Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Worthless. 

It was the third paper of the morning and already Caitlyn was drained of red-ink and any patience for ai-generated essays. They were a waste of time to read, and an even bigger waste of tuition money. 

She’ll never understand why students come to such prestigious institutions and then half-ass every single assignment given to them. Being lazy was one thing, but refusing to offer even the simplest opinion that wasn’t computer-generated was just infuriating at this point. 

It was an introductory Humanities course. Hailed as one of the easiest classes in the curriculum, especially given that it was Professor Heimerdinger’s class— an immortal teaching human ethics, how comical— but it was Caitlyn who had to sit here and sift through the bullshit for him.

Technically, she did ask for it. The work-study program wasn’t anything to brag about, but it did allow her to continue her research while getting paid. Not that it helped much these days, when she was stuck teaching a class that wasn’t hers.

A whistle flitted from behind, “You look like hell, Sprout. Early morning or late night?”

She recognized Jayce’s voice before he even sat down. Most mornings, he was too busy charming the school board to stop by their favorite spot; a local tea room that they liked, specifically because it was off-campus and devoid of undergrads. But today seemed to be a special occasion, if that dimple in his grin had anything to do with it.

“I look perfectly fine, thank you.”

He sat down with a big sigh, shifting his messenger bag onto the ground. He lifted an eyebrow at her, “So you weren’t out last night?” 

Caitlyn tapped her pen on the page, narrowing her eyes. “When was the last time you saw me out?”

“Just figured, since I saw this—”

Jayce pulled out his phone and showed it. It was a blurry video of some party. The front of the house was completely trashed, cups all over the lawn, shirtless guys chugging fountains of beer. What the first two years of every university looked like, unforgettably. The amount of vomit and cheering looked horrendous to be around, but even Caitlyn couldn’t help but the amused smirk. 

But it didn’t last long. Not when she saw the ginger hair and freckles in the next frame. Which may or may not have been her ex-girlfriend getting totally and utterly wasted, and rounded up by campus police. Jayce was already laughing when she glared back up. 

Caitlyn slapped the phone back into his chest. “God, it’s like they’re a different breed.”

It had been months since the breakup but Jayce was nothing if not an old man, so all he did was ask and ask about the one person she didn’t want to talk about. He always liked checking in on her relationships, since all they ever did was argue when it came to politics.

Something Caitlyn easily regretted now, because it was clear he knew entirely too much about her endeavors.

“Oh come on, Maddie was…fun for you. And cute.” 

“Adorable,” Caitlyn agreed, smiling rather humorlessly now, “But I’m afraid adorable doesn’t exactly cut it in bed, at my age.” She waved a hand, “No, she had to go.”

Jayce barked a laugh. “That bad, huh?”

“Not bad,” Caitlyn defended, not that she even really wanted to. Her lips pressed all firm, mulling over her words, “Just…new to it. Not that I know entirely what I’m doing, but… I don’t know. It’s like she kept looking at me to make all the moves, every move, just like all the other girls I grew up with who were ‘too scared’ to even try. Which— I didn’t mind doing, but it’d be nice if I didn’t have to.”

“Oh don’t pretend like you didn’t like it,” Jayce teased. “I’m sure you loved telling those girls what to do and how to do it.”

Caitlyn rolled her eyes, smiling a bit sly, “Well sure, but it gets to a point.” 

“I mean, she seemed like your type at first.”

“I don’t have a type,” Caitlyn corrected. “And if I do, it’s with someone I can hold an intelligent conversation with.” She batted a hand at Jayce’s cheeky grin, “Not that any of this matters because— I’m not looking to date right now. I’m focusing on the job and that’s it.”

“Uh huh.”

If that video decided anything today: it was the last time Caitlyn would date anyone who thought a Cosmopolitan was a career path in the government.

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When Caitlyn arrived at Eckburg Hall later, she was surprised to find her classroom door already open. For some reason, she expected Heimerdinger to be on-time for once in his career. Time management was never that huge a priority after living for a thousand years, but unfortunately, all Caitlyn found was one gigantic mess in the room. 

There were chairs pushed aside, tools thrown everywhere, a tangle of wires and white-dust scattered across the carpet. All of this leading up to the giant hole in the ceiling where the projector used to be, replaced instead with a handyman high up on a ladder. Caitlyn couldn’t even properly gawk at him, all she could see was dirty work boots and grease-stained jeans. 

She scoffed to herself, tiptoeing through the mess to lay down her purse. How was she supposed to get anything done with no projector screen? 

“Excuse me?” She called up. An impatient greeting that soundly went ignored. She could see he was busy up there, but this did seem slightly more important. “Can I help you with something?” 

“Sorry, I’m kinda tied up in some wires here. You mind handin’ me a light?” Caitlyn hesitated at the voice that traveled down, it didn’t sound entirely masculine. 

There was a flashlight sitting in a toolbag nearby. Caitlyn grabbed it and held it up the ladder. The handyman took it without so much as a glance, but the arm that came down had her pausing. No one this side of the river had much taste for tattoos, but this one was decorated heavily in them. 

“So if that’s my projector laying in pieces on the floor, what am I supposed to be using today?” She asked instead, shifting that hand to her hip. “I have three more classes after this, mind you.”

The worker didn’t reply for a moment; either too busy to hear the question or just disinterested in it. “Well. It’s a little old-school, but I’m sure a paper and pen will do.” 

Ha-ha. Caitlyn rolled her eyes. She could practically hear the smile in their voice, hiding up there in the dark. 

The flashlight flicked off, and whatever smart-ass retort Caitlyn had got completely swallowed. When the boots started their descent down and she saw just who it was up there this entire time. 

Because apparently, it wasn’t a handyman hiding in her ceiling—just the most gorgeous butch she’s ever laid eyes on.

And for the first time in a long time, Caitlyn Kiramman was at a loss for words.

Not because Piltover didn’t have masculine lesbians, but well… They were exceedingly rare, and apparently Zaun had their own particular breed of them too. 

Ones that apparently had a thing for short, shaggy pink hair. Her tan skin scoured in black-ink tattoos, which only served to accent the very impressive width of her arms. God. Caitlyn’s never seen a woman with muscles, real genuine muscles. She was practically ripping out of her shirt and in the most ridiculous way. 

Everything about her seemed wildly out of place. In Piltover, at this university. Right in front of her very eyes…

Caitlyn blinked then, fascinated. There was even a little tattoo etched under the lines of her eye, along with a few wrinkles, an age-old scar cut across her—

“You the teacher?” asked the worker. Her own glance at Caitlyn was slow, deliberate; implying some kind of disbelief. Or discomfort, with the way she was staring so openly at her.

Caitlyn shook her head, not only to reply, but also to clear the heart-shaped glimmer from her eyes. She tugged on her button-up blouse with manicured nails, hoping to come off as calm and professional as she was two minutes ago.

“I’m the TA. This is Professor Heimerdinger’s class. Technically,” She added, along with a dismissive hand. “If he decides to bless us with all the time he’s so keen on hoarding.”

The worker nodded, not quite understanding her. Her mouth opened, possibly to ask, but that was when the classroom door burst—laughter and noise erupting from the hallway. A group of chatty students filed in and Caitlyn immediately glowered at them over her shoulder. There really was no reason to be so loud coming into a classroom…

That deep voice returned over her shoulder, easily guiding her attention back, “Right, well. I’ll have to run to the hardware store today and finish this up tomorrow, but it shouldn’t be too hard.” She jerked her chin up towards the projector, where there was still a giant hole in the ceiling. “I got a good look at it today, so I know what I need now. Sorry ‘bout the mess and all.”

