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There seemed to be a pattern of Vi’s life, that pattern being she always found herself at a disadvantage. Take right now for example;
Did Vi know anything about Ionian culture? Not really.
Was she used to being in a romantic relationship yet? Definitely not.
Was she as well as the entire city still recovering from the war, both physically and emotionally. Hell yes!
Was she still determined to make Caitlyn her favorite Ionian dish as a birthday gift? Absa-fucking-lutely.
After all her determination seemed to always work in her favor. Her determination to save her family was what helped her fight men twice her size at age fifteen. Her determination to reunite with her sister was what made her get through Stillwater, and now her determination would help her make some damn-good Shrimp Mango Ceviche. Sure her plan also relied on Caitlyn staying asleep way past her usual wake-up time but with the lack of sleep Caitlyn’s been getting lately and the fact Vi turned her alarm off, that shouldn’t be a problem. Vi started by dicing mangos, tomatoes, cilantro, and red onions. Then she put a pot of water on the stove to boil. It took about twenty-five minutes for the crimson haired women to finish the dish before moving on to baking two small cupcakes.
-
One hour late and almost a whole bag of flour on her face, Vi finished her gift. Adding in a cup of Caitlyn’s favorite tea for good measure. She plated everything up and put it on a tray. She also made sure to grab the flowers she’d been able to buy with her limited pocket money. Yes, Caitlyn insisted they could share a bank account at least until Vi found a job, enforcer was off the table and anything else topside required like fifty college credits and a fancy interview outfit, but it still felt wrong buying Caitlyn’s birthday surprise with her own money.
“Violet?” Caitlyn’s soft voice rang out into the grand hall.
“Perfect timing” Vi whispered to herself; carrying the tray and flowers to their bedroom. “There’s my birthday girl” The brawler smiled as she entered the room. Caitlyn chuckled as she stretched her limbs, a crystal eye locking on the alarm clock next to the green bed.
“Twelve-o-clock!”
“What”
“It’s twelve-o-clock! Bloody hell my alarm clock must have finally kicked the nest” Caitlyn grumbled.
“Or I just turned it off,” Vi smirked.
“Why would you do that?”
“So you could catch up on all the sleep you’ve missed and also so I could make you this” rough hands set the tray down in front of Caitlyn. The sheriff’s face twisted from a shocked look into an endearing gaze. “I know it’s not what you’re used to but growing up every birthday Vander would make us our favorite dinner or a little baked treat. Sure the food was sometimes moldy or expired but….NOT that this is expired or moldy but…” Vi’s rambling was cut off by a soft, passionate kiss to her lips.
“It’s perfect, I love it, I love you” Caitlyn said breathlessly when they pulled apart.
“I wouldn’t sing your praises just yet, the food could still be ass” Vi teased.
“Oh quite” Caitlyn protested taking a bit of her lunch. She chewed for a long moment before tears began to pour out of her eyes.
“OH SHIT! That bad?! Sorry I’ll make you something else or I can order us take out if you would rather eat that?” Vi panicked, her eyebrows creased.
“No Violet it’s not that. Did you ask my father about this dish, perchance?”
“I did. He said this was your favorite, is that not true?”
“Did he tell you why it’s my favorite?” Caitlyn asked. Vi shook her head. “My mother didn’t cook a lot growing up, frankly she didn’t really know how but this was the one dish she alway had homemade and when I was sick or upset she would make it for me and we’d eat it in our little corner where no-one would bother us.” Caitlyn’s cries became more incense. A burning sensation soon settled itself in the center of her damaged eye.
“Oh cupcake” Vi sat down next to her on their bed, a hand comfortingly rubbing circles onto her lover’s back. They stayed like that for a long moment before Vi spoke up.
“Put your coat on and follow me”
-
The pair arrived at the once violet filled tree. White snow covering every surface except for a brunch table hidden underneath a canopy. Vi led the way holding Caitlyn’s lunch in her hands while Caitlyn herself hung on her muscular arm.
“Mother never liked being out in the winter, said it was too dull without the flowers” Caitlyn commented.
“Good thing I’ve got that covered.” Vi presented the bouquet from behind her back in an overly showy way which made Caitlyn giggle.
“Thank you, my darling. Out of all the gifts I’ve ever received this is by far the most heartwarming of them all”
“Glad you like it. Happy birthday Cupcake” Vi smiled trapping Caitlyn’s, now fridged, lips in a sweet kiss.