Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

[...]

Bereavement...

It is a natural and necessary process that occurs after the loss of something or someone significant in a person's life. It is an emotional response that can involve a wide range of feelings, such as sadness, anger, denial, and acceptance.

Moving on is a decision that doesn't mean we've overcome what we've been through, but that we're stronger.

Nobody ever said it would be easy. Or that actions don't have reactions. Everything in life has a meaning; every step we take in this world has already been premeditated somewhere, and the decision to continue on this journey is ours.

The law of nature demands that in order to have peace, there must be war. And although the results may not be what we expected, that doesn't mean it's the end.

— Violet. — Caitlyn knocked on the door, opening it slowly. — Violet? — When she entered, she didn't find the woman in the room. — Hmm... — Caitlyn arched her eyebrows, closed the door and began to explore the house. Then a soft sound caught her attention, and a simple smile appeared on her face.

Caitlyn headed for the familiar room, opened the door, and spotted the rosy-cheeked girl sitting at the table in front of the fireplace.

— I found you... — Caitlyn commented, making Vi turn round to look at her. She walked over and sat down next to the rosy-cheeked girl.

— What's up, cupcake? How's your dad? — she asked as Cait leaned her head on her shoulder.

— He's fine. He said he was going out for a walk. He's often done that. — Caitlyn replied, looking down at the glass in Vi's hand. — You always put some in, but you never drink it... — Vi let out a little laugh and shook the glass slightly, making the ice clink.

— Yeah, I'm trying to stop. — Caitlyn raised her eyebrows, lifting her head to look at Vi.

— In that case, let me help you. — She took the glass from the rosy-cheeked girl's hand and put it on the floor, away from her. — After all, I'm the only drink you really need! — she said with a mischievous smile, making Vi laugh softly.

— Wow! Who are you, and what have you done with my cupcake? — They laughed together, and then Cait put her left hand on Vi's back, resting her right hand on her thigh.

— I'm cupcake 2.0~ — Vi sighed, amused, and Caitlyn smiled, moving closer and kissing her shoulder. With her hand on Vi's back, Caitlyn reached up and down her shirt, eliciting deep sighs as her kisses travelled to her neck.

— Cait... — murmured Vi, closing her eyes as Cait continued to stroke her body. Vi took Caitlyn's hand on her thigh, stopping the kisses and asking her to look into her eyes. With tenderness, Vi caressed Cait's cheek and brought their foreheads together, sighing in harmony.

A knock on the door interrupted the moment and a defender entered the room, stopping a few metres away with his hands behind his back.

— Miss Kiramman, there's a situation on the bridge. The defenders are expecting you. — he informed them, and Caitlyn turned to Vi, taking her hand and stroking it gently with one finger.

— Wait for me outside. — she instructed, and the defender saluted before quickly leaving.

— The work never ends. — commented Vi, as he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. — Should I wait up for you? — she joked.

— Would you like to go with me? — Caitlyn asked, but Vi just shook her head, looking away from the burning wood. Cait didn't insist, she grabbed the rosy-cheeked girl's chin and brought her face round, sealing their lips in a kiss. When they could no longer hold their breath, they pulled away, the sound of their lips mismatching echoing in the air. — I'll be back soon. — she said, getting up to go, but not without giving him one more kiss.

Vi watched Caitlyn leave the room, casting one last reassuring glance at the rosy-cheeked girl before closing the door.

[...]

After some time in that environment, Vi decided to go out for a drink of water in the kitchen. As she went round the house, she found a large object covered in a white sheet. Driven by curiosity, she decided to pull back the cloth, revealing a piano.

Her fingers slid over the wooden surface, allowing her to feel its texture. Then she moved closer and opened the small compartment, where she found the black and white keys. Observing her surroundings, she noticed that the silence of the house indicated that she was alone, so she looked at those tantalising keys again and pressed one of them, producing a sound.

Vi continued to move her fingers, even if the result wasn't a clear or pleasant melody; she was enjoying the experience. As she explored the keys, she didn't realise that someone was watching her.

— This piano was a present from my wife. — Caitlyn's father's voice took her by surprise, making her step back suddenly and face the man behind her.

— I'm sorry, I thought... — she tried to explain, but fell silent when she realised it would be in vain. — I'm sorry. I just saw this here and was curious. I didn't realise it was important to you. — Vi spoke with her head down. — I'm going back to my room.

— Hold on. — He ordered, making her stop immediately. — Do you like music, Violet? — he asked, pulling out the stool under the piano and settling down. Vi swallowed dryly at his intense gaze.

— Yes, I think so. — she replied, annoyed by the coldness of the man's expression.

Suddenly, he turned his attention to the piano, sitting down more on the edge and tapping his hand on the bench.

— Sit here. — he said, and despite his apprehension, Vi eventually agreed. She took the seat next to him, putting her hands on her legs and keeping her body tense. — Did you know? Music wields enormous power in people's lives. It connects us in many ways, acting as an invisible wave that inspires us in our daily lives.

Vi paid attention, relaxing her body a little more as soon as he began to play the keys. Each movement of his hands produced a soft, relaxing melody that filled the rosy-cheeked girl's ears. It was subtle, but with a hint of intensity.

— It's interesting... actually, I'm intrigued. — He began again, making Vi look away from him. — My wife used to repeat something that I usually didn't take seriously. But now, here alone, without her warmth...

Vi bit her lip, returning her gaze to her hands on her leg. — What was she saying? — she asked, making him sigh and stop playing the keys.

— “Big changes are like death. You can't see the other side until you're there.” — he raised his head. — Well, I'm there. But I can't see it. — Then, suddenly, he let out a soft laugh, going back to slowly tapping the keys and making a quiet sound. — But at my age, I think I'll understand soon enough, heh...

Vi frowned, feeling the pain in her chest return. — I'm sorry. I couldn't save her... — Vi asked, her voice heavy.

— That wasn't up to you. Just as no one has the right to take the life of another human being. — He commented, his voice a little slurred, but he quickly tried to keep it down. — Some things... are just inevitable. No matter how much we want it not to happen, that's the truth. And we have to live with it, even through the pain.

Vi reflected, letting out a deep sigh. — And how do you get over this pain?

— Nobody can get over it. — he replied, while continuing to play the keys softly. — It becomes part of us. Over time, it becomes easier to deal with. What was once pain turns into longing, and that longing gives rise to laughter.

— Laughter? — Vi asked, looking at him in confusion. He smiled and stopped playing to take the young woman's hand. She was surprised by the gesture, but allowed him to guide her to the keys, adjusting her fingers to form a note.

— Yes, one day you'll remember all the happy times you had together, and you'll end up laughing a lot. — He exhaled quietly as he taught her how to play.

It had only been four weeks since the end of the war, and things were still in the process of adapting. Although there were moments when the feeling of falling apart was imminent, it was precisely in those moments that everyone came together as one.

Now Piltover was no longer the only city at stake. With a seat on the council, Sevika dedicated herself to giving Zaun a chance — a new hope. Even in the face of losses, the population was mobilising, offering genuine support and reaching out to those in need. Slowly, the two once warring cities were learning to collaborate.

Vi often wondered what it would be like if Vander could witness all this. To gradually see the dreams he had cultivated for so many years coming true.

...

Caitlyn arrived late, even though she had tried to get home earlier because she was tired, but the demands of work couldn't wait. When she came in, she saw her father in the living room and decided to sit next to him for a while.

He shared everything that had happened during the day, praising Vi and mentioning how quickly she learnt. Caitlyn was surprised and pleased to realise that the two of them were beginning to understand each other. After chatting, she said goodnight to him and went to her room, hoping to find the rosy-cheeked girl there, but she wasn't there.

"That woman...", sighed Caitlyn, moving on to another room, where she found the rosy-cheeked woman sitting in the armchair, gazing into the flames of the fireplace. What intrigued her most was that this time she wasn't holding a glass.

She closed the door softly behind her and walked towards the rosy-cheeked woman, noticing the radio playing a soft tune. Then she sat down on the arm of the armchair.

— Hi! — Caitlyn exclaimed softly, leaning back and wrapping her arm around Vi's head with a sweet smile.

— Hi... — Vi replied, with a sleepy expression. Caitlyn knew there was no point in suggesting she go to sleep, because she would still be waiting up for her.

— You look tired. — Caitlyn commented, as the rosy-cheeked woman put her hand on her thigh, pulling her to sit on her lap. Caitlyn settled in comfortably, sealing their lips in a delicate kiss.

Time passed, and they remained silent, enjoying each other's company, with some music playing softly in the background. Of all the moments they spent together, Vi especially appreciated those when they could be like this; carefree, focused on the present and leaving all stress outside.

She slid her hands down Caitlyn's thighs, who shivered, and opened her previously closed eyes.

— Let's go to bed... — Vi whispered, kissing her cheek. Caitlyn agreed, ready to walk to the bedroom and enjoy a nice bath. However, she was startled when Vi suddenly stood up with her on his lap.

— You don't have to carry me. — Caitlyn said with a shy smile.

— I know, but I like carrying you. Besides, it's funny to see you blushing like a teenager. — Vi let out a soft laugh, and Caitlyn laughed too, wrapping her arms around Vi's neck as she closed her eyes, letting herself be carried towards the bedroom.

Chapter Text

~Five months later~

The twin cities were adjusting to the new reality every day. Buildings that were once in ruins were now being rebuilt, and the alleyways were no longer so dark or polluted. It was crazy how things were really changing.

Ekko and the fogolumes built a huge memorial. Placed in a prominent place, so that everyone could admire it and remember: for them, we move on.

With this act, a series of paintings and graffiti began to appear not only in the alleys, but also in Piltover. And most of them were about Jinx. After her appearance in the fight, all the posters of the young woman were ordered to be removed from the streets, resulting in a huge mountain of posters. Not even Caitlyn imagined there would be so many scattered around - most of them scribbled or marked with Xs.

Violet strolled through the streets, heading for the bridge which was now starting to fill up with small business stalls. It was curious and surprising to see so many people there, interacting with each other, regardless of whether they were from the low or high side. They were united. They were laughing together.

— Vi! — Ekko exclaimed when he spotted the pink girl on the bridge, waving to her. Vi smiled and walked over to him, enveloping him in a hug.

— It's really good to see you, man. How are things going? — she asked as they walked away.

— Oh, you know how it is. There's still a lot to sort out, but we're getting there. — he replied, following her through the streets of Zaun.

The two paused at Jericho's new tent, and he was willing to leave his post to hug them. When he finally let go, Vi took a deep breath, recovering from the tight embrace. Ekko just laughed, sat down and placed his order.

As they talked, Vi began to pay attention to her surroundings. The atmosphere of suffering, pain and despair that had previously hung over the streets was dissipating. Children were running and playing; adults were exchanging ideas and sharing their daily routines instead of attacking each other. A new Zaun.

However, it was clear that there was still a long way to go. As he blinked, he heard a noise coming from a nearby hut; two men were engaged in an argument, but no blows were exchanged. Ekko and Vi watched the scene, holding back their laughter as one of the men stumbled and fell. It was a real fusion of comedy with a touch of drama.

The man walked past them, mumbling profanities and visibly embarrassed by his fall, which provoked more laughter between Ekko and Vi as soon as he was out of sight.

Vi accompanied Ekko to the stove's hiding place, which was now no longer a hiding place. The tree, which had previously not been in its best shape, was beginning to regain its vibrant green with the help of the community. When night fell, the cities were bathed in floating lanterns of different colours, making the sky even more beautiful.

Ekko and Vi went to the old hexportal building, sitting at the top as they watched the lanterns make their way towards the ocean. Vi took the small pot they had brought, and Ekko used a lighter to incinerate the papers which, once burnt, rose up and followed the lanterns along the same path.

~2:47 am~

The icy night wind invaded the room, but was soon interrupted when Vi locked the window as she entered. Not that she couldn't simply use the door, but she preferred not to disturb anyone. Besides, old habits are hard to give up.

She moved towards the bathroom, took a quick shower, and put on the pyjamas that Caitlyn always left for her: a black tank top and sweatpants. After turning off the lights in the room, she walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, looking into a corner as she let out a deep sigh.

Everything seemed so strange now. There was no need to fight anymore. There was no one to fight, and that left her with a confused mind. After so many years of fighting... was this how she was supposed to feel?

— Urgh...! My brain is trying to kill me. — mumbled Vi, running her hands over her face and scratching her head, while resting her arms on her thighs.

Suddenly, she felt a soft hand run down her back until it reached her shoulder. Caitlyn stood up and wrapped her arms around the rosy-cheeked woman's body.

— You said it would be a quick visit... — referred to the time Vi had arrived. Since they had started living together, Vi usually went out and stayed out for at least three hours. Caitlyn knew where she was going, so she didn't make a big deal out of it; she would never take the moment away from her.

Of course, she worried when the rosy-cheeked girl was late, but when she saw her coming home, all she wanted to do was stay in her arms.

Vi sighed, turning to look at Caitlyn. — I'm sorry... I didn't want Ekko to come back alone, so I walked him to the bridge. — explained Vi, throwing herself back on the bed with her arms open. Caitlyn smiled and positioned herself on top of her, one leg on either side of her, resting on her chest. — Cupcake... — called Vi softly, as her left hand slid down to Caitlyn's hip. — Do you ever feel... like it's hard to exist?

Caitlyn opened her eyes, grimacing slightly as she stood up to face Vi. She stroked her face with one hand and smoothed her long hair with the other.

— I guess so...? — replied Caitlyn.

— Five months... and it still doesn't seem to be going away. — Vi commented, her voice slurred but firm, as she stared at the ceiling. Caitlyn rested her head on her chest again, running her fingers over the rosy-cheeked girl's well-defined shoulder.

— You know, when I'm patrolling... I see Ambessa. — Vi looked away from Cait as she spoke. — I meet her on the streets, in the dark alleys... and then, suddenly, she appears and takes me away. — Caitlyn let out a sigh as they stood up. Vi leaned on her arms and stared into Cait's face. — But then I come back to reality and realize that it's all just in my head. I see you, my father... my mother. And, strange as it may seem, I also remember Jinx. — Caitlyn confessed, emitting a dry chuckle that made Vi smile.

Vi sat up straighter, resting her hands on Caitlyn's thighs, who wrapped her arms around her head.

— Did you ever think it would end like this? — Vi asked, running her hands gently up the inside of her purple sweater.

Cait smiled, hugging Vi. — I never imagined any of this. But it's not all bad. Despite everything, I still have you. — she said. — I love you. I always will. — Caitlyn whispered, her eyes moist, shedding a tear she couldn't hold back, as Vi squeezed her tightly.

— I love you too. Very much! — Vi replied, her eyelids also wet, stroking Cait's back as she rested her head on her shoulder. For a moment, they stood there, with no need for anything else.

Meanwhile, their bodies yearned for each other in whispers. A tingling sensation ran through their bodies, and the butterflies in their stomachs flew around and around. Although they always slept together and shared moments of intimacy, there were times when this wasn't feasible. With work, Cait often arrived so tired that she could barely do anything, and Vi would never push a relationship with her at those times.

So all they did was bathe together, exchange gentle kisses in the tub, nibble something to eat and then throw themselves on the bed.

It wasn't bad, but it would be dishonest to say that they didn't miss the intensity in their relationship. The uncontrollable fire that drove them to absolute ecstasy.

Caitlyn lifted her head once more, stepping back a little to admire the rosy-cheeked girl's face. Vi remained calm, only returning her gaze; a silent exchange of passion. They were both madly in love. Even if the years passed, they would always carry this love for each other in the same way.

Vi broke the distance between them and sealed their lips in a wet kiss. Their tongues intertwined, a little mismatched, and Caitlyn pushed Vi by the shoulders, making their bodies slide smoothly onto the soft mattress as they continued to kiss.

Cait loved feeling Vi's hands on her body. A wave of electricity ran through her when Vi pressed her most intimate spot with her fingertips. She let out a soft moan, biting her lower lip.

— Cait... take that thing off. — Vi asked, caressing her face and gently touching her eye patch. Caitlyn suddenly pulled away, leaving Vi a little confused. — Cupcake...?

— I... still haven't got used to being without it. — replied Cait, moving over to the bed and pulling her knees close to her chest.

Although they had talked about it, Cait still felt insecure. Vi was aware of this; it had been weeks of talking, sometimes even arguing.

Vi sighed deeply, positioning herself in front of Caitlyn and resting her hand on her knee. After a few moments of reflection, she decided to break the silence:

— Do you want to talk about it? — she asked, knowing, however, what the answer would be. Caitlyn shook her head, keeping her eyes fixed on the pink hand that was caressing her leg. Silence fell between the two until Caitlyn, in a moment of frustration, lowered her knees and crossed her legs.

— I-I accept what happened to me. It was my decision. But now... I-I... I feel terrible! It will never be the same again. And when we're together, the eyes on me; always whispering when we get somewhere. I can't stand it! — Caitlyn poured out her insecurity all at once, surprising Vi a little, who decided to remain silent. Caitlyn's panting was noticeable, and her trembling hands brought an anguish to Vi's heart. She hated seeing Caitlyn like that.

Vi took a deep breath and held her hands. — I know we've discussed this. It's normal to feel insecure, I do too. But what other people think doesn't matter. Fuck what they say! And if any of them dares to offend you, let me know, and I'll break the bones of the wretch who dares to call you ugly!

Vi wasn't sure if her words were what Caitlyn needed to hear, but when she let out a laugh, it was enough to lighten her heart. For Caitlyn, Vi would do anything. She would go to hell for her. That was the strongest conviction Vi possessed, and it was the promise she made: she would give her own life to guarantee the safety of the love of her life.

Violet brought her hands close to Caitlyn's face, caressing her cheeks and allowing her to close her eyes to relax. Caitlyn, holding Vi's arms, opened her eyes and nodded, signaling that it was time for Vi to get on with what she was doing. Carefully, Vi removed Cait's eye patch, making sure that the strands of dark blue hair didn't get tangled, leaving it in a corner of the bed and concentrating on her face again.

— You're the most beautiful! — Vi whispered, kissing the scar that marked her eye. Caitlyn let the tears flow, holding the rosy-cheeked girl's hands as she caressed her face tenderly.

Chapter Text

[...]

The sun rose over the horizon, spreading its brilliant light over the entire upper city, crossing the bridge to reach Zaun.

The sun's rays filtered through the slits in the curtain, gently touching Caitlyn's face. As she opened her eyes, the alarm clock started ringing, forcing her to get up. With a wave of her arm, she reached for the noisy device and switched it off. She stretched and let out a slight yawn as she ran her fingers through her hair.

Caitlyn looked around, blinked and shook her head. When she was finally fully awake, she looked around the room and a genuine smile appeared on her face.

A year had passed since the war. Your previous life no longer exists and many things have changed. And one of them is...

— Cait... turn that thing off...! — complained Violet, covering her head with her pillow in an attempt to drown out the annoying sound of the alarm clock going off again.

She sighed, still smiling, and switched off the noisy device once more. She heard the rosy-cheeked girl mutter a thank you and then she pulled back the sheet, getting up to start another day.

Cait took a relaxing shower and put on her work uniform. In the meantime, the rosy-cheeked girl woke up, sat up on the edge of the bed and let out a yawn. She rubbed her eyes and ran her hand through her hair, pulling out long strands that fell in front of her face.