She started packing up then, crouching down low to toss a few pliers into a toolbag. Her maintenance shirt rode up at the seam, and Caitlyn was surprised to find even more ink down by her hips, beautiful traces of wispy smoke and machinery. Her stomach fluttered with excitement, intrigue. It was the same design that trailed the back of her arms, all the way up the length of her neck. Was she completely covered under there?

Caitlyn sputtered through her next sentence, politely stepping out of her way, “No, um. Tomorrow would be wonderful, actually. Thank you.” 

“Mhm,” the woman replied. She stood and crossed the toolbag over her back, brushing right past her towards the ladder. Her hands tugged on the hinges, smoothly closing the ladder’s feet between them. Then she proceeded to lift the rest up and over her shoulder, as if it were nothing but a tote-bag to hang off her arm. 

Caitlyn should say thank you again, or ask some other dumb question to keep her around longer, because what the fuck— but even she couldn’t think of anything. Maybe her fucking name, Kiramman? 

But the gorgeous woman just smiled in goodbye, something small, polite and crooked. Something entirely too charming for Caitlyn to think straight. She didn’t even get to smile back before she was gone. 

The woman slid through the classroom door, weaving the ladder around clueless students. Caitlyn followed with an eager step, leaning to catch a view of her leaving down the hall. The way those stained work-pants moved and shifted with every step, the effortless gate in her walk, all the way up to the way those defined shoulders…

Wow.

By the time Caitlyn floated back down from heaven, there was an entire room of students sitting there staring at her. She blinked back.

It seemed Professor Heimerdinger would be late again today.

“Um, good morning everyone,” She turned towards her desk to scatter and re-organize some paperwork, and hopefully hide the blush staining her cheeks. The last thing she needed was to be seen fawning over some stranger in front of the entire student body. “As I’m sure you can tell, we’re having some technical difficulties today, so we’ll be using our books. Papers and pens out, please!”

Caitlyn couldn’t stop thinking about the worker the rest of that day. 

She had no idea why she enraptured her so much, why she felt so giddy about someone she knew next-to-nothing about. 

But it was probably because the only lesbians she knew were…the ones she dated. Girls like Maddie or Luxanna, who were wonderful excursions, but also the only ones available.

There weren't many lesbians in her university that stood out or made it known, not like that maintenance woman anyhow. Not to imply that Caitlyn was hiding by any means, but obviously it was easier for others to assume she wasn’t gay when she preferred skirts and heels most days. 

It was exciting to find someone so different. Someone so unapologetically themselves, outside of her tiny circles. Someone brave enough to wear it on their face every single day. 

It gave Caitlyn so much hope about herself, the future of it all. She never thought about how she might be when she was older. She’s never seen more than a handful that weren’t obscure celebrities in her life—

Especially not ones so insanely hot. 

Caitlyn tapped a nail against Professor Heimerdinger’s desk. She was watching her favorite stranger get herself organized with whatever she bought from the hardware store, fiddling with some plastic packaging she had trouble opening.

“Alright so,” She began, with a sigh, “I got this type of bulb, but if that doesn't work it might be something with the wiring. Which wouldn’t be the end of the world, but I would have to run back to the shop on the other end of campus and get something for that. I know they told me this place was like, historically preserved when they hired me, but whoever built this place and revamped it was working with like historic shit—so it’s taking me a minute to figure out,” She caught herself rambling and glanced up, smiling a bit sheepishly. “Sorry, I don’t mean to talk your ear off about this stuff.”

She finally got the bulb out of the packaging, moving her way up the ladder. Caitlyn waved a hand, the heels of her shoes bouncing together, “No, it's…cool. Very interesting.”

The woman huffed somewhere above, like something about her or that lie was cute. Caitlyn hoped it was both. “Don’t you have an assistant or someone to help you with this?”

“I do, but there's only two of us and it's a big school. We kinda just fill in wherever they need us.”

Caitlyn hummed, enjoying the view now while she could. “Well you seem very knowledgeable at this.” 

She snorted as she came back down the ladder, and Caitlyn beamed at the amusement in her eyes. Her head weighed back and forth as she tossed the lightbulb aside, “You do something for 15 years and you oughta be.” 

“My name’s Caitlyn, by the way,” She mentioned then, holding a hand out.

The woman glanced at the gesture, then back up. Not surprised at the formality but…curious by the gaze that came with it. 

“Vi.”

Vi. Short, sweet. Simple and to-the-point. Much like the woman herself. Caitlyn liked it. 

Vi clasped her waiting hand, gave it a one strong shake that Caitlyn enjoyed entirely too much. When she released, her fingers tingled and Vi immediately went back to the packaging of the second lightbulb, sliding next to her against the desk, trying to get past the plastic seal. 

Caitlyn watched the way her fingers worked over it. “So Vi, what else are you knowledgeable about?” 

Something about the dip in her tone had the woman pausing. Along with the bare knee now brushing towards her own. Vi went very still, but her expression gave nothing away. She was trained, guarded. Whatever thoughts she had, she knew how to keep them to herself. 

“A few things,” She attempted, drifting off. “Here and there.”

Caitlyn hummed and pushed off the desk, so she might stretch her legs— and give a rather shameless show of the outfit she picked today. Kitten heels, a skirt and shapely blouse with a few open buttons. All respectful for the classroom, of course, but Caitlyn knew where her most notable features laid. And it seemed Vi did as well, with the way those eyes traveled the length of her legs. 

“Perhaps, if it's not too much trouble…you could tell me more?” She went on, swaying closer so she might slide her way between those legs. They widened for her, just by a fraction. When her chest leaned in and Caitlyn made a very noticeable display of her height, forcing Vi to stare up at her. “Say, over dinner sometime?”

Now Caitlyn didn’t know where this surge of confidence came from, but it seemed well worth the shift in Vi’s expression. When the lines of her face softened, realizing what Caitlyn meant. The way she didn’t seem to expect this. At all. Her guard lowered slowly, second by second, and it was so lovely to watch. 

Caitlyn always was excellent at taking the lead, especially when she saw something she wanted. There was an art to it, a sort of skill-expression. Another thing she found herself to be quite known for in the last year or so. 

Seems like she still had a talent for it. Now that Vi had her mouth open, her face nearly matching the color of her hair. 

Oh, she’s adorable.

But Vi still didn’t say anything—she just bursted into this grin, one of disbelief, tearing her eyes away to glance at the open door, all the students and staff passing by. Her hands hovered by her hips, very outwardly, as if afraid to touch.

“Oh um…” She stammered, “Look, uh. No offense but...I don't really think so...”

And just like that, Caitlyn felt her lungs drop. Along with her mouth, and any and all confidence she might've built from the last four years. 

Because what do you mean no?

Vi seemed to notice the unspoken accusation, sitting right there on her tongue. Her eyes went wide with sympathy, going on with a breathy laugh, “I just mean, like— how old are you?” 

How old? Caitlyn was so busy trying to wrap her head around the rejection, she barely even understood the next question. Not that she much liked either. 

She closed her eyes to contain her tone, “I told you, I TA for the school. I-I mean I’m still enrolled, but I’m not some undergrad—”

“And you didn't…answer my question,” Vi smiled then, gently.

