one corner and fell over the other in a misshapen mass of arms, legs, and a tangle of indigo and fuchsia hair.

They gasped, trying to catch the breath that escaped them amidst the laughter.

• Does that mean I win? - Cait asked amusedly, brushing back her half tousled hair.

Vi leaned back on her forearms, the Sheriff had fallen on top of her.

• Sure Cupcake, you won the National Sparring Tournament, I just crowned you, an ordinary girl.
• That was always my dream -

Vi tucked a strand of hair behind her partner's ear.

• I'm glad I could make one of your dreams come true -

Caitlyn looked down, still sitting on the brawler's lap.

• A little silly dream -

Vi lifted her face, holding her chin.

• None of your dreams are too silly for me, if I can help you to realize them, then I will –

At that moment, the blue collided with the gray.

Time stopped its needles to freeze that moment forever.

In the corner of the central square

Messy

Hands on legs, legs on arms

Hair standing up and clothes removed.

And a date had never been more than perfect

Chapter Text

They continued down, going deeper and deeper into the Zaun, Vi seeming to have a " instant" - as she herself had put it - for every corner.

Caitlyn listened attentively, adding a comment or two now here and then, sometimes just laughing.

It was late afternoon when they arrived at a bar. The sign said "The Last Drop" in rather bland yellowish tones, the interior was even cozier, and it was practically empty, not that that was particularly unusual considering it was Saturday afternoon at 2:00.

The man behind the bar was serving drinks and talking to the few customers in between laughs.

• Hey, Titan! - Vi greeted him with a smile as he walked through the doors.
• But look who we have here! - The man smiled - Vander's daughter, will you join us today? -
• Not today, were just doing a little bit of tourism - Vi admitted with a half smile before she pointed at her companion - You won't mind if we come down, right? -
• Not at all my dear, it's your home after all -

The "Titan" immediately stepped aside.

Vi replied with a soft smile and led Caitlyn into the back room, down a long hallway to a set of stairs and finally to a basement.

The wooden door creaked open and there it was, an empty room. A few pieces of furniture, a couch, two bunk beds, it looked like a ghost compared to the rest of the bar that felt so warm.

•  The Titan is one of the few men who stayed loyal to my father, and he took over this place when I was arrested - Vi admitted - This has been empty ever since, but this is where I used to live with my little brothers, this was the home my father created for us - 

Cait silently admired the structure and although she had a hundred questions in her mind, she just nodded in agreement.

• It's a warm place -

Vi looked at the place for a moment before turning and taking Caitlyn's hand.

• Let's go. We have one last stop before our final destination -

The sheriff replied with a patient smile.

• Well, what are we waiting for? -

Caitlyn had no idea what had prompted Vi to take this nostalgia tour, nor why now and not before.

But why should she judge her?

Vi's past was one thing that was not easy for her, and if she wanted to share parts of it with Cait, no matter how small they might be. Then she wouldn't stop her.

Even if this tour left her with more questions than answers.

They left the bar through the back door after saying goodbye to the Titan, who encouraged them to come back for a "good drink" and wished Vi congratulations on her medal.

They walked down a few streets that seemed to get smaller and smaller, they turned, and when they finally reached the Sheriff's it took her a moment too long to realize where she was.

She was standing in front of a statue. The man in it is about six feet tall, his hair is short and slicked back, he has one leg bent in front of the other, his gaze forward in a gesture of pride, though he looks serene, with a pipe over his hand.

• This is my father, Cupcake, at least the most faithful representation of what he was -

Vi interrupted the spiral of her thoughts with a deep sigh, her gaze threatening to shatter as soon as it collided with metal darker than her own eyes.

•  Ekko did it with the help of a few, to.... Honor his memory -

Caitlyn simply squeezed Vi's hand in response.

• I understand, he must have been a great man -

Finally she understands. Why sometimes Vi talks about her father in the past tense...

"He's dead," she finally realizes, "He must have been dead for years, maybe since Vi was in prison.

• It's so weird to see him like this - Vi moved forward until she touched the metal with her cold palm - Vander was never that serious, unless we did something stupid. But always he was smiling, his eyes were full of warmth. Every time I remember him, he's humming and smiling next to some random customer, giving me all these tips about all the things I shouldn't do, things I shouldn't forget. And now... - Her voice threatens to break as she drops an octave - Now there is only silence -

Cait pulled Vi closer, leaning her head on her shoulder, silently gazing at the hundreds of unshed tears that held the gray flap of her gray gaze.

She hated to see her so weak and to feel that she could do nothing.

Vi sipped her snot and sat down at the statue's feet. She was silent for a moment before she began to speak.

• If I'm anyone today, it's because of Vander -

Vi half smiled, she looked like she was about to burst into tears.

• Did you know that listening is one of the hardest things in the world? Not just "hearing" when someone says something, but really listening, without judging or jumping to conclusions. And Vander may have grown up not knowing many things, but he gave life, he was full of magic... Because he knew how to listen –

Caitlyn nodded, taking Vi's hands between her own as if they were the most precious pearl in the entire ocean, her partner leaning back, pressing her hip against her own, their legs so close, their hearts even closer than was physically possible.

• Today was the anniversary of him dead Cupcake - Vi admitted, looking up at the darkening sky through the clouds of toxic gas - It's part of why I brought you all the way out here today, I'm sorry -

Caitlyn shook her head and rested her head on the zaunite's shoulder.

• Don't apologize, thank you for sharing this with me.

The two remained silent for another minute before the Sheriff regained her voice.

• Is there anything I can do for you, dear? -

Vi looked at the floor in silence before admitting

• Listen, I want you to listen to me and uh - Her whole body shivered before she begged, softly, almost embarrassed - Stay -

Cait moved closer to kiss her cheek and nodded.

•  Always –

The Zaunite did not respond with words, but a tear rolled down her cheek.

• Vander built this bar when I was a little girl, I remember watching him put the sign up. He needed a way to be less... .... You know, dangerous, after he adopted us. And The Last Drop was his creation, he ran the bar, which was as simple as it was complicated because it wasn't about the drinks or the music, people came for that. It became a safe haven, the center and the heart of the Lanes. -

A sigh, pride and... Something else, something heavy, something impossible to name.