— You're finally awake! I thought you were going into hibernation. — Caitlyn joked, moving closer to the rosy-cheeked girl and sealing their lips. Vi reached out and caressed Caitlyn's cheek, giving her another kiss. — Hum! Violet! — Caitlyn exclaimed as she was pulled by the pink girl, falling backwards onto the mattress and receiving a shower of kisses.

Caitlyn laughed loudly as Vi tickled her, then Caitlyn got on top of Vi, one leg on each side.

— No~! — Vi grumbled, pursing her lips. — You're not going to work. Stay home with me! — Vi said sweetly. Caitlyn giggled softly, holding the rosy-cheeked girl's hands above her head and kissing her.

— As much as I'd like to spend all day in bed with you, I still have to work. — Caitlyn declared, standing up and straightening her uniform. — Are you going to visit Ekko?

Vi shook her head as she sat down. — Maybe later. I'm going for a walk around the city. — she commented, getting up and stretching her body. While Caitlyn finished getting ready, Vi went to the bathroom to take a shower. After getting ready, she went downstairs with Caitlyn to the kitchen, where they prepared breakfast.

~Police department, 8:38 a.m.~

— Good morning, Sheriff! — was the greeting Caitlyn received from everyone as she entered. Since the new council appointed her as sheriff, she has been hard at work reshaping the guidelines among the defenders.

Caitlyn greeted the staff, signed some documents that her secretary had brought and then went to check some interrogations before going upstairs to her office, although she was still adapting to the new space.

As soon as she entered, she found the councilors in front of her desk, exchanging a few words until they looked away.

— Counselor Shoola. Counselor Sevika. Thank you very much for meeting with me today.

— The pleasure is all ours. Sheriff! — said Shoola, giving a gentle smile before sitting down.

— Heh, I'm still getting used to it... — declared Caitlyn, adjusting herself in the chair, and so the meeting began.

After an hour and a half of discussion, the counselors left the room, saying goodbye, but Sevika turned back to Caitlyn.

— How's that hard-headed girl? — she asked, avoiding direct eye contact. Whenever they had a meeting or found themselves in the new council tower, Sevika used to ask about Vi.

— She's fine. — she answered simply, with her arms crossed, looking out.

— Does she still have nightmares?

— Sometimes, but it's better than it was in the beginning. — Sevika sighed, straightening her clothes and adjusting the new robotic arm Shoola had given her. — Aren't you going to talk to her? — Caitlyn asked.

Sevika shook her head negatively. — She wouldn't want to talk to me anyway. — Caitlyn stared at her, arching her eyebrows slightly. — I think it's for the best. After everything I've done...

— I know there's still resentment, but if you two talked, maybe you could work it out. — said Caitlyn, while Sevika let out another thoughtful sigh.

— We'll see. — she replied, looking at Caitlyn and then holding out her hand. Caitlyn squeezed hers and nodded.

[...]

Vi was crossing the bridge, heading down towards the new Zaun, when suddenly a noise caught her attention. She stopped, staring into a dark alleyway. She looked around; there were several people in the street, all busy with their activities. The strange sound resounded again, now more distant. She put her hands in the pockets of her new jacket and entered the alley.

— You're going to pay me now, you son of a bitch! — A man's harsh voice brought her to an abrupt halt, and she crouched down on one leg. Hidden in the shadows, she watched a man threatening a boy who looked no older than 16; he was thin, pale and wearing simple clothes.

Vi took a good look at the other man. He grabbed the young man's arm and threw him to the ground. Vi got up, hitting his feet on a bottle of booze that rolled out of the alley, stopping at his attacker's feet.

He stared at the bottle at his feet, turning his attention back to the alley and swallowing. The young man on the ground wiped his nose on his arm and looked at the blood on his sleeve, noticing that the man had gone still.

He also turned his gaze to where the man was focused, meeting a pair of eyes that shone in the darkness of the alley.

— I-I... — The man tried to start speaking, but hesitated, fixing his hat on his head. He glanced at the boy on the ground and then hurried past him. The boy watched as the man left and was startled when the rosy-cheeked girl appeared at his side.

— Are you all right? — she asked, keeping her eyes looking straight ahead. The boy took a deep breath, hesitating to say a word. Vi, sensing the young man's apprehension, looked away. — Don't worry. He won't hurt you anymore. — she said, holding out her hand towards him.

The young man remained on the ground for a few moments, making sure she didn't take any hostile action. Until he accepted her hand to stand up.

— Thank you... — he murmured, his voice almost inaudible. Then he stared at Vi, blinking and squinting, which made Vi move away a little.

— Are your eyes all right? — she asked, raising an eyebrow.

— Oh, yes! I'm sorry about that. It's just that I have vision problems, and he broke my glasses before... well, before he brought me here.

— Did you have any debts?

— I didn't. My parents did! — he replied, stepping back slightly and adjusting his clothes. — I mean, it's just me and my mother now. My father died in the war.

Vi frowned as she heard the young man's words. She looked away to another corner, taking in the information. She took another look at the boy: his clothes were torn and stained with blood, his hair was messy, and his face was smeared with grease.

— What kind of debt do your parents have? — she asked, making him meet her eyes.

— Actually, he sold us a house. My father was paying for it, but now it's just me, and he doesn't accept late payments.

— And why were you late? — The young man looked away, staring at his calloused hands.

— Food. Medicines for my mother. I... I needed to get some money from the house. — he explained, with his head down. Vi took a deep breath, then let it out and took her hands out of her pockets.

— Come with me. I know someone who can help you. — she said, lightly touching his shoulder.

...

Vi and the boy strolled through the streets of Zaun until they reached the Stove residence, stopping in front of the entrance when a guard approached them.

— We don't accept garbage on the high side here. — said the woman in the mask forcefully, creating a tense atmosphere. Suddenly, she removed her mask, revealing a mischievous smile. — What's up, Vi! Forgotten your roots, have you?

— Never. — replied the pink-haired girl, squeezing the guard's hand and hugging her. — I need to talk to Ekko. Is he here?

— Of course he is! Go on in. — Vi thanked her and they soon entered. The place, which used to be a hideout, was now crowded with people and several houses under construction.

— Watch out for the children. — Vi warned the boy, who looked confused, until a group of children ran past, almost knocking him over as they chased a large insect. Vi let out a little laugh, shook her head and continued on her way.

— Look at you, showing up here unannounced? Should I be worried? — he asked, leaving the hammer on the table.

— Don't worry. I won't be any trouble. Well, I guess. — She corrected herself. — The boy there was being threatened by a gang member. He said that this guy got him and his mother a house, but he's charging twice as much as they agreed. — Vi explained, pulling up a chair and sitting down.

Ekko did the same, while the young man walked around the room, observing everything around him.

— His father died in the war. — Ekko looked down at her, letting out a sigh. He focused on the boy again.

— What about his mother?

— According to him, she's ill. — Vi replied, also looking at the boy. — I was wondering if you could help him.

Ekko pondered as he looked at the pink girl who was already watching him. He smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth and shook his head.

— Things are a bit hectic around here, but I can handle it. — he said, reassuring Vi. They stood up and shook hands, at which point the rosy-cheeked girl arched an eyebrow, noticing his outfit.

— I like your new outfit. — she commented, and he turned around, making fun.

— You never change that shirt, do you? — Ekko joked, following Vi outside.

— Oh, my sincere apologies, milord! My closet is not as privileged as His Majesty's. — Vi bowed, causing Ekko to push her slightly, and they laughed together.

Vi said goodbye, but before she could really make her way through the streets of Zaun, Ekko interrupted her:

— Are you going to the fissures? — Vi stood with her back to the boy, let out a sigh and left without saying another word.

Ekko watched the rosy-cheeked girl leave the room, leaning against the door with her arms crossed. Suddenly, a noise in the background made him turn quickly, and he saw the boy holding a screwdriver, smiling contentedly as he analyzed a watch.

— Did you... fix it? — Ekko asked, approaching. The young man just shrugged, setting the tool aside.

— Sorry, I didn't want to touch anything. It's just that the spring was loose, so I replaced it with a makeshift one, and now the bird will come out without engaging. — he explained, avoiding eye contact. Ekko noticed the boy's discomfort and took a few steps back, then an idea occurred to him.

— Do you like fixing things? — the young man looked up at Ekko and nodded in confirmation.

— My father was a cabinetmaker. He made a lot of things and also repaired them. I learned a lot from him and ended up developing a passion for the trade. — A shy smile appeared on his face as he looked thoughtfully at the wooden object.

Ekko pulled up a chair and sat down. — Tell me more about it! — he said, and the young man stared at him in surprise, giving him a big smile. He also pulled up a chair, sat down facing Ekko, and began to talk enthusiastically about his family.

[...]

Vi descended to what could be considered the final limit of Zaun. He walked between the immense rock walls until he reached the vast field, now devoid of any form of life.

Even the flowering vegetation that was there last time was gone. Once again, and perhaps forever, the fissures returned to what they were; an enormous void.

Violet approached the familiar spot, crouching down in front of the iron structure as she removed the dried plants and thorny roots that obstructed her passage.

— Hi, guys... I'm here! — she murmured, resting her forehead on the structure and closing her eyes as she let out a deep sigh. The strong wind blew towards her, raising a cloud of dust from the ground. While longing invaded her heart, her mind wandered through memories and moments that would never be repeated.

Vi moved away, sitting on her legs and allowing her thoughts to flow. All the effort she had made, the difficulties, the sleepless nights in prison, longing to be with her family. Now she was free, but there was no one else. Your family was gone, and almost lost Caitlyn too.

A year has passed, but the painful memories will always remain. It's hard not to let yourself get down, but when she thought of Caitlyn and Ekko, when she remembered Zaun and Piltover, and how things are going, a spark of hope begins to sprout in her inside.

“It's time to leave the past behind.”

That voice resounded incessantly in her mind. Vi stood up, shaking out his clothes to remove the dust, observing everything around him. She put her hands in her jacket pockets, took a deep breath, and then started her way back.

Vi continued his walk on the low side for a while, before crossing the bridge and heading towards where Caitlyn was. Although she wasn't sure if she would find her where she thought she would, a feeling in her chest pushed her on.

When she reached the small park, she made her way to where the statues of the deceased councillors stood. She stopped, looking at the back of Caitlyn, who stood admiring the statue of her mother.

The last rays of the sun were receding over the horizon, illuminating the faces of the councillors. Vi looked up at Cassandra, observing the statue of the woman for a moment. Then she let out a sigh and approached Caitlyn, who looked away and gave her a subtle smile.

— May I? — Vi asked, referring to the rose she had brought with her, and Caitlyn nodded, watching Vi bend down to leave the rose with the others. She stood up, looking at the flowers left in her honor, as she felt Caitlyn's fingers intertwine with hers.

— How was your day? — Caitlyn asked, walking alongside the rosy-cheeked girl until they were seated on a bench.

— I helped a boy and took him to the little man. He'll be well looked after there. — said the rosy-cheeked girl. — And your work, how was it? — she asked, looking around. Caitlyn leaned her head on Vi's shoulder, placing her hand on her thigh.

— It was good... I mean, it could have been better. — she replied, making Vi curious.

— Why do you say that?

— Well... a man came into the police station shouting, actually demanding that we get his car back. — Caitlyn said, and Vi frowned.

— A scandal over a car...? — Vi snorted, flashing a crooked smile.

— He mentioned that it had been stolen by a... — Caitlyn hesitated. — “low-side worm”...

Caitlyn narrowed her eyes, waiting for a negative reaction from the rosy-cheeked girl. However, all she did was let out a long, exhausted sigh.

One truth of life is that, despite the bad and impactful events that shake the world, not everyone changes. Some people change their opinions, while others will always remain the same.

Vi clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. — Well, you can't change anyone's mind by beating them, unfortunately. — she commented, laughing softly.

Caitlyn smiled and raised her eyebrows, a little surprised by the pink girl's attitude. If it had been Vi from a while ago, I'm sure she would have verbally attacked the entire high side by now.

In an instant, Caitlyn straightened up, taking a closer look at the pink girl's face. Vi also looked at her, receiving a soft kiss on the lips from the taller girl.

Vi wrapped her arms around her, pulling her closer, bringing their lips together again until shortness of breath forced them apart. Caitlyn caressed the rosy-cheeked girl's face, leaving a lingering kiss on her forehead.

— Are you tired of walking? — Caitlyn asked, and Vi shook her head in the negative, still attentive to her lips. — How about a walk on the beach? — suggested Caitlyn, causing Vi to look away and raise her eyebrows in surprise.

— Beach? You want to go to the beach now? — Vi asked.

— Yes, let's go! — exclaimed Caitlyn, standing up and pulling the rosy-cheeked girl by the hand. They linked arms and headed towards the beach.

When they arrived, Caitlyn took off her boots and, even though she was still confused, Vi decided to imitate her. Together, they walked hand in hand along the edge of the beach, stopping near a group of rocks that were being hit by the waves. The silence was interrupted by the sound of the waves and the strong wind that blew, messing up their hair. Vi let out a snort as she tried to tidy up the messy strands. Caitlyn just rolled her eyes, letting out a quiet sigh.

Not far away, a group of ladies were walking along and spotted the two on the beach.

— Look, what's going on over there? — commented the first lady, with whiter hair than the others.

— A Piltovense and a Zaunita...? — asked the second lady, putting on her glasses to see better.

— I can't believe it. — said the third lady, a little younger.

— Neither can I. — said the fourth, surprised, putting her hands together as they admired the two on the beach.

Vi lifted Caitlyn onto her lap, spinning her around as they laughed about something. The ladies moved closer to the staircase that helped access the beach.

— It can't be. — commented the first lady again. — How can you understand each other so well? — she asked, smiling slightly.

— We are witnessing something special. — the ladies said in chorus, watching the two, who resumed walking hand in hand along the sand.

— They're so beautiful together... — commented the second lady, putting her glasses away. They nodded in agreement.

— It's true, it looks like something good might actually happen. — said the fourth lady, linking arms and casting one last glance at the two before continuing their stroll through the city.

Chapter Text

[...]

Vi stopped her walk, leaning back slightly and raising an eyebrow. Caitlyn also stopped, turning towards the pink girl.

— Vi, what happened? — she asked, coming closer. Vi looked at Caitlyn and shook her head.

— It's nothing. — she replied with a discreet smile, and they resumed walking. Vi glanced at Caitlyn and noticed that she was carrying a bag. — What have you got there? — she asked, pointing with her head.

Caitlyn stepped back a little, held the bag with both hands and opened it, showing some fireworks.

— I bought them when I left work. I thought it would be fun to light them here on the beach. — said the taller one, crouching down on the ground, while Vi followed her, picking up a stick and waiting for Caitlyn to light it.

When they lit the sticks, Vi stood up, stretching out her arm and swinging it from side to side, while the glow of the fireworks lit up the night. Suddenly, an idea came to her. Vi cracked a mischievous smile and took off towards Caitlyn, who tried to get away from the pink girl by running down the beach.

— Vi! Don't do that! — shouted Caitlyn as the pink girl let go of the fireworks and lifted her onto her lap, running towards the water.

— Just a dip, cupcake! — replied Vi, laughing as they pulled away from the sand.

Vi settled Caitlyn on her lap, stopping when the water reached her waist. Caitlyn wrapped her arms around her neck, holding on tightly, which made Vi laugh softly.

— The water isn't that cold... — insisted the rosy-cheeked girl, lifting Caitlyn's body a little with each wave. Vi waited for an answer, looking at Caitlyn tenderly.

Although she was reluctant to get wet, Caitlyn couldn't ignore the piercing look that the rosy-cheeked girl was giving her. She sighed as she climbed out of Vi's arms, jumping a little as she entered the water, but her body soon adjusted to the temperature.

The stillness of the night gave her a feeling of serenity. In fact, peace had become so commonplace that it still seemed strange to them. For a long time, Violet reflected on this. However, now it was time to broach an old subject.

— Caitlyn... — Vi called her name, which made Caitlyn frown. She wrapped her arms around the rosy-cheeked girl's head, watching her intently. — Do you remember when you offered me to come back to the defenders? — she asked, making Cait confirm with a slight shake of her head. — So... I've been thinking about it a lot. I help you at home, and Ekko too when he needs it, but... — she hesitated, sighing heavily. — You had to go out on the pitch and ended up hurting yourself. I don't like the idea of you risking yourself, especially with...

— With one eye missing? Yes, it was complicated, but I managed. And what's more, I didn't get hurt that badly. — Caitlyn shrugged, letting out a dry laugh.

— You threw yourself off the third floor of a building during a chase! Luckily, there were other defenders who managed to hold you up with a tent. — Vi exclaimed, turning away from Caitlyn. — What if...

Caitlyn no longer felt the cold of the sea. What overwhelmed her was the weight of Vi's gaze. She understood what the pink woman was saying. If those defenders hadn't been there, the situation could have been fatal.

Even though she hadn't regained sight in her eye, Caitlyn had stopped wearing an eye patch some time ago, opting instead for a glass eye. At first, it was difficult to get used to, but as time went by, Caitlyn began to feel normal again.

— I don't want to lose you! — exclaimed Vi, her voice slurred and tears welling up in her eyes. — I can't...

The sound of the ocean waves and the call of the seagulls were present. Caitlyn, biting her lower lip, approached the rosy-cheeked girl and wrapped her wet face, not only from the seawater, but also from the tears that continued to roll down.

Caitlyn wiped her face and tilted the rosy-cheeked girl's head slightly to place a tender kiss on her forehead. Vi sobbed, taking Caitlyn into her arms.

Time passed while they remained in that bubble. For Vi, nothing else mattered; all that really mattered was Caitlyn.

Suddenly, Caitlyn pulled away from the pink girl and, holding her face again, kissed her. A simple, slow kiss, but it turned out to be perfect. Caitlyn continued sealing lips with the rosy-cheeked girl, spreading kisses all over her face, which provoked a few soft giggles from her, between the tears that still remained.

— Hey, don't try to deflect the subject by kissing me. You know, that always works. — commented Vi.

— I'm not diverting the subject. It's just... do you really want to go back? Even after everything, I've...

— Love...! — Vi held Caitlyn's hands, causing her eyes to widen when she heard the word “love”.

Caitlyn was already used to the nicknames that the rosy-cheeked girl used to come up with, but this time was the first time she had called her by an affectionate name that wasn't the usual “cupcake”. Not that Caitlyn didn't like it, she just wouldn't admit it to Vi.

— I know a lot of complicated things happened before. But you told me yourself that you're working hard to change the system. And I'm seeing it now! — exclaimed Vi, flashing a smile. — I confess that at first I didn't believe that the defenders could really change, but they have. You've changed!

Caitlyn sighed, frowning slightly. — I understand what you mean, but I can't just reinstate you out of the blue. You'd have to take a test, like everyone else. — Caitlyn explained, while Vi nodded, smiling.

— I'll do it! I'll study everything you give me. I want to be your right-hand man, Cait. I'll be your shadow. Wherever you go, I go too! — said the rosy-cheeked girl, letting out a giggle at the end.