The softness in her tone made Caitlyn’s cheeks burn. She had no idea why she felt this way, like such a child now. She straightened herself up, mustering up the courage to meet her gaze. 

“I’m 25,” She confirmed.

She was turning 26 in a few months, but saying that didn't seem like it would help much…

Caitlyn frowned as Vi laughed in response, scratching at the scar on her eyebrow, “Right yeah. Look, I’m flattered and all, but...it’s just probably not the best idea.” 

“You can't be that much older,” Caitlyn rolled her eyes, swaying that knee again—

“I’m 39.”

Oh.

Caitlyn blinked again, this time taking her time to notice the very fine lines around Vi’s eyes. As if trying to find the years behind them. 

“...Oh,” She mumbled, taking a step back.

Vi chewed on her cheek, looking a bit embarrassed now. Suddenly smaller, more tired. She attempted to smile again, but this one didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah, so. Me having some 25 year old smokeshow on my arm… Y’know. Just, probably wouldn’t be the best look.” 

Caitlyn pouted then, her mind already working to make the math work. It took a few seconds before she perked up, “You think I’m smokin’?”

Aha. She successfully caught a grin from Vi, a genuine one. Her eyes gleamed something so beautiful, but it was turned away from her within seconds, as if afraid to be caught with it. She rubbed her face instead.

Caitlyn couldn’t help but go on, tripping over her words, “It’s not…that bad. I-I mean it’s only a few years and—”

“And if you have to think this hard to justify it,” Vi teased, though it was given with a very sober look. 

Caitlyn scoffed aloud, stepping back to put a hand on her hip. “I am not some simpering nineteen-year-old. I happen to be very well respected…among the other teacher assistants...”

Vi seemed amused with her again, but it wasn’t in the way Caitlyn liked. She wasn’t taking her seriously at all. She even perked up, as if that somehow answered her own question, “Yeah? So there you go.” 

Something in Caitlyn’s expression told her exact feelings towards that. Absolutely not. Vi eased up immediately, rolling her own eyes, “Look, eventually you’re gonna wanna find someone you can talk to, someone you have things in common with.”

She was trying to put an edge to her tone, to sound very serious explaining this. But Caitlyn’s mind was already set. “Well we’re talking right now, aren't we?” She countered.

Vi just sighed again, shaking her head and smiling. Like everything she said was cute. Caitlyn couldn’t tell if that infuriated or embarrassed her more, because what? It was a genuine argument. 

She understood Vi’s reluctance, but she also didn’t see what was so wrong with it. This, them. She wasn’t even willing to give her a chance.

“Okay, um,” Vi stood up from the desk, setting the packaging aside, and Caitlyn immediately frowned at the action. “I think I’ll come back in a few hours and finish this up. But uh, yeah. It should be all fixed for you by the end of the day.”

Vi moved a bit and Caitlyn took a reluctant step back, allowing the distance between them. She fought hard then to find something to say, some way to convince her, but she couldn’t think fast enough. 

And maybe she felt a little self-conscious now too…

The age thing just felt like such a non-reason for Vi to reject her. She was a perfectly consenting adult. So what if she was a little younger than her? 

…Was it some excuse? Was Vi just not that attracted to her and didn’t want to say so? A few nervous fingers ran through the ends of her hair as Vi got her things together. She’d worn it down today, put on one of her favorite perfumes…

Vi lingered by the open doorway, hesitating now, once she had her toolbag around her back. She started to say something, but seemed to decide against it. 

She called out softly then, apologetic. “I’ll catch you around, okay?”

Caitlyn nodded, offering a polite smile back. “Sure.”

The silence that filled the room dug its way into her mouth, the frown that now spread across her lips. She slumped down into the professor’s chair and blew a hair from her face. 

Because for the first time in a long time, Caitlyn Kiramman had to consider the fact that she might not always get exactly as she wants…

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After that day, Caitlyn spent the better part of the next week busying herself with classwork, trying to decide where she went wrong.

She hated when things stuck to her like this. Like a weed buried in her brain, refusing to die every time she tore it out. She’d been over countless reasons why Vi could’ve rejected her, and it didn’t help that every time she pointed to the brand new projector during class, she was reminded again of the whole ordeal. 

Professor Heimerdinger was already sick of her attitude. The impatience in her tone every critique, the way she brooded through most of the class. But she couldn’t help it.

Caitlyn has successfully gotten every girl she’s ever pursued. Not for bragging rights, or anything like that, just as a fact. Given they were all less experienced than her, so it wasn’t especially hard but…

No, no.

Caitlyn already knew the solution to this. She simply needed something new to fixate on. A project or some kind of distraction. Which she had plenty to choose from, she reminded herself. But she knew her brain well enough to know how it worked, especially when it came to feeling like an underachiever. She would just have to excel in other ways.

Since apparently, it wasn’t with dating anymore.

The only thing this job did was confirm she never wanted to be a teacher. She enjoyed the overload that came with Professor Heimerdinger’s class, fixing up his loose ends, using it to strengthen her own research as she finished her Master’s degree. 

It was a good week of hard work and productivity, of feeling like she was on the right path towards success—

And that was the exact moment Caitlyn ran into her favorite stranger, standing out in the back parking lot.

A single flash of pink and nothing but that same embarrassment twisted her stomach. She wanted to run and hide before Vi saw her, but forced herself not to.

This wasn’t the first time Caitlyn had said the wrong thing, or assumed things about people that she shouldn’t have. She never liked admitting herself wrong, but she was grown enough to know when to do it anyway. Vi deserved no less treatment.

Caitlyn sucked in a breath, and continued down the stairs.

There was a pickup truck parked off the side of the building, some toolboxes and equipment loaded into the bed. Vi was standing in the sun with a baseball cap, a foot on the tire, in another maintenance shirt and brown khaki pants. 

Caitlyn approached from behind, tugging nervously on her sleeves, but Vi was too busy texting on a shattered phone screen to notice.

“All done for today?”

Vi turned as soon as she heard the clack of heels on the pavement. She squinted through the rays of sun, shutting her phone off before she spoke. “Uh, no. Just heading to the other campus. One of the newer buildings, I guess. Gotta help out on a job there.”

Caitlyn nodded, brushing her hair from the wind. “You mean Bluewind Court? It’s off-campus technically. But I live over there as well. Not that far, I usually walk.” 

“Yeah the GPS here kinda sucks, but I’m sure I’ll find it.” 

The door to her truck bed lifted up and Vi gave a hard slam to make sure it locked. The woman scuffed around to the drivers side, dismissing her, and Caitlyn chewed on her cheek as she dug around for her keys.

“If you’re heading that way, would it be too troublesome to ask for a ride?” She asked, trying to sound brave. “…I didn’t exactly bring the best walking shoes.”

Vi leaned to glance at her heels, then back up. She didn't really seem to believe her, and it was by no means her best work, but it couldn’t hurt to try. 

“Uh, sure…” She said, fiddling with her keys. “You can hop up front.”

The car opened and Vi ducked into her seat, but when Caitlyn pulled the handle the door didn’t budge. It wasn’t until Vi got settled and leaned over to shove the latch that the door popped with a loud squeak. “I got it,” She muttered once Caitlyn backed up.

