Archive of Our Own

The city of Piltover lies in ruins. Smoke curled like restless spirits through the alleyways, the acrid scent of charred metal from Ambessa’s army and other soldiers that lost their life and their blood heavily scented the air. After they came back to themselves and Vi saw her sister and her dad being lost, once again, she was feeling pretty dull, unable to properly process what happened because her mind was still occupied on finding her sharpshooter. “ Cait.” The image of her sister smiling at her whilst falling down the Hexgates followed by an explosion was still like a very vivid dream, except that it happened, she lost them for real this time. 

She realized she was alone and so she let out a horrid scream that echoed painfully in her own ears; tears flowing down like a full river after a raining season. She couldn’t have herself standing up, moving on… except that it was a flash of blue eyes that belonged to Caitlyn rapidly appearing on the back of her mind, a very vivid image of how they looked at each other before they, finally, fulfilled their mutual craving. 

She covered her face with her forearm, letting herself cry in pain, in pain because she lost them, she was exhausted, her body was hurting, everything was hurting. 

Vi doesn’t know how much time she spent there crying, minutes, one hour, a brief moment, possibly? She couldn’t care less. 

It was the blurry sight of a green string of light approaching her from the top of the HexGates, something recognizable, a Firelight Hoverboard, in it, Ekko riding it. She stood up, not bothering to retrieve the Hex Gloves that were made for her, the war was over so the gloves were no longer needed, or so she thinks. 

When Ekko stopped in front of her, he had a tough look which softened the image of his childhood friend,  red, irritated face from crying and screaming her guts out. He didn’t have the bravery to ask what happened, whatever had her in that situation was valid since the war itself was enough reason to shock everyone. 

Maybe Vi couldn’t see it right now, there was no witness at all who could say what Ekko did, but eventually she will ask the Boy Saviour how everything went on top of the tower. With a long sigh being released from both heroes, Vi was the first to comment, carefully approaching the boy and softly bumping his shoulder. 

“Looking good, buddy.” She sarcastically commented, with her voice so raspy from screaming, to the white-haired boy, Ekko smirked and whipped the remains of blood that were both dripping from his eyebrow, nose and lips, only to then turn his sight to the device he created… with Powder. They won this war because of Powder and the professor. 

“Sad to say I got pretty dusted, but it worked.” Vi nodded in agreement, ignoring the stings of pain in her chest area and stomach, anxiety that was being held from the previous scenes that developed in front of her. “How about you? How are you?” Ekko asked out of genuine concern.

“I think I’ve been worse.” Vi commented, making it seem that it was not much of a big deal but Ekko knew there was something else along those lines, Vi eyes were too expressive to show that there was something, even when the girl was sporting an excellent smug, victory face, her red face from tears was still too present to just whip it away. 

A little scared to ask, he still went ahead. “Is… Jinx?” Vi couldn’t hide it as she could only close her eyes, hurting at the repeating scene of her sister being lost for good. That was enough answer for Ekko, who turned around to see the view of Piltover destroyed, trying to conceive the idea that this world won’t be having Jinx around anymore. 

It was bizarre, when they were kids they would wish for this city and its people to be in pain, for all the things they did and said to them but now… they understood that the hatred only brought hatred back and that this fight would mean a lot of dynamic change, hopefully for good. 

There was a lot to discuss, there were a lot of routes to take and after all they witnessed, they would stick together to bring all good to all people, not only a few as they previously fought for. They still had a lot at stake that had to be argued with leaders… with the Council… with Caitlyn.

With many ideas in their heads, Ekko took the first step. “C’mon Vi, let’s get down from here.”

Surrendering at the exhaustion that was starting to hit, Ekko exchanged one last look between his childhood friend and re-ignited his hoverboard, making sure to leave enough space for Vi; who was looking defeated and anxious even when they just made it out alive from Viktor’s angsty apocalypse. 

“She must be looking for the sniper-girl.” He thought and he understood why, in this world, in this universe, this was Vi’s other half, Caitlyn was what Powder was to him in that other universe.

