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Vi has been stared down by an entire room full of people before, stared down people five times her weight who've wanted her dead.
Somehow this manages to be more intimidating.
She doesn't curl her hands into fists, however, nor does she step back into a fighting stance because Caitlyn's hand is warm in hers, gentle and present.
“大家好，我是Vi. 第一次和大家见面请多指教。”
She doesn't look to Caitlyn for approval because that would give it all away but she's practiced these sentences at least fifty times in the last day, perfected the tones until Caitlyn had thrown a pillow at her and asked her to stop since she'd been right ten times in a row.
It still feels stilted on her tongue but she sees a sharp glint or two melt away into amusement instead, feels the pleased squeeze of Caitlyn's hand on hers.
She'll take it.
Amusement is better than abhorrence, better than having been judged and found to have failed. Cait had laughed and said there would be none of that sort but Vi knows better because Cait is a shitty liar except for when she lies by omission.
And Vi knows how to ask now.
“Meeting the family is a big deal. It's just about the biggest deal there is.”
Ahri had winked.
“If she hasn't mentioned it she probably doesn't want you to know yet but in Ionian culture we don't introduce partners to family, especially not to extended family, unless we intend to marry them.”
Vi squeezes Caitlyn's hand back and lets herself be dragged to the table for Hurdle Number Two, communal dinner.
“Terribly sorry to hear about the Noxus situation,” says someone who Vi was introduced to as a cousin twice removed.
Vi nods back at twinkling brown eyes.
“Quite a troubling nation,” a voice cuts in smoothly from the far side of cousin one. “Fascinatingly equitable but astonishingly brutal and rather greedy, if you'd allow us to say so.”
Vi nods.
She knows of the Noxian invasions of Ionia, knows that Piltover and Zaun had suffered for months but Ionia has been fighting for years.
“We're not very fond of them in these parts,” says cousin one. Is this a cousin to Vi too? There might be another word. The family tree words are horribly complicated and Caitlyn is talking to someone else. Vi will have to figure this out later. “Had we known about their presence in Piltover we would have extended some assistance. It must have been difficult for cousin Caitlyn, fighting alone.”
Vi swallows.
“Yeah,” she says. “It wasn't easy and mistakes were made but I'm really proud of her.”
“Proud.”
There's a lilt to the single word that Vi cannot place.
“Proud,” she says because she knows now what she hadn't known then. “She's incredible--I can't think of anyone with the strength to do what she did.”
A hum from cousin two. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” Vi says with as much certainty as she can inject into a single syllable because she will fight them if they don't think Caitlyn is strong and capable, if they don't trust in Caitlyn's heart too big for her own good.
Another longer hum.
Then cousin one smiles. Cousin two grins.
“Good.”
“You must join us in the baths,” says cousin two.
Caitlyn has been whisked away by aunt five. Vi knows there are six, doesn't know enough to know who's truly in charge.
“Oh, I was going to wait for Caitlyn.”
Cousin one appears at Vi's other elbow, bright eyed and bushy tailed.
“You can wait for her in the baths,” she says. “My mother won't be too long with her.”
Ok, Vi notes. Cousin one is Aunt five's daughter. Good to know.
She does try to steal a glance at the closed doors through which Caitlyn has disappeared. Caitlyn's blue eye does not resurface immediately and she finds herself drooping.
“Come now,” says cousin two. “You don't have to look so put out. We don't bite and we wouldn't dare get on cousin Caitlyn's bad side.”
Vi looks between them.
“You've been waiting for this all evening.”
Cousin one smirks.
“No,” she says. “We've been waiting for this since Caitlyn first left Ionia with a trail of broken hearts behind her.”
Vi pauses.
“You know what,” she says, feeling the same grin spread on her face. “I think I will join you in the baths after all.”
“We’ve been jealous of those blue eyes for a few generations but yours are gorgeous too so it's going to have to be at least three.”
“Three? Eyes?”
“Yes, yes, your eyes are like a stormy sky, the clouds before rain. Hers are the perfect summer sky. We need both.”
“Both.”
“Children, Vi. You’re going to need to give us at least three children. Well, we say you but we’re not picky who carries.”
“Children?”
“Of course. What else did you think we were talking about?”
Caitlyn doesn't make it to the baths before cousin one and two declare that Vi has been in the hot water for too long since her hands are beyond pruny and she's worked up a sweat chuckling at Caitlyn's childhood escapades.
Caitlyn does stumble back into their room flushed prettily from ear to beautiful ear.
Vi leaps up from where she'd been lounging on the bed, catches Caitlyn as she sways.
“I forget how much they drink,” Caitlyn mutters. “I'm going to die, Vi and when I do I'd like for you to cremate me and scatter my ashes in the sea.”
“No,” says Vi, heart clenching even as Caitlyn presses a sloppy kiss to her cheek, almost missing. It is impossibly endearing and stars above she wants to spend the rest of her life with this woman.
“Hm?”
“You're not dying on my watch.”
Caitlyn laughs quietly, draped onto her shoulders, fingers carding through Vi's hair so terribly tender.
“They want a wedding here too,” she says. “Had the gall to pull the you're the last kid from your generation card.”
Vi hums, rubbing Caitlyn's back, running her hands over the muscles that flex and shift under her touch.
“Do you want a wedding here?”
Caitlyn laughs again.
“Gods no, Vi. It's an all day affair. We won't even have time to eat. You'll barely know anyone—”
“Actually,” says Vi. “I'm friends with your cousins.”
Caitlyn blinks a few times in quick succession.
“Already?” She shakes her head, pulling back. Her eye studies Vi's. Then Caitlyn melts into that one smile that Vi knows is only for her. “Of course you have. You charming devil you.”
She tilts her head.
“Do you want one then?”
“A wedding here?”
Isn't it funny, Vi thinks, how they're discussing the wedding like it's a done deal.
“Mmhm.”
Caitlyn's hands scratch lightly, beautifully on her scalp.
“Caitlyn Kiramman,” says Vi. “I'd marry you anywhere.”
Caitlyn's eye widens and it's adorable seeing it click in that wonderful brain of hers. Her smile grows and she leans in for a kiss that Vi meets, hungry.
Caitlyn tastes of smoke and spice, flavors bold and bright. Vi would kiss her forever if only she could but alas they must breathe so their lips part.
Their lips part but Vi leans back in, presses her forehead to Caitlyn's, basks in the light that shines in that one blue eye, blinding.
“Good,” Caitlyn says.