There were scattered tools and trash everywhere, stacks of files and work folders Vi moved from the passenger seat up onto the dashboard. Even the floor had a few paper bags, full of empty beer cans. “Sorry ‘bout the shit everywhere,” She mentioned, once catching Caitlyn’s eye. 

Well it wasn’t exactly clean, but it was certainly practical. She even had a few heavy metal buttons pinned on the roof, old keepsakes wrapped around the rearview mirror. The whole space felt like her, smelled like her. 

Caitlyn eased into her seat, buckling herself in, “Don’t worry about it. I’m surprised, I never expected the school to give trucks like this to their staff.”

“They didn’t, this one’s mine.” Vi said. She didn't bother buckling her own, just started the ignition.

The engine sputtered once, twice, and roared to life. Vi waited until the noise faded to speak again, checking her mirror as she backed up, “The school just outsources us, technically. I work for an electrical company but we mostly fix whatever. Kinda a…family business, I guess. But the school pays well, so can't really complain.”

Her voice was pleasant, Caitlyn decided. Vi wasn’t softspoken by any means, a rather gravelly tone, but she enjoyed listening to it. A comfortable silence fell as Vi left the parking lot, heading over towards the main road.

It occurred to Caitlyn, watching her now, that maybe she really was just more curious about her than anything. Attracted yes, obviously, but...

Perhaps her initial reaction came from more fascination than anything else. A silly overexcitement. Finally finding someone like her, someone she could connect to, relate to.

Caitlyn shifted in her seat, leaning her knees towards her. Hoping it came off more sincere than anything else. “I wanted to apologize for coming off so strong before. I…wasn’t really thinking when I did it. I think I just saw you and well, got caught up in the moment.”

There was a little smile there, but Vi kept her eyes on the road. “Don’t worry ‘bout it. You’re not the first little cupcake to try their luck at this school. It’s alright.” 

Caitlyn rolled eyes at the nickname, crossing her arms over her chest. She didn’t like the thought of being compared to all the other blushing lesbians that probably came up to her, embarrassing themselves the same way she did. 

It was no wonder. One could tell Vi’s exact taste from a mile away, there was no doubt about it. Her values, what she stood for. She dressed that way very much on purpose, instead of hiding behind the veil of insecurity. Any girl would be instantly attracted to her, to that. 

“I’m sure you've gotten types like me quite a lot, then?” Caitlyn mused, not that she really wanted to know.

“Hm, not like you,” Vi smirked. Her fingers danced along the wheel. “But, yeah.”

“I wouldn’t have assumed,” Caitlyn lowered the window for a bit of wind. “I feel like sort of a rare commodity these days.”

“Well some of us are probably more obvious than others.”  

Caitlyn looked back over to that smile, the both of them sharing something small. Something like a secret. She wondered if Vi was able to tell at all before she made herself so known. 

“How did you meet others?” She asked, then added with a grin, “Back in the day?” 

Vi didn’t mind the joke at all. She shrugged, “Through friends mostly, I guess. Bars. Nothing special.” 

Caitlyn nodded, “Do you have a lot of girlfriends?” 

For a moment, Vi went quiet. Debating perhaps how to answer that question. Her head shook again, amazed by her nerve. But eventually she answered, once the silence fell into something curious. Genuine. 

“A few girls that are friends, yeah.” She attempted. “Some that aren't.”

Those fingers started dancing again and Caitlyn watched them on the wheel, charmed by her choice of words. If she’s learned anything about Vi, it’s that she knew how to say little with even less. 

But it was a strange honesty Caitlyn liked. Hearing the truth seemed riveting these days when it seemed everyone was out to prove something, or profusely deny it. 

“It’s hard finding what I like sometimes,” Caitlyn felt the need to confess, pulling a few wispy hairs from her face. “I feel so picky when it comes to girls, it feels near impossible for me to really truly like any of them.”

Vi glanced her way then, eyebrows furrowing, “What, you’ve never…?”

“Well I didn't say that,” Caitlyn batted a hand, laughing. "Please."

“Wasn’t judging,” She insisted, with a grin. 

The car slowed as they pulled around a few twisty turns Caitlyn pointed out, every new direction confirmed with squeaky brakes.

“I had one ex, and she was sweet and everything, but I just wasn't very attracted to her.” Caitlyn went on, with a heavy sigh at the memories. “She was the only girl I knew that liked other girls, so...”

The rest of the sentence trailed off, and Vi nodded in understanding.

“It’s not gonna be perfect your first time, or first couple times,” Vi offered. “It’s different with girls, y’know. And no one ever says, but it’s hard to know what you like when you're young and no one knows what they're doing down there.”

Caitlyn hummed a laugh, a knowing one that Vi shared. If she had a dime for every time Maddie, or any of the girls she’d been with had fallen asleep or simply given up before Caitlyn could get her favor returned…

It was always just so incredibly unsatisfying. And expected now, at this point. She always used to wonder if maybe there was something wrong with her, why it felt so easy for other girls to feel so taken care of and happy, but not her.

“You just gotta find someone you're comfortable with,” Vi told her, as if she knew exactly what she was thinking. “Once you find someone you really like, trust me. It won't even be a thought in your head.”

Her knees bounced thinking about it, and Caitlyn felt warm suddenly, safe. The driveway to her house appeared around the corner, and she wished she had more time to stay here like this. 

“Well, thanks for the ride,” She said, pulling her purse up on her lap. Her hand went to the handle but Vi leaned over the seat before she could even try.

“Here, sorry, it gets stuck.” 

Soft pink hairs tickled her cheek, and the strands smelled like wood and sweat, same as the rest of her. Caitlyn kept her hands firmly clenched on her lap, resisting all the thoughts that came with it.

The door popped open with one hard tug of the handle, screeching again, and Caitlyn smiled as Vi sat back in her own seat. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to leave, but not before giving Vi a soft peck on the cheek. Just something to say goodbye.

“Thanks, um. I’ll see you around?” 

Vi just sat very still, with no expression made. Other than a careful lift to her brow. Her hands made a point to stay on the wheel. “Uh huh.”

Something about that gaze made Caitlyn blush, fighting her own embarrassed smile. She really did hate being so seen through, but it also thrilled her like nothing else. 

She hopped down from the car and felt a nest of butterflies in her belly the entire walk towards the door. She heard the familiar squeak of the door slam shut, but not the accelerator working up. 

Caitlyn turned on her porch and found the truck still there, idling. And then she realized Vi was waiting for her to get inside.

She fumbled for her keychain, fighting another rush, and clumsily escaped behind the door. Only once she heard the engine drive off did Caitlyn finally sigh out. 

You’re 25, She miserably reminded, purse dropping to the floor. Please act like it. 

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Chapter Text

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It had been a late night in Eckburg Hall, and Caitlyn had been buried in paperwork for days now, trying to keep her eyes open.

On Tuesdays, Professor Heimerdinger held open office hours for the students. If certain undergrads wanted help with their research papers, essays, or the occasional emotional breakdown, they were allowed fifteen minutes to come in and sob over the question of their lives, before dutifully getting back to the topic at hand. 

Caitlyn only came to fill a quota, as required by his assistant, but she didn’t mind getting some of her own work done to pass the time. It was rather peaceful in the teacher’s lounge and her thesis was due in only a few short months. 

Typically, she never bothered confiding in Heimerdinger with her studies. His assignment to Human Ethics was largely due to a shortage of staff, not for any particular passion of the human psyche. But Caitlyn liked to pick his brain regardless, sure there was wisdom in there somewhere, after Jayce had been his mentee in the science department for so many years.

