Work Text:
The explosion had ripped through the air like a thunderclap, leaving Caitlyn’s ears ringing and her vision clouded with ash and smoke. The battlefield was a chaotic blur, but through the haze, she saw Vi.
Her body was crumpled on the ground, barely moving. Caitlyn’s breath hitched as she sprinted toward her, her boots kicking up dust and debris. She dropped to her knees beside Vi, trembling hands hovering for a moment before pressing down against the gaping wound in her stomach. Blood seeped between her fingers, hot and unrelenting.
“Vi!” Caitlyn yelled, though the word felt meaningless against the weight of the moment.
Vi stirred faintly, her head lolling to the side, but no words came. Her breathing was shallow, labored, and each second stretched endlessly as Caitlyn fought the rising panic threatening to overwhelm her.
She glanced up, desperate for help, and her gaze caught on Jinx in the distance. The girl stood amidst the wreckage, her manic energy drained away. Her eyes were locked on Isha’s lifeless form, her expression empty, hollow.
Jinx didn’t resist as enforcers surrounded her. She barely moved when they cuffed her.It was as if she didn’t care. The fight was gone from her, replaced by an unshakable grief that even Caitlyn couldn’t process.
But Caitlyn couldn’t focus on Jinx now. She couldn’t think about what this moment meant or what would come next. Her world had narrowed to the weight of Vi in her arms, her lifeblood pooling around them.
She knew Vi trusted Jinx, but that trust only added to the crushing pressure. Caitlyn had to act, had to do something, but her mind raced in circles, paralyzed by the enormity of the situation.
She shook herself free of the spiraling thoughts, the panic, the guilt. Vi needed her. Now.
With a grunt, Caitlyn hoisted Vi’s limp form onto her shoulder, staggering under the weight but refusing to falter. Her legs burned as she pushed herself upright, and her voice cut through the smoke and chaos:
“MEDICS!” she shouted, raw and desperate.
Her steps were uneven, but she forced herself to move, to carry Vi to safety.
She didn’t look back at Jinx. She didn’t have the capacity to process the sight of her surrender or the hollow, broken girl who once wreaked havoc on her.
All Caitlyn could do was keep moving forward.
She followed the medic and the doctor as they hurried through the halls, Vi’s weight no longer on her shoulder but still heavy on her mind. She pushed through the door to her bedroom, stepping aside as they carefully placed Vi on the bed. Her heart pounded as she moved to the side, clearing the way but staying close, her every instinct screaming to protect Vi.
“She’s losing blood fast,” the doctor muttered, snapping his fingers at the medic. “Get me the kit—scissors, antiseptic, sutures.”
Caitlyn’s chest tightened as she watched the doctor set his bag down and pull out a pair of scissors, their metallic sheen catching the dim light. Realizing there was no shirt to cut away, he instead carefully removed the jacket that had been around Vi’s torso during the battle. With practiced precision, he set it aside, revealing the deep gash carved into her side.
The sight made Caitlyn’s stomach churn. Blood still oozed from the wound, staining her pale skin and soaking the sheets beneath her. The doctor leaned in, inspecting the damage as he barked out instructions to his medic, who quickly passed antiseptics and sutures into his hands.
Vi’s unconscious body thrashed against the bed, her face twisting in a grimace of pain. Each twitch, every faint groan, sent a pang through Caitlyn. Her fists clenched at her sides, her jaw tightening as she fought the urge to yell.
“Hold her steady,” the doctor ordered, and the medic moved to comply, bracing Vi’s shoulders. Caitlyn took an involuntary step forward, her instincts screaming to intervene.
“Careful!” she snapped, her voice sharp despite herself.
The doctor didn’t even flinch, continuing his work as he barked instructions to the medic. But a firm hand on her shoulder pulled Caitlyn back.
“Let him do his job,” Loris said quietly, his grip steady and grounding.