They used the remaining energy to fly to the main plaza, where Ambessa’s soldiers were still standing high and proud, as if they just won. Vi felt a strong sting in her chest and without doubt, she collected her fists and steadied herself to be ready for another round without actually having any strength left. Ekko’s hoverboard gracefully landed and both Zaunites got down of it in one movement, they stumbled through the rubble, and from far they could see Ambessa’s body laying on the ground, with Mel’s body sitting next to her, caressing one last time her mother’s lifeless face. 

Vi was in shock, she faced the leader once and she knew that woman was fearless and extremely skilled fighter, someone who, if they weren’t in a war position, would enjoyed a couple of sparring rounds with her. But when she let herself examine the rest of the scenario, all thoughts were gone, her mind was blank, and she knew the shock was going to be worse when she recognized the dark blue hair of Caitlyn next to Mel’s, also laying in the grounds and without moving. 

She felt her soul leaving her body, the last gasp of breath held within her body leaving her existence. This couldn’t be happening.

Her legs started to shake, her arms started to go numb as well as her mind. In an attempt to make sure it was her, she started walking towards the scene, seeing her rifle split into two, laying down far away from Cait’s body. Only spears and blood surrounded her. 

This couldn’t be happening.

She can’t lose Caitlyn too.

She knows for sure she won’t be able to endure it if she loses Caitlyn. Vi’s heart pounded harder than her footsteps, her sight fogging at tears menacing to drip from her cheeks.

“Cait!” she called, voice rough and desperate. No answer. She kicked over a smoldering piece of debris, ignoring the sting from her deep wounds that damaged her body "Caitlyn!" Mel turned to see her, with worry in her eyes as well, leaving her mother’s body to rest for good and turning to her esteemed friend, seeing that the huge stain of blood from her stomach was painting the plaza floors.

Vi couldn’t care fucking less about anything, she just needed to reach her. She saw Mel putting Cait's head in her lap and once Vi managed to get to Caitlyn, she dropped herself to the floor, taking Caitlyn into her arms herself, removing her from Mel’s lap in urgency.

“Call a doctor, now.” 

Vi examined every inch of Caitlyn’s body, she carefully removed all the hair strands from her face, somehow with an insane amount of tenderness within the growing desperation in her body, it revealed a large amount of blood coming from her left eye… her sharp shooting eyes. Vi was quick to clean it, unable to take a look of what actually happened to her eye. She has seen the most gore-y stuff a person could ever be exposed to, but seeing the woman she made love to a few hours ago in this condition was heartbreaking, painful and suffocating. Vi was unsure what will happen to her if she loses Caitlyn. 

As Vi kept examining Caitlyn's beloved body for injuries, she also noticed that Mel was putting pressure to her side, and so she did the same. The time the doctor was taking felt like years, she started softly rocking back and forth Caitlyn’s body, pressing her forehead against Cait’s head, making sure no more pressure would be put into her damaged eye.

She started praying to whichever gods would listen to her, to whichever entity that could help her. 

Mel could only watch the scene, softly gazing at the pair. She was one of the first people to know they were together and seeing them in such a state hurt her, after all, she considers the both of them as friends. Mel couldn’t deepen much on being in sorrow as she now remembered the destiny she was now demanded to fulfill. A whole clan and army to rule. She was now The Wolf. She stood up besides her injuries and exhaustion this new gift has gave her; Mel retrieved her stoic gaze and the army once again hit their spears in the ground, they knew what to do with the lifeless body of her mother to ready her for the proper burial ceremony she knew she needed and was expected to make.

Mel turned to see as more soldiers arrived, among them the doctor who hurried to the cradled body that Vi was holding on to. Her teammate, Counselor Caitlyn, Commander Kiramman…

As Vi let the doctors do their job, she stared with intensity at the hands that were in charge of bringing Caitlyn’s back. “She’s lost a lot of blood and the eye is in danger.” The murmur of the caretaker to the assistant was still too loud for Violet. Panic was being persistent on invading her, she remained seated next to the people in charge to bring her Caitlyn back. She hid her face with her hands and cradled herself between her legs. She felt useless and she hated the sensation. 