• Vander managed consciousness, that of life, of always looking at the sun,  walking under the moon.... And he knew better than anyone how to listen - Vi smiled, through the fog of memory - Always attentive in his very long shifts, a glass in his hand, the rag over his shoulder and the people around him. Listening to each customer, giving advice, painting his heart with a waterproof -

Vi lost volume with each word, but Caitlyn was close enough to hear.

• People nicknamed him "The Hound of the Underground" –Vi said with flooded eyelashes - But I always saw him as a beacon of light, you know?... He was my superhero, the man who saved my life, the one who gave me a family, the last lighthouse you meet in this dark, almost black sea called life -

As silence fell between them, Cait gave her companion another hug before admitting in a low voice

• It looked like he wasn't a hero just for you, Violet.

That made Vi perk up a bit.

• You're right, he's still a legend here. He was the creator of the lanes. He crossed the whole fence when he was abused at home, grew up as an eternal migrant to escape the demons and their love traps, didn't settle down until he was almost forty and was too brave -

Vi seemed proud when she talked about her father

• It was he who taught me to have the ability to walk away from the things that hurt me.

Caitlyn began to stroke the girl's back and shoulders, and it seemed to work, as Vi's tension disappeared under the warm touch.

• She saved her best friend from alcohol, lost her brother to drugs, and railed against all sorts of injustices that soaked Zaun..... He founded the Lanes when he was still a teenager, but he was a born leader -

Vi's voice cracks, but not with tears, but with pride.

• And if that wasn't enough, he saved me and four other guys who had nothing to do with him.... When I think back to his life before us, it must have been easier being a single guy with glue. There were few things he could wish for that he couldn't get, and yet he gave up all his freedom to take us in, to give us a home where fears stayed without crossing the door, to open his arms to protect us from our inner demons, to fill us with guidance, words of affirmation, care and love.... He built us a home, but more than that, he taught me what it means to be loved, what it means to have a family...

Vi cries, tears welling from her eyes, but this time she doesn't try to hold them back, for she admires him deeply, she admires the man who saved her, her life and maybe something more.

She admires the father she had, because that was Vander, even if he wasn't blood.

• He died without decorations or a red carpet, but he was the man who saved me from everything, even from myself, from a self-hatred that would do me nothing good. Because he took all my failures and gave me my nickname, "Vi" for "Victory" -

A harsh sob escapes her and her whole body shakes, the metal melting under the warmth of the tears.

• Because when this world didn't trust me, he always made me feel like its winner -

There's something painful and beautiful about watching someone like Vi break. She clings to Caitlyn's touch like it's oxygen and sobs and smiles, it's a beautiful catharsis.

Caitlyn thinks how starved Vi seems to be. Starving for touch and love. It's painful to think how full her heart has been all these years and how her only way out was through violence.

But Vi is full of love to give, she has shown it over and over again.

Maybe now it's time for her to let Caitlyn give back some of what she gets.

• I didn't have many things Cait - Vi continues, sure she's being heard - We couldn't afford expensive gifts, but damn it, he loved me, I know he loved me.... Not only that, he taught me to love myself, something no one had ever taught me, he stayed by my side until the deep hole I had locked myself in was gone. He lay beside me in my storms, held me through hurricanes, kept me afloat in my own glass of water, and never let me break.... He taught me what it meant to be loved, what it meant to have a family, because Caitlyn.... Before that, before him.... I didn't... I-

And she finally breaks.

Caitlyn holds her in her arms, letting Vi's wet cheeks sink into her t-shirt, holding her tight, close, in the only place on his chest where she can protect her.

At the foot of a statue of a man she never knew.

She looks up at Vander. And he knows it.

Caitlyn swears to herself as she stares at those lifeless, metallic eyes, wonders what color they once were, imagines she has the same warm smile as Vi.

"I won't do as well as you."

She almost whispers, for this is a secret between the man who saved the life of her beloved.

"But I promise I'll take care of her."

Chapter Text

It took Vi about a minute to stop her tears after her last words had been left hanging in the air, and even after they had stopped, they both stood there, leaning sentimentally and physically against each other, as if time had stopped its needles to give them this infinity.

Vi took a deep breath and straightened her back.

• Come on - she cleared her throat - Ekko will hang up on me if we stand him up, I've got one last thing to show you -

Caitlyn nodded and stood up again, letting Vi lead the way.

The corners were starting to narrow and the city was starting to fold in on itself, the air was starting to feel heavy and Caitlyn had to strain to keep up.

Pipes, half collapsed buildings, narrow alleys, streets where they had to duck to get ahead, and when the Sheriff thought she couldn't go any further, soft light, a pleasant atmosphere and the cleanest air she had breathed in hours. Cait prayed she would never have to walk this path alone, because she would get lost.

When Vi stopped, Caitlyn almost fell into her, she knocked six times on a door and when it opened, the Sheriff gasped.

• Welcome to the Firelights shelter, Cupcake. -

Cait lost her breath completely.

There was a beautiful, huge tree in the centre, its branches spreading proudly, the rest of the shelter unfolding around it, walls of metal, wood and tin, sketchy scraps pieced together and decorated with neon graffiti in shades of green, blue and pink.

It was rustic. But definitely beautiful.

A few children were playing near the roots of the trees, and a dark-haired boy and a girl with blue hair pulled back in a single braid approached Vi as soon as she stepped inside the shelter.

"Or rather", the blue-haired girl ran down and threw herself into Vi's arms as soon as she saw her, the young man pausing to put a hand on her shoulder before his eyes fell on Caitlyn.

• The famous Sheriff of Piltover - he said, choosing his words carefully -.

He didn't seem to be much older than her, barely a teenager, though he already moved and spoke like a leader.

• You must be Ekko, one of Vi's little brothers - Caitlyn looked at the boy and smiled - Just call me Caitlyn, please, I didn't come here for work -

Ekko looked at her one last time before nodding and taking the Sheriff's hand, shaking it a little harder than necessary.