Caitlyn knew Vi was serious just by her resolute expression and her charming smile. Vi's determination was evident. Caitlyn sighed, looking at the pink girl as a wide smile formed on her face.

— I... — Before she could finish the sentence, Caitlyn sealed Vi's lips with a kiss and, in one maneuver, fell backwards, quickly emerging from the water. Caitlyn pushed her wet hair away from her face, laughing with the pink girl, who coughed to clear her lungs.

— Sorry...! — Caitlyn asked, swimming over to Vi and putting her hands on her shoulders. — I love you! — she exclaimed, unable to stop smiling, which made the rosy-cheeked girl blush slightly, becoming shy.

— I-I love you too! — Violet replied, blushing and looking away from Caitlyn. However, she didn't let this happen, pulling Vi's face back and leaning their foreheads together. Caitlyn fixed her gaze on Vi's eyes, then looked away to her lips, as if asking permission, a gesture that melted Vi's heart.

The pink one smiled mischievously, wrapping her arms around the taller one's waist, shortening the distance between them. Suddenly, Vi pulled away, producing a pop as their lips parted.

— But I'm not wearing that uniform! It's awful! You know that, don't you? — She snapped, with a raised eyebrow. Caitlyn looked away, deep in thought, before revealing a slight smile.

— Actually, I have an idea you'll like.

[...]

Caitlyn walked through the corridors of the police station, quickening her pace as she approached her office. As soon as she entered, she locked the door behind her. She turned around quickly, biting her lower lip, and approached the rosy-cheeked woman, who was standing in front of the mirror, assessing her uniform.

— You really liked the uniform, didn't you? — asked Caitlyn, positioning herself behind the pink girl. Violet turned around, tilting her head to look at her back in the mirror and taking a good look at the outfit.

— Red suits me much better! — exclaimed Violet, with a smug smile on her face. Caitlyn rolled her eyes as she approached and wrapped her arms around the pink girl's head.

— You look stunning. — whispered Caitlyn, planting a kiss on her shoulder.

— I know! — Vi replied, and they both laughed, enjoying the light moment. — But are you sure I can wear this red uniform? — asked Violet, turning to face Caitlyn.

— That's for sure. You're my right-hand man, and with this color, it'll be much easier for me to find you in the crowd. — Caitlyn commented playfully, stroking the rosy-cheeked girl's cheeks.

Vi smiled with her eyes, snuggling her face even closer into Caitlyn's hands. A comfortable silence filled the room as Vi wrapped her arms around Caitlyn's waist, pulling her closer and hugging her.

Caitlyn slid her fingers through the strands of pink hair, closing her eyes and enjoying the peaceful moment.

— Baby... — called out to Caitlyn, trying to pull away, but Vi wouldn't allow it, burying her face in her clothes.

In fact, she did this so that Caitlyn wouldn't notice that she was embarrassed to hear “'baby”. Although they had been together for a long time, being referred to by an affectionate nickname made her blush.

Caitlyn made another attempt, lightly patting Vi on the back. — Right, time to work. — she said, letting out a sigh before walking away. Vi flashed a mischievous smile, staring at Caitlyn's body as she made her way to the table.

— All right, I'm going. See you at lunch? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl, turning sideways so that Caitlyn wouldn't notice her mischievous look.

— Of course. — replied Caitlyn, raising an eyebrow. She already suspected that Vi was watching her. After Vi left, Caitlyn began to review and sign some documents, until her eyes settled on the picture frame on the table.

She put the pen aside and picked up the picture frame, leaning back in her chair as she turned sideways. The picture showed Caitlyn and Violet on the day the pink one had passed and received her defender's badge, standing out as top of the class in almost every test. Target shooting really wasn't Pink's strong suit, although she practiced a lot with Caitlyn in the garden at home.

The photo was taken by Tobias, who congratulated her on her outstanding performance in the evaluations. However, there were some defenders who didn't take kindly to Violet's presence. Despite this, she simply ignored them, keeping her focus on her work and always feeling anxious as the day drew to a close, when she could return home to hug Caitlyn.

Caitlyn was very proud of Violet. She had dedicated herself intensely to getting through and had done exactly what she had promised. She wasn't just her right-hand man; she was her shadow, both inside and outside the police station. Wherever Caitlyn went, Vi was always on her guard.

She touched the rosy-cheeked woman's face in the photo, with a silly smile, when she suddenly found herself remembering the rosy-cheeked woman's first week on the job. There were a lot of women in the department, and Vi ended up becoming the center of attention. Pink was approached four times, and although she always turned her down, Caitlyn was aware that the glances at Pink wouldn't diminish. After all, Violet was already recognized as a war hero, just like Caitlyn. However, the attention the pink one received from other women made Caitlyn jealous for a few days. She got in a bad mood whenever any of the women approached her inappropriately, and decided to punish the entire department by canceling overtime.

After hearing a few words from the pink girl, Caitlyn began to control herself, scolding herself for that act of immaturity. Vi spent the whole evening talking to Caitlyn about the issue, assuring her that she was Caitlyn's and always would be.

The rosy-cheeked girl even made a joke about marrying each other, so that she could show off her wedding ring whenever she was propositioned by other women. However, this innocent joke aroused Caitlyn's hormones, and she became quite agitated at the idea.

“Marrying Violet...” thought Caitlyn, letting out a long sigh as she put the picture frame back in its place. “I think... the time has come for us to seriously consider it.”

[...]

~Kiramman residence, 7:56 a.m.~

It's been a while since Violet and Caitlyn started working together. The pair, as was to be expected, attracted the attention of everyone around them, both in Piltover and in Zaun. The sheriff in blue and her loyal partner in red. That's what they were being called. A joke that Vi actually found amusing.

However, over the last few days, Vi hasn't shown up for work for a reason she considers...

— Ridiculous! — exclaimed the redhead, with an expression of discontent.

— What's ridiculous? — asked Caitlyn as she entered the room with a glass, approaching the rosy-cheeked girl with her arms crossed and sitting down on the edge of the bed.

— This is ridiculous! I never get sick! — replied Vi, her voice a little hoarse from the flu. — I exercise every day. I'm healed! — she said, annoyed, while Caitlyn looked on.

— Being fit doesn't make you immune to catching a cold. — the taller one said, giving a discreet smile as she saw the rosy-cheeked one snort, clearly dissatisfied. — Why are you so upset about being sick?

Vi crossed her arms and hid her face with her forearm, coughing. Caitlyn left the glass on the bedside table, took some tissues and offered them to her. Vi sighed in acceptance and blew her nose.

— You didn't answer my question... — commented Caitlyn.

— I spent years of my life in prison and even more years breathing the polluted air of Zaun. And now that I'm back on the job, I get the flu? No. I don't accept that! — she exclaimed, trying to get up, but Caitlyn stopped her. Leaning on the rosy-cheeked girl's shoulders, she made her sit up, then sat on the edge of the bed again, picking up the glass.

— I understand that it's unpleasant, but getting sick is part of life. — Caitlyn explained, handing the glass to the pink girl, who looked at the drink skeptically.

— What's this? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl, taking the glass and smelling it, grimacing slightly.

— Lemon tea with garlic. Considered one of the best home remedies that ever existed. Or so my mother claimed. — she let out a giggle, pushing the glass towards the rosy-cheeked girl, waiting for her to take it.

Vi stared at the liquid again, frowned and clenched her jaw. Without a second thought, she turned the glass over, swallowing the contents in one gulp.

— UGH! — grunted Vi, covering her mouth and closing her eyes, finishing swallowing what was left of the liquid in her mouth.

Caitlyn had to stop herself from laughing at the pink girl's exaggerated reaction, but in truth, she didn't know if she was being dramatic or if the lemon really was too strong. However, she tried not to dwell on this thought, turning her attention away to pick up a thermometer. Caitlyn checked the rosy-cheeked girl's temperature and wasn't surprised by the result.

— 39° fever. — Caitlyn reported, while Vi just huffed, sinking her head into the pillow and coughing a few times, full of frustration. The feeling of helplessness consumed her; her throat burned, and her body was hot, her head throbbing with unbearable pain from the early hours of the morning.

Vi felt like a burden for waking Caitlyn up at 1am, as she couldn't breathe properly. Although Caitlyn insisted she shouldn't feel this way, it was something she couldn't help.

She was Violet, the strongest woman in all of Zaun and Piltover. How could she have been brought down by a simple cold? She didn't even understand it herself, spending most of her time sulking about it.

Vi let out a long sigh, making her chest rise and fall gradually. She stood up again, putting her legs off the bed.

— Where are you going? — asked Caitlyn, watching the rosy-cheeked girl put on her slippers.

— I want to take a cold bath... — replied Vi, and Caitlyn nodded in agreement, offering to help the rosy-cheeked girl, who hesitated at first. However, when she tried to stand up, Vi couldn't support her weight and ended up falling forward. Caitlyn caught her in time, preventing her from hitting the ground.

Caitlyn led Violet into the bathroom and settled her on the bathroom, starting to remove her tank top and then her sweatpants. Vi completed the rest while Caitlyn turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature.

— All right, let's go. — said Caitlyn as she waved her hand. However, Vi, with a slight tone of defiance, refused any assistance, saying that she could get up on her own. Even so, Caitlyn remained attentive, positioning herself behind her to make sure she didn't fall.

After twenty minutes underwater, Vi finally asked Caitlyn for help, who quickly wrapped her body in a towel and helped her out of the bathroom, settling her on the bed.

— So, has the headache stopped? — asked Caitlyn, as she grabbed another towel to dry Vi's hair.

— Yes... — replied Vi, covering her mouth with her forearm to cough. Caitlyn then helped her get dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen, where she struggled to prepare lunch for the rosy-cheeked girl. In fact, when she realized that she couldn't, she decided to ask the house cook for help.

In the afternoon, an employee from the police station brought some important documents that Caitlyn needed to sign and updated her on the status of some pending cases. After two hours of work, Caitlyn went to check on her rosé again, checking its temperature and leaving another glass of tea beside the bed.

As the afternoon turned into evening, Tobias entered the house and found Caitlyn in the living room.

— Hi, darling. — Tobias greeted her with a kiss on the head and sat down next to his daughter. — How's Violet?

— She's getting better. Her fever's gone down, and now she's sleeping like a rock, hehe! — Caitlyn let out a giggle, without taking her eyes off the report she was reading.

Tobias loosened his tie and sighed. — Daughter, I need to talk to you.

— Go ahead, Dad. — replied Caitlyn, placing the papers on her leg.

— I've been thinking about this for a long time and... I think it's time I moved out. — Tobias declared, surprising his daughter, who raised her eyebrows in shock.

— Move out? But why? — Caitlyn asked, leaving the files on the table.

— Well, I'm getting older, and you two, well, you're young. You still have a long way to go, and I think it's going to be difficult with me around. — Tobias explained, letting out a deep sigh.

— Dad, that doesn't make sense to me. We have no problem living with you. Violet loves talking to you! — Caitlyn began, trying to convince her father to reconsider. However, he shook his head, his eyes fixed on his own hands.

— The fact is... the memories in this house are still very painful, Caitlyn. — Tobias said in a melancholy tone.

— But... where do you want to go? — Caitlyn asked, looking down.

— We have several properties scattered around the city. I'm planning to move into one of them, and I thought it would be wise to sell the rest. What do you think? — he asked, settling comfortably on the sofa and crossing his legs.

— Well, if you think it's the best decision to make. — replied Caitlyn, still shaken by the idea that her father was moving out.

Although she felt sad, Caitlyn understood what her father was saying. The house really was full of things that had belonged to her mother, although some changes had been made over time.

— I don't want you to go... — Caitlyn whispered, resting her head on her father's shoulder. He let out a soft chuckle, leaning his head against hers and breathing deeply.

— Well, now you have Violet. I'm sure you'll soon adjust to my absence. — said Tobias, drawing a laugh from his daughter too.

— Yes, but I...!

— Darling...! — Tobias pulled away, looking at his daughter seriously. — You and Violet are about to start a new phase, and that's wonderful. — he said, taking her hands and caressing them. — And, to be honest, I'm doing it for me too. I really need a change, you know?

Caitlyn bit her lip, looking away as she reflected. She closed her eyes and nodded slightly in agreement. Tobias then put his left hand on his daughter's cheek, wiping away a tear. He gently pulled her into a hug.

Caitlyn tried hard to hold back her tears, she didn't want her father to see her crying, but after trying for so long to be strong, she decided to give in.

Chapter Text

[...]

Change is a journey full of uncertainties that we all have to face at some point. Between staying in the same place or venturing into a new life, full of surprises. Although taking risks can be intimidating, comfort can often become the worst addiction.

Caitlyn continued her exhausting routine as sheriff, and even with the improvements that were taking place, rumors about a new drug began to spread through the darkest corners of Zaun.

Determined to investigate, she chose not to attract public attention, alerting only Vi and some of her most trusted officers. When things calmed down and her work became a little lighter, Caitlyn began to pay attention to the pink girl again. That same group of women were once again throwing themselves at Vi, which made her quite nervous for a moment; however, she managed to keep her composure.

As soon as she entered her office and started investigating some leads, Caitlyn was completely taken out of her focus by a memory: the pink one had made a joke about marriage a while ago. For long hours, Caitlyn reflected; a wedding represents a significant milestone in a couple's life. However, after facing so many challenges and tragedies, she had made up her mind.

There was no more time to lose.

[...]

Vi was with Ekko, helping to build a new house for the community, but she also took the opportunity to invite him to a party.

— A tea party? You're joking, right? — he complained, leaning against the wooden wall with his arms crossed.

— It's just a little celebration. I'll be happy to see you there. Cait too. — explained Vi as she fixed the nails into the wood.

— Sure, I bet. — Ekko commented sarcastically. — Isn't it a family reunion? — he asked, and then the rosy-cheeked girl stood up.

— It's more like a work party than a family gathering. — she replied, wiping the sweat from her brow.

— And what does this have to do with me? — Ekko asked.

— Because you're all I have left. — Vi said with a depressed tone. Ekko looked away from the rosy-cheeked girl, letting out a soft sigh.

— I...

— You don't have to go if you don't want to, okay? I understand. — Vi hurried to put the tools away and let the others know that the day was over.

They thanked her for her help, collecting the material that was being used. Before the rosy-cheeked woman left, she turned once more to the young man and declared:

— I understand it's not really your vibe... but I'd be extremely happy to meet you there. — Ekko let out a deep sigh, keeping his hands in his pockets. Vi pursed her lips and then turned to resume her walk to the high side.

— Violet! — Ekko called out, making the rosy-cheeked girl stop and turn around. — I'll think about it! — he declared, causing a subtle smile to appear at the corner of her lips. Vi nodded and continued walking.

...

The day of the party arrived more quickly than Vi had expected. The day before, Caitlyn had insisted that Vi accompany her shopping. At first, Vi refused, but eventually succumbed to the taller woman's insistence.

They went to a store away from prying eyes, which Caitlyn loved, as it was the place where her mother used to take her, and so she had a lot of affinity with the owners.

Caitlyn introduced Vi and began the mission of choosing outfits for the party. Vi asked Caitlyn to choose first, watching her girlfriend try on different outfits, admiring her every time she came out of the fitting room.

— What do you think of this one? — asked Caitlyn as she looked at herself in the mirror. However, the pink girl's silence made her turn around, and she found the pink girl staring at her with a subtle smile and a passionate look. — Violet? — Caitlyn called out, her hands resting on her waist.

— Huh? — Vi replied, blinking before fixing her eyes on Caitlyn.

— What did you think of the dress? — she repeated the question.

— It looks great on you. — Violet replied sincerely, appraising Caitlyn from top to bottom.

— Heh, you've already said that about the last five dresses. I'm undecided! — Caitlyn exclaimed, letting out a sigh while Vi couldn't hold back a laugh.

— Well, I can't help it if you look stunning in any outfit. I'm serious. Even if you wore a sack of potatoes, you'd still be the most beautiful woman in the world. — Vi commented, shrugging and flashing a smile.

Caitlyn nodded and smiled too. But she suddenly frowned as she noticed something in the pink.

— Are you okay? — Caitlyn asked, approaching Vi and sitting down next to her on the bench.

— What do you mean?

— There's something tormenting you, isn't there? — said Caitlyn, as Vi looked away and let out a deep sigh. She then turned to face Caitlyn, who kept a warm look on her face.

— It's the little man. I invited him to the party, and he said he'd think about it, but so far he hasn't given me an answer.

Caitlyn bit her lip, put her hand over Vi's and stroked it. Not knowing what to say about the boy, she chose to remain silent, resting her head on the rosy-cheeked girl's shoulder.

Vi looked up and took a deep breath, then let it out. Caitlyn intertwined her arms, stroking the rosy-cheeked girl's toned arm as they remained in a comfortable silence.

The laughter coming from the front of the store woke them both up. Vi then took a closer look at Caitlyn's outfit.

— Look... I liked this one much better. — commented Vi, causing Caitlyn to remove her head from her shoulder.

— Really? I liked it a lot, too. — Caitlyn replied, looking at her own clothes. — Well, since we've agreed, now let's choose your clothes. — suggested Caitlyn, getting to her feet and pulling the pink girl by the hand.

Vi made an expression of disinterest, but again ended up falling for Caitlyn's blackmail, giving in to her girlfriend's every wish.

The party started at seven, but Caitlyn and Vi didn't arrive until eight, as Vi cast a spell on Caitlyn, who fell for the pink girl's teasing, and they enjoyed some intimate moments in bed before getting ready.

Vi was near the food table, sipping a grape juice while trying to focus on the conversation between Caitlyn and some people. They were exchanging compliments about her good work as sheriff, highlighting her decision to give up her seat on the council to give an opportunity to a Zaun representative. And it was only when Vi heard Sevika's name that she paid full attention to the conversation.

Across the lobby, Sevika watched the rosy-cheeked girl. — Why don't you go and talk to her? — Shoola asked, making Sevika look away.

— I'm not sure. — Sevika replied, as she took another sip of wine.

— Well, you'll never know unless you try. — said the woman, encouraging her. Shoola then linked her arm with Sevika's and they both headed through the lobby towards Caitlyn. Shoola greeted the rosy-cheeked girl, who responded with a small smile, but quickly wiped it away as she looked away.

Sevika and Vi exchanged a look for a moment, which for Vi seemed like an eternity of agony. Hesitantly, she looked away again and took a sip of her juice.

The older woman let out a long sigh, walked over to the table, picked up another glass of wine and drained it in one go.

— So... it's good to see you, Vi. — Sevika began, waiting for an answer that didn't come. Vi just nodded, wanting to avoid talking to the woman. However, Sevika decided to follow Shoola's advice and insisted on talking. — How are things with the sheriff?

— They're great! — retorted Vi, brusquely. Deep down, she didn't want to be rude to Sevika. She just feared that if the conversation moved on to past topics, it could lead to an argument, something she wanted to avoid at all costs.

Sevika kept trying to interact, mentioning the people at the party and the clothes they were wearing. At first, Vi ignored her, but eventually she became interested in Sevika's observations.

— That guy's head is shaped like an egg, heh... — Sevika remarked, and Vi held back her laughter, covering her mouth with her hand.