A sudden groan reached her ears. It was faint, almost swallowed by the crackling of the debris being moved around to retrieve all the bodies of the fallen soldiers. Vi froze, and her stomach started turning, she felt like her mind was starting to become clear once again and all her thoughts only were “Please be okay, please be okay. Cait, Caitlyn.”

It was amazing, how Caitlyn, being stabbed, heavily hurt and barely being able to draw in air, still had the strength to call her. “Vi…” and it took Violet out of her shock. She immediately looked up and with only one eye open, Caitlyn reached out to hold her hand as she previously did in the planning room before all of this started. Without a second to spare, Vi took the slim hand into her strong hands, holding to it like her life depended on.

“Cait!” She was unsure where to start. Caitlyn started to slowly close her good eye again, the other one still unable to be open. “Stay with me, cupcake. Just… stay awake. We’ve got you.” The desperation was clear in her voice, her face, her body, the doctors could only hurry and aid the Commander with the necessary things to stabilize Caitlyn. 

“Vi…” Caitlyn’s voice was barely above a whisper, strained and laced with pain. “You’re… okay. That’s good.”

“No. Don’t you—don’t you do that.” Vi’s throat tightened. “Don’t you waste energy worrying about me, Cait. Let me—let me get you out of here. We’ll patch you up. You’ll be fine.”

Her hands trembled as she kept drifting her eyes from her wounded eye, to her good eye and then to her stabbing wound. Seeing the woman she adores in such a state was killing her from the inside. “We do need to take her to a clean space so we can sew her and treat her eye.” The doctors assured that Vi’s help would be actually needed. Without hesitation, Violet nodded, moving herself to be in a position to carry Caitlyn to safety.

“See, cupcake? I’m going to take you somewhere better so they can help you better.” Even with her closed eyes, Caitlyn slightly smiled, a sideways smile that made Violet tremble a few hours ago.

Tears eventually did fall down from her eyes, Vi gritted her teeth, straining against the weight until her muscles screamed in protest. She screamed in pain but still stood up with no help. At the action of being moved, in such a state, Caitlyn cried out in pain as well. Vi froze, panic clouding her judgment. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Just hold on, Cait. Please.” and Violet took one second to make sure she was ready to walk and carefully surrounded Caitlyn’s body. Once she got the OK signal from the doctors that all wounds were covered and that the stab wound was already tended to prevent the commander from losing more blood than she already has. 

Vi started walking, wide strides as she started to notice that color was starting to drain from Caitlyn’s slightly toned skin, as she continued to scream in pain, her eye starting to bleed again, causing Vi to hurry more into a medical unit that was situated near the barricaded palace that was the Council Room of Piltover. She kept looking to see if Caitlyn’s good eye was blinking or at least shutting strong in pain. 

But now it was closed, no force being put into it… as if she was sleeping deeply. 

“No! Cait, look at me!” Vi shook her gently, her voice cracking. “Don’t close your eyes. You’ve got to stay with me.” Doctors started to surround her and Vi made sure to stay within the range of Caitlyn's good eye, in case she decided to open it, she was now right next to her and she needed to make sure she wasn’t going to lose her.

“I’m tired, Vi…” Caitlyn’s words were slurred. Her eye unfocused. “I just need… a moment.” It seemed that she was ready to rest, but Vi wasn’t. They still had a lot to talk, to feel, to see and to express that Violet wasn’t going to be ready anytime soon to give up this fast.

“No moments. Not until we’re home.” 

Violet now depended on the doctors to bring her back, to bring her stitched up and with her two, sharp, beautiful eyes. Vi could only release a trembling sigh, tears non-stop in angst of seeing Caitlyn not making an attempt to open her good eye again. 

