Chapter Text
Caitlyn doesn’t love that Vi still occasionally participates in underground fights. It’s one of the few arguments they’ve had since they started living together since the end of the war. But she also knows that Vi has many complicated emotions that sometimes are easier for her to express with her fists than words. It’s only been weeks since Vi lost what remained of her battered family, and Caitlyn can feel how deeply she’s still hurting.
So, no, she’s not approving of it, and she doesn’t attend any of Vi’s matches, but she’s always there to make sure Vi is all right afterward.
Vi sits on the marble countertop in their large bathroom at Kiramman House. Caitlyn is carefully unwrapping the long pieces of fabric crisscrossing Vi’s arms that used to be on 24/7, but now only make an occasional appearance.
“Did you win?” she asks quietly, taking Vi’s right hand into her own and examining her knuckles for injuries. They’re red and swollen, but she’s seen Vi with much worse.
“I did,” Vi answers, sighing. “You know you don’t have to do this, Cait.”
“I know,” Caitlyn says, looking up to gaze into the eyes of the woman she loves more than anything. “But it makes me feel better, to know. That you’re alright.”
“I’m sorry,” Vi rakes a hand through her hair. It’s getting long, now. “I just…I need…” she trails off, looking down at her hands, clenching them into fists and releasing them. “Sometimes this feels like the only thing I’m good for.”
“You’re worth more than your fists,” Caitlyn murmurs, tracing her thumb along Vi’s knuckles. She squeezes her hand gently. “We all cope in different ways.”
Vi shrugs, and Caitlyn spots a reddish-purple hue peeking out underneath the hem of her cropped shirt.
“Show me that bruise, please,” Caitlyn frowns, reaching for Vi’s shirt.
“It’s fine, Cait,” Vi says, moving away slightly. “I’ll be fine.”
“Violet, please.” Caitlyn feels the hot sting of tears in her remaining eye. “I need to see. I need to know.”
Vi loops her arms around Caitlyn, pulling her into a tight embrace. “I’m sorry,” she whispers into Caitlyn’s hair, her voice breaking. “I’m sorry I’m like this. I’ll try to get better, I promise.”
Caitlyn holds her close, breathing deeply, taking in the comforting scent of Vi – a hint of sweat, soap, and vanilla-scented shampoo.
“We’re both trying to get better,” she murmurs, kissing Vi’s neck. “We’ll try together.”
They hold each other in the quiet of the night, leaving the rest unspoken for now. They’re not better yet, but perhaps, maybe, one day they will be.
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⊹♡ ₊˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ .𖥔 ݁