• Caitlyn, welcome to the shelter. Vi has told me soooo much about you, we've been dying to meet you. -

The boy snorted in a much more mocking and less mature tone.

Vi let the blue-haired girl go to punch her brother in the arm and laughed nervously.

• I don't know what he's talking about Cupcake, I swear, leadership has taken over his brain -
• Cupcake - The girl peeked over her sister's shoulder and frowned at Caitlyn - The famous and unrepeatable Cupcake -
• I hope Vi said the good things - Caitlyn laughed a little, suddenly nervous about the attention - You must be...? -
• Powder - The girl finally reached out her hand, she was small and thin, quite, in fact, too thin to be healthy - Vi's younger sister, the most important woman in her existence and the first great love of her life, break her heart and I'll rip yours out, are we clear? -

Caitlyn swallowed hard to stifle a nervous laugh and nodded, taking Powder's hand.

• Sure, I wouldn't expect anything less. -

Powder looked at her for a moment before Vi pulled her back a little.

• Pow-Pow - She whispered in panic - I said be nice -
• I'm being Violet! - The girl excused herself - I didn't try to shoot her!.... Yet -
• Who's hungry? - Vi asked, looking on the verge of panic.

As they walked towards the common room, Ekko approached from his right flank as Powder and Vi argued in front of them.

• You'd think Powder would stop trying to chase Vi's girlfriends away when she got older, but to no one's surprise, I guess nothing ever stopped her... -

Caitlyn blushed up to her ears.

• I'm not Vi's girlfriend -
• Sure, sure - Ekko replied teasingly - I'm not fool, I've seen the way she looks at you and I've seen the way you look at her. I know my sister, every time she talks about you, her voice gets sweet and Gods, "Cupcake"? Seriously, it's disgustingly cheesy even for her, you don't have to explain to me what you are or aren't, but I know Violet loves you. Just... -

The boy's expression softened, making him look as young as he really was.

• Take care of her, she's been through a lot of shit to get to where she is now and if you hurt her in any way, I'll let Powder rip your heart out -

Caitlyn didn't know why, but she felt that the Zaunites didn't make that statement casually.

• Violet is the most important person to me. There is nothing in this world that means more to me than her. I would never hurt her, I would rather die than ever hurt her -
• Nothing in this world? -

Ekko asked, seeming surprised but satisfied with the answer.

• Nothing - Caitlyn confirmed.

Looking over, Vi's cheeks were flushed, but she was smiling from ear to ear, and Powder, next to her, crossed her arms. She doubted Caitlyn's words.

• Nothing? Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing? - Powder asked - Not even your rifle, your house? -
• Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing - Cait affirmed, though her cheeks were already blushing a deep red that spread embarrassingly across her cheeks - I can get another rifle, I can get another house. All these things are material, they can be replaced. Violet didn't -

Powder raised an eyebrow, looked at Ekko, Ekko looked at Powder, both raised and lowered their eyebrows as Vi's face turned as red as her own hair, then they burst out laughing.

• You have good taste, sis -

Ekko patted Vi's shoulder as she walked past.

• For once Ekko is right -

Powder rolled her eyes as she stepped forward next to Ekko, but not before ruffling Vi's hair as she passed. She then brought two fingers to her eyes and pointed them at Caitlyn as Ekko pulled her arm.

• I'll be watching you, Kiramman! -

Ekko burst out laughing, pulling the blue-haired girl's arm to get lost in the crowd. Vi smiled, almost foolishly, as she watched Caitlyn.

• Nothing then, eh? - She smiled - I'll tell Jayce.

Cait shook her head, but laughed anyway.

• Tell him. He knows. And he hates you for it, but he knows. He's a big boy, I'm sure he'll take it –

Vi shook her head and sat down at one of the tables, Cait sitting next to her. Ekko and Powder arrived a minute later, carrying two and two plates between them, leaving a couple for them before starting to eat.

The meal was quick and simple, although Caitlyn was more than happy to eat. She adored Vi, but the whole walk around the fence had worn her out.

There were several people sitting around, of all sizes and races, chatting and smiling at each other with simplicity.

Cheeks smeared with food, children laughing and running about, kind eyes, messy laughter. Warmth in the air

There's something about Zaun that Piltover can't compete with.

The simplicity

No one here cares if your back isn't straight, no one cares if your manners aren't right when you sit down to eat. There is no one behind her to judge whether she is using the right spoon.

It's so simple it's almost painful: No one cares.

Nobody cares that Caitlyn is here.

It doesn't matter if the gap between her front teeth is visible when she laughs, or when she holds Vi's hand across the table.

There are no malevolent glances, no canned over-the-shoulder laughs to worry about.

Zaun is full of that simplicity.

People are just the way they are, no double entendres. Good or bad, they don't try to hide it.

There are no hidden deals between the smiles, just smiles.

There's no dark business under the table for Caitlyn to worry about, just a table to share.

There's something here. A certain freedom.

At Zaun you sit how you like, with who you like.

If they don't like you, they just avoid you, there's no neat, stupid policy forcing them to pretend otherwise.

And all this boils down to a practical agreement.

The only currency in short supply in the City of Gold. Loyalty.

And Caitlyn thinks she might actually get used to it. To being able to hug Vi without anyone caring, not even when she drapes a leg over her lap, not even when she lays her head on her girl's shoulder.

It's liberating.

Zaun is full of a certain freedom

There are no last names to wear on your back, just people being people.

Despite what she might have expected, Caitlyn doesn't feel left out here. It's clear that practically everyone knows Vi, but it doesn't take long for the Sheriff to be included in the dynamic.

Admittedly, the humour of the Zaunites is heavier than what she's used to in Piltover.

There's a certain sass in every step.

Still, Caitlyn thinks she could get used to it. She could get used to

To see Vi with smiling cheeks and bright eyes.

No frowns, no wrinkled noses, no grimaces on her lips.

Just her.

Just Vi

Only then do you understand that there's something about Zaun that you don't understand until you're here.

Sharing a table with strangers, because it's more than just sitting together, you share words, experiences, smiles, laughter.

You share tiny moments, but in your chest you keep memories that last a lifetime.

Vi had a reputation for being a problem.