Vi sat beside Caitlyn’s bed, her hands wrapped around a mug of untouched tea. The soft hum of medical equipment filled the room, a far cry from the chaos earlier. Caitlyn had been stabilized-barely. The healers warned Vi the recovery would be long and grueling. Caitlyn’s wounds were too severe and extremely damaging for the body. And her eye…

Vi stared at the bandages covering Caitlyn’s left side, her jaw clenched. She hated this—hated to wait, she hated the bare thought of having to depend on someone else to decide how much Cait will take to wake up. Caitlyn looked so small, so fragile. It was wrong. Caitlyn was strength and precision, always two steps ahead. This… this wasn’t her.

Her mind looped again to Vander’s eyes, lost within the beast that attacked her and Jinx… her sister. Both of them were gone and she felt again like when she was 15, trying to conceive the idea that she was alone again and…

“Violet?”

The raspy voice jolted her. Caitlyn’s good eye was open, soft and unfocused. Vi could only imagine that Cait was trying to make an effort to open the other one but it wouldn’t lead to anything, a patch of medical bandages covering it. 

“Hey, cupcake.” Vi forced a smile, though her throat felt tight. “You’re awake. Took you long enough.” She released the sigh she didn’t knew she was holding, in relief. 

Caitlyn chuckled weakly, then winced. “I thought you…” Vi won’t allow to see Caitlyn making an extra effort that would exhaust her. She carefully shushed her, along with a kiss in the hand she reached to hold the second she woke up.

“Yeah, well. It would take more than an apocalypse to take me out.” Vi said as she set the mug down and leaned closer, using sarcastic-comedic as a coping mechanism to ignore the fact that she was shit-scared at the idea of not having Caitlyn’s by her side anymore. “How do you feel?”

“Like I got hit by a steam engine,” Caitlyn said, her voice dry but still with her so-perfect accent. Then her gaze softened. “But you’re here. That helps.” It made Vi side smile, incredulous at how the shooter was still able to make such comments while being in that state.

Vi swallowed hard. “You scared the hell out of me, Cait. I thought—” She stopped, unable to say the words. “I couldn’t stop thinking about-” 

“I’m sorry,” Caitlyn said, her voice faint but sincere. “I didn’t mean for you to—”

“Don’t.” Vi’s voice cracked, and she looked away. “You don’t get to apologize for this. It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I should’ve been faster, stronger… should’ve trained harder and-.”

“Vi.” Caitlyn, weak but steady, pronounced between small wincing sounds because of the stings of pain. “You’re here and it’s over. That’s all that matters.” As she leaned her head back against her pillow, with her other free hand, reached out to feel what happened to her eye and how it was covered. Her good eye widened in shock at the thought of what this meant for her, for her position and for her dearest passion for range-shooting.

Vi exhaled shakily, her fingers tightening around Caitlyn’s. “You scared me, Cait,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I can’t lose you. I just can’t.” She got closer, seeing a small space for her to sit down in the bed, which she carefully did to not hurt Caitlyn or move her in any manner that would compromise her state. 

Caitlyn took the opportunity to examine Vi, she was equally patched up in her torso, war scars now tracing her face and strong features “You won’t,” Caitlyn said softly, her thumb brushing over Vi’s knuckles. “We’ll get through this.” It was amazing, how Caitlyn was still reassuring her even when she was the one laying down in the bed trying to recover.

Vi nodded, her eyes damp, red in irritation as she cried non-stop for hours since the war was over. She pressed her forehead against Caitlyn's hand, leaving a soft trail of kisses in her knuckles. “Yeah. Together”. Placing one last kiss in Caitlyn’s hand that was now calloused from the war and bruised from the many hits she got, Vi finally allowed herself to be vulnerable.

Knowing Violet, Caitlyn knew there were deep loss that the fighter won’t be able to talk about yet, Caitlyn knew how to make her feel safe and she knew that needed a safe state of mind in order for her to open up… even when she was physically locked up to the bed, her mind could only think about taking care of Vi, who was hurting.

