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As she was shoved against the hard cold and dirty bricks she questioned why her life had to be like this. A life full of secrets. A life full of half-baked truths. A life she quite frankly did not want to live. But at the same time, how could she not? If this was the only way to be with the one she adored then what else was there for her to do other than to bear with this. She felt the ragged bricks leave marks on her face as she was pressed against the wall being pat down and searched. Routine searches were to be expected, but what she didn’t expect was for it to be done by the very person she slept beside just last night. And then two nights ago. And a couple times last week. See, this had been ongoing for a couple of months now.
Vi’s sister had attempted to blow up the council but had ended up blowing herself up instead. The blast hadn’t badly wounded anybody else. Silco was still running the undercity and it was business as usual. That's not to say he didn’t miss his daughter terribly. He had sought out Vi multiple times to take his anger out on her and had ultimately ended up failing. Vi lived a bit on the outskirts of Ekkos tree village, she didn’t want to impose on his community when she wasn’t someone who needed top priority safety, she would get along just fine on her own in the lanes. And she was because she still had Caitlyn. After watching her sister die and leaving Vi with truly no family left well; she’s definitely been better. Caitlyn was there with her and realizing her mother could’ve died had Jinx’s bomb ended up working, she decided there would be no more mission and no more epic Silco takedown. She wanted to protect her family and she tried to protect Vi.
The night that Vi had watched Jinx die, was a terrible one. Caitlyn had brought Vi to topside to stay with her for the night, worried she’d do something reckless. Vi had fallen asleep sobbing into Caitlyn's arms, and it had been terrible but it had felt good. She felt miserable but she was with the one she loved. She felt safe. But Caitlyn was still an enforcer. Caitlyn got up the next day and went on to work. She had gone on to act in the same manner as those who killed Vi's parents. In the same manner as those who had ultimately killed Powder and Jinx. And Vi put up with it. For Cait, for herself, because she loved her and couldn’t bear the thought of losing another person she loved. Even if that meant loving an enforcer.
So here she was, pressed against the brick wall by none other than Piltover’s finest. This was the price you pay for being in love with an enforcer. Vi’s leather jacket fell to the ground. This was the price you pay for being in love with the very people you’ve always sought to destroy. You’re being pushed up against a brick wall, not in a lustful way but in fact you are being pat-down by the one you love, because this job doesn’t get to pick favorites. This job doesn’t let her come over and greet you because she's just seen you while out on the job. This job entails that you’ve got to pretend as though you don’t know that the one patting you down at this very moment, has had her arms wrapped around you just a few hours prior.
The search was complete and Vi turned around. She stared into Caitlyn's eyes and asked “Why?” Caitlyn looked back at her; resolve unwavering and said “Thank you for your cooperation, all is well”. She turned to the enforcer she had been patrolling with “Nothing, we may proceed”. Vi still had her eyes locked onto Caitlyn. Caitlyn stared back at her once more, her lips pressed together in a thin line, before turning back around and walking into the next alleyway. Vi slumped against the wall. She had the urge to chase after Cait and scream at her. What the hell was that? Piltover’s Princess Caitlyn couldn’t even go easy on her so it seemed. She wanted to chase after Cait and kiss her so that everyone and her stupid partner would know that Vi wasn’t just some Zaunite street trash; but that she was in love with her.
Vi spent the rest of the day thinking about how she willingly spent every minute of her days thinking about Caitlyn just for her to get shoved against a wall so that she could maintain her image. Once it started to grow dark she made her way to topside and wandered towards Caitlyn's house. She pondered on the fact that she knew this place like the back of her hand and she had still been treated like scum by the one who showed it all to her. She walked around the side of the mansion and over to Caits window. She slid it open because of course Princess Cait never locked it and stuck her head inside. She called out but there was no reply. She sat down beneath the window and waited. She had nowhere to go. She had one person. One person who kept her hidden away like precious a diamond that was only taken out in private; where nobody would find out about it. Find out about them. Vi heard footsteps from the open window and stood up abruptly. Cait stood in front of her massive bed and stared straight at the open window knowing exactly who was standing there. Vi stared at her silently before saying
“Hey.” Caitlyn opened her mouth to say something and then shut it again. And then it all came spilling out.
“What the hell was that? A routine search; are you serious? Is it illegal to be friends with someone like me? Is it simply impossible for you to be able to pass by me and at least give me a simple smile or a wave or something? When you patrol topside do you pretend like you don’t know Jayce? Do you give him routine searches? Why did you do that today?”