But Caitlyn understood that before calling her a problem. she´d call her a poem

Because being the kind of art that fixes your life with a wink and a wry grin

That makes your day better, with verses and hugs.

Not everyone.

Chapter Text

The next morning, the Sheriff awoke to the soft sunlight streaming through the uncurtained windows [no glass, really, just square holes in the wall] of Vi's room with the firelights.

It was a small place, but comfortable, the creaky wooden floor and miscellaneous metal walls blending oddly with the natural light and the graffiti that adorned every inch of the shelter.

It felt warm, like home.

In short, it consisted of a one-piece bed, even smaller than the one Vi had in her Piltover flat, a box where Vi kept clothes and a few odds and ends, and a small door leading to a single bathroom.

Simple, but nice.

The small bed had resulted in Caitlyn sleeping on top of Vi, her limbs tangled together and her cheek resting on her girl's chest.

Last night, after dinner with the Firelights and the offer to sleep over for practical reasons ( plus Caitlyn was exhausted from the walk), Vi had offered to find another room for her or sleep on the floor, but Caitlyn had just pulled her onto the bed and told her not to be stupid.

Waking up like that, she had no regrets.

The first thing she thought when she woke up was that Vi was still asleep, the gentle movement of her head up and down soothing her, and she thought maybe it wouldn't hurt to get a few more hours of sleep. But when she stirred to settle herself, Vi's hands immediately came up to caress her back, and when she raised her eyes to the woman's face, she noticed that her eyes were fixed on the ceiling.

• Are you all right? -

Vi blinked and nodded, though she still looked a little lost.

• Just... Thinking -
• Another dream? - Caitlyn asked.

Vi swallowed hard before nodding

• I mean something like that... It was really weird, at first it was more like.... It was a memory, then things changed and uh- She let out a slightly frustrated sigh and ran her hands over her face.

Caitlyn lifted her head from her partner's chest and gently stroked her cheeks.

• And how do you feel about that? -

Vi smiled, stroking her cheek.

• Actually - Her throat was dry, but she smiled anyway - I think I'm okay -

Cait scanned her face for wounds out of habit, the grey eyes seemed to hide a storm behind them, but pushing Vi beyond her limits would do more harm than good.

• Then it's okay - She smiled and kissed her chin.

Vi smiled back at her, this time it seemed true. Although her cheeks flushed pink.

• If I say I'm bad, will you give me another one of those? -

Caitlyn laughed at the flirtatious tone and punched her in the chest with a loose fist, feeling her cheeks light up with grief.

• You're insufferable -
• But you love me - Violet teased.

Cait rolled her eyes and got out of bed - She tried - to get out of bed, only to have Violet grab her by the hips and flip her over to get on top of her.

• Vi! –

The pink-haired girl stuck her fingers between her ribs, tickling her and causing the Kiramman to roll around in the sheets laughing.

- So I'm insufferable? - Vi complained in an annoyed voice, then stuck her face into her neck and tickled her with her hair - Say it again! -

- I'm sorry, I'm sorry - Cait squealed between exhausted giggles, tears running down her cheeks and her stomach beginning to hurt from the effort - I adore you, and you know it, gods, let me breathe -

- Umh –

Vi put on an exaggerated expression of "I'm seriously thinking about it".

Taking advantage of her carelessness, Caitlyn grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her over to flip her over again and lay on top of the zaunite, ready for her revenge.

She quickly realised that hadn't been her best idea when the bed ended beneath them and Vi's back hit the floor with a pitiful scream, followed by a dull thud.

Caitlyn jumped to her feet, tentatively checking that Vi hadn't hurt herself in some worrying way, and before she could say anything, Ekko appeared in her line of sight. He had rushed in, his white mane tousled and fluffy in an afro hairstyle, and he was wearing only a pair of boxers.

The three of them looked at each other, Vi lying on the floor, Caitlyn sitting on her lap and Ekko standing in the doorway, first scared and upset, then a little surprised, before he started laughing and shaking his head.

• Smart move sis - the boy laughed - But next time don't make so much noise, my room is on the other side of the shelter and I still heard you –

Caitlyn blushed up to her ears and Vi immediately stood up to protest, which was actually a bad idea as Vi's forehead hit the Sheriff's chin with another dull thud.

Vi howled in pain, Caitlyn hissed. Ekko laughed so hard that he rolled over onto his stomach and ended up on the floor, while Vi alternated between rubbing the Sheriff's chin and her own forehead.

Caitlyn, between the pain and the treacherous tears that had escaped her at the unexpected blow, also began to laugh.

Powder came in from the hallway, her hair was pulled back in a very bad bun that sent it flying in all directions, she had a cup of coffee in her hand and dark circles around her grey eyes. And she looked at the three of them with an awkward expression on her face.

• Shiz, even I'm not that crazy. -

They must have looked like that, Vi and Caitlyn leaning on each other's shoulders, hugging and laughing loudly, Ekko in front of the door, in his underwear, laughing too.

It was the strangest situation Caitlyn had ever imagined, and in an almost masterful way it felt right. Everything fit.

She was happy.

Vi made her happy.

Being with her caused that buttery feeling all over her chest, causing the corners of her mouth to crease with every smile, with every blush.

There was nothing the Sheriff would want to change right now.

She felt like she was home.

Any place would be home if Vi was in it.

Chapter Text

Before they can stop her, the boys involve her in a friendly game of what they call "deer". Even Ekko and Jinx join in.

Caitlyn didn't used to play many games - if any - when she was younger, her mother wouldn't let her because she might get her dress dirty or her knees skinned.

But she used to watch her school friends play. There was a similar one, it was called "Zaunites and Enforcers", those who played as Enforcers had to catch the Zaunites, and if they caught you, they took you out of the game. Everyone was always fighting to be an Enforcer.

Deer is similar in its execution, though much more organic. The group is divided into two equal sections of players, the hunters and the deer. Hunters hunt deer in order to catch them. However, there are different rules, because if two stags are holding hands, they can run away from the hunter. And if all the deer that have not been eliminated manage to get together, they can chase the hunters away.

