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Caitlyn sighs softly as she flips to a new page in the file in front of her, fighting to keep her eyes open. Reviewing expense reports is a mind-numbingly dull but unfortunately necessary part of her duty as Piltover’s sheriff. Corruption had run rampant in Piltover’s police force before she took over. Since she was sworn in, she’s made sure to keep a tight eye on everything that happens in the department, down to every expense. It does make for a rather formidable workload, but fortunately she’s always possessed a keen eye for detail.
Tonight, however, she’s extra impatient to finish up the paperwork. It’s nearing midnight, and she wants nothing more than to climb into bed with her girlfriend. Vi has been fighting a cold for the past couple days and Caitlyn hates leaving her alone when she’s unwell. Vi had been fast asleep when Caitlyn snuck out of their bedroom a couple of hours ago, but she’s very much looking forward to returning once she’s finished with her work.
She’s nearly reached the end of the stack of reports when a quiet shuffling makes her snap her gaze up.
Vi pads into the room, her pink hair sticking out in several different directions. She’s rubbing at one bleary eye with the heel of her hand, looking adorably confused and sleepy.
“Cait?” she croaks, her voice raspy and congested.
“Darling.” Caitlyn is out of her chair before Vi is even halfway into the study. She frowns in concern, coming up to her. “What are you doing up?”
“Missed you,” Vi admits. She coughs into a fist then sniffles, sounding miserable. Caitlyn’s heart clenches with fondness and worry.
“Oh, love,” Caitlyn sighs softly, pouting sympathetically. She cups a hand to Vi’s jaw, running a thumb over her pink, flushed cheek. “You sound dreadful. How are you feeling?”
“Throat hurts.” Vi swallows thickly, wincing afterward. “Feel like there’s a frog in it or something.”
Caitlyn’s frown deepens, and she leans in to press a tender kiss to Vi’s forehead, sweeping some of her messy hair to the side. “Let’s get you tucked back in bed, darling. I’ll bring you something for your throat.”
Vi doesn’t resist Caitlyn’s hand on the small of her back, gently guiding her out of the study and back toward their shared bedroom. Once there, Caitlyn pulls back the bedcovers for Vi and helps her into bed, warmly tucking her in.
She sits down on the side of the bed, gazing down tenderly at the love of her life. She lays the back of her fingers against Vi’s cheek, testing her temperature. “Still running a fever, poor thing,” she murmurs, brushing her knuckles over Vi’s jaw. “I think I’ll give you another dose of medicine.”
“You don’t need to fuss, Cait,” Vi murmurs, looking up at her through tired, pink-rimmed eyes. “It’s a cold. I’ll live.”
“Of course I do,” Caitlyn smiles softly, lifting Vi’s hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. “You’re unwell. That means fussing.”
“Lucky me,” Vi chuckles, which turns into a cough.
Caitlyn hands her a glass of water, smirking slightly. “That’s the spirit.”
It doesn’t take long for Caitlyn to make Vi a cup of generously honeyed tea and to bring it back to the bedroom, along with the thermometer, a bottle of medicine, and some tissues.
“Temperature, then tea,” Caitlyn announces, sitting back down beside Vi and settling everything down on the nightstand. “And then you can sleep, darling.”
Vi, who had been dozing off in Caitlyn's absence, sleepily blinks her eyes open. “Any way I can talk my way out of this one?” she croaks, her usual smirk dimmed by fatigue.
“Not a chance.” Caitlyn kisses Vi’s temple, then holds up the thermometer expectantly.
Vi gives her an unamused look but complies anyway, letting Caitlyn slip the device under her tongue. Caitlyn runs her hand through Vi’s hair in slow, soothing strokes while they wait, gently detangling any knots as she goes. She feels so protective when Vi is sick and exhausted like this. She wants to wrap her in her arms and never let her go. Which she might, after she gets some medicine and tea into her.
Once she’s assessed Vi’s fever – higher, but not dangerous – she gives her two fever reducer pills, watching her closely until Vi swallows them down with a sip of water. Then she slides into bed, tugging Vi over to rest against her chest while she sits up against the headboard. She hands Vi the cup of tea, being careful not to spill any.
It’s quiet in the bedroom except for the distant sounds of Piltover, and the occasional cough or sniffle from Vi. She drinks her tea slowly, humming in appreciation. Caitlyn absently traces shapes on Vi’s bare arm that’s exposed from her tank top, holding her close. Although she hates Vi being sick, she does adore the rare opportunity to take care of her like this. To have her in her arms, protected, safe, hers.
After Vi finishes the tea, Caitlyn helps her set the cup aside and switches off the lamp. Vi curls up into her arms, letting Caitlyn hold her close and spoon her from behind. Caitlyn lets out a soft breath, pressing her lips to the back of Vi’s hair, breathing in her familiar scent.
“I love you,” she whispers, tightening her arms around the woman next to her. “Sleep now, my darling.”
Vi hums, her soft, stuffy breaths turning into snores before long. Caitlyn lets herself drift off, her heart full, her arms warm.
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