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Vi clenched her hands around the armor piece, she ran her thumbs along the cold metal feeling her body shake slightly. She couldn't tell if it was from the cold… or if she was scared.
Maybe both.
Hell who was she kidding... she was terrified right now.
“We are meant to lose this fight.”
The door opened behind her making her turn meeting Caitlyn’s eyes. The woman stepped inside and closed the door before she set her rifle down against the wall next to it. She said nothing as she stepped forward gesturing to the armor piece in Vi’s hand.
Vi gave it another look before she nodded, slipping on the armor and holding it up to her chest she felt Caitlyn tug on the straps behind her as they bound the armor close, securing it around her body. Vi felt her heart thump against the cold metal, like it was trapped.
"Does it fit?" Caitlyn asked, her voice softer than usual. Her hands paused on the final strap. She could feel the tension radiating off Vi in tense waves that left her fingers trembling against the metal buckle.
Vi let out a hum, feeling Caitlyn’s fingers running along her back until they clutched the tank top until her head fell back against Vi’s shoulder.
“It fits,” Vi replied, her voice just a whisper. Her breaths felt heavier when she heard Caitlyn let out a sigh of relief.
There was a profound silence for a moment, with only the gentle whisperings of the wind outside and their soft breathing echoing within the room. It was Caitlyn who broke it, her voice soft as she traced her fingers over Vi's shoulder, making goosebumps rise on her skin.
“We will win this fight,” she declared, more to herself than to Vi. It seemed as if she was trying to instill faith within herself, attempting to convince both of them that all wasn’t lost.
“Cait-”
“Don’t.” Caitlyn's interruption was sharp, her fingers tightening on Vi's shoulder. "We have to believe it, Vi. Otherwise..." She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication hung heavily between them.
“I need to say it out loud, Cait,” Vi insisted, her voice tinged with a vulnerability. She turned to face Caitlyn, her gaze resolute despite the shimmer of doubt in her eyes. “If I don’t… If I just pretend everything is okay, then it’s like I’m lying to myself.”
Caitlyn released a sigh, her eyes meeting Vi’s gaze squarely. “I know,” she whispered, lifting a hand to gently cup Vi’s cheek. “I just… I don't want this to be the final goodbye.”
Vi hesitated before reaching up to cover Caitlyn's hand with her own, the warmth seeping through and combating the chill of uncertainty that gripped her. "It's not a goodbye, Cait," Vi said, her voice wavering beneath the wave of emotion. "It is ‘until we meet again.’ We will see each other again.”
Seeing the despair in Caitlyn's eyes, Vi pulled her into a tight embrace - one that offered as much comfort as it did strength. She took a deep breath nuzzling her nose into the woman’s hair before she let out a sigh.
“I wish I could be with you.”
She felt Caitlyn shake her head slightly against her chest. “You will be. Every step of the way, you'll be with me," Caitlyn murmured, her breath warm against Vi's neck, making her shiver slightly. “I can’t let her use you against me. Not again.”
"That's not your fault, Cait," Vi replied softly, tracing a soothing path up and down Caitlyn's back. A heavy silence fell upon them once more.
"Promise me something, Vi," Caitlyn whispered after some time, her voice trembling with unshed tears. She pulled away slightly, just enough to look into Vi's eyes. "Promise me you won't let yourself die for me."
Vi looked at her, the storm raging in her eyes reflected in Caitlyn's gaze. She let out a hum before pressing a gentle kiss to Caitlyn's cheek. "And you have to promise me the same."
A weak smile tugged at the corners of Caitlyn's mouth as she nodded. They pushed their foreheads together, staring into each other's eyes, promises unspoken lingering in the air between them. There was one thing on their mind that they wanted to voice… three words they wanted to express but it was trapped on their tongues. Their hearts pounded out the words in silent rhythm, the symphony only they could hear.
“Be careful,” Caitlyn finally voiced her worry, her fingers tracing Vi’s jawline. She felt a shiver run down Vi’s spine as her hand fell to clasp Vi's. The grip was unfaltering but gentle, a testament to the love that lay hidden amidst the chaos of war.
“I will,” Vi promised, giving Caitlyn's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I always am."
Caitlyn snapped her gaze up at that, a hint of a laugh bubbling from her lips despite the circumstances. “That’s not exactly true.”
Vi responded with a grin. “You aren’t helping my case here, Cupcake.”
Shaking her head again, Caitlyn leaned forward their lips brushing in a featherlike kiss. Both of them however pushed forward deepening the kiss, as if trying to commit to memory the feeling of each other. The warmth, the taste, the comfort.
This wouldn’t be the last time… they had to try, they could make it through.
As the kiss ended, they clung to each other in silence for a few minutes more, trying to make each second last an eternity. Neither wanted to let go, to face the stark reality of what awaited them outside, but the call of duty was there - it was pressing.
Running her thumb along Caitlyn’s cheek she smiled before turning around to grab the Atlas gauntlets. “See you on the other side, cupcake.”
"And I'll be waiting for you, Vi," Caitlyn whispered back, her voice brimming with restrained emotion that made her words tremble slightly. She made her way back to the door picking up her gun and pulling open the door holding it for Vi to exit first.
There was a finality to the action, a quiet resignation that Caitlyn tried to push aside. This wasn't a goodbye, at least, not in the traditional sense. It was more of a promise; a promise that no matter what happened, they would find each other on the other side. They will make it… they will win this.
Vi took a deep breath as she stepped past Caitlyn making her way down the hall towards where the group she was stationed with would be. While Caitlyn turned going down the opposite way towards her own squadron. Their footsteps echoed through the deserted hallway, a somber marching rhythm that felt like the ticking clock of fate.
“I love you.”