Caitlyn’s breath hitched. She hadn’t even realized how close she’d stepped to the bed, as though her proximity alone could will Vi to be okay. Swallowing hard, she forced herself to take a step back, her eyes never left Vi’s face.
The minutes dragged on like hours. The sharp scent of antiseptics filled the room as the doctor cleaned the wound and began stitching it closed, his movements methodical. Caitlyn winced every time the needle pierced Vi’s skin, her unconscious thrashing a stark reminder that even in this state, the pain was unbearable.
Finally, the doctor packed his tools and turned to Caitlyn, his expression somber but calm. “The wound’s deep, but she’ll recover if the stitches hold and there’s no infection. Keep the area clean. Change the dressings twice a day. And watch for fever—it could mean sepsis.”
Caitlyn nodded stiffly, barely processing his words. Loris gave her shoulder a comforting pat before stepping aside to follow the doctor and medic out. The room fell silent, save for the faint sound of Vi’s labored breathing.
For the first time since the explosion, Caitlyn let herself exhale. Her legs felt weak, trembling as she dragged a chair to the side of the bed and sank into it.
The sight of Vi, pale and still, brought a fresh wave of emotion crashing down on her. The past six months without her had been hell, an unending torment of guilt and longing. And now, just as Vi had come back into her life, she had almost been ripped away again. This time for good.
Regret coiled around Caitlyn’s chest, squeezing tighter with every passing moment. She had pushed Vi away, let her go when she should have fought harder to keep her close. And now Vi lay here, fragile and broken, all because Caitlyn hadn’t been strong enough to hold onto her.
Tears brimmed in her eyes, hot and relentless, as she reached out to take Vi’s limp hand in her own. Her thumb traced the calloused surface of Vi’s fingers, a soft caress that felt like both an apology and a plea.
Right now, all Caitlyn could do was sit by Vi’s side and let herself break.
The room was quiet except for the soft rustling as Caitlyn moved, gathering what she needed. Caitlyn’s gaze lingered on Vi, taking in every bruise, every cut, and the pale stillness of her face.
A bowl of warm water sat on the nightstand, steam curling faintly into the air. Caitlyn dipped a cloth into it, wringing it out carefully before sitting on the edge of the bed. Vi’s short hair was matted with dirt and blood, the black dye she had on streaked unevenly across her strands. Caitlyn brushed her fingers through it first, untangling it gently before pressing the damp cloth to Vi’s scalp.
She worked methodically, her movements slow and deliberate. The pink of Vi’s natural hair began to shine through as the dye lifted away. Caitlyn rinsed the cloth again and again, her lips pressing into a thin line as she concentrated on her task.
“You’ll feel better soon,” she murmured, unsure if the words were for Vi or herself.
Satisfied with her work, Caitlyn set the cloth aside and moved to the next task. Vi’s chest was wrapped tightly with bandages, dirt and sweat clinging to the edges. Caitlyn hesitated, her fingers trembling slightly as they hovered over the wrappings.
With a sharp inhale, she began to unwind the bandages, her gaze fixed firmly away from Vi’s exposed torso. She worked quickly but carefully, avoiding causing any unnecessary strain to Vi’s fragile state. Once the wraps were off, she averted her eyes entirely, reaching for a clean shirt she had found earlier. It was simple, designed to clasp easily with a single button at the top left corner.
Gently, she slipped the fabric over Vi’s shoulders, guiding her arms through the sleeves with painstaking care. The shirt on her, the button fastened with ease to ensure there was no strain on her injuries. Caitlyn finally allowed herself to exhale as she adjusted the shirt, ensuring Vi looked comfortable and cared for.
Turning her attention to Vi’s hands, Caitlyn took one into her own. Dirt was embedded under her nails, and her knuckles were bloodied and raw. She worked meticulously, cleaning each finger, her touch featherlight. When she reached the tattered wraps around Vi’s wrists, her heart clenched. The skin beneath was cracked and marred with cuts.