Noticing Vi's smile, the woman let out a sigh of relief and took another sip of wine. Vi watched carefully as a few people addressed Sevika, thanking her for her services and praising her work as a counselor. She let herself be carried away by these thoughts for a moment, until she decided to act.

— You... you're doing an excellent job. — commented the rosy-cheeked woman, causing her to look at her, somewhat surprised. — Vander... — Vi hesitated, clearing her throat. — Vander and Silco would be proud. — she said, turning away from Sevika without another word and heading towards Caitlyn.

Sevika watched the rosy-cheeked girl leave with a sad look on her face, but as she lowered her head, a slight smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of her lips. She finished her wine, left the glass on the table, and headed off to find Shoola.

...

Vi was sitting at the table, playing with the cutlery while staring at the door. Ekko hadn't arrived yet, which left her feeling a little discouraged. Suddenly, a waitress appeared beside her.

— Excuse me, would you like a glass of wine? — asked the woman politely. Vi looked at the tray, swallowed and shook her head.

— N-No, thank you. — She replied, making the waitress excuse herself and continue with her work.

Caitlyn watched Vi from a distance, frowning slightly, and then approached her girlfriend.

— Hi... I apologize again for bringing you into this. — Caitlyn commented, pulling out a chair to sit next to the rosy-cheeked girl. Vi smiled slightly.

— I wouldn't call it a party, but I can handle it. — Vi said, letting out a sigh. Suddenly, a commotion formed at the entrance, attracting their attention. Caitlyn and Vi looked at each other and stood up quickly.

They made their way through the crowd, positioning themselves in front of everyone present. When Vi finally spotted the reason for the commotion, she stopped immediately.

— Ekko? — whispered Vi, panting. Ekko was at the entrance, gliding on his hoverboard. The young man quickly got off the equipment, holding it under his arm.

The people at the party watched him curiously, whispering among themselves as they followed the boy towards Vi and Caitlyn.

— You came... — said Vi, smiling slightly.

— You called me, didn't you? — Ekko replied, lightly punching the pink-haired girl on the shoulder. — Hello, Sheriff.

— Oh, please. Just call me Caitlyn. — she said, holding out her hand to him, and Ekko glanced at the woman's hand before shaking it.

As they returned to the party, Vi thought Ekko might be overlooked by the guests, but to her surprise, he was the center of attention. Many people, especially inventors, were showing great interest in the boy's hoverboard, asking numerous questions and even discussing new ideas that could turn Piltover and Zaun into an innovative place. Ekko seemed really at ease, staying at the party until later, while Vi and Caitlyn opted to go home.

[...]

Caitlyn walked alongside Violet, heading for the vast fields beyond Zaun and Piltover. When Vi asked why they were there, Caitlyn offered no clear explanation.

— We're here! — Caitlyn announced, spreading her arms wide as she took a few steps forward. Vi stood still, observing her surroundings, and frowned.

— Is this where you wanted to bring me? — she asked, her hands on her waist. Caitlyn rolled her eyes and sighed, when suddenly a man appeared behind Vi, startling her.

Vi was even more confused to see the man handing Caitlyn a horse's bridle and extending the other towards her, but she took a slight step back.

— Are we going horseback riding? — asked Vi, turning her gaze to Caitlyn, who confirmed with a nod and a smile. — You know I have no experience, right?

— Don't worry. It's not that complicated. I'll teach you. — she replied, thanking the man who said goodbye. Vi wondered if he had followed them for a long time and, if so, how had she not noticed...?

Vi chose to put this doubt aside and focused on Caitlyn's instructions. Before long, Vi had got the hang of it and, before she knew it, she was riding with confidence.

— My dad was right, you really are a fast learner! — exclaimed Caitlyn, watching the rosy-cheeked girl as she rode in circles and stopped. — How about a ride? — suggested, and Vi agreed. Caitlyn pinned up her hair and checked her saddle before getting on.

— Where do you want to go? — Vi asked, watching as Cait settled into the saddle, pulled on the horse's reins and turned her back to her.

— Just follow me! — replied Cait, setting off. Vi didn't resist, just shrugged and followed her girlfriend.

After a while of riding, they finally reached the forest surrounding Piltover. As they entered, the snow began to cover the ground with its white mantle.

— Look, I know you asked me to follow you, and I trust you completely, but don't you think we've gone too far? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl, ducking her head as she came across a branch blocking the path, while continuing to follow Caitlyn, who was walking ahead calmly. Caitlyn let out a giggle and glanced over her shoulder at the pink girl.

— Don't worry, we're almost there. — said Caitlyn, stopping the horse, and then they both got off.

Interlacing her fingers with Vi's, Caitlyn took the lead again, guiding them through the trees until they reached a small hidden lake.

— Wow! What a beautiful lake! — exclaimed Vi, with a broad smile on her face. Caitlyn, pleased, sighed and led the pink one a little further away from the water. When Vi finally saw what Caitlyn had been eager to show her, she was so surprised that she couldn't look away from the house in front of them.

— My mother had this cabin built so that I could come hunting with my father. — Caitlyn explained, securing the horses and pulling out an old key from her pocket to open the door. Vi tapped the soles of her boots on the driveway to clean off the dirt before entering.

— I know I always say this, but all your family's houses look like castles. — commented Vi, letting out a soft laugh as she hung up her coat next to Caitlyn's.

— Well, I can't disagree. But this one, at least, has a very rustic style, which is something I really appreciate. — Caitlyn replied, throwing herself down on the large sofa, letting her head fall back and letting out a long sigh.

Vi walked around the room for a while, looking at every corner. Then she settled down on the sofa next to Caitlyn, exhaling a sigh.

— So you brought us here just to have sex in a different place? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl, with a playful tone. Caitlyn laughed quietly, looking up.

— You can be sure we'll do something interesting later. But for now, I wanted to enjoy this place with you. — said Caitlyn, standing up and inviting the rosy-cheeked girl to join her. The two went into another room, the kitchen. There, the table was laden with food.

— What's all this? — Vi asked.

— I asked the cooks to make everything for us, and also... — Caitlyn interrupted herself when she opened the fridge and took out two small cakes, decorated in different colors. One was red, the other blue.

— Cakes...? Wow, they're so beautiful it's a shame to eat them. — Caitlyn laughed again, putting the cakes on the table.

— Well, since our birthdays are behind us, I thought it would be nice to have a special celebration.

— Did you make these cakes? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl with a mischievous smile, making Caitlyn's cheeks puff up.

— No, I ordered them. — Caitlyn snorted, while Vi enjoyed herself. She knew how to tease the taller girl about food. Although Caitlyn was an exceptional marks woman, the best in all of Piltover, when it came to food, she lost by a long shot. — Anyway, let's light the candles. — said Caitlyn, reaching into a drawer for two candles and a lighter.

Vi just watched as the taller girl moved around, arranging the red cake in front of her and placing the candle on top of it.

— All right, all right... We can begin. Do you want me to sing?

— Heh, I'd really rather not. — replied Vi, and Caitlyn nodded, lighting the candle.

— Okay, but before you blow, you need to make a request. — Caitlyn warned the rosy-cheeked girl before she blew out the candle. Vi raised an eyebrow, shook her head and leaned towards the cake, bringing her face closer to the candle. She took a deep breath, glanced at Caitlyn, then closed her eyes and blew out the candle.

— All right, now it's your turn. — Vi said, taking the lighter and the second candle, placing it on Caitlyn's cake and lighting it.

Caitlyn did the same as Vi: she closed her eyes, remaining still for a few moments, until she opened her eyes and blew out the candle. She then clapped her hands softly, approached the rosy-cheeked girl and wrapped her arms around her head, sealing their lips.

— Happy birthday, very belated! — she said, smiling without showing her teeth. Vi let out a sigh.

— Happy birthday, cupcake. — Vi captured Caitlyn's lips again, asking for passage with her tongue, which was readily granted.

The kiss grew in intensity, and Vi pushed Caitlyn's hips against the table, making her jump slightly.

— Hey, easy...! — Caitlyn exclaimed, grabbing the rosy-cheeked girl's shoulders. — Let's have dinner first, OK? — she asked, stroking her shoulders.

Vi smiled with her eyes, squeezing the taller girl's waist a little before releasing her, and then they both got ready for the meal. The rosy-cheeked girl helped Caitlyn heat up the food and put the plates on the table, and they sat down together.

After enjoying dinner and trying a slice of each of the cakes, Caitlyn and Vi decided to explore the rest of the house. Afterward, they returned to the kitchen to clean up the dishes, before returning to the living room.

Caitlyn settled down comfortably, waiting for Vi to get comfortable so that she could put her legs over hers. Vi didn't object, she liked it when Caitlyn did this, as it gave her the chance to massage her feet, play with her toes and get laughs from her girlfriend. It also paved the way for more intimate moments.

However, at that moment, Vi just wanted to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. After a while, Caitlyn emerged with a sly smile, pulling her feet away from Vi's hands, bringing them up to her face and touching her with her foot, just to tease the rosy-cheeked girl.

Vi didn't say anything; she just kept her eyes closed while the other girl poked her with her foot. When she realized that the pink one was actually enjoying it, Caitlyn decided to stop and sat upright on the sofa.

The pink one opened one eye and stared at Caitlyn, who got up and walked to an unknown room. Vi then opened both eyes, turned her body backwards and leaned her arms on the sofa, waiting for the taller woman to return. As soon as Caitlyn closed the door, Vi turned her body, keeping her eyes focused on her.

— What's that? — Vi asked, curious, watching as Caitlyn held something in her hands. Caitlyn smiled a little, sitting down with one leg over the other and taking the mysterious object out of the bag. Vi's eyes widened at the sight of the stuffed rabbit in Caitlyn's hands.

— I bought it for you. Ekko told me at the party that you had one when you were little. — Upon hearing this, Vi turned a little red, lowered her head and began to tidy up her own clothes.

— He did, huh? — Vi cleared her throat, scratched behind her ear and moved even closer to Caitlyn, making a mental note to have a good “chat” with her friend.

Caitlyn giggled and handed the rabbit to the rosy-cheeked girl. Vi took the plush toy, squeezing it lightly and fiddling with its ears and tail. Without realizing it, a nostalgic smile appeared on her face. It was then that Vi noticed the stitching on the rabbit's chest.

— Did you do the stitching? — asked Vi, looking up at Caitlyn. The taller woman, her face flushed, smiled with her eyes.

— He has a surprise for you. — Caitlyn said, taking a deep breath, while the pink one arched an eyebrow, full of suspicion. She placed the rabbit on her leg, opened the seam on the chest, and began to look at what was inside.

When she found it, she pulled it out, parting her lips in a surprised sigh. Vi blinked, feeling her eyelids moisten. Then she looked up at Caitlyn, who also had reddened eyes and a broad smile.

— Violet... will you marry me?

Chapter Text

[...]

Night enveloped the twin cities, adorning the sky with stars and a radiant moon. The wind blew through the leaves of the trees, while the nocturnal sounds of animals filled the deep silence of the dense forest. While in the hut, the atmosphere was charged with tension.

Vi stared at Caitlyn, still in a daze, her lips parted and her breathing labored. Caitlyn was nervous and sweating, swallowing under the pink girl's gaze.

— Are you kidding me? — asked the pink one suddenly, frowning. Caitlyn blinked, confused. — Is this really serious? Because if it's not, I swear... — Vi stood up abruptly, and Caitlyn followed, holding her hands to try to calm her down.

— Hey, I'm not kidding! — Caitlyn explained, stroking the rosy cheek with her right hand. — I want to marry you! — declared Caitlyn, staring into Violet's eyes. Violet took a deep breath, pressed her lips together and looked at the rings again. Then she looked up at Caitlyn, feeling the tension ebb away.

— I think I'm going to faint. — she commented, making Caitlyn laugh, as she helped Violet settle back on the sofa. She brushed some hair away from the rosy-cheeked girl's face and kissed her on the cheek. Vi sighed deeply, still taking in the recent situation. — Is this really serious? — she asked again, looking away from Caitlyn. She let out a soft giggle, gently holding the rosy-cheeked girl's hand.

— Yes! Will you marry me? — Caitlyn repeated the question, already feeling the tears about to fall. Vi's eyes were also shining, full of emotion. She turned around, facing Caitlyn.

— Caitlyn Kiramman, I really want to marry you!

Caitlyn bit her lips, allowing the tears to fall, as she grabbed the rosy-cheeked girl's face with both hands and pulled her into a kiss. Vi wrapped her arms around Caitlyn, sealing their lips again.

When they needed air, they pulled apart a little, touching foreheads, laughing and letting the tears of happiness flow.

Caitlyn was the first to move away, wiping her own face and reaching out to wipe the pink one's face as well. She took a deep breath, picked up the ring and put it on the pinky's finger, who did the same, sealing the moment with a kiss on Caitlyn's hand.

[...]

The night passed between romantic conversations and intimate moments. When tiredness finally caught up with them, they both fell into bed.

— Wait a minute. I need to fix my leg. — requested Caitlyn, adjusting herself on top of Vi, before sliding onto her side. Vi, lying on her back, let out a long sigh.

— That was pretty intense... — observed the rosy-cheeked girl. Caitlyn murmured in agreement, her eyes still closed.

— I don't think I'll be walking tomorrow. — said Caitlyn, provoking a soft laugh from Vi, who turned to the side and wrapped her arm around Caitlyn's waist. — And you, what did you think? — she asked, moving even closer to the rosy-cheeked girl. Vi lifted her torso a little and pulled the sheet over them.

— It was very... hot! — the rosy-cheeked girl replied naively, causing Caitlyn to let out a giggle. — I didn't overdo it, did I? — asked Vi, with a fearful tone, making Caitlyn open her eyes.

— Not at all! I loved it! — replied Caitlyn, stroking her fiancée's cheek. At that thought, a new smile formed on her face as she sighed.

— What was...?

— Oh, nothing. It's just that we're engaged now. — Caitlyn commented, causing Vi to look up at the ceiling.

— Yes, it's true. We're engaged. We're getting married! — Vi declared, taking a deep breath and letting it out, feeling the butterflies dancing in her stomach.

The sound of crickets sounded outside, filling the silence of the cabin and mingling with the drowsy sighs of Caitlyn, who was already in a deep sleep.

Vi raised her arm above her face, admiring the engagement ring with a soft smile. She snuggled closer, placing a seal on Caitlyn's forehead, before drifting off to sleep.

~A few days later~

The port of Piltover was full of new merchant vessels, who were there not only to trade with the upper city, but also with Zaun. The morning was so hectic that Caitlyn was unable to meet Vi for lunch. However, despite the rush of the day, Vi managed to meet up with Caitlyn again at the police station after she returned from a meeting. The two exchanged a few words in Caitlyn's office, after which Vi made her way to Zaun.

— Good evening, Vi! — greeted a vendor as the rosy-cheeked girl passed in front of his stall. Vi waved and stopped to chat for a few moments.

Vi couldn't understand exactly why they were doing what they were doing. When she wore her uniform again, albeit in a different color, she feared being rejected, but was relieved to see that they had no hostile feelings towards her.

After saying goodbye, she followed the route that interested her. When she arrived, she stopped in front of the large energy machine, where Ekko was hard at work.

— What's up, little man! — called out Vi, watching the boy hanging by ropes as he welded a piece of metal. He looked at her, removing his goggles with a confused expression.

— Vi? — he asked, a little surprised to see her there at that unusual moment. He climbed down, taking off his equipment. — Strange, I've never seen you here at this time of day. Did something happen? — he asked, raising an eyebrow, suspicious of Vi's nervousness.

— What do you mean? Can't I come and check on my friend? I thought I could drop in at any moment. — she said dramatically. Ekko rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, letting out a nasal chuckle.

Suddenly, a small bang surprised them, making them both look at the energy machine.

— Oops! Sorry, Ekko! — exclaimed Zeri, appearing next to them like a bolt of lightning. — I think I overdid the energy again... — she commented, a little dejectedly, as she watched the machine that was giving off a faint black smoke.

— Don't worry, maybe I can adjust it so that the power is distributed to another generator and avoid overloading. — said Ekko, thoughtfully, with his hand on his chin.

— Hi, Violet! — Zeri greeted Vi with a radiant smile.

— Hi, little one. Looks like work is in full swing. — commented the rosy-cheeked girl, looking at the big machine they'd been building for a few weeks.

— Yeah, it's busy, but it'll help Zaun a lot to deal with those power outages. — The boy replied, pleased with the progress they were making. — But tell me, you still haven't explained why you came here so late...

Vi smiled shyly, running her hand over the back of her neck. — Yes, I need to talk to you. In private. — she emphasized, quickly looking away from Zeri. Ekko understood the message, asked for some time, and they soon moved away to a more private corner.

— Look, the longer you take, the more worried I get. — Ekko said, wiping his greasy hands.

— No need to worry, nothing's happening. — Vi replied, but then added. — I mean, there is something, but it's not bad! — The rosy-cheeked girl said, causing Ekko to frown.

— Spit it out! — he exclaimed.

Violet swallowed, looking at him seriously before looking down at her hands and letting out a long sigh.

— Cait asked me to marry her. — the rosy-cheeked girl blurted it out, looking away, realizing that he was watching her. Then she turned her face to face him.

Ekko arched his eyebrows and shrugged. — Ah, congratulations. — he commented simply, without showing any surprise, which left the rosy-cheeked girl a little disappointed.

— Is that all you're going to say? — She asked, and Ekko let out a short laugh.

— What do you want me to say? I thought you were already married. — He replied.

— No, we were just dating.

— But you live together. — he argued, causing the girl to frown.

— You're kidding me, right? — she asked, watching him laugh. Vi softened her gaze and let out a long sigh.

— I'm just messing with you. But really, I'm very happy for you. It's not so surprising that this would happen at some point. — he commented. Vi shook her head, smiling sideways.

— You talk as if it's obvious.

— And it really is! — They laughed together, enjoying a pleasant silence. Vi took a deep breath, staring at the boy.

— Well, I'm here because I'd like to ask you a question. — Ekko remained silent, waiting for the rosy-cheeked girl. — Ekko, would you agree to walk me down the aisle? — she asked, this time making Ekko look genuinely surprised.

— Me? Really? — he asked, while Vi nodded, a broad smile of hope on her face. After pondering for a few moments, Ekko looked away, but then turned his attention back to Vi. — Of course I accept!

He was surprised when Vi suddenly threw herself at him, picked him up and lifted him off the ground, wrapping him in a tight hug.

— Ah, little man, you're amazing! — exclaimed Vi enthusiastically, before putting him back down. Feeling the tears about to well up, she pulled away slightly and began to rub her eyes.

Ekko narrowed his eyes a little, tilting his head to try and see Vi's face.

— Are you... crying? — he asked, with a faint smile.

— No...! — replied Vi, holding back a sniffle and rubbing her eyes more. Ekko let out a little laugh, putting his arm around the rosy-cheeked girl's shoulders.

[...]

It was a little after ten when Vi arrived home. She used her key to open the door, went inside and greeted the cleaner, who was already getting ready to leave. She went to her room, but Caitlyn wasn't there. Violet already had an idea of where she might be, so she decided to take a shower before going to the other room.

— Hi! — Violet said, closing the door and walking over to Caitlyn's armchair, where she kissed her.

— Hi, how did it go with Ekko? — Caitlyn asked, following Vi's gaze as she moved to the other armchair, where she let herself fall.