It felt nice to follow in his shoes, though her assignment to Heimerdinger’s class was purely by coincidence. Their chats were simple, polite; sometimes philosophical if the hour grew late, but gradually the respect had grown. Especially after the first few corny jokes Caitlyn convinced herself to laugh through, just so the Professor wouldn’t be discouraged to try and make her smile. 

Both of them sat behind their desks, scattered in heavy textbooks and warm light from the single lamp in the room. They had successfully planned at least half of the year’s curriculum, after debating all sorts of sources and research that would best educate the students.

But it was getting late, so Heimerdinger would probably leave soon. He never really was one to overwork himself. Not like how Caitlyn was prone to anyhow, instead of returning to her home alone.

“Professor?” Caitlyn called, once the Yordle hopped off his stool, stretched his little legs. “May I ask you a sort of…personal question?”

Heimerdinger was as impersonal as one could get, so all he did was blink towards her. His silence seemed like enough permission to go on.

"How long have you technically been alive?"

"What a curious question, you know I never even thought to count," He chuckled, thinking over it now. "I left Bandle City when was a mere lad, but by your standard, it most likely would've been few thousand years."

A few thousand years? Caitlyn winced. She wondered what someone like him must think interacting with a being who'd only existed for a fraction of his age. How the two of them found anything in common.

She was probably more similar to his pet Poro than anything else, in that capacity. Exceedingly adorable, but not very engaging. 

Heimerdinger gave her the same look he had for days now, during class. Not quite concern, but an intellectual curiosity. "Why do you ask, dear?”

She went back to her deskwork, tapping a pen on the page, "Well I was just curious if you ever found yourself...attracted to anyone with a few notable years between you.” She chewed her lip. “And possibly, how you might have pursued that?"

Luckily, the Professor was too busy walking towards his briefcase and coat to see the flush on her cheeks. But truth be told, she'd been thinking over this dilemma entirely too much lately. That was the thing.

Caitlyn knew it was all infatuation. Delusion. Something she was trying very hard to dismiss, to plausibly deny and work through. While she wasn't very outward with her emotions, she was very in tune as to what they had to say.

She never fell for girls, not so easily. She wasn't even sure if she truly had before.

But it was nights like these Caitlyn couldn't help but sit and wonder.

"I've had my fair share of lovers in my day," Heimerdinger commented, quite proudly. "I remember having a lovely time with this fishy fellow, a cheerful lad and a wonderful chef that served the finest of Zaun's cuisine. Oh, we both certainly had our fill back then,” He chuckled, and Caitlyn tried not to gag.

“But that tis the thing! Chemistry, in any form, is sporadic, instantaneous. As we’ve so often seen with our kind. But it burns quick!” His nose quivered with excitement, “One must apply time, or lack thereof, to any solution and hope that it heals instead of wounds.”

It took a few moments for Caitlyn to ponder over that. Heimerdinger simply went on his tiptoes for his gloves, wiggled his paws in. By the time he was done, all she had to offer was a weak smile. Not really feeling any better.

"Right, um. Goodnight, Professor. Thank you."

He winked, humming through the open door. "Don't work yourself too late, dear. You're far too young to be holed up in here, hiding from the realm of possibility." 

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It was ten minutes until her 5:30 class and Caitlyn was halfway across campus, twisting her hair up into a clip and clacking down the wrong hallway.

It came to her that night, like an epiphany. Perhaps it was the chat with the Professor, perhaps it was her frontal lobe finally developing.

Her life span was only so short, and she had spent far too much of it living by the expectations of other people. If she wanted something out of her future, she would first have to admit it out loud. Beyond fantasizing it at night, or wishing for it when alone.

She didn’t want a life dictated by her name or lineage, or the ghostly whispers of her late mother. She wanted one surrounded by people she could find solace in, excitement and solidarity, people that made the world a far more interesting place.

So, it was entirely possible that Caitlyn may or may not have checked the maintenance office after hours, and charmed the desk assistant to see any in-progress work orders. Which may or may not have led her to Towler Hall, where there was a faulty keypad on one of the storage rooms needing a new set of batteries.

And so of course, and by total coincidence, Caitlyn ran into Vi fulfilling her work order. A utility belt hanging off her hip, those dark brows arched into focus, fighting with what seemed to be an empty doorknob. She had a loose screw hanging from her lips.

Caitlyn slowed down on her approach forward, trying not to appear so breathless. She fixed her bangs, held onto her purse with both hands, like a professional.

“Oh, Vi. Hi.”

The woman flinched at her voice, turning into the blur of passing students, before finally settling back on her. She always looked so confused that anyone would be talking to her. “…Hey.”

“Fancy running into you here,” She leaned against the wall. Vi skimmed her outfit, from her glasses down to her heels, and the screw fell from her lip. She chased after it, inviting a rather shameless glance on Caitlyn’s end.

Vi came back with the same smile she always had. A little crooked, unsure. But always handsome, always kind.

“I just wanted to say it was really nice getting to talk to you the other day,” She went on, bouncing her heel, “It was nice to talk about stuff—like that. With, you know. Someone who gets it.”

Vi nodded slowly, like she was starting to understand where this was going. “Yeah, it was nice talking to you too.”

A few students rushed by and Caitlyn brushed closer, careful with her voice, “Actually um. I was wondering, and I know you mentioned…”

The words escaped her mouth like the air from her lungs. She had no idea why she was fumbling like this. Why even speaking to Vi made her feel like she was fourteen again. All of this, everything about her, felt so ridiculous but she just couldn’t stop the bubble in her chest.

She forced a breath in, covering her nerves with a laugh, “Um. You mentioned having friends…like you and I-I was wondering—”

“Caitlyn,” Vi interrupted. She licked her lips, trying not to smile, “Are you trying to get me to…set you up with one of my friends?”

Her ears went pink, furious. “No! No, not like that. I just feel like— it was nice to be around someone more mature, and— and someone who knows what they are, and what they want and—” She squeezed her eyes shut just to get to the goddamn point, “I just think it would be nice to meet your friends, okay?”

She didn’t want to come here and sound like such a loser, but it was impossible to deny anymore. Asides from Jayce and a few other mutual classmates helping with her thesis, she was 25 and practically friendless. She refused to allow that anymore. Caitlyn wanted to change, but she had to start somewhere. 

This seemed like an exceptional opportunity. 

Vi took all this in, shaking with laughter. Her shoulder hit the wall, “Right. To talk,” She drawled. “Not ‘cause they’re a bunch of hot older ladies, of course.”

“Don’t give me that look,” Caitlyn swiftly defended, narrowing her eyes. “I’m not lying.”

Sure, she liked a scheme every now and again, but this was different. She meant all this genuinely, despite the frustration in her tone, “You know, ever since I finished my undergraduate it’s like there's no one around anymore. That I can, you know, talk to about things. And I know what you’re going to say, well sure, they have clubs and things, but it's all freshmen and online discord mods who’ve never interacted with a lesbian in real life, much less dated one, and—and—”

Caitlyn sighed out, seething now, and it really didn’t help that Vi looked more lost with every word. “I’m a TA! I know you don’t think so, but it's not the same! I’m old now!”