Caitlyn carefully unwrapped them, her breath hitching at the sight of the damage. She reached for the cream the doctor had left, applying it with gentle fingers to the worst of the wounds. Her care was precise, almost reverent, as though by tending to Vi’s hands, she could somehow undo the harm that had brought them to this moment.
When the wraps were finally off and Vi was clean, Caitlyn sat back for a moment, her body demanding rest even as her mind rebelled against the idea. Without bothering to change out of her own bloodied and soot-streaked clothes, she pulled the chair even closer to the bed.
Caitlyn sat heavily, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees. She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly against Vi’s hand before folding her arms on the edge of the bed.
“I’m here,” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness. “I’m not going anywhere.”
With that, she rested her head on her arms, exhaustion finally pulling her into an uneasy sleep.
Caitlyn jolted awake, her neck stiff and aching from the awkward angle she’d been sleeping in. The room was dim, the faint light of dawn filtering through the curtains, and for a moment, she was disoriented. But the familiar sight of Vi on the bed quickly pulled her back to the present.
Her hand instinctively reached for Vi’s, but Caitlyn stopped short, noticing the subtle change in her expression. Vi looked more peaceful now, her face no longer contorted in pain. The stitches held firm, the bandages clean, and her breathing, though shallow, was steady. Relief fluttered through Caitlyn, albeit briefly.
“Caitlyn.”
She turned sharply toward the door, startled by the voice. Maddie stood there, framed by the doorway, her arms crossed and her gaze unreadable. Her expression shifted, though, the moment her eyes fell on Caitlyn.
There was a flicker of something—disapproval, confusion, maybe even hurt. It was hard to tell, but Caitlyn knew why Maddie looked at her that way. Only a week ago, they’d been tangled in each other’s arms, sharing fleeting moments that meant far more to Maddie than they ever did to Caitlyn. And then Caitlyn had ended things abruptly, without explanation, leaving Maddie bitter and raw.
Now here Caitlyn was, spending the night on a chair by Vi’s side, her every action proving the truth Maddie likely already suspected.
“We need you, Commander,” Maddie said, her voice clipped but tinged with something personal, something wary.
Caitlyn hesitated, reluctant to leave the room. Her gaze darted back to Vi, taking in the slight rise and fall of her chest, the paleness of her skin. Caitlyn didn’t want to leave her, not now, not when she had nearly lost her again.
She rose slowly, smoothing the wrinkles in her uniform as she turned to Maddie. “Where’s Jinx being held?”
Maddie’s jaw tightened, her lips pressing into a thin line. “We’re preparing to haul her to Stillwater Prison. She’ll be gone within the hour.”
“No.” The word came out sharper than Caitlyn intended, and Maddie’s brows furrowed.
“No?”
“I want her held in the bunker,” Caitlyn said firmly, her tone brooking no argument.
Maddie stared at her as if she’d just grown a second head. “The bunker? You don’t trust her, but you’re willing to risk keeping her here?”
She didn’t flinch under Maddie’s scrutiny. “I don’t trust her. But I saw something in her. Something… different.” She glanced at Vi, her voice softening. “Stillwater is a death sentence. It’s too much. I’ll wait until Vi recovers, and we’ll decide together what happens to Jinx.”
Maddie exhaled slowly, her eyes narrowing. “You think she’s worth saving?”
Caitlyn didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she stepped closer to Vi, brushing her fingers lightly against the edge of the bedframe. “I think it’s not my decision to make alone.”
Caitlyn stood before the mirror, her hands trembling as she unclasped the red choker from around her neck. The once-pristine leather was now frayed, stained with soot and blood, a relic of her submission to Ambessa Medarda’s iron-fisted control. She let it drop onto the vanity with a dull thud, the weight of it far heavier than its size.
Her reflection stared back at her, weary and worn, streaked with the grime of battle and the burden of guilt. With deliberate movements, Caitlyn wiped a damp cloth across her face, clearing away the ash and sweat. The act felt like more than a physical cleansing—it was as though she was stripping away the darkness she had allowed to consume her.