— It was great. He accepted! — confessed Vi, beaming.

— That's great to hear. — replied Caitlyn, smiling encouragingly at Vi, who let out a long sigh. - So, tomorrow we'll start planning the wedding... — commented Caitlyn, closing the book she was reading and putting it on the table. Vi just snorted, putting her legs over the arm of the armchair.

— I'm not exactly good at planning. I'm more of a disruptor! — laughed Vi sarcastically, crossing her arms and staring at the fireplace, her eyes gazing into the flames.

Then she reached out to pick up a colored cube from the table. Vi had been trying to organize the colors for weeks, but had never succeeded, until one day, out of sheer frustration, she broke the toy.

Vi spent long hours trying to fix the cube and, when she finally succeeded, she was proud of herself, but Caitlyn soon interrupted her, saying that, in fact, the colors still didn't match.

Caitlyn got up from her chair and, without warning, threw herself on Vi.

— Why did you do that? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl, catching her breath. Caitlyn let out a giggle, settling on top of her, trying to keep her from falling off the chair.

— I just want to be close to you. — replied Caitlyn, giving a little peck, eliciting a soft laugh from Vi.

— When did you get so sly? — Vi asked jokingly. Caitlyn sighed, resting her head on Violet's chest.

— You know, you're not the Violet you used to be. — she commented, stroking the rosy-cheeked girl's arm. Vi just looked away from the fireplace, as she stroked Caitlyn's back.

— So... who am I now? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl, and suddenly, silence hung over the whole house. The ticking of the clock and the crackling of the wood were the only sounds that filled the air.

Caitlyn stood up, facing the rosy-cheeked woman. — I think only you can answer that. — she said, smiling slightly as she smoothed the pink girl's hair. Vi took a deep breath and smiled a little.

— Serious conversations aren't exactly my thing, but they're kind of comforting. — said the rosy-cheeked girl, grabbing Caitlyn's face, sliding her hand around the back of her neck and pulling her into a kiss.

The kiss, which began simply enough, became more and more intense, with Vi sliding her hands down Caitlyn's sweater and grasping her breasts. The taller girl moaned, parting her lips and grabbing Vi's chin, lifting her face to explore her neck.

Vi let out a giggle, pulled her hands away from Caitlyn and pushed her away. Caitlyn was surprised, but was soon pulled back by Vi, who wrapped her around his waist and pressed her against the wall.

— Would you rather save your energy for the honeymoon, or can we have some fun now? — Vi whispered, brushing her lips against Caitlyn's, who let out a soft moan as she felt the pink woman's hands squeeze her ass.

— You can't help it, can you? — commented Caitlyn, wrapping her arms around Vi's head.

— That's why you're going to marry me. — replied Vi, making Caitlyn laugh.

~A few weeks later~

Organizing the wedding was an exhausting task, and Violet couldn't wait for all the frenzy to come to an end. When the big day finally arrived, her anxiety increased in a way she had never experienced before. Her heart seemed to want to leap out of her chest, the butterflies in her stomach were in full agitation, and her mind wandered to a thousand different places.

The ceremony was to take place in the garden of the Kiramman mansion, which was hardly surprising considering the immense size of the venue. The decorations were arranged, the chairs lined up, and in the party area, a huge table was laden with various appetizers for the guests, who were gradually beginning to arrive. Caitlyn and Violet didn't want anything big, but rather a simple ceremony that would please them both. The guest list was also simple; just a few police officers, family members and council members.

Vi and Caitlyn were in different rooms, and soon Vi would have to leave and make her way down the aisle. She was nervous, pacing up and down the room, checking her outfit in the mirror every five minutes, just to make sure everything was in order.

A knock on the door made her rush to open it. — Ekko! — Vi exclaimed, pulling the young man inside quickly.

— Wow, you look like you're going to jump out of the window! — Ekko joked, and Vi looked at him seriously. — Are you nervous?

— Of course I'm nervous! I'm getting married! — the rosy-cheeked girl replied, raising her arms and fixing her hair.

— You need to try to relax. — suggested Ekko, and Vi nervously clapped her hands against her pants.

— Yes, but I can't! — she said, heading for the sofa.

— And why not?

— Because...! — Vi suddenly fell silent, sealing her lips firmly and staring at Ekko without looking away. The rosy-cheeked girl sat down, smoothed the back of her neck and let out a long, deep sigh. She kept her gaze distant and then confessed: — Because I feel I don't deserve to live at this moment.

Ekko raised his eyebrows, looking away from the rosy-cheeked girl and putting his hands in his pockets. Vi leaned back on the sofa, supporting her arm.

— I think about them... and sometimes I wonder if I'm really worthy of it. Am I being selfish...? — Vi's words hit Ekko like stab wounds to the heart. He frowned, watching the rosy-cheeked girl who let out a tear, which was quickly wiped away.

Until that moment, Ekko hadn't thought about whether Vi still carried the weight of the past on her back. He cleared his throat and, step by step, approached the sofa, taking a seat next to the rosy-cheeked girl.

— I should have had this before, but... thank you! — said Ekko, turning to her.

— Why are you thanking me...? — she asked, confused.

— You always put other people's lives before your own. You didn't care about your future; what you wanted to be, or romance. — Ekko declared. — Your only concern was to keep us safe. You would give your life for all of us, and you would do it with a smile on your face. — He looked at the rosy-cheeked girl, who responded with a subtle smile at the corner of her lips. — You are strong because you are afraid. And that fear is what drives you to become stronger and stronger in order to protect us, even if it means risking your own life.

Violet blinked, sniffling softly as she wiped away her tears. Ekko took a deep breath, looking down at his hands before turning his serious gaze on the rosy-cheeked girl again.

— You deserve to be happy! — Ekko exclaimed, smiling. — And the time has come for you to say it to yourself. Go on, say it! — He patted the rosy-cheeked girl on the arm, who frowned.

— What do you...

— If you don't say it out loud, I'm going to walk out that door and cancel your wedding! — Ekko threatened, pointing at the door and glaring at the rosy-cheeked girl.

Vi parted her lips, gasped, and wiped her hand across her face. She looked again at Ekko, who continued to point to the door. Pink breathed deeply through her nose.

— I-I... — she hesitated, pressing her lips together and closing her eyes tightly. Vi shook her head, sighing deeply. Then she raised her head, her eyes still closed. — I... deserve to be happy!

As soon as she had said these words, Vi opened her eyes and looked at Ekko, who was smiling broadly beside her. She let out a sigh, feeling all the weight dissipate from her back, and a new smile appeared on her face, bringing a slight blush to her cheeks.

— Better? — Ekko asked, watching the rosy-cheeked girl's expression change.

— Yeah! — she replied, letting out another sigh before pulling Ekko into a hug. — Thank you so much for being here. — Vi declared.

— I'm very proud of you. — Ekko revealed, and Vi felt the tears welling up again, squeezing him even tighter. The room fell silent, but Ekko could hear Vi's discreet sniffles. — Are you crying again?

— No...! — Vi replied, her voice slurred, and Ekko let out a little laugh, stroking her back.

— Jinx was right. You went to prison and came back soft. — Ekko joked, remembering the words of the young woman with pigtails, bringing a nostalgic touch to the place. Vi laughed, pulling away and wiping her face.

— Wow, now I'm getting nervous again. — said Vi.

— Oh, I remember! I went into the other room to see Caitlyn. — Ekko recalled, standing up. Vi stared at him, her eyes wide.

— Really? You saw her in a dress? How does she look? — Vi fired off questions, following Ekko.

— I can only say that you're going to love it! — the young man commented, giving Vi's shoulder a light touch. The two continued their conversation, while Vi persisted in wanting to know how the bride was doing.

Chapter Text

[...]

Violet was standing in front of the entrance to the ceremony, feeling slightly nervous before heading down the aisle. Next to her, Ekko clasped his arms around her encouragingly, and the rosy-cheeked girl nodded.

Suddenly, the sounds of the instruments began to resonate, causing the guests to rise to their feet. Vi and Ekko exchanged one last look, accompanied by smiles, as they stood side by side and the doors opened.

As they advanced, the guests smiled and greeted Vi with subtle nods. She wore a serene smile, but inside, a whirlwind of emotions was almost making her tear her hair out.

In the front row were the advisors, and Vi's eyes met those of Sevika, who was dressed in a sophisticated outfit, with a cape that hid her mechanical arm. What caught Vi's attention most, however, was the fact that Sevika and Councillor Shoola were dressed similarly. This intrigued her; she wasn't sure if there was something between the two women, but the situation piqued her curiosity.

Sevika and Shoola waved to Vi, who responded by looking away towards the altar, where she said goodbye to Ekko with a tight hug.

Adjusting his suit, Vi focused his attention on the entrance. She clasped her hands together and waited anxiously for Caitlyn. Vi felt like her stomach was on a rollercoaster, while her heart raced as if it wanted to burst out of her chest; she was excited to see Caitlyn in her wedding dress.

As soon as a new melody began to play, the atmosphere filled with anticipation and everyone turned towards the door. Vi swallowed, her heart skipped a beat as she heard the door open and, when Caitlyn finally walked down the aisle, Vi had the impression that her heart might stop.

Caitlyn wore a white dress and a long veil; her father stood beside her with a serious look on his face. However, as they approached the rose window, she noticed the man's red, swollen eyes, testimony to the many tears he had cried.

Finally, when they stopped walking, Vi descended the small steps of the altar. Tobias then extended the hand that was holding his daughter's to Vi, passing it to the pink one.

— Take good care of her. — He said gravely, lightly squeezing the rosy-cheeked girl's shoulder. Vi nodded in response, entwining her fingers with Caitlyn's and helping the taller girl carefully up the steps.

As soon as they were in position, Vi couldn't look away from Caitlyn, who was also watching the rosy-cheeked girl, enchanted.

— Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to honor an extremely significant occasion in the lives of these two young women, who today begin a new chapter in their lives. Throughout our journey, we come up against many challenges; obstacles that we face on a daily basis, be they big or small. However, standing up in the face of adversity is what strengthens us. Even if fear comes your way, stand firm!

Caitlyn looked away discreetly when she noticed the hand of the pink girl next to her trembling slightly. To comfort her, Cait gently squeezed her hand, sliding her finger gently across the pink girl's skin. The taller woman smiled slightly when Vi let out a small sigh, then redirected her attention to the celebrant.

— It's always a great pleasure for me to experience moments as special as this. And for these two, I have only one thing to say: thank you! — Caitlyn and Violet exchanged smiles. — You are proof that there is no high or low, there is only love. And when we fight for that feeling, nothing can stop us from finding a future full of light and beauty. — The man turned his gaze to the guests. — I know that for some it may seem exaggerated or even hopeless; but with love, everything becomes possible.

He sighed, shaking his head slightly as he carefully observed everyone present before returning his gaze to the brides.

— With my sincerest feelings, I wish you both every happiness! — he exclaimed, alternating his gaze between the two of them, flashing a broad, genuine smile. — Make them proud, have lots of children! — the man said suddenly, surprising the brides, while the guests began to whistle and clap their hands in short rhythm. — Anyway, I think I've said enough.

— Yep! — a boy's voice rang out, causing laughter among the guests and the brides, who turned to the little boy in the middle of the adults.

— Well, I imagine you've prepared your own vows...? — Caitlyn and Violet exchanged complicit glances and smiles, before standing facing each other, still holding hands.

— I can't imagine where I'd be if it weren't for you. — began Caitlyn, gently stroking the pink girl's hand. — Since we met, my life has taken a turn I never imagined. And I deeply regret having hurt you. — she continued, holding the rosy-cheeked girl's hands more firmly. — When we finally got back together, in a messy and complicated way... — Caitlyn let out a laugh, accompanied by Violet. — The moment our eyes met, my only desire was to hug you and apologize a thousand times; to tell you that I love you. During all those months apart, all I really wanted was to have you back!

Vi tried to smile, but the tears were already threatening to overflow from her eyelids, urgently wanting to come down, although she managed to control herself.

— When the war knocked on our door, you told me something I'll never forget. — Caitlyn said, watching Vi form a confused expression. — You said that no matter how much the world tries to separate us, there isn't a single universe where we aren't connected. We were destined to meet, and I refuse to believe that we're not together in every universe. There is no Caitlyn without a Violet.

Violet took a deep breath and then Caitlyn nodded to her, signaling that it was time for her to speak. The rosy-cheeked girl cleared her throat, feeling the nervousness trying to overwhelm her, but when she felt the warmth of Caitlyn's hands, she was able to calm down.

— Well, I've been thinking about and rewriting a speech for a few days now. Trying... to find the right words. But every time I look at you... — Vi interrupted herself, this time stroking Caitlyn's hands, wanting to express all her love. — It takes my breath away! Not just because you're the sexiest woman on the planet. — Vi joked, drawing a few quick laughs from those present. — The truth is that I don't have a speech good enough to express how much I love you. Even when we were apart, you were the one I saw everywhere. You accompanied me wherever I went, and then fate decided to bring us together again, and here we are! — Vi exclaimed excitedly, causing Caitlyn to smile and stop herself from crying. — I really wish your mother, Jayce, and my family could be here...

The rosy-cheeked girl suddenly confessed, taking Caitlyn by surprise. The last time they had talked about their families was a long time ago, and talking about Cassandra or Jayce had always been a challenge for Caitlyn. Vi took a deep breath and started talking again.

— As I thought about them, a memory of my mother came to mind. She used to say: “When you feel alone or lost, look to the stars. We'll be up there, guiding you.” And I'm sure they're watching us now. — Vi leaned closer to Caitlyn, gently stroking her cheek. — Both your mother and mine... I know they're proud. — Vi said, her eyes watering. — I love you!

Caitlyn let a tear escape as she smiled broadly. — I love you too!

— The rings, please! — asked the celebrant. At that moment, the two looked towards the entrance and saw a girl and a boy, from Zaun and Piltover, approaching together with the rings, stepping gently on the flower path. Vi went down a step, removed the rings from the cushion and thanked the children, who didn't hesitate to ask for a hug from the rosy-cheeked girl, which she promptly offered.

Caitlyn watched them interact, feeling increasingly fulfilled. When Violet stood in front of her again, Caitlyn took the ring, holding the pinky's hand with her other hand.

The celebrant said a few more words and then allowed the rings to be placed. Violet slid the ring onto Caitlyn's finger first, swinging her leg slightly. The excitement grew when Caitlyn placed the ring on Violet's finger and sealed her hand with a kiss.

— I have no idea what the future holds. — the man reiterated, looking at everyone around him. — But whatever happens... I will follow you for inspiration. — He then turned his gaze to Ekko. — For a better Piltover and Zaun! — Ekko nodded in response, and the man let out a deep sigh. — I pronounce you married! You may kiss. — he announced, and Vi didn't hesitate to pull Caitlyn into an ardent kiss, to a standing ovation from the guests.

...

The party went on normally until eleven o'clock at night, when the newlyweds said goodbye to everyone and got into the vehicle that would take them to the Kiramman family cabin, far from the city, where they would live for the next two weeks.

Throughout the journey, Caitlyn rested her head on Violet's lap, falling asleep while the rosy-cheeked woman stroked her hair, until they finally arrived at the house. Vi helped Caitlyn out of the car, picking up her belongings and thanking the driver, who left soon after.

— Hold on! — Vi exclaimed abruptly, startling Caitlyn, who turned around. — We can't go in like this. — The rosy-cheeked girl said, her hands resting on her waist.

— What do you mean? — asked Caitlyn, confused, looking at her own clothes. Then the taller girl was taken by surprise once again when Violet lifted her into her arms, positioning her comfortably, while sighing with satisfaction.

— Now we can go in! — said the rosy-cheeked girl with a smile, causing Caitlyn to drop her surprised expression and blush.

— Just you. — Caitlyn commented, letting out a soft giggle as the pink girl walked in. When Vi brought all her things into the bedroom, she fell onto the bed, exhausted, and let out a long sigh, feeling all the tiredness of the last few weeks envelop her at once.

Caitlyn closed the door, grabbed a bottle of water and filled a glass, which she handed to the rosy-cheeked girl. Vi thanked her and followed her gaze as she approached the bed, leaving the bottle on the drawer. The taller woman was still wearing her wedding dress, and Vi couldn't look away from her.

— Wait a minute. — Vi said, putting the glass down before going over to her bags in search of something. Opening her suitcase, she began to rummage around, smiling when she found what she wanted. Looking satisfied, Vi closed the suitcase, stood up and turned to Caitlyn.

— Did you really bring a camera?

— Yes! I want to take a picture of you. — declared Violet, as she put the film in the camera and aimed it at Caitlyn. The taller girl gave her a mischievous smile.

— Do you have a photo fetish or something? — he asked jokingly, making Vi laugh.

— No, I don't. — she replied, suddenly becoming serious. — Do you? — she asked.

— Heh, no! But why do you want to take my picture? We already took several during the party. — Caitlyn said, putting her hands behind her back to take off her dress, but Violet stopped her.

— I know, but this is different! — insisted the pink one, holding Caitlyn's hand. — It's going to be my treasure. — Caitlyn let out a nasal giggle. Then Vi caressed Caitlyn's face, held her chin and sealed their lips with a kiss.

Caitlyn held the pink girl's face, intensifying the kiss by sliding her hands into Vi's suit, pulling her closer. However, the pink one raised the camera to their faces and parted their lips.

— Can I take the picture? — she asked, with a broad smile, making Caitlyn shake her head slightly and laugh.

— Of course, you can. — confirmed Caitlyn, then Vi moved away quickly to adjust the camera.

— Okay, now make a big smile! — exclaimed the rosy-cheeked girl, completely mesmerized by Caitlyn's smile. Vi swallowed, letting out a sigh. As soon as she had captured the image, she quickly removed the photo from the camera and shook it, smiling as she saw the image appear. Caitlyn approached from behind and put her arms around Vi's shoulders.

— That's nice. — commented Caitlyn.

— It's perfect. — corrected Vi, looking away from Caitlyn, who then kissed her.

Vi left the camera on the bedside table, along with the photo, and followed Caitlyn into the bathroom. The two took that moment to relax and soak in the tub, allowing the water to relieve the stress accumulated from the hectic weeks.

After feeling satisfied with the bath, Vi was the first to leave, giving Caitlyn a kiss before leaving the bathroom. The rosy-cheeked girl put on a button-down shirt, leaving it open, and short shorts; she packed her bags and walked over to the bed, taking a seat on the edge.

Vi ran her hand through her hair, looking at the ends and making a mental note to take better care of it. Even though she'd been to the salon to trim the ends and get it back to its natural color, she still wasn't happy with the way her hair looked.

She had never let her hair grow so long and, even though she didn't care much about it, there was something that made her want to grab a pair of scissors and put an end to that unknown frustration.

Vi stopped stroking her hair and looked at the photo she had taken of Caitlyn, resting on the table next to her bed. The rosy-cheeked girl stretched out her arm, took the picture and lay down on the mattress, admiring it.

While Caitlyn was getting ready in the bathroom, a sudden downpour began to fall, lasting well into the night. The drops hit the tiles, breaking the silence that reigned in the house. Only their bedroom remained lit, and when Caitlyn came out of the bathroom, she turned off all the lights, leaving only the soft glow of the moon coming through the window.