Cait let out a shaky breath and started to walk towards the window and she reached her hand out to try and hold Vi’s hand. Vi took a step back and looked up in disbelief. “Don’t you think you’ve handled me enough for one day?”
Cait grimaced.“Vi, it’s dark and cold please come inside. We can talk about this.”
“Seriously? You’re changed into your pajamas. You don’t want to talk. You didn’t even plan to come see me. You want to talk because I’m here and have no choice. What do you even want anymore Cait?”
Caitlyn looked heartbroken and Vi knew what she said stung, but she couldn’t find it in her to care. She hates how Caitlyn treats her like some Gutter Rat and wouldn’t be caught dead with her in town.
“Please stay”
And so she did because Vi was left with nothing and nobody. Because all she was left with was loving a girl who couldn’t let anybody know about them. A girl who acted as though she was nothing more than a random civilian search. Cait put her hand out and Vi took it, despite both of them knowing she certainly didn’t need the help. Vi climbed in and there she was once again. Feeling out of place in the big fancy room. Cait put her hand to Vi’s forehead and ran her finger through Vi’s hair.
“Would you like to shower first?”
“Uh yeah, sure”
Vi got into the shower and thought about the first time she had gotten in it and thought she was in the wrong room. How could a bathroom look more refined than any house Vi had ever lived in? She thought. She finished her shower and put on the sweats and shirt that had been laid out for her like she knew they would be. Because Cait could search her in the streets but Cait still loved her.
She got out of the bathroom and Cait was sitting on the edge of the bed. Vi walked in front of Cait and didn’t know what to do. She loved Cait. Cait loved her. But she didn’t show it overtly; didn’t want to show it. And she wasn’t sure how to continue on like this.
“I try to be good but it comes with the job, you know. They tell us unequal treatment is grounds for expulsion. And if I were to walk past you my partner would’ve become suspicious of the both of us.”
Vi scoffed “What? Do I look like a criminal to you?”
“No!! It’s just routine Vi! Some days we check everybody and some we check nobody. My partner was feeling especially anxious today. I couldn’t risk it, Vi.”
Vi let out a sigh. Caitlyn stood up and raised her hand to the cheek that had been resting on the brick wall. The air between them was thick and neither of them knew what to say to make things right. Of course, there had been other instances. Caitlyn walked about whilst on duty and walked past Vi without so much as a nod, but then slipped a smile in her direction when she was sure nobody would notice. Asking Vi questions about a suspect in the most uptight tone imaginable. In a tone that her Caitlyn would never speak to her in.
“I know it was wrong. I got scared. I hadn’t planned on coming to see you because I needed time to compose myself. There's been talk. Of an enforcer having an amorous relationship with a Zaunite. I have no idea whether it’s really about us or not but people do know we worked together to try and take down Silco. And that I had been kidnapped by your sister. We can’t let them know Vi. For your safety and mine. Everyone’s being treated as a suspect now. We could be arrested for conspiracy”
Vi leaned her head into Caitlyn's hand, “I’m sorry… I understand. It still stings.”
Caitlyn wrapped her arms around Vi abruptly and nuzzled her face into Vis's neck. “Let’s go to bed.”
Vi laid her head on Caits arm that was outstretched and looked at Cait’s eyes. She had such bright eyes. The thought that the only time they belonged to her only when in private pained her beyond belief. She wanted to look her in the eyes in front of everyone. She wanted everyone to know those bright eyes were of the one she loved. Cait started speaking in a soft whisper. “You know you could always move up here. Like what Jayces partner did. Became a student at the academy after living in the Fischers his whole life. You could do that too. I don’t know if we could be fully public about well, us, but there wouldn’t be any repeats of today, that's for sure.”
“My home is down there Cait. The place where I grew up, where I watched my parents die, where I watched my sister die. It’s all down there, my whole life. Ekko lives there, along with all the other people I grew up with who are by some miracle still alive. I could never live the type of life they expect you to in topside.”
Cait nodded slightly. After a couple silent minutes, Caitlyn whispered “I’m sorry Vi.” Vi looked into her eyes again “I’m sorry too.” They both drifted off to sleep. Caitlyn dreamt of the warmth of going out into town with Violet, hand in hand. Attending a progress day celebration with Vi sitting besides her. She woke up in the middle of the night and shivered slightly. She wants it all so bad. She wrapped her arms tightly around Vi, and nuzzled her face into her collar. Shes scared but, Caitlyn would change. She'd make sure it all happens. It has to, for herself, for Vi.