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The gentle patter of rain drew Vi from out of the pages of one of the many books belonging to the Kiramman household. Water trailed down the absurdly fancy windows of the living room, first a few drops, then steadily more and more until the individual streaks blurred. Rhythmic pattering filled her ears, melting the tension from her body.
She was content to sit and watch the rain for several long moments before she rose from the sofa, setting aside the lesbian-dragon-rider novel for later.
A light was on in Caitlyn’s study, emanating from a green lamp on her ornate desk. It cast a golden glow across Caitlyn’s sharp features where she sat with her head bent over a small mountain of paperwork.
Leaning against the doorframe, Vi soaked in the strange peace that had fallen over the estate. Caitlyn wore a purple tank top that bared her arms, her muscles evident with every movement of her pen across paper. Every time she tilted her head, small movements she likely wasn’t even aware of, her ponytail swayed ever so slightly. Her eyebrows were creased, right eye narrowed slightly, intensity focussed.
Vi rapped her knuckles gently on the wall, letting Caitlyn know she was there, before moving any closer. Neither of them did well with surprise greetings.
Though Caitlyn hummed in greeting, her eyes didn’t leave her paper. Vi stopped behind her chair, settling her hands on Caitlyn’s shoulders. Muscles tensed under her hands before relaxing. She took it as permission to fold her arms gently around Caitlyn, resting her chin atop midnight strands.
She glanced over the report in front of Caitlyn, skimming the words before losing interest.
When the form was filled out in its entirety, Caitlyn set it aside. Her hand rested on Vi’s, head tilting back until it forced Vi’s chin off and they made eye-contact. “Hello, love.”
Vi pressed a kiss to the scar that stretched from behind Caitlyn’s eyepatch, trying to forget the sharp panic of finding Caitlyn unconscious and bloodied. “You’re gonna give yourself a headache if you don’t rest your eye.”
“There’s just so much to do.” Caitlyn sighed, closing her right eye, the top of her head against Vi’s stomach.
“It can wait.” Caitlyn hummed in reluctant agreement. Vi’s fingers found the stiffness of Caitlyn’s shoulders, working the muscles there until her knuckles ached. Everything made her hands hurt these days. Especially when it rained. “You should take a break.”
“Should I?” Caitlyn rose from her chair, stretching long arms over her head as she turned to face Vi. “Do you have something in mind?”
“Maybe. It’s raining.”
“It is.” Caitlyn glanced between the window and Vi. “Is that significant?”
Vi offered her hand, a sly smile on her face. “Come outside with me?”
Caitlyn’s eyebrows pinched. Vi knew her well enough to tell she was preparing to ask a series of questions. But the onslaught never came, her expression going soft as she nodded. Trusting Vi enough to humor her.
Hand-in-hand, they made their way through several hallways and down a curving staircase to the front door. Vi had finally gotten her bearings here, able to find her way to Caitlyn’s—now their —room, to Caitlyn’s study, to the several living areas and the kitchen. Mr. Kiramman’s hall remained mostly a mystery, but it was enough that he no longer hated her.
Vi let go of Caitlyn’s hand on the covered porch before stepping into the rain. It soaked her in seconds, sticking her tank top and shorts to her skin, flattening her hair. She turned her face to the sky, inhaling the sweet scent of wet earth. She’d have to bring Ekko topside next time it rained, he’d love it.
Blinking water from her eyes, Vi turned to find Caitlyn still hiding on the porch. “Are you coming?”
Caitlyn’s face scrunched. “Into the rain?”
“Scared of a little water, cupcake?”
Caitlyn huffed, her lips twitching in a small smile, before stepping out onto the paved path that led to her giant house.
Vi greeted her with a kiss. It was wet and a little sloppy, but it chased any chill from her bones. “Doesn’t it feel nice?”
“It feels wet.” Vi waggled her eyebrows, making Caitlyn roll her eyes. “Shut up.”
“I didn’t say anything!”
The strands Caitlyn had left loose around her face were stuck to her cheeks and jaw, dripping water down her neck. Vi pressed closer, until they were a bundle of goosebumped skin, water-sodden clothes, and dripping hair.
“Even the rain in Piltover is better.” In the Undercity, rain was poisoned before it even hit the ground, soiling everything it touched.
“That’s why you wanted to come out?” Caitlyn glanced at the sky, then back at Vi. “Does it snow in the Undercity?”
“Sure, dirt flakes and slush.”
Soft fingers pushed limp hair from Vi’s face. “Piltover has lovely winters. We can go sledding, and I’ll teach you to ski. I think you’d like it.”
A lump formed in Vi’s throat at the way Caitlyn talked about their shared future, the easy ‘ we’, spoken without hesitation. She rested her forehead against the slick skin of Caitlyn’s shoulder. She smelled even sweeter than the rain. “That sounds really nice.”