The taller one walked silently towards the bed, positioning herself next to Vi, in her line of sight. The rosy-cheeked girl was still absorbed in the photo, unaware of her wife's presence beside her. Caitlyn smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed.

— You were really looking forward to taking this picture, weren't you? — she asked, giving a soft smile, while Vi let out a nasal chuckle and left the picture where it was.

— I'm guilty. — Vi replied, raising her hands slightly before dropping them.

A comfortable silence enveloped them as they looked at each other deeply. Caitlyn settled on the bed, and Vi did the same, crossing her legs. The pinky held Caitlyn's hands, gently running her finger over her ring and revealing a contented smile.

Caitlyn raised her hand, comparing its size with the pink one, and stared at Vi, who also stared at her, her jaw tense. Despite sharing many intimate moments, there was a distinct energy in the room. Caitlyn was nervous, something she hadn't felt for a long time. It was as if she was reliving her teenage years, and Vi, not dissimilar, felt her heart racing.

— Violet... are you okay? — asked Caitlyn when the rosy-cheeked girl looked away.

— I don't know. I just feel strange. — Vi replied, and Caitlyn took the pink girl's hands around her waist, wrapping her legs around Vi. The pink girl rested her head on Caitlyn's shoulder, wrapped in a hug. — My heart is beating faster than usual... — observed Vi, closing her eyes to enjoy Caitlyn's sweet scent.

She smiled slightly, pulling away and placing her hand on Vi's chest, feeling her heartbeat accelerate.

— Are you... nervous too...? — Caitlyn asked, and Vi nodded slightly.

— But why? We've had sex before. Many times! In lots of places. — Vi declared, which made Caitlyn laugh as she ran her hands down the pink girl's abdomen.

— But this is our first time being married, don't you think that makes a difference? — Caitlyn asked, raising her eyebrows slightly. Vi felt a shiver run through her body as Caitlyn gently scratched her abdomen, moving up to her breasts. Then she continued her caress, scratching her neck and sliding the pink girl's shirt down, encouraging her to remove it.

And so Vi obeyed, taking off her shirt while her eyes fixed on Caitlyn's lips. Vi grabbed the pink girl's shoulder and gently pushed her to lie down, positioning herself on top of her. Caitlyn leaned on her arms, watching the pink girl for a moment; she caressed her face and gradually moved closer, sealing their lips with a kiss.

Caitlyn parted her lips, at which point Vi looked away, finally catching sight of what the taller woman was wearing. Caitlyn smiled mischievously, standing up so that the rosy-cheeked girl could have a privileged view. She was wearing an almost transparent purple sweater that Vi loved.

Violet swallowed as she gripped her wife's thighs, moving her hands slowly up and down. When she felt the pink woman's nails scratch her skin, Caitlyn let out a discreet moan, covering her mouth.

— Don't... don't do that. — whispered the pink girl, getting up and holding Caitlyn's face, while her other hand remained on her thigh. — Your moans are music to me, cupcake. — Caitlyn felt her face heat up; the pink one smiled mischievously and moved her hand down to her breast, squeezing.

— Violet...! — Caitlyn moaned again, wrapping her arms around the rosy-cheeked girl's head. Vi continued her journey, venturing under the taller girl's panties and caressing her intimacy with his fingertips.

— Look... we've only just started and you're already overflowing, heh! — joked the rosy-cheeked girl, receiving a grimace from her wife.

— Stop teasing me! — Caitlyn replied, and the rosy-cheeked woman arched an eyebrow, grabbing her waist and throwing her on her back on the bed, on top of her.

— All right, I won't tease you anymore. — she said with a serious tone, as she began to remove Caitlyn's panties and open her nightgown. Caitlyn let out a moan of surprise when the pink one touched her, starting slowly and increasing the pace as soon as Caitlyn started asking for more.

Vi smiled broadly, her own body burning just at the sight of Caitlyn. After a while, Caitlyn couldn't hold back any longer and had her moment of pleasure in Vi's hand. The night was still long and, now that they were completely alone, they decided to explore each other's bodies to the full, satisfying their deepest desires­­­.

Chapter Text

[...]

~Piltover, 8:15 a.m. – Piltover Center~

What to say about Piltover and Zaun, the twin cities? Well, some might say that they're not on the same level – and that was true.

Piltover was known as the city of progress, a metropolis full of advances and innovation. Zaun, on the other hand, had a very different reputation: it was seen as a poor city, full of dangerous alleys, a city without hope, home to thieves, scammers, murderers and addicts. The situation was complicated, and talking about the discrimination, contempt and arrogance that existed between them is delicate.

However, the brutal war that ended up uniting Piltover and Zaun made people realize that they needed to look beyond their differences. They put aside their pride to fight together against the evil that threatened everyone's future.

And none of this would have been possible without the courage of the warriors from both cities. Many from both Piltover and Zaun sacrificed their own lives to protect their friends and families, saving many lives in the process. For the other warriors who kept fighting even though they had no chance, they are remembered and honored today for their heroic deeds.

— That's an abridged version of the story. But today, a lot has changed and continues to change a lot. Of course, nothing would have been possible without the efforts of our amazing sheriff, Caitlyn Kiramman, and her partner and wife, Violet Kiramman! — said the counselor, who was leading the children on a tour of the upper city.

The children, who came from different regions, were full of enthusiasm to learn more about the history of Piltover and Zaun. It had taken more than five months of preparation for this tour to take place, and now their little eyes were wide with curiosity and excitement.

Suddenly, as they walked through the streets of Piltover, the sounds of gunfire and running began to alert everyone. The guards who had accompanied the children on their walk positioned themselves at the front, trying to find out where the sounds were coming from. Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, a young blond boy appeared behind the children.

— Good morning, everyone! Enjoying your visit? Me too! — he said, adjusting a kind of glove on his hands and holding a large hat on his head.

— Freeze! — exclaimed one of the guards, reaching for the handcuffs to restrain the boy. But he was faster, moving from one corner to another in the blink of an eye; dodging the guards' attacks and knocking them down with ease.

The woman guiding the children was frightened, but unlike her, the children loved the scene, applauding when the boy smoothed his blond hair and winked at them.

— Lesson number one, children: always be the smart one! — he said, puffing out his chest and putting his foot on the guard on the floor, striking a hero pose.

Then the blond interrupted his smile, dodging a net shot fired from a small building by the sheriff, Caitlyn Kiramman.

The woman's presence lit up the children's eyes even more. She descended from the building using parkour, landing on the ground with delicacy, but maintaining a serious countenance.

— I'm taking these artifacts with me, Ezreal! — Caitlyn exclaimed.

Ezreal put his hand on his waist, laughing debauchedly. — Be careful not to make a mistake, Sheriff.

— Miss? Me? Not with a gun like that. — She said with a teasing smile, and Ezreal snapped back.

— You just missed. — he said, pointing backwards, and then Caitlyn let out a giggle, lowering her gun.

— Did I really miss? — Ezreal frowned, and before he could move, Vi's gloves hit the young man, knocking him into a wall.

When the dust settled, the children were amazed to see Violet. The sight of the woman wearing heavy gloves left them paralyzed with emotion.

Ezreal stood up slowly, still bewildered, looking forward to seeing the defenders on all sides, surrounding him. Caitlyn emerged from behind a guard, along with Violet.

— Game over, Ez. — she declared sternly, signaling to the guards.

The young man was positioned standing against the wall, and they began to search him. He was carrying several pieces of jewelry and wallets, as well as the two objects he had stolen from Piltover's laboratories.

— What are we going to do with him, Sheriff? — the more experienced officer asked, scratching his head. — We should send him to...

— No! — said Caitlyn. — That place is for the most dangerous criminals, and he... — she sighed, watching as the young man was handcuffed and placed on the floor. — He's just a kid. I won't confine him in a place like that. — She declared, putting the gun behind her back and approaching him.

Ezreal raised his head with a gentle smile. — Are you going to say I deserved that nice pair of handcuffs? Puff! Too bad for you. These cuffs bring out the shine in my hair. — He said, as he slid his fingers through the blonde hair.

Caitlyn took a deep breath. — You are still young and have great ability. I'm aware that your parents are explorers, and I understand that you want to follow in their footsteps. But this... — Caitlyn looked at the approaching car and the items being put back in the box, along with the other stolen items. Ezreal frowned reflexively. — That's not the way, Ezreal.

The young man lowered his gaze, sighing heavily. Caitlyn nodded to a guard, who lifted the young man. Ezreal watched in bewilderment as the guard removed the handcuffs.

— Are you letting me go? — he asked.

— No, you'll still be booked again, but I'm giving you a chance to change. — She declared, with a subtle smile. — You can be a remarkable explorer, I see that in you.

Ez let out a nasal laugh, massaging his wrist. — Yes, I'm brilliant! — he boasted, causing Caitlyn's eyes to roll.

The guard gently took the boy's arm, only to lead him to the vehicle and off to the police station. Before leaving, Ez turned to Caitlyn.

— Thank you. I think so. — he said, without making eye contact. Caitlyn nodded in agreement as she watched the young man get into the car and drive off. As she turned around, Caitlyn saw the children.

— Excuse me, Sheriff. I'm Patricia and I work as a tour guide in Piltover. — the woman introduced herself, shaking Caitlyn's hand. She fixed her glasses and returned to the children's side. — If you agree, the children would like to ask you a few questions. They are extremely enthusiastic, especially after all the surprising and unforeseen performances that have taken place.

Caitlyn gave a sympathetic smile, turning her gaze to the children who were looking at her with big, bright eyes, making it impossible to deny her request. She then instructed the defenders to resume their duties, and searched for her wife in the sea of blue uniforms, to no avail. She frowned a little, but replaced her expression with a broad smile as she escorted the children to a cozier spot.

~Police station, 10:29 a.m.~

Caitlyn loved being the sheriff; it was something she had sought ever since she joined the defenders, and she knew well that the position of sheriff was a heavy burden to carry. For a while, it took her in the wrong direction, but she managed to recover and get back on track, taking on the post of sheriff with pride. Although the fears and mistakes of the past shook her, Violet always helped her face these demons.

As usual, as soon as she entered the police station, several officers approached her, handing her papers that she needed to sign on the spot, others that had to be read calmly, as well as documents about arrests, interrogations, spreadsheets and many other things. These papers accompanied her from the entrance to the door of her room, where she could finally take refuge from all the chaos.

— Hi, cupcake. How was playtime with the kids? — Violet said, indicating her presence. Caitlyn smiled tiredly and closed the door.

— It was really nice. Why didn't you go with me? — Caitlyn asked, walking to the other side of the room, leaving her gun on the wall and her hat on the rack next to it, as she fixed her hair.

— If I went, I'd attract all the attention. After all, I'm very famous. — Violet boasted, spreading her arms and leaning them on the back of the sofa.

Caitlyn rolled her eyes and turned to Violet. — Very funny, Violet. — she said, tying her hair into a ponytail. The rosy-cheeked girl watched her, but what really caught her attention was when Caitlyn came around the table, bent over and stuck out her butt.

She hadn't intended to, she was just looking for her pen, but Vi was enjoying the sight. When she found it, Caitlyn turned and crossed her eyes with Vi's, full of mischief.

— How do you do it? — she asked, crossing her arms.

— Hm? What do you mean? — Vi replied, slowly looking up at her, assessing her slender body.

— How do you manage to keep that little smile on your face while you're shamelessly eating me with your eyes? — Caitlyn arched an eyebrow, and Vi let out a nasal laugh.

— It's not my fault you're hot, cupcake. — she replied, as Caitlyn walked over to the sofa and sat on her lap. Vi held Caitlyn's thighs, closed her eyes and tilted her head back as her wife began to massage her shoulders.

Whenever she went into Caitlyn's living room, it was usually to talk about work, but sometimes it was just to enjoy that moment of relaxation together, hoping to pass the time before going back to work.

— Do you have much to do today? — Caitlyn asked, without stopping the massage.

Vi opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. — I'm going to do the patrol and then work on the file. But it's not much, so it should be quick. — she replied, closing her eyes again. However, Caitlyn grabbed her face, pulling her into a surprise kiss.

She leaned further over Vi, letting the rosy-cheeked girl squeeze her ass, making her let out a moan in the middle of the kiss. Before things got too far, Caitlyn parted her lips and gave Vi a few kisses on the cheek, hugging her.

She was exhausted, she wasn't going to lie, but being with Vi quickly restored her energy, giving her more motivation to always do quality work.

— Before we go back to work, I brought you a cookie from the bakery that you like. — she said, leaving the pink girl's arms and heading for the table. Violet stared at Caitlyn, frowning slightly and letting out a sigh.

— Cupcake...

— Yes? — She replied, cutting into the cake. However, the pink girl's silence made her stop and turn around. — What's the matter? — she asked, leaving the knife on the surface. Violet placed her arms on her thighs, keeping her gaze down for a moment before turning back to face the taller woman.

— I think we should take a break. — she declared, leaving Caitlyn perplexed.

— What...? — Caitlyn felt the air escape. — Are you... Are you asking for a divorce?

— What? No! No! No, of course not. — Violet stood up, approaching her.

— Then what are you talking about? — she asked, noticing that Vi had sighed deeply.

— You know what I'm talking about, Cait. — the rosy-cheeked girl said seriously, creating a dense silence in the room.

Yes, Caitlyn knew exactly what the rosy-cheeked woman was talking about, even though she refused to admit it. After five months of marriage, they both opted to try adoption; however, due to their backgrounds and hard work, the orphanages didn't consider them fit to care for a child.

This made Caitlyn feel depressed for a while, but soon after, they decided to try to conceive. It was a challenge, but with the help of doctors and scientists, Caitlyn managed to get pregnant. It was a moment of extreme happiness, which, unfortunately, was short-lived.

~Months ago~

Violet arrived home after seven; she was exhausted from having to do twice as much work as usual to prevent the police station from turning into chaos. In fact, without Caitlyn, the place would turn upside down in a matter of seconds.

The silence in the house woke up the rosy-cheeked woman, who quickly searched the usual rooms for her wife, but to no avail. When she came out of a room, she found the housekeeper.

— Oh, Mrs. Bertha, what a fright. — Violet said, closing the door.

— I'm sorry, miss. I was just getting my things when I noticed you had come home. How was work? — the lady asked, escorted by the rosy-cheeked girl back to the living room.

— A bit more work, but I can manage. — she replied, exhaling a sigh.

— It's not the same without her there, is it? — the lady asked, picking up her coat and hat. Vi stopped, putting her hands in her trouser pockets.

— Yes, she's missed. — the rosy-cheeked girl replied, and the lady smiled softly. — Do you know where Caitlyn is?

— Miss Kiramman is in the garden. She's been there all afternoon. — Vi clenched her jaw, inhaling deeply.

— And... has she eaten?

— She had lunch with me, but not much. I prepared some snacks and took them to her during the afternoon. — She said, ready to leave.

Violet looked away. — Right. Thank you for looking after her while I'm away. Honestly, I hate leaving her. — Violet declared, letting out a deep sigh.

Then the old woman approached, touching her arm. — You're doing a good job. Stay by her side, and I assure you, everything will be fine. — She said, her eyes radiating tranquility and serenity, smiling in a warm way that made Violet's heart warm.

Violet quickly made her way to the garden, looking for the large tree there. Caitlyn was sitting on the tree's thick branch, her arms wrapped around her knees, holding a delicate flower. She didn't notice the pink one, who climbed the tree and positioned herself in front of the tallest one.

— Hi... — Violet spoke in a soft voice, attracting Caitlyn's attention. The taller girl stared at her, her eyes quickly becoming watery, and then she looked away, hiding her face.

Violet let out a sigh and moved closer, clutching her gently in her arms. Caitlyn wrapped her legs around Violet's waist and was supported by her wife's strong arms.

— I love you. — Violet whispered, placing a seal on her head, repeating it again and again, silently letting the tears roll down.

After a while, Violet asked them to go back inside the house; Caitlyn complied, but as soon as she got down from the tree, Vi picked her up. Caitlyn didn't say anything, she just snuggled into her arms, closing her eyes.

Upon receiving confirmation of her pregnancy, Caitlyn felt her world become brighter, and being able to share this joy with Violet was even more gratifying. They spent two weeks organizing the room, remodeling everything. Caitlyn was overwhelmed with happiness, but those two weeks of happiness turned into mourning.

In some way that the doctors couldn't understand or explain, Caitlyn lost her baby. That day, Caitlyn's world collapsed under her feet. Everything, all the joy she had been overflowing with, disappeared in an instant.

[...]

Caitlyn stared at the living room floor, arms crossed, making a little beak. Violet was still standing next to her, letting out a sigh and putting her hands on her waist, trying to communicate.

— Love...

— Why stop? The doctors are confident that it will work this time. — Caitlyn declared, leaving her position and starting to walk around the room.

— They say that every time! — Violet replied, keeping her voice soft but resolute.

— I'm sure it will work out. — Caitlyn said, stopping by the sofa.

— So am I!

— So why do you want to stop?

— FOR YOU! — Violet said loudly, tired of holding it in her throat. For a moment, Caitlyn remained motionless, biting her lower lip. Vi let out a deep sigh, returning to the sofa and rubbing her face. — Do you think I don't know when you sneak out of bed to cry? Or when you feel some strange symptom and get sick, but also hide from me? — Caitlyn avoided staring at the rosy-cheeked woman, but only kept her ears open. — Ever since we started the procedures again, you've been trying your best to keep me from seeing you ill. — Violet sniffled slightly, wiping the corner of her eye with her finger.

Caitlyn didn't say a word, just moved progressively towards the sofa, settling down next to the rosy-cheeked woman with caution.

Vi shook her head, looking at Caitlyn. — In joy or sorrow. Remember that? And I'm not saying that metaphorically, I mean it! — Vi said, her voice a little slurred, but determined. Caitlyn lowered her head once more. — We promised! We were always supposed to be together, but you're... pushing me aside. Why...? — The question came out in a whisper, while Vi was already teary-eyed.

A suffocating silence invaded the room, with only the sound of the wooden clock persisting in the room.

Vi let out a sigh, looking away from Caitlyn, fiddling with her fingers anxiously, until she heard Caitlyn cry.

— I've already disappointed you so much. I didn't want to... — Caitlyn plunged her face into her hands, crying incessantly. Violet closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. She put her hand on Cait's shoulder, reaching down to her arm and pulling her gently.

— Come here. — Violet whispered, lying on her side and leaving Caitlyn lying on the other side, hugging her wife as she persisted in crying.

After a while, Caitlyn stopped, sniffling softly as the rosy-cheeked woman ran her hand up and down her back.

Vi sighed, opening her eyes. — Everything that happened before... — she began, making Caitlyn hunch her shoulders a little. — It's all in the past. And we're not living in the past, this is our life, the life we fought to conquer! — Caitlyn inhaled deeply, her lips trembling slightly. — I love you, and I've forgiven you for everything. But I really hate it when you exclude me from something, especially if it's about you. I want to know everything. So please, babe... let me take care of you. — Caitlyn closed her eyes, allowing the rest of her tears to flow.

— I'm so sorry. — she said quietly, her voice still shaking. Vi kissed Caitlyn's head, closing her eyes.