So there are two ways to win. One is if the hunters manage to eliminate all the deer, and the other is if the deer manage to unite their entire group and scare off the hunters.

Ekko had put Caitlyn on the deer team, Jinx had put Vi on the hunters team, and some of the kids (who were not so kids anymore) had joined in.

The deer were spread out along the field, surrounding the hunters but away from each other, the hunters staying in the middle.

Caitlyn could feel Jinx's eyes on her even before the whistle blew.

She ran as fast as she could as Jinx began to chase her. The blue-haired girl was much faster than her frail frame would suggest, and just as she thought she was about to be defeated, a boy grabbed her hand and pulled her across the field.

There were about 3 deer left besides her and the fifteen year old who had saved her from losing.

Vi seemed to be going after Ekko who, seeing the Sheriff, ran even faster and crashed into her, pulling her arm in the other direction. Cait didn't even have time to complain, though she was sure it would leave a bruise.

The reality was that after 25 years of being protected even from the air, she found amusement in the disorganised laughter of a bunch of strangers. Faces flushed with effort and the annoying sweat that clung to her shirt.

Round after round, lost or won. It didn't matter.

Happiness was there. Swarming in the air. It was there when Jinx stopped seeking some kind of revenge and began to enjoy it.

Every time she fell to the ground, every time someone hung on her shoulders, every time her stomach ached from the effort of laughing while running.

Here it was.

Every time she saw Vi, her heart skipped a beat.

All these years, she had fought against the feeling that Vi unleashed on her chest with every caress, with every smile.

She had tried to run away, to deny it, every time her cheeks flushed.

Every time her heart raced and her stomach churned.

These last few days, she could no longer run away.

She was so damned in love with the pink-haired former convict who stole all her smiles.

And as she ran and enjoyed herself in the little world Vi had given her to be a part of. She realised something else

She was no longer afraid to feel.

For the first time in her life, she wasn't afraid of whether or not Violet would return her feelings. She was so happy just to feel it that she felt like she was going to explode.

It was like being a little girl again.

Even after the group started to thin out, after there was only Ekko, Jinx, Vi and herself left, chasing each other like crazy in absurd rematches.

She laughed until she ran out of air in her lungs and juice, and got dirty, and scraped her knees as if they had never left her, and got muddy, and rolled, and was tired, but happy.

And never thought of Piltover, or her reputation, or her parents.

Just them, the laughter, the sun shining, the children playing, and Vi smiling and making millions of butterflies grow in her chest.

It started to rain in the afternoon, but that didn't stop them.

The water felt cool, but Caitlyn didn't mind ruining her hair for the first time in a long time.

She almost lost her concentration as the warm rain touched her sweaty cheeks. She and Ekko tried to catch up, but Vi and Jinx were a devastating team, too fast and agile, and they were ahead of them.

She was close, so close that she could reach the boy's hand.

Then strong arms knocked her to the ground.

Vi rolled over, falling onto her back and leaving Caitlyn wrapped in her arms.

The world spun around her, and she gave up, dropping her head to the zaunite's chest and breathing heavily.

She had lost. But she wasn't sad.

Vi relaxed as well, trying to catch her breath.

Sweaty cheek against sweaty cheek.

And it was that simple.

Caitlyn didn't need anything in this world.  Not when Vi was making her feel free and happy like no one else could.

She didn't need anyone else when she felt safe with Vi.

As a child, her parents had always tried to protect her from the world and its horrors, but they never made her feel safe. She never felt safe from being, only from herself. Breaking and bending the boundaries they had created to fit the image of what they expected of a perfect daughter, even before she was born.

But not with Vi.

She didn't have to twist and turn to fit, because Vi moulded to her every step, no matter what shape she was in. There was always room in her bosom.

It didn't matter if she was the stunning Sheriff, the perfect Kiramman or just Caitlyn.

When she looked up, she'd find the same devotion in Vi's eternally grey eyes.

Vi made her feel confident that she could be herself and that she would find charm in all her stumbles. That she would love her just as much, lying on the grass with her hair messed up, no make-up on, feeling the rain, as she loved her when she made up her imperfections, fixed her hair and dressed nicely.

Vi made her feel free, happy, confident. Like no one had ever made her feel before.

And with that... It was really enough for her.

If there was anything better in the whole world, she didn't want to know about it.

Caitlyn didn't need a perfect chord or an eloquent diction that would win her grammar awards in her story with Vi. They didn't need to correct each other or use periods, punctuation or accents.  Just her and Vi, conjugating in the "us" and dreaming of perhaps finding the "together" in the perfect tense

Actually, it wasn't perfect at all.

It was messy, and they smelled of sweat and wet dirt.

But it was theirs.

Caitlyn stopped obsessing over the timing, the perfect words, the right verb.

She threw away the manners and the fear she'd been brought up with.

She took Violet's cheeks and kissed her.

There wasn't a moment's hesitation, it was as easy as breathing again. As if they had done it all their lives, wanted it....

Like yin pulling on yang

The light colliding with the dark

It didn't matter if the mud stained her skirt and the grass burned her skin.

If the rain made her lips burn and the sweat gave her a salty touch

It was hers, fucking hers alone

The exception that disarms all rules

The splash of colour on an empty canvas.

Her parents might faint from shock, the higher-ups would think it inappropriate.

Caitlyn only realised what she had done when she broke the kiss with Vi.

She still had the ghost of her partner's - surprisingly - soft lips dancing over her own.

The slight panic of what had happened suddenly hovered over her stomach. All too aware that she had kissed Vi without the slightest thought.

Before she had time to regret it or analyse what it meant for the future, Vi cupped her cheeks and kissed her passionately, tugging at her waist with one arm and cupping her chin with her free hand.

Cait literally melted, it was as if the machinist of the world had released the crank to freeze time, because everything, it no longer mattered.

The Sheriff still had that sinking feeling that when the bubble burst and they had to go back to their lives, nothing would be so easy.

Maybe that was why she had decided to make this moment eternal.

Violet had stood up then, giving her a turn before setting her down, eliciting another laugh from her, and they were left to spend the afternoon with the Firelights, Caitlyn sitting on Vi's lap, sipping a cold beer and chatting with the rest of the group.

