Work Text:
They meet in corners, in dark alleyways, on hidden rooftops, anywhere but their homes, anywhere but where their family and loved ones expect them to be–
But it’s okay. Because Caitlyn’s eye softens at her, her hand a gentle caress on Jinx’s soft, bony face as she cups Jinx’s cheek and jawline. (What once would feel too tender for them both is now their new normal.)
Jinx’s eyes wander to Caitlyn’s black eyepatch that covers her left socket. A scar left from war. One of many painful wounds and memories built between them that they’ll never get to reverse time to fix.
Her eyepatch reminds Jinx of how she had first properly reacted to it when visiting Caitlyn after things had died down. She had remarked how Caitlyn looked like a true pirate now, and would Caitlyn like to run away to Bilgewater with her, where a pirate like her belonged? And Caitlyn had laughed, and laughed, until that gleeful expression had morphed into shock upon realizing Jinx was serious.
And to Jinx’s own surprise, she said yes.
“What are you thinking about?” Caitlyn asks her, all soft worry, concern painted on the downturn of her lips and her scrunched nose.
“Bilgewater,” Jinx mutters and that alone is enough for Caitlyn to smile wide.
Memories flood in as they remember Caitlyn calling off work, telling Vi and her father that she had something to investigate in Bilgewater, her and Jinx sneaking off into a private ship to make the journey, and staying at an old tavern as they explored the local culture.
They had agreed it was better to hide the fact they were together from people they knew. Surely Vi, Caitlyn’s father, and the enforcers would struggle to understand what could possibly forge their connection, so they kept it secret for now. Eventually, they would tell them. But not now.
Now, they had this. Caitlyn bent down to kiss her, pressing Jinx against the brick wall behind her.
Seeking each other’s lips in a hidden alcove, pretending they weren’t seeking solace in each other; something they couldn’t find in anyone else.