She allowed herself to take one more glimpse of the girl that was sitting next to her before closing her eye again. Sighing again at the thought that war was finally over. 

The days that followed were slow, filled with quiet moments and tentative steps toward healing. Caitlyn’s wounds didn’t magically vanish, but she was more relieved to finally enjoy the Kiramman residence with Vi, without worry. With Vi next to her, she still needed a bit of help to move around, and Vi would hold her like she was made of paper… something quite new for both of them. 

Vi knew Caitlyn was a totally independent leader, a strong woman and possibly the most resilient person she could know, but somehow, allowing themselves to support each other and being soft like that, it felt good. Caitlyn felt good to be taken care of. Quite complex emotions would think Caitlyn to herself, who was holding onto Vi’s shoulder as support to reach to her large bedroom.

Vi’s nightmares didn’t stop. In the few days she got some sleep in the following week spent to rest the constant nightmare of the last smile Jinx gave to her, the last gaze she gave Vander before seeing them explode into the ventilation systems of the HexGates. That’s it. That’s what keeps her up at night and it makes her feel sick. 

The times where she preferred to not fall asleep, she would trace Caitlyn's body with so much care and adoration, she would have her fingertips follow the curves of the Kiramman who kisses her deeply before hugging each other to sleep. Vi found that the warmth of another body next to her, especially Caitlyn’s, made her heart beat faster, still not used to sharing a bed with the woman she… loves . 

Accepting feelings so strong like these is something she’ll take some time to get used to. She used to avoid feeling love, care or desire for someone as she always had the anxiousness that something will take them away from her, but with Caitlyn… with Cait it felt right. Previously she was in denial, in negation that she deserved something so precious like that.

But somehow, in the quiet of their shared space, they found something steady. They didn’t speak about it but they both silently agreed that Vi will have her small amount of things moved into Caitlyn’s room, who kindly encouraged Vi from bed whilst her stab wound was being cared for by a nurse, on how and where to place each things so it would feel right for Vi, like she belonged somewhere… It was now THEIR bedroom. With many feelings to settle, eventually, Violet will call this place her ‘home’.

Along that, Vi helped Caitlyn adjust to her new routines, things like cooking, to cleaning her rifle with her remaining vision. And Caitlyn, ever patient, calmed Vi’s restless energy with a few carefully chosen words and soft touches. It’s been a few weeks since the war and Vi was starting to feel like she was in an enclosure, she knew it wasn’t like that and that she was free to roam however she desired (as per Caitlyn’s words) but still, it was strange, having a domestic life while they both recovered. While both of their minds were still feeling like they needed to go a thousand miles per second, they both had their own inner fights and they equally knew that, they still didn’t feel ready to speak about it. 

Council meetings still happened and Vi wasn’t happy with Caitlyn attending them, she still needed to let her body recover from war and all counselors agreed with Vi, surprisingly. They all constantly called Caitlyn to go back and that she’ll get a full report on what was discussed with enough time to call her opinion as house leader, they all cared for her, and of course they will, she stood up against Ambessa and risked her own life to take her down, she will be recognized for that the rest of Piltover’s history. 

Mel was the one that appointed a couple of visits to the Kiramman’s residence to check up on both girls, whom she always found keeping themselves occupied with conversations about how the fight on each of their sides happened, Caitlyn talking about things she has been reading about, Vi telling her about how she’s planning on returning to train because her muscles have started to go ‘soft’. But still, Vi was still unable to deepen on the loss of both of sister and father. It left Caitlyn with curiosity of the situation but wasn’t able to make Vi say more about it. Mel thought that before she said goodbye, she would enjoy the two girls' company, after all, they were the only ones she cared for left in this realm. 

The girls would welcome her, happy to see that Vi was settling little by little in the residence, she was now moving more comfortably in all the rooms and offered Mel all the commodities without shyness as it happened before when Cassandra Kiramman was alive; it obviously took Caitlyn’s lots of sweet talk, promises and serious conversations to have the Zaunite understand that she was now Caitlyn’s partner, a hero and that she belonged in the residence… She saved Piltover and Zaun as well. 