Chapter Text

~A few days later~

Vi was organizing the groups to patrol, assigning specific tasks to each one so that they could achieve their work goals. After receiving their instructions, they saluted and dispersed, each heading in a different direction, towards Piltover and Zaun.

The rosy-cheeked girl let out a sigh, closed her eyes and ran her hand through her hair, stopping at her neck, where she felt a slight pain. “Oh, I'm going to ask Cupcake to pull my neck again”, she thought, as she arched her eyebrows a little and opened her eyes.

The movement of people was quiet, the city was under an overcast sky, although it was still a little warm. Vi brought her hand up to her lips, covered them and let out a yawn.

She shook her head slightly, sniffling. — Well, let's get back to work!

When the clock struck two in the afternoon, Vi went to a restaurant and bought two lunches. She walked back to the police station carrying the bags in one hand, while the other remained in her trouser pocket; whistling a little tune quietly as she walked to the sheriff's office.

When she got there, she knocked on the door and went in. — Delivery! — she said with a smile, picking up the bags. In the room, Caitlyn was in a meeting with some well-known officers.

— Bring me new information in three days. I want to know everything about this case. — Caitlyn ordered, speaking seriously, and the other three defenders nodded at the same time. She closed the folder and handed it back to the oldest officer, who headed for the exit.

— What's up, Vi! Did you bring it for me too? — joked one of the officers, touching the pink girl's shoulder.

— In your dreams. — she laughingly replied, touching all three of their hands as she passed them, saying goodbye.

Caitlyn took a deep breath. — Close the door, please. — she asked, wiping her eyes. Vi smiled mischievously, went to the door and locked it.

— A full portion, delivered. And what will the payment be? — Vi asked, placing the bags on the table.

Caitlyn giggled, got up from her chair, and went to the other side of the table. She grabbed Vi's clothes, running her hand up her body to her neck.

— Um... like this! — Caitlyn pulled the rosy-cheeked girl into a passionate kiss.

Vi grabbed her waist, slammed her hips into the table and deepened the kiss. Caitlyn bit Vi's lower lip and opened her eyes a little to look at her. She smiled, pulling their faces apart.

— Heh, do I get a tip? — the rosy-cheeked woman gasped, her eyes wide and staring at her wife's lips. “My wife...” thought Vi, smiling broadly and letting out a sigh. She pulled Caitlyn closer, making her encircle her head with her arms. — You know, sometimes I'm still surprised that you're my wife. — commented the rosy-cheeked girl, while Caitlyn raised an eyebrow.

— Really? Even after being married for so long? — Caitlyn stroked the rosy-cheeked girl's face, playing with her hair. Vi liked it when Caitlyn petted her, even if she ended up with some strange hairstyle.

Caitlyn held Vi's face again, lifting her chin so she could see her neck. Vi closed her eyes, letting out a low sigh and a mischievous smile. After a while of caressing each other and Caitlyn leaving several marks on Vi's neck, they finally sat down to enjoy the food that the rosy-cheeked girl had brought.

— Um... — mumbled Vi with her mouth full, putting her finger in front of her mouth. — I'm going to see how the guys are. I haven't seen Ekko for a while. — she said, stirring her food.

~Zaun, 4:01~

It's still impressive to walk through the streets of the new Zaun. After so long, things had improved a lot, but of course not everything was perfect.

Passing through some of the more isolated and less policed streets, Vi could clearly see some people using and doing illegal things.

She kept walking, letting those people pass for the time being, and headed in the direction of the group that was setting up a stage.

— What's up, Seraphine! I see you're already getting ready for the show. — commented Vi, putting her hands on her waist and watching two young men adjusting an overhead speaker.

Seraphine jumped slightly in surprise, but then gave Vi a broad smile. She dropped the cardboard box on the floor and ran over to hug her.

— Vi, how nice to see you here! — exclaimed Seraphine, squeezing her tightly before letting go. — Are you going to the show?

— Oh, unfortunately, I can't. I have some work to do, but I'll come next time. — replied Vi, waving to the young people on stage.

— I'll collect, you know. — said Seraphine, smiling softly.

— Anyway, I came to look for the little man. I haven't seen him for a while. — commented Vi, looking around.

— Ekko has been away from Zaun for a few days. — said a young woman, coming down from the stage with a different guitar in her hands. She strummed the strings, making a loud sound, and looked back, giving an OK sign to the sound guy.

— What do you mean outside Zaun? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl. The woman continued playing and approached Seraphine, resting her arm on her shoulder.

— Yes, it's been four days since he left. He said he was building something and the part he needed wasn't available here in Zaun. So he went out to buy it. He should be back tomorrow.

Vi was thoughtful, but decided to drop the subject and focus on the purpose of the visit. She let out a deep sigh.

— So I'll meet him tomorrow. I have to go now. Have a great show. — Vi tried to take the step to leave, but Seraphine stopped her, running behind the stage.

— A new collection of my records has arrived. You can take this to the sheriff, as a thank you for clearing the center for us last time. — said the young woman, handing over a box with some other things that Vi was sure his wife would like.

She smiled softly and accepted the things. — Thanks, Cait will love it. She'll never admit it, but she has a room just for your things. — whispered Vi to Seraphine, eliciting a giggle from the young woman.

Then Vi said goodbye to them and headed back, stopping off at a drinks stand on the way, leaving the box beside it and sitting down on a bench.

— It's a beautiful day. — commented the barman, wiping the counter with a cloth and putting his shoulder to it before turning his back to Vi.

— Indeed. — Vi replied with a sigh, discreetly looking around. — Do you have anything for me? — The rosy-cheeked woman asked, watching as the man turned back around, placing a cup in front of her and two bowls with coffee and milk. He began to prepare the drink meticulously.

— The birds are singing. The past is coming back, only now they're being more careful. They call this person the great baroness. A visionary who wants to be the most powerful in Zaun. — he revealed, finishing his drink and pushing the cup towards Vi, who looked at the liquid thoughtfully.

— It's the same name we managed to get out of one of the men earlier. — commented Vi, stirring the cup and making the liquid move. — And that “C”? What does it mean?

— We still don't know for sure whether the “C” represents a group or just one person. But we're investigating; the fogolumes are also on the lookout. — he replied, as he cleaned another cup. Vi took a deep breath, picked up the cup and brought it to her lips to take a long sip.

— Thank you for the information. I'll be back next week. — she said, then wiped her mouth, put the cup back and went on her way.

~Kiramman Residence, 7:47~

When she got home, Vi locked the door and hung her jacket on the hanger. She took off her boots with her feet, bent down to pick them up and put them in place of her shoes.

Even though she was used to the silence that reigned in the Kiramman mansion, as the days went by, that silence began to bother her in a way that felt like an annoying itch. She tried to ignore the mood and went straight to the library – where Caitlyn was standing in front of her whiteboard, making notes.

Vi closed the door softly and came up behind Caitlyn, hugging her. Caitlyn jumped slightly, but remained focused on her notes.

— So, what have we got? — asked the taller girl, smiling softly as she noticed Vi's lips tracing her back.

— Tommy confirmed the name. Renata. — Vi spoke, squeezing Caitlyn's waist even tighter. The taller woman held out her arm, pinning a piece of paper to the board.

— What about the “C”? — Caitlyn asked, heading for the adjacent table, with Vi still clinging to her waist.

— Nothing. We're going in circles. — she said, fingering Caitlyn's waist, who let out a disgruntled snort. They'd been dealing with this case for months and couldn't make any progress.

Vi, sensing Caitlyn's frustration, ran his hands down her arms, stroking them. She grabbed Caitlyn's wrists, pulling her away from the painting and anything else holding her back, and led her towards herself.

— Let's solve the case. But first... — Vi pulled Caitlyn closer, walking backwards to the center of the room, putting her hands around her head. — Can we date for a while before we drown ourselves in work? — she asked, kissing Caitlyn on the cheek and trailing her lips down her neck, making her gasp.

— Um... I like that idea, but we still have so much to do... — Caitlyn murmured, but Vi grabbed her face and kissed them gently, moving their tongues in a synchronized dance.

Gradually, they pulled apart, keeping their faces close. Violet blinked, looking at the red lips she loved so much. Caitlyn also opened her eyes, giving a sly smile when she noticed that the pink girl's eyes were fixed on her mouth, yearning for more.

Caitlyn let out a sigh. — Work can wait. — she said, running her hands down Vi's body and stopping at the belt of her pants and whispered: — Remember, it was you who started it.

[...]

The twin cities awoke not only to the strong rays of the sun, but were taken by surprise by a sudden heatwave. The workers complained of the heat, yet there was nothing they could do but accept it and get on with the day - expressing gratitude as the cool breezes swept through the cities.

— I'm going to die! — exclaimed Zeri dramatically, shaking herself with a piece of cardboard. Suddenly, an idea came to her, and she headed for Zaun's junkyard.

As she walked through the noisy streets crowded with merchants, some children playing nearby spotted the woman, intrigued by her hurried gait. Soon, Zeri felt a slight chill on the back of her neck, which made her look back, where she found five children following her enthusiastically. She let out a laugh, but didn't object, just agreed that they should follow her, arriving at the junkyard shortly.

— Zeri, what are you going to do? — asked a girl from the group, hanging onto a piece of metal and turning herself upside down. The children stood around the woman, gazing at her skillful hands crafting something enigmatic.

— I'm creating something that will help a lot in this heat. Heh, you'll like it. — she assured them, with conviction in her voice, provoking their curiosity even more.

The children exchanged glances, shrugged and allowed her to work in peace, while they amused themselves in the junkyard with the objects they found. After a while, moving from side to side, Zeri finished.

— Hey, kids! Come and see! — she called out, waving her arm, watching as the little ones rushed towards her, stopping in front of her remarkable invention.

They stood side by side, tilting their heads in unison, wrinkling their eyebrows and staring at the mysterious-looking machine. Zeri stared at them, raising an eyebrow, and then turned her gaze back to her invention, looking away between them.

— Oh, come on! It's not that ugly. — she complained, crossing her arms.

— Right, and what was it supposed to be? — a boy asked. Zeri closed her eyes, formed a small pout on her lips and inhaled deeply.

— This is a super mega wind generator! — she exclaimed excitedly. However, this wasn't enough to excite the children, who simply stared at the machine with a look of disdain.

Another girl in the group spoke up. — So it's just a really big fan? — she asked, prompting a few quick laughs from her classmates. Zeri frowned, disturbed by the girl's words, but just took a deep breath.

— Yes, it's a big fan. Satisfied? — she shouted, then let out a snort. — Now, let's turn it on. — Zeri got ready, rubbing her hands together and producing electricity, approaching and pouring the energy into the machine.

The shrill noise of the motor startled the children a little. Soon, the propellers began to turn, producing a light puff of wind. The little ones were surprised, enjoying the fresh wind, while Zeri tilted her head back, looking at them with a proud and smug expression. However, it's not all flowers, and the light wind began to intensify.

— Huh, Zeri? Isn't it too strong? — shouted the little girl, putting her arm in front of her face. The wind grew stronger, pushing the children backwards and starting to lift them off the ground. Zeri removed her hands from the machine, startled when it began to shake and throw parts everywhere, increasing the power of the wind and blowing the children into the air.

— Crap! — Zeri used her speed to run through the rubble of the junkyard, using a wooden ramp to jump and catch two children. However, the others continued to be blown away. — No, no, no! — Zeri shouted in desperation, but suddenly someone ran past her, reaching the other children and placing them safely on the ground.

Zeri left the children hiding behind a pile of debris, sheltered from the intense wind. Then she ran back to the machine, pulled out her gun and fired a precise shot at the engine, which dismantled it and caused a small explosion.

The children ran towards Zeri, who was lying on the ground. She was breathing deeply, her chest heaving with exhaustion.

— Sis, Zeri! — the girls jumped on her.

— Ouch! I'm fine, I'm fine! — She shouted, and the other little ones came closer, breathing a sigh of relief.

— That was a good idea. However, next time, make sure you check the level and that all the pieces are properly tightened and positioned. — Zeri stood up, looked back to find Ekko.

— Boss! You're back! — she wrapped him in a tight hug, letting go of him and feeling slightly dizzy, being supported by the little ones to prevent a fall.

— It's good to see you, too. But I think you'd better get some rest, Zeri. — Ekko said, and Zeri agreed. As they left the junkyard, Zeri paused, staring at Ekko.

— I've just remembered. Vi is looking for you. She came here earlier, claiming she needed to talk to you urgently. — she explained, leaving the boy puzzled. He thanked her for the warning and headed home.

The boy walked through the community, greeting the people and children who hurried past happily. He let out a long, exhausted sigh. When he got home, he locked the door and turned on the lights.

— Holy shit! — Ekko uttered, startled by Vi's presence. The rosy-cheeked girl was sitting on a chair, her arms crossed and a reddish look on her face, staring at him in a way that sent a chill down Ekko's spine.

He swallowed, turning his attention back to the room, noticing the painting behind Vi and the messy things on the floor.

— Did you go through my things? — he asked, stepping back when Vi stood up.

— How long has it been? — she asked, causing Ekko to frown, puzzled. Vi closed her eyes and took a deep breath, keeping calm. Then she repeated — How long... have you and Caitlyn been keeping secrets from me?

Chapter Text

~One day earlier~

Work and constant vigilance can be exhausting. Caitlyn had spent days and days trying to solve a case, and finally, after so much effort, she was close to unraveling the mystery.

A soft knock echoed through the room, and soon the door opened, revealing an officer who was surprised to enter.

— My goodness... — he muttered, staring at the boxes, papers, and case files scattered around the room. — Sheriff? — he called out a little loudly, so that his voice reached the back of the room, waiting for an answer.

— I'm here! — the large board began to move forward, and out from behind it came Caitlyn, holding some folders and leaving them on the table, already overflowing with papers. — Do you need anything, officer? — she asked, rummaging through the pile of documents.

The officer tried to walk, but had to move the things scattered on the floor with his feet in order to reach the sheriff.

— A package arrived. — he informed her, stopping a few feet away from her, as he couldn't continue because of the boxes on the floor. Then he stretched out his arm with the package.

Caitlyn turned to him with an arched eyebrow. — For me? But I didn't ask for anything. — she said, picking up the box.

— Well... — he coughed lightly, continuing. — That came from Demacia. — he said, making Caitlyn more intrigued.

— Demacia...? — she repeated quietly, examining the small package. — No sender? — she asked and he nodded. — Right, I'll check it out later. Thank you.

He bowed quickly and turned around, following the same path he had to take to get out of the room without tripping over anything.

As he closed the door, the officer let out a long sigh, shook his head slightly and continued through the police station.

— What's with the look on your face? — another defender greeted him.

— The sheriff's office looks like a forest. It's impossible to walk in there. I don't know how she does it. — he commented, going behind the police station with the officer.

— Heh, some call it the “sheriff's concentration nest”. — she declared, laughing softly. The officer pulled a carton of cigarettes from his pocket and shared it with the woman.

...

Caitlyn threw herself down on the sofa, amidst the piles of documents she had asked to check, and let out a deep breath. She had spent the whole day in the office, without even stepping outside for a breath of fresh air. No, she was close, there was no stopping her. She had to persist until the case was solved.

She missed Violet, but she was aware that her wife was also overwhelmed that day. So much so that she sent Caitlyn's food to another officer, since she had to get on with her work in Zaun.

After a short break – which stretched on for long minutes with her eyes closed – Caitlyn got up from the whirlwind of documents, wiping her hand across her face, trying, however unsuccessfully, to dispel the tiredness in her body.

She stretched, sighing, and finally stood up. Caitlyn went through the boxes scattered on the floor, pushing them with her foot to make it easier for her to reach the table. She looked around the room with her hands on her hips. In fact, it looked like a dense forest, or a huge nest, as she used to hear from her employees.

Caitlyn didn't take it personally, because it wasn't a lie. Even Vi, had she been there, would have scoffed at the situation in her office. So, catching her breath, Caitlyn tied up her hair and began to organize the room, removing the boxes from the floor, storing the documents in their original folders and, finally, cleaning her desk to make it less cluttered.

After a few hours of organizing, Caitlyn finally felt satisfied, rubbing her hands together and letting out a nasal sigh. She checked her watch, confirming that it was already evening, and opted to call it a day and head home.

As she got ready to leave the room, Caitlyn went back inside and, among her things, on the table, was the package she had received earlier. She returned, grabbing the object in her hands and putting it in her bag.

~Kiramman residence, 8:01 p.m.~

As soon as she arrived home, Caitlyn headed for her quarters. Leaving her bag on the bed, she went to the closet to find a comfortable outfit to wear after her shower.

As she turned off the damper, the steam from the shower ceased, and she left the bathroom to get ready for the evening. She was looking forward to the arrival of her wife, who was still out on the streets, hard at work.

She went into the kitchen, preparing something to eat, and put the pink one away. Walking to her bedroom, Caitlyn stopped in front of her mother's painting and stood there for a while. Caitlyn chatted with her for a while, as usual, and then went back to her room.

While she was enjoying her food, Caitlyn was also organizing some of the items she had brought with her. Shortly after taking a folder out of her bag, the box she had kept earlier collapsed, reminding Caitlyn that she still had to check who had sent it to her. She left the plate on the table, picked it up and curiously began to examine it.

"No sender... Demacia... Who could it be...?" she wondered, fascinated by the enigmatic package. So, without delay, she decided to open it. Caitlyn's eyes widened and she froze, letting the lid fall to the floor.

— No... Impossible... — Caitlyn ran, opening the bedroom door and heading for the library, where her research painting was on display. However, there, hidden from prying eyes, was another painting.

Caitlyn hurried into the room, heading to the back where the other painting was kept. She grabbed a key and opened a hidden door, pulling the painting out and positioning it in front of the light.

Caitlyn stared at the object in her hands again, sighing heavily. She grasped the line on the board, stretching it and joining the dots that were misaligned, removing some papers and reinserting others. This went on for a while, retracting the uncertainties; the item received was the missing piece.

Taking a few steps back, she looked at the picture, now completely finished, oscillating between amazement and relief.

— Fuck...! — Caitlyn whispered to herself, and a subtle smile began to appear at the corner of her lips.

However, her moment was interrupted when she heard the sound of something breaking behind her, forcing her to turn and face Violet, whose expression was consumed with surprise.

— What the fuck is that? — the rosy-cheeked girl shouted, pointing at the painting with photos, old newspapers and some drawings that belonged to Jinx. In the center of the painting, a black eye patch, painted in various shades, was the signature of Zaun's former savior.

[...]

A light rain began, intensifying as time passed, while Caitlyn, pacing back and forth, explained herself to Violet.

The rosy-cheeked girl was sitting on the sofa, her arms resting on her thighs and her head down. She listened in silence, remembering things from the past that, even without meaning to, came to the surface. Her mistakes seemed to weigh on her like the heavy rain that punished the twin cities.

Caitlyn stopped walking, leaning on the table and pressing her lips together as her fear grew with every second that Violet remained in deep silence.

— Violet...? — she called out, trying to make eye contact, but her wife didn't answer. Her mind tormented her with old memories, so instead of looking at Caitlyn, Vi closed her eyes tightly.

Caitlyn moved away from the table and went over to Violet, kneeling on one leg and holding her hands.