It felt good, her girl's firm hands hugging her waist so possessively, Vi's sloppy kisses on her shoulder or neck, or her laughter tickling behind her ear.

She felt like she was on cloud nine every time she turned to look at Vi and planted another pretentious kiss on her lips, only to be greeted warmly and affectionately in return.

For the first time she felt free.

No Firelight judged her for having shitty hair or getting mud all over her when she played. No one questioned the way she showed affection to Vi, no one complained.

Caitlyn Kiramman, a free woman

For the first and perhaps last time

Chapter Text

Caitlyn knew this couldn't go on forever, so when Vi offered her a ride home, she didn't hesitate. Maybe it was that same bravery, or maybe it was the beers, that made her invite the zaunite in when they arrived at her door.

But the high she felt when Vi grabbed her hips and slammed the door behind her back was definitely not from the alcohol.

- Vi~ She begged - Kiss me -

And Violet did

She caught Caitlyn's lips with delight, drinking in the brief gasp she caused as she flooded her mouth with tongue, her hands not exactly still either, tugging at her jacket to remove it, dropping it carelessly to the floor.

The Sheriff wrapped her arms tighter around her neck and took a small leap to wrap her legs around Vi's hips, the Zaunite grabbing her thighs and pulling her away from the wall without further effort.

They stumbled up the stairs and down the corridor, and Vi stumbled slightly as she fumbled for the doorknob.

Caitlyn kissed her relentlessly, gasping against her lips as she searched for friction, making the task of simply finding the knob and turning it almost impossible.

They both laughed breathlessly at the failed task Vi had set herself, the pink one taking a long sigh, pressing her forehead to Cait's and giving her a small smile of victory as she finally opened the door.

• I warned you once, I'll tell you again today, I'll eat you alive Cupcake –

She took a moment to appreciate Caitlyn's embarrassed expression before capturing her lips again as she made her way to the bed with long strides, lowering the Sheriff gently onto it.

Cait let out a laugh as her ass bounced against the padded bed, which was drowned out by a gasp as Vi mercilessly attacked her neck, licking, kissing, sucking and biting at her whim.

It was impossible to concentrate effectively when Vi's talented mouth was working wonders on the skin in its path. Without missing a beat, her fingers slid delicately and slowly inside Caitlyn's t-shirt, slowly pulling it up.

Taking a moment to pull away from her lips to look into her eyes.

• May I?
• Of course.

Vi pulls her waist towards her pelvis, lifting her a little off the bed, Caitlyn enjoying the caress, opening her legs, tucking them into the opposite hips, giving her more access, which the zaunita doesn't waste, bringing their bodies together to the physical limit allowed.

She slides her hands up into the fabric as she kisses her way down the other's neck, biting, licking and kissing her way down her jaw, earlobe, neck, shoulders and cleavage, leaving no inch of skin unexplored, wanting to know everything, to touch everything.

Caitlyn is the most beautiful work of art she's ever had the pleasure of knowing, and Violet wants to appreciate her as she should, like reading her favourite book, letter by letter, point by point, inch by inch, she wants to engrave every last detail of the Sheriff into her brain.

The place where her moles are, her weak spots and the ones that make her laugh, the sound of her excited breathing, the vibration on her lips from her little moans when she licks her throat, the way her legs wrap around her, how incredible her skin feels against her fingertips, the ever-sweet way she tugs at her hair, begging her to please not stop

The way she clings to her, the way her body reacts to the stimuli by arching back a little to give her more and more access, the way her chest feels heaving under her hands, or the addictive way she looks at her with those terribly blue eyes that look like the sea in the middle of the night.

The trembling blush on her cheeks, or how perfect her messy hair looks scattered across the pillow.

Cherishing her inch by inch, she undresses her shirt. She feels breathless as the bare skin meets her gaze, the thin layer of sweat running down her skin, the two perfect mounds wrapped in a lacy black bra, swaying with the girl's breath beneath her, seducing her, calling her to meet.

And she doesn't intend to deny the call, with slightly more hasty fingers she undoes the clasp of the bra and tosses it somewhere off the bed, her fingers moving to meet the pink aureoles, the nipples erect at the contact as she caresses and plays with them, Caitlyn's moans begin to rise in volume, and Violet's kisses don't stop coming down.

She keeps kissing her, biting and licking her carefully, the heat making her legs tremble, but she doesn't want to leave an inch untravelled, marking invisible maps with her kisses, losing herself in the search for the way back.

Caitlyn was an ideal blend of sweetness and ferocity, the coiled strength of a hunter pampered to perfection.

Swift hips jerked against her abdomen.

She licked the erect nipple before taking it into her mouth and gently caressing it with her teeth, drawing a much louder moan from the blue-haired woman.

• VI! -

Loves the way she calls her name, her voice shaking with gasps, and the way her fingers bury themselves eagerly in her hair and shoulders, digging into the edges of her blouse to scratch the skin in their wake, her legs wrapped around her hip with need, pushing her pelvis in search of friction.

It drives her completely wild.

She could easily become addicted to it.

How ironic. Vi spent her whole life running away from the addictions of the suburbs to find her favourite drug in the city of progress.

Who was to warn her that her downfall had the bluest eyes in the world and came wrapped in indigo hair?

Her lips make a sticky sound as she releases her left breast and traces its way down to her ribs, drawing a giggle from the girl as her hair caresses the edges of her waist; she loves that sound too, the graceful way she laughs is her favourite tune and she could listen to it all her life and it would always produce the same effect of butterflies in her stomach.

Is there anything about this girl that she doesn't find absolutely charming?

Her hands release the Sheriff's breasts to caress the shape of her hips and lose themselves in the edges of the shorts that are so much in her way at the moment. She takes a moment to remove her own shirt and, by the way, her companion's shorts.

Caitlyn lets out a moan of surprise, devouring the view with hunger, as if she were dying of thirst and Vi was the last drop of water in the middle of an embracing desert; her pupils dilating even more (if that's possible) as she absorbs the view, trying to capture it in her brain.

The zaunita on top of her could be a goddess, her biceps perfectly defined, her shoulders strong, her arms defined, her breasts covered by a sturdy black sports bra.