Whilst they were having dinner together, Mel finally relaxed at the space they built within minutes, Caitlyn was sitting now in the dinner table at the main room, Violet next to her and Mel’s sitting in front of them… they were all having something Vi cooked, whom apparently showed off to be a good cook, much to Mel’s and Caitlyn’s surprise. Mel sipped wine before looking at the couple, Vi laughing at something that Cait said, which it wasn’t probably funny, but Vi always had a bizarre sense of humor that matched Caitlyn’s.

It was now or never that she has to say it.

“I’m leaving.” She deadpanned.

It took the two girls by surprise, but eventually, both of them softened her gaze. 

“What do you mean?” It was Caitlyn’s perfect accent. “We just started having dinner…”

Blame it on the wine if you wish.  “I’m leaving Piltover.” But she felt that this was the moment to mention so. It wasn’t an option, Mel knew it was the only thing to do.

Now Vi looked at her in shock, she side-eyed Caitlyn to see how to proceed with this, she obviously got no response as Cait was in equal shock as her. 

“What do you mean?” Caitlyn asked. 

She didn’t mean to spoil the calm dinner they were sharing. It has to happen now.   “I am now the leader of the Medarda House, I'm expected to go back to Nexus and present myself as their new leader...” 

“But you’re still a Council member…” arguing back, in such exasperation, Caitlyn winced at the effort made and held herself on the barely-healed stabbed wound that Mel’s mother did to her. “You can’t leave…” Cait still protested and Vi stood up and quickly aided Caitlyn, caressing her cheek in an attempt to settle her down whilst Mel stood in her place, wincing at the sound of her dearest friend in pain. She knew what she was doing and she felt horrible to do so. 

“I’m sorry, but it’s the way it is right now. As you became head of the Kiramman house, I’m obligated to do so… please understand. I will be back to Piltover as soon as I’m able. You know I don’t identify myself as Noxian but as part of Piltover. I’m sure there’s something we can-”

As Mel raised her gaze from her plate, served with multiple vegetables local to Piltover’s gardener’s, she saw how Vi was looking at her, with worry. They both knew what was at stake for Mel and for Cait as now leaders of each of their houses, so the pink-haired girl made sure to kiss Caitlyn top of the head to calm her down and whilst she was doing so, Caitlyn herself softened her gaze. 

They stopped feeling shy about showing their affection with Mel, at first they were sneaky and they hid it, but Mel got tired of the tension between the two of them when all of Piltover knew that they were a couple. It was a fun memory between the three of them when Mel called them out. “You know you’re allowed to be affectionate with your girlfriend?” to which Vi and Caitlyn stuttered and blushed like teenagers, having Mel laughing for the first time since the war.

“I know. I know you’ll be back but not knowing when that’s going to happen is what panics me the most.” The sniper regulated her breathing, she shouldn’t be having troubles with her wounds now but there was something still that hurt her that made her wince. The thought of her only friend left in Piltover, besides Vi, leaving was intimidating and suffocating, but had to hold it together. “Make sure you write to us, then.”  

In an attempt to make peace with her own mind, Caitlyn side-smiled at Mel, who gracefully smirked and nodded. “You know I will, you two will be first to hear from Noxus hottest gossip first.”

That was enough for both Vi and Caitlyn to relax once again in their seats, not without Cait softly smiling at Vi and thanking her for helping her soothe the short stings of pain at where once was Ambessa's blade. Their night ended with a sweet good-bye hug and eventually, the couple headed to their room to call it for the night. 

As they laid in the bed, Caitlyn knew it might be a good moment to have the conversation as Violet still seemed to hide the pain inside of her more than ever. “You’re going to drive yourself mad, you know.” They both knew well what Caitlyn meant, but still Vi decided to avoid it.