“Ouch,” Vi laughed, and if Caitlyn wasn’t so miserable it would’ve been music to her ears. Her smile took up her entire face, cheeks and all, “Gonna have to suck it up, Cupcake. Join a club.”

Vi went back to her keypad, aligning the frame into place while ignoring that wrinkle in Caitlyn’s nose. “You never know who you’re gonna meet, none of this shit ever happens the way it’s supposed to.” She droned, “And it's not even that big an age difference, it's just a few years. I’m sure you can find things to talk about.”

She bent low to stick one of her screws into the divot, twist it in with her fingers. Caitlyn watched, delighted with the advice. “Oh well, if that’s the case, then I’m sure the same could be said for you and I.”

Vi sighed from her nose and turned that gaze on her. It lit up every nerve inside her. When Caitlyn saw that flicker, the knowing one she couldn’t resist, couldn’t hide. She smiled in response, all too proud of that one.

After struggling for a few moments, the screw fell back into her palm and Vi eventually gave up on it. Her head shook again, but not as any answer or reply; it was small, strange. Something that made her seem so young when she did it.

“You don’t want to hang out with a bunch of old dykes, Caitlyn,” Vi told her, muttering to the floor.

“You’re not old,” She insisted. “Just…older.”

Those grey eyes flicked to her. Not believing a word. “Fine, 35-year-old dykes.”

Her fingers went all scattered again, trying to find a grip on those flimsy screws and Caitlyn just shouldered her bag, closed her hands around them.

They went strangely still, right as her thumbs brushed over the knuckles. A little worn, a little scarred. But gentle nonetheless. “I really do.”

She hoped there was something earnest and sincere about her, and that’s why Vi took so long to agree. She sighed heavily then, as though she had no other choice.

“Okay, alright. Fine,” She busily took her hand away. “I can’t promise anything and I’ll have to see when they’re free, they work a lot, but…”

“That’s okay,” Caitlyn nodded eagerly. The gleam in her eye said it all.

She’ll wait. Prettily. And forever.

Of course she would.

Her smile turned a bit victorious then, but Caitlyn stifled it, not wanting Vi to see how perfectly this was working for her. “So, can I get your number? Just to keep in touch?”

Vi saw through her anyway. Though she didn’t say anything about it. Her chin jerked out instead, “How about I get your number and I’ll text you.”

Oh, please.

Did she really think Caitlyn was going to be keeping her up all night, sending endless strings of texts and emojis?

She held her hand out anyway. “Fine, deal.”

Without another word, Vi dug through her back pocket and held it over for Caitlyn to type into. Her fingers danced across the shattered screen, heart thumping with each press of the key.

Alright, she might send a heart emoji or two. If Vi does ever text her.

But only to tease her about it, of course.

With the target acquired and mission accomplished, Caitlyn turned and Vi watched her go, disappearing down the hall with loud, confident clacks of her heel.

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Chapter Text

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It was the night of the house party and Vi had texted the night of, as expected. Just a small greeting, details about the address. As impersonal and nonchalant as the woman herself.

Caitlyn arrived only slightly late, which was impressive considering how many outfits she laid out on her bedspread. Maybe it was just an excuse to take her time, calm her heart. Vi gave absolutely no clue as to what to expect from her friends, and she wanted to make a good impression. 

The party was in the West Entresol, one of the more classy neighborhoods that bordered the river pilt. Not too far from Caitlyn’s own home. Although seeing it now, Vi’s house was incomparable to her little apartment.

This place was big and tall, colored with flowery gardens and fairy lights twisting through the pathway up. She could hear the soft hum of music and laughter inside, and the door swung open before she could even climb the stairs.

A few tipsy guests escaped into the night, leaving Caitlyn to face another woman in the doorway.

She was stunning. A redhead with a white turtleneck, warm eyes and a golden smile. The door widened for her, “Coming in?”

“Yes, thank you,” Caitlyn quickly stepped up, trying not to stare.

It was more cozy than expected inside, a few sitting rooms filled with Targon-esque rugs, painted art and sculptures. What Caitlyn was most surprised to find was severe lack of testosterone in the room. There were barely two men out of the two dozen and even they seemed very…attached at the hip. 

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before,” said the woman, leading her in further. “You must be one of Neeko’s friends?”

“Um,” Caitlyn said, sliding her way through a few bodies, “Vi’s, actually.”

“Vi?” She nearly laughed, glancing back at her. “Right, I guess she did mention that.”

It took a while for them to make it down the hallway, this particular guest seemed to know everyone here and made an effort to greet them along the way. Caitlyn still couldn’t quite believe her eyes, she’s never seen so many different kinds of women all in one room. They all looked so...happy, swaying together, whispering and laughing. 

She blinked, fascinated. Was everyone here a lesbian?

That felt impossible, logistically, but it was also looking very possible—

They made it past the dining room towards the kitchens, and there were a few women sitting at a table on the open patio. Certainly older than the ones inside, leaning back and playing cards over the music, a few beers. 

One very notable butch caught Caitlyn as she lingered past, smirking around the big stogie in her mouth. She winked as soon as she laid eyes on her.

“Vi? Looks like your little friend is here,” The redhead called into the kitchen. She turned back with a hand on her shoulder, “Sorry, darling. Tell me your name again?”

She blinked away from the patio. “Caitlyn Kir–um. Just Caitlyn.”

“Caitlyn,” She greeted, “I’m Leona.”

While they waited, Leona got distracted by another face and Caitlyn felt herself buzz at all the eyes on her. What felt like eyes on her. Vi came out of the kitchen wiping wet hands on her pants. Wearing nothing but paint-stained jeans and a sleeveless band tee, along with a few necklaces.

And...oh. 

Caitlyn immediately felt overdressed, underdressed, and completely naked all at once.

Her heart seized once Vi took her in. She’s never seen her so comfortable. She looked so at home here, not like the school where everyone either ignored her, or stared too hard.

Her eyes weren’t so tired, or overworked. In fact, they seemed strangely bright under these lights.

“Oh my god,” Caitlyn greeted, once Vi came over. “I’m completely overdressed.”

“Oh uh,” Vi said, glancing down to her dress. A little slimmer than usual. Still with long sleeves, tall black boots. Her chest slightly exposed, more so than usual. She even replaced her glasses for contacts so she didn't seem so...technical. Something Caitlyn thought would be appropriate considering the other dinner parties she’s attended, though those were thrown by benefactors… 

But Vi just stared at her now, a bit speechless, “No, no you look— great, um—” 

“Are you sure?” Caitlyn asked, realizing now how dumb she must look. 

It was a party full of butch lesbians and she just walked in here all dolled up looking like some controversially young girlfriend, which pretty much defeated the entire purpose of coming here. 

This had to be so embarrassing for Vi. She felt all her fingers get nervous, and it didn’t help that she could still see that same butch smirking over her hand of cards, smoke billowing from her nostrils. Only now, she had a pretty Vastayan seated on her lap. Her gaze was nothing short of a crosshair.

“Didn’t realize you were such a cougar, Vi,” She hollered. The girl on her lap slapped her chest, but she didn’t even budge. "And after all that shit-talk, huh?"

Both of them caught that smirk, but Caitlyn glanced away first. She swallowed, feeling only slightly humiliated as a few other ladies chuckled. More so for Vi than herself.

This had to be exactly why she didn’t want to be seen with her, and yet here she was, insisting on inserting herself here—

“Oh fuck off ‘Vika,” Vi called out, just as loud. Her voice carried across the room, inviting another chuckle from the table. 