Vi didn't let her enjoy the view for long, though, as it cascaded over her stomach, kissing the edges of her waist before playfully nibbling at her hip, eliciting a scream from her.

• This is mine -
• All yours -

Caitlyn smiles playfully as she wraps her legs around Vi's body, who lets out a moan that sounds more like a hungry growl.

The dark blue underwear hid the mess underneath quite well, but there was no hiding how wet the Sheriff had become as Vi pulled the fabric down over her knees.

Her clit was swollen with need and the smell of undiluted sex flooded her senses.

Her lips were wet and slightly rosy, and her clit was swollen and pulsating, almost begging her to meet it, her juices dripping down and staining the lower bed, leaving her in the most precious mess her eyes had ever seen.

Her hands following the burning trail of her mouth, she carefully lifts her thighs to place them on either side of her head, which almost immediately tensed.

• Stay open for my princess - Vi ordered with a half smile - I'm going to be down here for a while -

Caitlyn trembled in every fibre of her body but nodded with weak knees.

She was already wet enough to glisten and Vi could feel the strong taste of her arousal on the back of her tongue just by breathing.

She enjoyed a slow first lick, parting the slick folds and savouring the moan that came from the Sheriff's throat.

• You really taste sweet, Cupcake –

Vi doesn't hold back, spreading her lips apart with her fingers to free the Sheriff's legs, which don't hesitate to wrap around her head, stimulating the clit with her thumb as her tongue caresses the spot until she finally sinks into the hot and wet cavity.

A much louder moan pierces Caitlyn's throat.

Another firm caress brought her to her clit, so swollen and sensitive that even a brief contact brought a choked moan, the sound straddling eagerness and surprise.

Caitlyn bit her lip to hold back another moan or a witty comment, Vi wasn't sure, but the real answer came when deft fingers slid through the crown of her hair and pressed down hard.

She couldn't hide the murmur of amusement, but Cupcake's wishes were orders, and she wrapped her lips around the Sheriff's needy clit and sucked, gently at first, then tightening her grip until a needy jerk coursed through her hips.

• Fuck Vi! - Cait hissed through her teeth.

This was followed by more desperate curses as Vi relaxed and lowered herself, worshipping every part of her from lips to entrance.

Vi continued the cycle with more vigour until Caitlyn's hand clenched a rough fist in her hair, causing a slight sting, nails scraping the shaved side of her hair.

Two of the zaunite's calloused fingers traced the muscle line from knee to hip, then slipped between the delicate blue curls, pausing for a moment as she looked up to search those beautiful blue eyes. Asking permission

Caitlyn bit her lower lip hard and let out a sharp "fuck" before nodding. Vi gave her a small smile as she slid a finger into the clinging warmth.

The Sheriff moaned and shivered, squeezing Vi's finger so tightly that she froze for a moment.

• Are you all right, my love? -
• Uh-huh - Cait nodded absently - It's just that when you look at me from there... -

Vi blushed a little and winked at her.

• Then don't let me out of your sight.

Vi rested her other arm on Caitlyn's hips to keep her from squirming too much and locked eyes with the woman she loved before she began to move.

The first movement and the Sheriff was spitting curses that would set the ears of a Zaun thug on fire.

Vi gave her a reassuring caress with her free hand, at the sarda of curses and incoherence, as her other hand slid in deeper.

Biting back the remnants of her smile, she moved back down to find Caitlyn's clit, concentrating only on matching the rhythm between her hand and her tongue; it wasn't long before she added a second finger, feeling the subtle stretch each time she pushed to the knuckle, and the Sheriff's soft chorus of moans grew in volume as she curled her fingers in search of that spot deep inside.

Caitlyn on her side, she feels in heaven, her hips moving, seeking more friction, despite trying to stop it, her legs unconsciously squeezing Zaunita's head between them, the pleasure she feels running through her, from the tips of her toes to electrifying every hair on her head.

She arched up on the bed, her heels digging deep into Vi's lower back, as if that might make her recoil from the rising waves of pleasure.

Each time Vi teased the Sheriff's clit, she let her work a little longer, chasing the natural relaxation after the jolt of pleasure faded, and at the end of each thrust she began to rotate her fingers, letting her get used to the band of tattooed knuckles that stretched the sensitive edge of her pussy.

Without wasting another moment, she added a third finger to the band and squeezed her clit between her labia, lingering for a moment as she flicked with her fingers.

Caitlyn clenched like a vise, throwing her head back with a choked cry that tore Vi's name apart so beautifully the rest of the world didn't care, the slippery warmth trapping her hand, easing the thrust forward again, working gently over the same inch of sensitive territory until Caitlyn shivered from head to toe like a leaf in a blizzard.

• I can't even think, Vi - every syllable that came out of her girl's mouth was choppy with gasps, the words barely fitting together.
• You don't need to think, my queen - The zaunite smothered the words with adoring kisses and soothing caresses.

She leaned down to suck on Caitlyn's clit, twisting her wrist at the same time.

• Vi, motherfucker - Blue eyes rolled for a second as Cait slapped her other hand against the sheets, clawing at the fabric - Fuck! It feels so...

The Sheriff broke her throat with a sound close to a sob and all of her shattered, for Vi it was all heat and stasis amidst the bright bloom of those gorgeous blue eyes as pleasure conquered all.

The orgasm stole the rest of Caitlyn's words. Vi felt every shudder of pleasure echo in a direct wave down her own thighs, intimately connected to her partner's release, the trembling of her hips, the slippery drip of excitement, the cry of bliss choked between the vibrations of her throat, breaking into the highest notes and turning hoarse, a breathless surge.

• Vi, Vi - the Sheriff gasped her name as if it were a prayer -
• Take all you want sweetheart, it's yours - Vi smiled softly and kissed her hips.

Caitlyn gave her a distinctly adorable moan that almost made the Zaunita purr, watching with attentive pampering as her girl's body slowly settled until she slumped back against the bed, shuddering with another aftershock and breathing so hard she looked like she'd just run a marathon.