As Vi turned right back at her, sitting at her side of their shared bed, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“You’re still carrying it,” Caitlyn murmured. “The guilt. The fear. You need to let it go.” As she stood up to slowly walk towards the end of the bed where Vi was sitting, she grazed with her fingertips the strong built of her girlfriend, first her shoulders and then intimately towards her neck, to massage the back of it in an attempt to soothe the stress that already took a toll on Violet. 

“I can’t.” Vi’s voice was quiet. “Not after what happened. Not when I almost lost you .” She was tense, but after a few caressing strokes, she relaxed and leaned her head towards Caitlyn’s stomach, carefully brushing her fingertips through Caitlyn’s scarred stomach. Her strong arms felt so right around Caitlyn’s and held her closer, feeling the silk of the fancy pajamas Caitlyn wore every night. 

“You didn’t lose me. And you won’t. But you have to let yourself heal, too.” Cait moved one of her hands towards Vi chin and softly made her look up, to look at each other’s eyes. Within these walls, they were soft and gentle with each other, a vulnerability they don’t let others to see, specially Vi who still has the feeling that she must always look strong, stoic and ready to fight, but in here, in the space they both built little by little, conversation by conversation and with every touch they’ve shared in the most intimate way there is, in here they are only Cait and Vi, two girls who have been through a lot together and two girls who adore each other more than they’ve ever said, expressed or felt. 

Vi hesitated, then sighed, the pink-haired fighter took the chance to trace with her eyes the delicate face of Caitlyn, scars in her face now healed but a patch covering her eye. She noticed a few healed scars along her eyebrows, her cheek and a small, faint one in her lip. Almost matching Violet’s. She smiled at her and Cait couldn’t resist doing the same. “You’re too smart for your own good, you know that?”

“Someone has to keep you in line.” Having Caitlyn smile real smiles was a breeze that made Vi soothe her own heart. Even when they come with quirky remarks. “I’m worried about you.”

“Of course you’re, cupcake.”

“I mean it, we both know we can tell each other these things.”

Caitlyn meant it, she still cries at time at the memory of her mother and the trauma that the fight with Ambessa left in her mind, a constant reminder of the consequences war and hatred brings to people, she gets a reminder of it every times she looks at herself in the mirror, while she’s dressing, when she tries to make herself useful once again and there’s pain that prohibits her from doing so. When she can’t use her eye, when she wants to absorb the view of Violet feeling tranquility and love within her arms while they hug each other to sleep.

“I’ve been thinking how scared I have been these past months, when I wasn’t with you, when Vander appeared like that, to see my sister in Jinx to later see them just gone and then… when… when you-” Vi stopped herself from going farther, the sole idea of Caitlyn being gone was a horrid nightmare. Her chest started to heave faster and Caitlyn knew how hard Vi was trying, as she was never a fan of words but more of actions.

Caitlyn knew that explaining for both of them, explaining their feelings was hard. But panic was starting to emerge in Vi’s eyes, dressed as tears that started to make an appearance and gods, Cait knows that they both want to protect each other with their own life. “It’s okay, love. I won’t leave, ever.” She then hugged Vi, who held her strong. “No more leaving, we’ll keep training and we’ll protect each other as we do.” Pressing a few kisses to Vi cheek, the fighter took the chance to sit her blue-haired girlfriend in her lap, who softly snorted at the position in which she relaxed into. Caitlyn rubbing her nose in the crook of Vi’s neek, who smiled at the gesture.

For the first time in days, Vi laughed—a small, broken sound, but real. “Guess I’m stuck with you, huh?”

“Forever,” Caitlyn said softly, and Vi didn’t miss the weight behind the word. They did had a lot to sort out, they had a lot to talk about. They still had a huge road ahead of them and two cities to rebuild around the tragic event that happened. Violet kissed Caitlyn’s forehead, they were shattered inside, they will work on that. 

Gods know they will do anything in their power to keep each other safe.

But as Caitlyn said, they have forever to do so.