She nodded her head over for Caitlyn to follow, carelessly leading her back towards the living room. “I can’t stand her,” Vi muttered. “Don’t listen to them, they’ve been a pain in my ass for years.”

“Maybe I should go—” Caitlyn blurted suddenly.

She didn’t mean for that to slip out, but now she couldn’t take it back and her feet felt glued to the floor. Vi stopped halfway through the archway, trying to gauge her expression.

She didn’t care about any of the other guests, or being in the way. She just waited for them to pass before speaking, “Why? You just got here.”

“I-I know, but—”

She didn’t know how to explain this. Any of it. Why she felt so awkward, so out of breath. These weren’t the types of parties she ever went to. All of her friends growing up were adults, or animals, and now she was here, surrounded by people she thought she could relate to but she couldn’t feel more out of place.

This was supposed to be everything she wanted, and Caitlyn knew better than to expect some girly little sleepover, but this went beyond every expectation she had and—

“Hey, those guys weren’t my friends,” Vi furrowed her eyebrows. She stepped in, as if to make that clear. “You said you wanted to meet mine, right? At least let me introduce you.”

She frowned, but Vi left no room for any complaints. She simply continued on into the living room before she could think of one.  

They entered the living space decorated with glass tables and art all over the walls. There were so many women chatting and laughing over the music, Caitlyn felt nothing butterflies when Vi started talking over them. 

“Okay so, you already met Leona here,” She pointed out the familiar redhead, who stopped to give her another smile. A woman next to her glanced over her shoulder, all silver hair and stormy eyes, “That’s Diana, her partner. Sej on her right, and Neeko and Nami here,” The finger shifted from a large blonde woman to two younger girls with colorful hair, all squished and giggly on the couch. It seemed they were already a few pink drinks deep.

“Guys, this is Caitlyn. She works at the college up the road, doing something…super important there, I’m sure.” 

Caitlyn elbowed her side, “I’m…a teacher’s assistant, but that’s more of a necessary evil. Hi, it’s nice to meet you all.”

A few pleasant greetings went around and Vi guided her towards the couch, with a touch on her back. “How about you come sit, Sej you mind?” 

The blonde woman made some room, heading over by Neeko and Nami so Caitlyn could slide in next to Leona. She smoothed the ends of her dress, didn’t quite know what to do with her hands—

“You want a drink?” Vi said, leaning on the armrest.

“Oh, um.” Caitlyn asked, “Some wine would be nice?” 

“Red or white?” 

“Red, please.”

Vi nodded once and left. Which only made Caitlyn more nervous being left alone like this, amongst the chatter, until Leona followed that gaze. She bent towards her ear, “Don’t worry, she’ll come back. It’s impossible for Vi to sit still at these things.”

“She likes to play host,” Diana mentioned, raising her glass in greeting. 

“I wouldn’t have assumed. She’s a little different at work when she’s not fixing things,” Caitlyn commented. 

Very different, she realized. Neeko was already bent over the back of her chair, tugging on Vi’s shirt with a pout for another pink drink. Vi rolled her eyes with a smile, before heading around the corner to make it.

“Mm, trust me. We used to live in ignorant bliss until we threw a party and left Vi alone at our old place,” Leona mused, playing with her earring, “She’ll find everything that’s wrong within the hour—”

“And then try to fix it,” Diana droned. 

Caitlyn smiled, because she could see it. “You two have known her long then?”

The couple looked at each other to debate it, “Going on…20 years now? Little less for me? Not for you,” She nodded at Diana, who shook her head. 

Okay, wow. That was nearly Caitlyn’s entire lifetime, but she wasn’t going to mention that. 

"It was right after you decided to quit Solaris," Leona went on.

"The law firm?" Caitlyn asked.

"You know it?"

"My mother worked with a whole network of corporate raiders, lawyers. I spent most of my teenage years trapped in conversation with them."

"You best stay away from Diana then, she's still a double-talker for one of Piltover's worst," Leona smiled over at her partner, sickly sweet. "Really gone above and beyond since then, haven't you?"

Diana stuck a tongue in her cheek, either offended or just amused. "I don't remember you complaining once it got that gold ring on your finger."

A nudge on her shoulder stole her attention, down to the wine glass Vi held out. Neeko was already happily sipping. She took it as Vi sat on the armrest.

Diana flicked back over to her, still looking a bit lost, "Leona’s all public relations, so of course she thinks she's the shield of the people. What she is,” She drawled, “is a thorn in my side when it comes to unbiased opinion in a courtroom."

“You mean well-informed,” Leona corrected, with a tone of her own.

Caitlyn hesitated to ask, switching between the two, "How do you make that work, then? You two?"

Neither of them responded. Caitlyn wasn’t quite sure if they heard her, they were too busy staring each other down, waiting for the other to cave. She almost spoke up to ask again.

"They fuck," Sejuani answered. Vi laughed at that and stood up, disappearing around the couch.

They ignored the other few jokes around. Leona rolled her eyes heavily as Diana grinned, turning back to change the subject. She patted Caitlyn’s knee, “Tell us, what exactly do you teach down at this school?"

She sat up, delighted that someone asked, "I’m finishing my Master’s in Strategic Fundraising, actually," She saw a few lost faces, clearing her throat to clarify, "Which is sort of like trying to integrate the corporate world into the humanities, without losing any of— well, the humanity.”

“I suppose it depends on which organizations you’d be backing,” Diana said. This was almost the most interested she seemed all night, when not focused on Leona. “Corporate or government?”

“Third Sector actually. Nonprofits, mostly.” Caitlyn explained, crossing her knee. “A few other graduates are gathering a campaign to connect these organizations but to do so, they need to appear unified, sustainable, and as we know, that is best represented through generous sums of cash.”

Diana almost smiled then. “So your job is to help these nonprofits…profit?”

“Precisely,” Caitlyn winked.

She reached for her wine glass to finish, but it seemed twice as full as she remembered. Caitlyn took a sip anyway.

“Wow, I didn’t think that was allowed,” Neeko chimed in, slouching over as Nami shoved her. “What? Isn’t it illegal or something?”

"Why would it be illegal?"

“Well it’s nothing particularly exciting,” Caitlyn admitted, thinking about all the work for her thesis she’s been saddled with. All more of what’s to come. “Lots of stockholder meetings, charity events, kissing ass and so forth. Most of it behind the scenes, but no. Perfectly legal.”

“Well how very interesting, Caitlyn,” Leona sang. She leaned back, letting her hand smooth over Diana’s knee. “We should speak more about this sometime. I’d be interested to hear more about these little events.”

She tried to stifle her next smile. Feeling a bit gleeful at the idea. She only ever had Jayce come around to any of her benefits, and typically she had to beg him and Mel to even consider it. She’s never had anyone real to invite before.

Sejuani leaned in, “You know if you really want to find some rich friends, you should come to Neeko’s little set this weekend. She’s a DJ down at Vice, I'm sure she could get you in."

Caitlyn tried not to beam, glancing at Neeko to see if that was okay, “Really? You have your own show and everything? Is that a bar or—?”

“Vice Lounge. Cafe by day, club by night. It’s cool, I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it.”

A few laughs drifted from that, but Caitlyn didn’t quite catch why. 

“Here, gimme your phone,” Nami reached out with grabby hands, “We’ll follow you so you know where to go.”

