Chapter Text
The soft buzz of the city outside was muffled by the walls of their house, creating a sense of separation from the busy world beyond. Inside, the house was a quiet oasis, lit only by the soft glow of a lamp in the corner and the flickering light from the fireplace.
Caitlyn came home earlier than usual, the heavy weight of the day lifting the moment she crossed the threshold. The evening light streamed through the large window, casting long shadows over the room, and she found herself instantly unwinding the moment she set foot inside. Vi, of course, was already there, in her usual spot on the couch, her legs splayed out across the cushions, and her arms resting behind her head as she stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Vi’s relaxed posture was nothing new. She wasn’t in a hurry, wasn’t pacing like she often did when her mind was buzzing with ideas. Caitlyn took a moment to study her, feeling the familiar warmth spread through her chest.
“Hey, you home already?” Vi called out as Caitlyn set her keys on the counter table, her voice light but tired.
“Yeah,” Caitlyn answered, walking toward the living room. “I thought I’d skip the paperwork tonight and just enjoy the evening.” She smiled when she saw Vi’s expression shift into something a little more playful.
“Did you say ‘enjoy’? You don’t really enjoy paperwork, do you?” Vi grinned, propping herself up on her elbows, clearly amused.
“No,” Caitlyn admitted, rolling her eyes. “But it’s a necessary evil, I suppose. I’ll tackle it tomorrow. Tonight? I’m all yours.”
Vi raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained by Caitlyn’s sudden offer of free time. “All mine, huh? Well, in that case, I’ve got just the thing to help you unwind.”
Caitlyn dropped onto the couch beside her, chuckling softly. “I’m intrigued. What’s your idea of ‘unwinding’?”
Vi’s grin widened as she stretched her legs out, nudging Caitlyn to shift closer. “Well, I was thinking we could do absolutely nothing for once. No gadgets, no paperwork, or no cleaning to worry about. Just a simple night of pure relaxation.”
Caitlyn let out a soft sigh, feeling the weight of her shoulders drop just a little. “Sounds perfect,” she murmured.
Vi shuffled around for a moment before grabbing the blanket from the back of the couch and pulling it over both of them, cozying in beside Caitlyn. She then clicked a button on the remote, and the TV screen flickered to life. Without missing a beat, Vi navigated through their streaming options, selecting a random documentary about the night sky, something that required no effort but to just listen and watch.
“What is this?” Caitlyn asked, smiling as Vi settled in, clearly ready to unwind herself.
“It’s called 'Stars Above Us',” Vi answered with a shrug. “It’s about constellations, their myths, and how they connect to different cultures. I thought you might like it, simple but still kind of beautiful.”
Caitlyn relaxed back against the couch, curling her legs up beneath her. The voice of the narrator filled the room as images of the stars and planets danced across the screen, shifting from one celestial wonder to another. Vi nestled close, her head resting on Caitlyn’s shoulder as the blanket pooled around them both. Caitlyn’s hand instinctively brushed through Vi’s hair, the rhythmic motion a simple comfort.
For a few moments, the world outside seemed so far away. The noise of Piltover and the weight of Caitlyn’s badge felt as if they were from another life.
“This is nice,” Caitlyn murmured softly, her eyes fixed on the soft twinkling of distant stars on the screen.
Caitlyn smiled, her hand resting on Vi’s arm as she continued to softly stroke her hair. It was moments like these, rare but precious, that Caitlyn cherished the most. The busy days, the fights, the drama of their lives outside their home, those things never stopped. But moments like tonight, when they were wrapped in the warmth of each other’s presence, made everything else fade into the background.
“I’m glad you thought of this,” Caitlyn said after a long pause, glancing down at Vi, who had already closed her eyes, clearly content. “I don’t think we do this enough.”
Vi gave a small, content sigh, her voice muffled by Caitlyn’s shoulder. “Yeah, we don’t. But I’m glad we’re doing it now.” She shifted slightly, looking up at Caitlyn with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Maybe next time we can even have a real date night. You know, with candles and fancy food and maybe—”
“Vi,” Caitlyn interrupted with a laugh, “we’re already doing a date night. You’re just trying to convince me to let you get fancy.”
Vi’s grin stretched wider. “Guilty as charged. But come on, Cait, I promise I won’t burn the toast this time.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes but couldn’t hold back a laugh. “I’ll hold you to that.”
For a while, the two of them sat in companionable silence, only the soft hum of the documentary filling the room. Time slowed in a way it rarely did for Caitlyn. Vi’s breath was steady against her shoulder, the heat of her body warming Caitlyn as the soft glow of the stars above them twinkled in the background.
As the documentary ended and the TV screen faded to black, Vi gave a stretch and yawned softly. “Alright, what’s next, Cait? Should we watch another movie, or do you want to just... keep doing nothing?”
Caitlyn smiled, tucking the blanket around them a little more. “I think I’m good with just this, Vi.”
Vi chuckled, her eyes half-lidded as she snuggled deeper into Caitlyn’s side. “Yeah, as you wish, my lady."
Caitlyn nodded, feeling her body finally relax completely.
“Wake me up when you start feeling hungry, Cait. I promised to cook dinner tonight.” Vi murmured softly, her voice drifting into sleep.
Caitlyn gently kissed the top of her head, whispering, “Don't worry about it. Goodnight, Vi.”