— Baby... please... — she whispered, putting her hand on Vi's cheek, who startled her by getting up abruptly.

— Why? — Vi asked, putting her hands on her waist and turning to Caitlyn with a serious expression. — Why did you keep it from me?

— I knew you wouldn't agree. — Caitlyn replied, standing up.

— And yet you continued?

— I needed proof... — Caitlyn tried to touch Vi's arm, but she pulled back.

— Proof of what? — Vi spoke with a shaky voice, feeling her chest tighten, and the air suddenly seem to escape.

— Proof that your sister is alive! — Caitlyn exclaimed, trying to reach Vi somehow, but she wouldn't let her. Vi shook her head. Then Caitlyn huffed and walked over to the painting, picked up the one in the center, and turned to Vi. — Look, Violet! Who else would send me this? Look at the drawings, the colors, the style. It's her, Violet!

The pink girl kept shaking her head, turning away from Caitlyn as she tried to make her see the truth. Caitlyn took a deep breath, trying to think of a new course of action, and left the colored eye patch on the table. Then she walked cautiously over to Vi.

— Love...

— Shut up! — Vi shouted loudly, her voice echoing throughout the house. — My sister's gone! She's gone, Cait. I was there! Not you. Me! — Vi beat her chest, looking at Caitlyn with red eyes, trying to hold back the tears, but she couldn't. Her vision began to blur, and Caitlyn's image became blurry, causing her to look away and wipe her eyes.

Caitlyn didn't know what to say anymore; the words just disappeared, and even the speech about telling Vi about Jinx seemed to have vanished into thin air.

— I don't understand why you're bringing it up now. You yourself wanted her to disappear forever, remember? Then why, Caitlyn? Why? — Vi shouted even louder, advancing towards Caitlyn, but without actually doing anything – she would never do anything to her. Everything in her head was a mess, and Vi had no idea how to organize it, short of reverting to old habits.

Vi walked away, swaying. Caitlyn just watched in silence, afraid of what Vi was going to do. Caitlyn wasn't afraid of Vi. Caitlyn was afraid of what Vi would do to herself.

She knew her old habits well, not just the drinking, but also the self-mutilation.

Over the years, both Vi and Caitlyn took care of their health, even when things didn't go as planned or when they were so overwhelmed that it felt like the world would suffocate them again, they were always together to overcome the challenges.

Vi wiped her hand across her face, turned on her side and faced the heavy rain, which seemed to get heavier by the moment. And at that moment, there was no way not to remember that fateful day.

The rosy-cheeked girl swallowed, lowering her gaze as a stubborn tear trickled down her cheek. She sniffled, frowning.

— My sister is gone. Forever. — Vi murmured, pressing her lips together. She turned to Caitlyn, who was also teary-eyed, and looked at the painting behind her, sighing. — I'm not... running after a ghost. Not again. — Vi clenched her jaw, looking down at the floor. She wiped her face once more and, without another word, left the room.

Caitlyn's hands were shaking. She wanted to follow Vi, but her legs wouldn't budge. Caitlyn parted her lips and let out the trapped air, sobbing, and closed her eyes as the trapped tears took the liberty of coming out.

[...]

~Gift~

For the first time in a long time, Ekko felt scared like a child. Vi stared at him with a cold expression, and her red, swollen eyes showed that the situation could no longer go any other way. It was then that he looked down at the rosy-cheeked girl's hands.

— Come on, answer me. How long have you been hiding this from me? — she insisted again. Ekko swallowed, and the delay in answering made Vi even angrier. — Say it!

— Two years! — he exclaimed, without looking directly at her. — It's been two years... since we started investigating.

Vi raised her eyebrows, opened her mouth, but said nothing. She just let out a heavy sigh, turned on her side and rested her hands on the table.

— Oh my God... My God... — she repeated, shaking her head slightly. — Seriously, bro. — Vi turned her face towards Ekko. — What are you thinking, anyway? Huh? — she said, moving her hands away from the table. — Can't you see how absurd all this is? — and then shouted, hitting her head with her fingertips. — This is insane!

— No, it's not! Why can't you see the truth? The evidence is right here!

Vi clenched her fists and brought them to her mouth, restraining herself from punching anything.

— Fuck the evidence! — she said loudly. — You lied to me! Two fucking years! My best friend and my wife are lying to me, and you expect me to accept that?

The dense silence settled in at that moment, bringing up the pain and anguish of the past, as well as the uncertainties of the future. Fear, anger, guilt. Ekko and Vi felt it too. It was a lot to process.

Ekko and Caitlyn always wanted to reveal the truth, but they hesitated. Caitlyn, fearful of losing Vi again, chose not to tell. However, the truth always prevails. No matter the moment.

Vi took a deep breath, turned her back on Ekko and stared at the painting. Hanging from it were papers, photos of places, notes, and on the table next to it was a box scribbled on in various colors. Vi recognized what it was. Or rather, who it was.

And yet... — Why do you keep denying it? It's her, Vi. It really is her! — Ekko insisted once more, hoping that Vi would recognize the truth and share the same feeling of joy and relief.

However, although he had hoped for a positive response, Vi's interminable silence left him feeling uneasy. Ekko swallowed, gradually frowning.

— Violet...? — Ekko took a step forward, but stopped when Violet looked at him over her shoulder. She looked away, feeling a sharp pain in her head that made her close her eyes and inhale deeply.

— Are you going after her...? — she asked, opening her eyes and staring at the bags in the corner. — Good luck. — she said, as she headed for the exit, but Ekko stopped her from leaving, holding her by the arm.

— I know it's not easy, but it's the truth! Come with me. We'll find her... together. — Ekko relaxed his grip, tilting his head slightly to try to look into the pink girl's eyes. Vi gritted her teeth and pulled hard on his arm.

— We're not going to find anything! She's gone, Ekko!

Ekko snorted, exasperated by Violet's obstinacy. — So you're going to abandon her again? — he shouted, being taken by surprise when Violet advanced and pushed him against the wall. The two started fighting, pushing each other against the walls and causing everything around them to fall.

Violet knocked Ekko to the ground and grabbed his wrists, but the young man pulled his knees close to his chest, pressed his feet against Violet's chest and pushed her away.

Ekko stood up slowly, putting his hand on his chest and breathing hard. He looked around, shaking his head, noticing all his things on the floor.

— Why? — He whispered, looking away from Violet. — Why don't you believe it?

— 'Cause I don't want to get my hopes up! — she screamed, unable to hold back the tears. The pressure growing in her chest, the painful memories, all the anger, anguish, and fear resurfacing with her last memory of Jinx.

Vi lifted her face, showing her crying expression to Ekko, and got up with an effort, taking a chair and sitting down.

Ekko also stood up, feeling a pain in his ribs. — What...?

— I looked. — she said quietly. — A week after the war, I looked for her everywhere: in every hiding place, hole or any place where she could have taken refuge. I scoured every nook and cranny of the two cities and found... nothing! — she said, sniffling. — So what's the point of you telling me this? Just you, who insisted that I give up on her. That she... — Vi swallowed dryly, her eyes heavy.

Ekko gasped, blinking as he broke eye contact with Vi. The rosy-cheeked girl let out a deep sigh, wiping her face.

— I-I... — Vi sniffled more, lowering her head and running her hands through her pink strands, allowing the tears to overflow uncontrollably. — Even if I believe, I'm afraid of allowing this flame of hope to flare up again, only to end up... being just an illusion.

Ekko lowered his gaze, pressing his lips together. The pink woman's words weighed heavily on his shoulders. Although there was evidence found and present in unusual places, he wasn't sure if it was really Jinx. One side of him was being rational, but on the other hand, he just really wished it was her.

Vi wiped her face and stood up from her chair, taking a deep breath. Ekko didn't have the courage to face her, he just stared at the pink girl's shoes.

— If you really believe that, then go ahead. — she said, heading for the door. As she stopped in the doorway, she glanced over her shoulder at Ekko. — When I said “good luck”, I meant it. — said the rosy-cheeked girl, leaving the place without looking back.

Ekko took a deep breath and raised his head. Looking at the papers and maps scattered across the floor, Ekko rubbed the back of his neck and began to tidy up. Every clue he followed, every trace of a memory, he stopped collecting, focusing his eyes on a drawing made by Powder when they were just two innocent children in the midst of chaos.

He slid his finger over the drawing, removing some of the dust, and, without warning, a tear stained the sheet. Ekko sat down on the floor, clutching the paper tightly as the tears, long held back, finally overflowed.

[...]

~Two days later~

Caitlyn and Ekko were at the Piltover airship station, loading the boy's bags for the big trip. Caitlyn had reserved a space and a very large airship just for Ekko, thinking of a journey that could last months. When she had finished packing, Caitlyn got out of the airship to get some air.

A cold wind made her shrug her shoulders, cross her arms and walk to the other side, leaning on the railing as she watched the landscape.

— I think we're all set. — Ekko commented, getting out of the airship and walking over to Caitlyn. He leaned his arms on the railing, threw his head back and let out a long sigh. — So... how is she?

Caitlyn lowered her gaze, taking a deep breath. — She hasn't spoken to me properly these days. And she hasn't been to work either. — she replied with her head down.

For the last two days, Vi had avoided Caitlyn completely. The rosy-cheeked girl couldn't sleep in the same bed either, so she stayed in the guest room, and Caitlyn understood perfectly. Violet needed some time to process everything that had happened, but Caitlyn missed Vi's warmth, and it made her sadder and sadder to remember that it might be a while before Vi spoke to her again. Caitlyn pressed her lips together, let out a sigh through her nose, and turned to face the airship.

— Are you going to be okay on your own? — she asked, looking at the boy. Ekko looked over his shoulder at the airship, smiled weakly and shook his head.

— I can handle it. — he replied, returning his gaze to the landscape and the other airships that were leaving the station, flying away. Then he lowered his head, looking down at his feet, thinking.

Hearing another sigh from Caitlyn, Ekko looked back at her and this time flashed a more cheerful smile.

— I'm sorry you can't come either. I know how much you wanted to. — he said, but Caitlyn shook her head and giggled.

— I don't go anywhere without my wife. — she said, sincerely, because she would never leave Vi's side again.

The two of them sat in silence, enjoying the cool breeze and listening to the noise of the city and the machines at work. Caitlyn looked up, admiring the clear sky.

— Do you think you'll find her? — Caitlyn asked suddenly, not wanting to make the mood heavy, but she couldn't hold back the question.

Ekko sighed, lowering his gaze. — I believe I will. But if I don't... I don't know how I'm going to face Vi afterward. — he let out a slight snort, smiling. — I think she'll say, “I told you so!”. — They laughed, imagining the supposed scene.

— What a prick!

Caitlyn and Ekko jumped slightly, looking at the rosy-cheeked girl, who was standing behind them with her arms crossed, leaving them dumbfounded.

— Vi? — they shouted in unison, disbelieving. Vi raised an eyebrow, letting out an indignant snort.

— Do you really think I'm that predictable? — she asked, looking first at Caitlyn and then at Ekko, with a softer expression. — And what about you? Leaving without saying goodbye? — she joked, giving a mischievous little laugh.

Ekko blushed, embarrassed, lowering his gaze as the rosy-cheeked girl came closer to them. When the pink one stopped in front of him, Ekko had to face her.

— It's just... I thought you wouldn't want to talk to me. — He said a little sheepishly, and Violet broke into a smile for a moment. Suddenly, Ekko was hit in the arm.

— We had a fight once, and you were already getting into it? What déjà vu. — Violet commented, glancing at Caitlyn. The taller girl just turned her face away, a little shyly, and the pink one gave a short laugh. — Look... I want to apologize to both of you. I'm sorry for the way I've acted over the last two days. I know I was very hard on you. — Ekko and Caitlyn exchanged glances, returning their attention to the pink girl, who continued speaking. — It was a lot of information for my head, I was stressed with work, tired and...

— Violet, it's all right. — the boy's lips formed a warm smile. — We understand, and we're sorry we didn't tell you sooner. We were afraid of how you would react, but I'm glad you're here. — he said calmly, opening his arms and giving the rosy-cheeked girl a tight hug.

— Sorry about the beating. — she said as they parted, and Caitlyn frowned.

— Wait, did you two fight? — she asked, putting her hands on her waist and looking at them with a scolding look. Violet put her arm over Ekko's head and pinned his neck.

— It was just a friendly fight. — Ekko asked Vi to let him go, while the pink girl messed up his hair, laughing more relaxedly. Caitlyn rolled her eyes.

When she let go of the boy, Vi went over to Caitlyn, bringing one hand to her waist and the other to her face, caressing the taller girl's cheek tenderly, while Caitlyn closed her eyes and exhaled a sigh of longing.

— Sorry for giving you a hard time. — Vi whispered to her, and Caitlyn smiled, putting her hands on the rosy-cheeked girl's neck and pulling her into a simple, loving kiss.

— It's okay. You can make it up to me later. — She replied, running her tongue teasingly over her lips, and Vi couldn't contain her red cheeks.

— Well, it'll have to be later then. I'm sure this airship doesn't have any sound-approving rooms, and I don't want to traumatize the little man on the journey. — she suddenly commented, surprising them both again.

— What did you say? — Ekko asked.

Vi sighed, turning away from Caitlyn for a moment. — I examined what you found, and it does indeed appear to be her. — Vi admitted, looking at the airship. — I've done a lot of thinking over the last two days. I still think it's crazy, but even if we don't find anything, if you're with me, it won't hurt as much. — she said, looking at the two of them. Still in a daze, Ekko had to reaffirm:

— Are you really going?

Vi laughed nasally. — Is it so hard to take my word for it? — She joked. — But of course... I'm going if you are. — she said, addressing Caitlyn. — “I'm not going anywhere without my wife”. — replied Vi, imitating Caitlyn's voice, which made her frown.

— You were listening to our conversation from the beginning, weren't you? — said Caitlyn, rolling her eyes as Vi placed a kiss on her cheek.

— So, you've waited two days. Can you wait another two hours so we can get ready? — asked the rosy-cheeked girl.

— Don't take too long. Or I'll leave you. — He answered seriously, but they knew it was a joke.

...

Exactly two hours later, Ekko and Vi were transferring the rest of the items into the airship when the counselors and two officers from the police station arrived on the scene.

— Thank you so much for meeting with me at such short notice. — began Caitlyn.

— Don't worry, Sheriff. It's an honor for us to be entrusted with such an important mission. — said the officer, bowing his head.

— You can rest assured, we'll keep everything under control until you get back. — assured Counselor Shoola. Sevika silently watched Violet and Ekko get off the airship.

She walked over to them. — So, is this really true? — she asked, staring at Violet. — Hard to believe... — she commented, staring at Ekko.

— It could be, but if it were, we wouldn't be here. — Vi replied, exhaling a sigh. — Will you look after Zaun while we're away?

Sevika smiled smugly. — And when have I not, brat? — she replied, feigning indignation. — If you can find her, punch her for me. — Sevika asked, holding out her hand to Vi, who shook it without hesitation.

— Absolutely. — she assured, then the rosy-cheeked girl changed her expression to a mischievous look, looked away from Ekko and winked at him. The boy understood immediately. — When we get back, you'd better have a wedding date set.

Sevika, who was normally serious and aloof, blushed intensely, provoking laughter from Ekko and Vi. Caitlyn and Shoola looked back, confused, but decided to ignore it and continue with the brief meeting before Caitlyn left.

— Whenever I can, I'll send letters. Keep me updated on open cases. Any documents that need to be signed, Counselor Sevika will take care of that for me. — Caitlyn said, while the two officers, who were part of Caitlyn's special squad, agreed with everything she said. — And also...

— Sheriff! — The officer exclaimed, then he sighed and smiled softly. — We have the counselors to guide us. We'll keep everything organized until your return. I promise.

Caitlyn sighed, feeling calmer after hearing the man's words. After a quick hug, she walked over to Vi, shaking Sevika's hand in farewell. Ekko was the first to enter, starting the engines. Vi and Caitlyn waved to them as they climbed in and left the station. Caitlyn looked at Vi, who returned her gaze with a tired smile as soon as the door closed.

— I love you. — she whispered, leaning their foreheads together. Vi took a deep breath, wrapped her arms around Caitlyn's waist and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek.

— I love you too. — Vi declared, hugging Caitlyn as she stroked her hair.

[...]

~2 months later~

— Honey? — Caitlyn called out to Vi as she made her way to the back of the airship. When she got there, she found the rosy-cheeked girl sleeping peacefully in bed. Caitlyn entered, bumping into a bag on the floor. She was still adjusting to the small space in the airship's bedroom, but she didn't complain and continued on her way to Vi.

The pink girl was lying down with her arms behind her head. Caitlyn calmly climbed onto the bed and lay on top of Violet.

— Sweetheart~ — whispered Caitlyn, touching her nose to wake her up. — Get up, Ekko has prepared a snack. You haven't eaten much today. — she said softly, stroking Vi's cheek.

The rosy-cheeked girl grumbled, shifted her body and turned her head to the side, but didn't get up. Caitlyn frowned, needing to adopt a new approach. She got up, sat on Vi with one leg on each side and kissed her cheek.

Vi sighed, sketching a discreet smile on her lips as Caitlyn continued. The rosy-cheeked girl's hair stood on end at the feel of her wife's warm breath on her neck, causing her to let out a low chuckle.

— All right, all right! You win. — murmured the pink one, opening her eyes and meeting Caitlyn's. Vi raised her head suddenly, stealing a kiss from her wife. Caitlyn's smile widened even more, caressing Vi's face and capturing her lips in a slow kiss.

Violet removed her arms from behind her head, grabbed Caitlyn's waist and slid down, intensifying the kiss. However, before she could act, Caitlyn suddenly parted her lips and grabbed the pink girl's hands.

— Don't even think about it. — she said, staring at the rosy-cheeked girl.

— Why not? — asked Vi, smiling mischievously.

— Violet, you haven't eaten anything yet. — Caitlyn said, pushing away her wife's naughty hands.

— But I was about to. — retorted the rosy-cheeked girl, making Caitlyn blush slightly.

— Very funny, darling. Get up. — Caitlyn pulled away from the rosy-cheeked girl, who sighed and stood up.

— So, can I have dessert later? — she said, holding Caitlyn's body with desire, who couldn't help smiling as she hugged the rosy-cheeked girl.

— Guys, I – Whoa! Sorry, sorry! — Ekko turned around, closing her eyes as the two walked away. Vi kept smiling as she watched Caitlyn adjust the bra under her clothes – which the rosy-cheeked girl was about to remove.

Caitlyn turned to her, frowning. — All right, Ekko. Do you need something?

Still hesitating, Ekko turned sideways, making sure everything was all right by looking inside. So, without further ado, he said:

— You two need to see this.

Caitlyn and Vi exchanged glances, and the rosy-cheeked girl shrugged before following the boy. As they entered the cabin, Ekko resumed his chair and switched off the autopilot. Caitlyn and Vi stood on opposite sides of the chair, looking at what was in front of them.

— Jeez... that's amazing. — Caitlyn commented, amazed.

— Incredible is a nickname, cupcake. — Vi replied, equally surprised. Ekko let out a deep sigh.

— Ladies, welcome to Demacia.