For months, her hatred for Jinx had been all-encompassing, a fire that burned away reason and left her scorched. She’d thought that obsession was the only way to make sense of her losses, to justify the sacrifices she’d made. But now, standing here, she saw it for what it was: a path to self-destruction.
She glanced at the bed, where Vi still lay unconscious, the faint rise and fall of her chest a fragile reminder of her vitality. Caitlyn exhaled, long and shaky. If she ever wanted a chance at something real with Vi— if she deserved that chance—she had to let go. Of her anger. Of her obsession.
Dressing quickly, Caitlyn pulled on her new uniform, its clean lines and polished brass details a stark contrast to the chaos she felt inside. She straightened the lapels, smoothing the fabric over her shoulders before tying her hair back tightly. The woman who left this room would be a commander, focused and resolute, but she was determined not to lose herself in that role again.
As she turned toward her desk, the scattered figures of warships and tanks on her strategy board caught her eye. It was a mess, maps and notes spilling over the edges, a reflection of the battle plans she had been too distracted to finish. She needed focus now, more than ever.
Loris stood silently by the door, his posture stiff but his presence pleasant. Caitlyn approached him, her expression softening. “Loris,” she said, her voice gentle but authoritative.
He straightened. “Commander?”
“I need you to stay with Vi,” Caitlyn said, her tone firm but kind. “Make sure she’s alright. She shouldn’t be alone.”
Loris hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Of course, Commander. I’ll keep watch.”
“Thank you,” Caitlyn said, her sincerity evident in her voice.
Caitlyn sat at the edge of her desk, her fingers toying with a small model of a Piltovan battleship. The polished figure rolled between her thumb and forefinger, her thoughts circling endlessly. She had been here for hours, the weight of her betrayal against Ambessa, the looming retaliation, and the uncertainty of everything clawing at her resolve.
She didn’t hear Maddie approach until the door creaked open. Caitlyn’s jaw tightened but she kept her gaze on the ship. Maddie lingered in the doorway before stepping inside, her eyes scanning the cluttered desk.
“Maybe we can negotiate,” Maddie said, her voice careful.
Caitlyn let out a sharp exhale through her nose, her grip on the ship tightening. “Not with Ambessa,” she said, her tone edged with quiet certainty. “I saw it in her eyes. She will burn Piltover to the ground for my betrayal.”
Maddie hesitated, then stepped closer, her hand reaching out toward Caitlyn’s. “You can’t blame yourself—”
Before Maddie’s hand could brush hers, Caitlyn flinched back, pulling her hand away sharply. Her eyes met Maddie’s, steel-cold and unyielding.
“I don’t need consolation,” Caitlyn said, her voice calm but firm, with a faint undercurrent of irritation. “I need a plan.”
Maddie’s hand lingered in the air for a moment before she drew it back. The distance between them wasn’t just physical—it was a boundary Caitlyn was determined to set.
The door slammed open suddenly, breaking the tense silence. Vi burst in, her strides heavy with anger and determination.
“ Arrested?! ” Vi’s voice boomed, her expression a mixture of fury and disbelief.
Caitlyn startled at the sight, relief flooding her chest despite the anger in Vi’s voice. Seeing her awake, alive, and walking—even storming toward her—made her heart lurch.
Maddie turned toward Vi, taking a step in her direction, but Caitlyn waved her off. She straightened her shoulders, steadying herself as Vi stomped closer.
The argument spiraled, both of them too stubborn, too frustrated, to reach common ground. When it finally ended, Vi stormed off, her heavy boots echoing down the hallway.
Caitlyn sat motionless, staring at the door that Vi had disappeared through. She stewed in her thoughts, her mind a tangled mess of regret and self-reproach. Her eyes drifted to the battleship now on the floor.
Vi had always been a force of nature, but Caitlyn couldn’t help but notice how she seemed to unravel her control every time. The frustration simmered in her chest, but beneath it lay regret. She hated how the conversation had ended, hated herself for not finding the words to stop Vi from leaving like that.
