Work Text:
Caitlyn was, as usual, hunched over her desk, jaw set in concentration.
For weeks she had been mulling over the notes regarding a smuggling case, and the many sleepless nights were starting to take a toll. Papers of notes, data testing, images, and interviews were all strewn about, traveling from her desk to the wall, connected by meticulously placed red yarn. Connections criss-crossed across the map, creating a spiraling web of… what? That was what she was consumed with finding out.
As chief investigator, it was her job, but as Caitlyn Kiramman, it was more. It was a moral obligation. Dark bags hung under her eyes, her leg bouncing erratically underneath her desk as she tried to make sense of the report in hand.
The door creaked open, and Vi stepped in. With pink hair swept to one side, Caitlyn’s trusty partner frowned when their eyes met. “Cait, did you sleep in your office… again?”
Caitlyn just sighed in frustration, glancing away as guilt flashed across her face.
Vi’s frown deepened. “You didn’t sleep at all.”
“Listen, I’m so close to a break-”
“Nope, I don’t wanna hear it.” Vi was already striding over to her desk, and in a moment, she was looking down at Caitlyn with hands on hips and stern, grey eyes. “You are getting out of this dingy office and getting some sleep. Or, at least some fresh air.”
Caitlyn huffed, but there was clearly no room for argument. With weary movements, she lifted herself from the creaking chair. Vi’s eyes softened as she took in the state of her partner. She held open the door for Caitlyn and the two of them walked down the hall of the police station together.
“When’s the last time you ate?”
A hesitant pause gave Vi all she needed to know.
“You need to stop doing this to yourself, Cait.”
Caitlyn sighed again, brows furrowing. “I know, I know. I’m sorry.”
Frustration morphed into concern on Vi’s face. “You’re of no use to this case if you’re not in the right headspace. You know that, right?”
Caitlyn scrunched up her nose in consideration, and despite her disheveled appearance, Vi couldn’t deny how adorable the gesture was.
Vi shook her head in amused disbelief, a soft smile dancing on her lips. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
She took Caitlyn’s hand in hers, giving it a comforting squeeze. The investigator relented, leaving the piles of reports behind and taking a breath of fresh air as they stepped out of the station. Her cold, tired fingers melted under Vi’s touch, giving way to a familiar warmth.
***
She had to admit, that a short nap and a hot shower worked miracles on her sore body.
Now changed out of her stiff uniform and into loose, comfortable wear, Caitlyn realized just how exhausted she had been the past couple of days. Her mood improved even more when she shuffled into the kitchen of their shared apartment and found Vi behind the counter.
A rich, tantalizing smell wafted through the air as her partner, adorned with a pink and white apron, moved around the kitchen with practiced ease. A smile found her face instantly, and Vi mimicked the expression when she glanced up from the chopping board.
“How do you feel, Cupcake?”
The nickname brought a warm flutter of butterflies to Caitlyn’s stomach. Her smile widened. “Much better. That shower was heavenly.”
“Yeah, I bet. You were cooped up in that office for far too long.” Vi hummed and went back to chopping the vegetables, a pot simmering on the stove behind her. Her movements were sharp and fluid, no doubt speaking to the years of caring and cooking for her siblings down in the poverty-ridden areas of Zaun.
Caitlyn softened and walked over to the counter. “What are you making, darling?”
Vi grinned, and Caitlyn didn’t miss the faint blush that dusted her cheeks at the pet name. “Mac n’ cheese. I figured you could use some comfort food.”
“You’re too nice to me.” Caitlyn’s hands brushed tattooed arms, and she leaned down to place an affectionate kiss on Vi’s cheek, eliciting a playful laugh from the brawler.
“You deserve it.”
Caitlyn giggled, expecting a teasing look from her partner, but when their eyes met, there was only an overwhelming sense of sincerity and love. Her breath caught in her throat at the tender expression of sheer devotion. She felt her cheeks warm. “You’re just saying that because you don’t want me to cook for us.”
Vi barked out a laugh, and Caitlyn felt her heart melt at the bright, unabashed smile that spread across her lover’s face. “Damn right, Cupcake. We both know you would burn the house down.”
Caitlyn scoffed in mock offense, but her cerulean eyes sparkled with amusement. “Alright, you may have a point there.”
The two chuckled, and in the warm atmosphere of flirtatious jabs, an escape from work, and the promise of a shared meal, the rest of the world faded away.