Genuine tears escaped the Sheriff's admiring eyes as she came down from that powerful high, overwhelmed in the best sense of the word.

Vi wasted no time, drinking every last drop of the liquid as if it were her favourite treat, and when she was satisfied, she made her way to free herself from the firm grip Caitlyn's legs had on her head, to push herself up again, soothing Cupcake with words of salve, helping her with cuddles and soft kisses.

Kissing her forehead with absolute devotion, moving the trail of sweat from her face as her girl prayed to regain her breath.

• How do you feel? -
• In goddamn heaven - Caitlyn smiled with open teeth, the kind of smile she didn't usually show, letting the gap between her foreheads show - I think you've fried all the chemtrails in my brain -
• And that's without the gauntlets.
• Shut up, you're an idiot - Caitlyn denied, laughing too.
• But I am your idiot - Vi finished the sentence with a sloppy kiss - And you adore me - Another kiss - And I'll be your idiot forever  -

Vi planted a kiss on her forehead, then moved down until her mouth found the Sheriff's, hot, messy and desperate.

Caitlyn pulled her to her, kissing her, taking advantage of her weak position to switch places and climb on top of her, the zaunite moaning softly and returning the kiss with equal parts tongue and teeth.

She sits on her partner's lap, leaning on her chest for support, making the kiss even hotter, her fingers caressing the path of her neck, going down the tattoo until they get lost in her breasts, not hesitating to quickly remove the bra while her fingertips go to meet the perfect aureoles of Vi, who moans against her lips at the contact.

Her kisses go down her jaw, reaching the tattoo on her neck, which she undoubtedly outlines with her tongue, causing a slight tremor on the ex-convict, reaching her shoulder and leaving a small bite.

• My revenge -

Vi takes her left hand, which had been resting on her stomach for stability, and brings it to the center of her perfect biceps.

• Mark all you want, sweetie, it's all yours - Vi says, winking at her with a smile that wavers between a little embarrassment and the most suicidal sincerity.

Caitlyn smiles and lets herself fall like a downpour against the freckled skin of her shoulders, moving down her collarbones, leaving hickeys and bites in her wake as her fingers continue to play with her breasts, her mouth moving to the right and her hands going down to get lost in her pants, looking for a way to get them off.

Vi lifts her hips (with Cait still on top) with complete ease and pulls them off on her own, taking her soaked panties with her and eliciting a groan from the Sheriff at the friction as the Zaunita lets out a hoarse laugh.

She catches Caitlyn's jaw with her right hand and reaches for her opposite hips with her left, rising from the bed to deepen the kiss, leaving the Sheriff sitting on her lap, her legs curled up on either side of her body.

Vi licks a hot line across Caitlyn's collarbone, savoring the salt, a hint of perfume lingering at the base of her throat, notes of citrus and lavender.

As she kisses her, she runs her hands down her partner's body, arranging her legs, one under and one over her own, in such a position that their midsections brush against each other.

Seeking more comfort, she continues her way forward, pushing Cait underneath again, only this time with her head back against the foot of the bed, her right hand holding her hips and her left hand lost on her thigh, settling in better to begin rubbing their intimacies.

The two moan at the contact, Caitlyn clinging to the opposite back, with welcome scraping of nails, as Vi buries her fingers firmly, marking the Sheriff's skin in her wake, who slowly begins to push herself to meet her, finding a delirious synchronicity.

Soon all that's left is the sound of their intimacies coming together, flooding the room in sync with the increasingly loud moans of both of them, their clits rubbing with each thrust that slowly picks up speed, their legs entwined, their nipples rubbing and meeting with each movement, it's maddening, pushing them in leaps and bounds to orgasm.

Caitlyn buries her teeth in the other woman's shoulder as she seeks stability from the thunderous orgasm that begins to descend from her belly, eliciting a hoarse moan from the ex convict who clings even tighter to the Sheriff's waist, scratching at the skin beneath her.

Vi's right hand releases her hips and moves in her direction, resting on Cait's neck, lifting from under her chin to kiss her lips, clinging to them with a primal passion, while her left hand holds the grip on her leg, enjoying the maddening sensation of sinking her fingers into the soft flesh.

That light pressure on her neck catapults the second most thunderous orgasm of Caitlyn's life, sending her to see the stars as her back arched and her nails dug deeper, moaning loudly against Vi's mouth, who follows a few seconds later, clinging to her hips, moving her grip to the indigo hairline and clinging to it as she devours the other's lips with a hunger she cannot satisfy.

Once past it, their bodies remain there, clinging and pressing together as much as physically possible, trembling with slight spasms and struggling to catch their breath.

It takes them several minutes to finally normalize their breathing, only to meet their lips again in a much softer and more romantic kiss than the one that started it all.

They stay like this for a few more seconds, enjoying the contact, the intimate way their bodies are still pressed together, with every physically possible inch of skin glued to the other, in a tight, sweaty embrace.

It feels good, as if their bodies were made for each other.

And then Vi hugged her and kissed her again. And Caitlyn laughed, and she was happy.

That was what was happening, all the time.

All this time Caitlyn had been fighting to hide secrets that everyone knew.

All this time she had done nothing but try to lie to herself, as if that were possible.

The whole time they were here. Stored between Violet's lips.

All the answers had been so close, and yet she had fought them so hard without even knowing it.

From the moment Vi had stood beside her, talking about monsters and holding her hand, Caitlyn had been in love with her. She just hadn't allowed herself to know it, to think it, to feel it.

Everything everyone else had said, Mel, her parents, even Jayce, Ekko or Jinx. They were right. They had been right all along.

She felt stupid for being afraid for so long.

As they lay here in their ruined sheets, breathing heavily in the middle of the night.

Caitlyn breathed and finally felt free.

This time, she didn't try to lower her voice every time she called Vi's name, because when she caressed her name, Violet responded.

She didn't try to run away from the prospect of what this might do to their friendship.

She no longer cared if tomorrow the Council would swoon over her relationship with a Zaunite ex-convict she herself had released a few years ago.

Because Caitlyn Kiramman

No longer had to hide or deny it.

Tonight. The secrets were over.

She could watch them slip away behind the open door.

END

[From the first season]