After a long moment, she exhaled sharply and made a decision.
She would check on Jinx.
She made her way to the bunker where Jinx was being held. It wasn’t a long visit—Caitlyn didn’t need it to be. She had already arranged for the guards to leave, assigning them to the Hexgates instead. The bunker was empty, quiet, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions she carried with her.
Their conversation was brief. Caitlyn’s questions faded as she stared at Jinx sitting in that dimly lit cell, hollow and withdrawn. It wasn’t an apology, not exactly, but Jinx’s words stuck in her mind:
“I didn’t know your mom was there. It probably wouldn’t have made a difference... but I didn’t know.”
That line echoed in Caitlyn’s thoughts as she walked away, the bitterness that had consumed her for so long beginning to loosen its grip. In some twisted way, it gave her the closure she hadn’t realized she needed.
She didn’t linger in the bunker. This wasn’t about holding onto her grudge or asserting control. She had removed the guards because she knew Vi would come, storming down here to free Jinx, thinking she’d do it behind Caitlyn’s back.
Caitlyn didn’t mind. She knew Vi better than that. 'Let her make the choice,' She thought.
‘Let her pick Jinx over me again, like she always does.’
And this time, Caitlyn didn’t mind. She would stand by her, no matter what.
When Caitlyn strolled down to the bunker after finishing her meeting and noticing Vi was nowhere to be found, she knew her intuition had been correct. As she stepped inside, the sight before her stirred a familiar ache. There Vi was, in the cell Jinx had occupied, her back turned to the entrance. The vision was hauntingly similar to the first time Caitlyn had seen her in Stillwater—just an inmate that interfered with her investigation. But now, this was different.
Her heels clattered softly against the stone floor, the sound alerting Vi. She turned her head toward Caitlyn, her face shadowed with emotion.
“Had a feeling I might find you here,” Caitlyn said, her tone even and firm as she unlocked the cell door.
Vi didn’t reply. Instead, she turned back toward the wall, resting her arm against it. Her voice was raw when she finally spoke, low and broken.
“I really believed she’d help.”
Caitlyn stayed silent, her gaze softening as she took in Vi’s defeated posture.
“Say it,” Vi whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her words. “You told me so. I was an idiot to trust her. I went behind your back.” She paused, her whisper growing louder. “I choose wrong. Every. Time.” Her voice trembled, rising with frustration. “And because of that, I lost everyone.”
Her arms moved to rest behind her neck as she leaned her head against the wall, her body radiating defeat.
Caitlyn exhaled quietly and stepped inside the cell. She leaned against the wall beside Vi, her shoulder brushing softly against the cold stone. Crossing her arms, she rested her head against the wall, her gaze sliding toward Vi. A small, teasing smirk tugged at her lips.
Vi tensed, expecting anger or a lecture.
“You really think I needed all the guards at the Hexgates?” Caitlyn asked, her voice soft and laced with fondness, a playful edge breaking through.
Vi turned her head, her eyes wide as realization dawned on her.
She continued, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Sorry to say, you’ve grown a bit pre-dict-able,” she teased, drawing out the word with mock gravity.
For a moment, Vi just stared at her, the weight of everything melting into something else entirely. Then, without a word, she reached for Caitlyn, kissing her with a fervent desperation that caught them both off guard.
Caitlyn leaned into it, her arms uncrossing as they moved to Vi’s shoulders. Their breaths mingled, the kiss deepening as the walls they’d both built finally crumbled. In that moment, they both knew: they had each other. Everything that had torn them apart before couldn’t reach them now.
She had let go of her rage and obsession with revenge—for Vi. And Vi, overwhelmed by emotions, finally understood the depth of Caitlyn’s unwavering support.
Even in the cold confines of a cell, amidst the chaos of everything around them, they found solace in each other. This might be the only time they had before the battle to express what words couldn’t.
And they did.