Caitlyn handed her phone out, and after a few number exchanges and Neeko rant on how best to avoid the shitty music producers at her club, she could feel herself finally easing in. She didn’t even notice how tipsy she was getting, just that she felt like laughing a lot more and another wine glass always appeared once her last one got low. 

After a few rounds, she caught the mysterious hand. Belonging to one little flash of pink, always there in the corner of her eye. Typically talking to someone or heading back towards the kitchen.

It didn’t take much longer for the curiosity to get the better of her. Caitlyn excused herself from the couch to head down the hall, feeling pleasantly warm once on her feet. 

She wandered into the kitchen, finding Vi there alone by the sink. “There you are," Caitlyn sang. “I feel like I haven’t seen you all night."

Vi shrugged as she approached, “You wanted to meet my friends.”

“Well yes,” Caitlyn drawled out, “But I was hoping you might be among that particular party.”

A smile crept up. “I’ve been around,” Vi defended. “And you seemed to be having a good time, so.”

“You want to come sit with me?” She asked. The night was coming to an end, and there only felt like so much time. She was learning so much about everyone, she wanted to know more about Vi too. 

But Vi didn’t seem too thrilled by that. All she did was look back towards the mess, deciding on which bottles to throw away or wipe down. Something to keep her busy. 

“I’m okay,” She said. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to cook for everyone. It’s nice, I feel like we haven’t had one of these in a while,” She sighed out, looking grateful.

Caitlyn finally noticed all the treats everywhere. “You made all this?”

“Not all of it, no. Some people brought stuff. But, yeah. I used to bartend too and everyone always seems to remember that when these things come around,” She went over to the sink with a few glasses. Caitlyn followed, sliding against the counter to watch her hands work. 

“Jack of all trades,” She complimented. “Who knew you were such a chef, too.”

“So what's your take on them?" Vi asked. "I figured you’d like the power lesbians.”

Caitlyn smiled, knowingly, “Leona’s wonderful. Diana’s a bit harder to read, but I wasn't expecting everyone to be so kind and amazing—”

She was gushing now but for once she loved it. She couldn’t stop smiling, “It’s like I feel like such a kid wanting talk their ear off, but god its so stressful trying to have these enlightening conversations during class and half of these brats are either asleep, or late, or stoned or something, and I feel like I’m the crazy one for wanting to talk about the degree they signed up for! No, I have to thank you, because I think this night has single-handedly given me hope.”

Vi seemed proud, “Good, I'm glad you like them. I can definitely see you like them in a few years, don’t worry.”

She tried not to beam at that, Vi thinking about her that way. Them still knowing each other after all that time. Caitlyn tried to picture what Vi might look like, then. If she would always have such gentle eyes, that handsome smile. The kind you grow old with.

She wondered if these were the kind of girls she was into. Who built themselves up, found success in their own ways. The kind of women who had full lives, big personalities. Who didn't care what people thought about them all the time.

Caitlyn wondered, for a moment, if she could ever be that for her one day.

“Yeah,” Vi went on, “Those two were all…no nonsense back then. I remember it pissed me off. All work and no play. Like you,” She nudged.

Caitlyn waved a hand, “Oh what, and you weren’t?”

Vi snorted hard. “No.” She scratched the scar on her eyebrow, smiling a bit sheepishly. “No, I was more interested in getting drunk and getting laid, in those years, so.”

“Ah,” Caitlyn hummed. Her nail danced across the counter, thinking about it now. “Well you turned out right somewhere.” 

Vi made some other noise with her nose. The water ran as she finished up a few dishes, set them aside to dry.

“It’s certainly a lovely place, too.” Caitlyn looked around the open kitchen space. Vi flicked some water from her hands, a bit confused before she cut her off, “If you need any help cleaning up I can…”

She drifted off as Vi had her mouth open, grabbing at a towel. “What?”

“Oh this isn’t my place,” She wiped her hands off.

Caitlyn froze. “It’s not?”

The laugh Vi had was dry, mocking, the same one she always had with her. When she thought Caitlyn was cute, or just totally spoiled.

“You think I make enough money to live here? I fix wiring for a living, Caitlyn.”

Her eyes went wide, “Well— I-I just assumed since…I mean this is your party?”

“I mean it was my idea, but no, Leona and Diana have the biggest spot out of all of us. And you know, like, maids that take care of everything, so we always come here,” Vi explained, smiling a bit. “My place isn't nearly as nice. I live in Zaun.”

Caitlyn spilled a laugh, tipsy, nervous. A hand pressed to her forehead, “God I feel like such an ass.”

Vi shrugged again, all cheeky now, “No it’s okay. I wish it was. But, it's nice having rich friends here and there that'll take care of you.”

“You don't need to be rich to do that,” Caitlyn told her, as if she knew. Mostly because she did. “You seem to be doing an excellent job of that tonight regardless.” 

Vi nodded, with another careless shrug. But her smile gave her away, “I always thought it would be nice y’know. Big house, lots of family. Things to do, people to take care of. Sounds nice. Busy, but I like that.”

“It does." Caitlyn agreed, tapping that nail against the counter. “But who would take care of you then, in this future?” 

Vi blew up her cheeks thinking about it. “My kids, hopefully? One day, I guess. When I’m really old.”

Caitlyn nodded. She watched Vi’s hands as she wiped down the counter. “…What about now?”

It seemed Vi realized then how many questions Caitlyn had gotten out of her. She tried not to seem so smug about it. Though her smile probably gave it away.

Vi hesitated then, smirking back. She folded the towel up. “I think I handle myself just fine.”

“Hm,” She nodded, drifting along the counter. Her nail drawing a path, slowly closing in. “Well, if it means anything, I’d take care of you."

She meant that wholeheartedly, even as a joke, but it got Vi to laugh anyway. “Oh yeah?” She asked, waiting for that perfunctory nod Caitlyn always gave. Her nose crinkled, “Cute lie. Everyone knows teachers don't make shit.”

Caitlyn hummed, charmed by how little she knew about her. She wondered what she would say if she really knew. The small fortune her mother had left her one and only heir. 

“That's not what I mean," She tutted. "And not to mention, the beauty of combined income.” 

Those eyes gleamed at that word. Combined. Something so wild, so unrestrained. As if following all the other words around it, like it. What they might be like with her. 

It sparked something, that look. It wasn’t something Caitlyn had seen before on her. Her heart thumped with the proximity, the heat of her, as she slowly drifted in. The way Vi slowly, quietly allowed it.

She couldn’t help but look away. She could only stare at her shoes.

“I mean it though. I would,” She confessed. “I think I would be good at it. Taking care of you.”

There were a few moments of silence. Vi didn’t say anything, but she could still feel those eyes. The weight of them. Calm somehow, steady. “I know.” 

“...Maybe one day,” She teased, not that she much felt like it. It felt too much like hope, not like truth.

Caitlyn wanted it to be today. Tonight. She wanted it to be now. But she wasn’t sure if Vi did.

She never knew with Vi, she was so open and kind, but still so hard to reach. Even this close, inches away. It took every ounce of fear, of wounded courage, just to test it— brushing along her forearm. Right where the faded lines of her tattoo ended, guiding that hand closer. Moving her palm along the outside of her leg, up her dress.  

Her heart caught at the touch, swallowing, but she only got one more step, nose drifting in, before the whisper hit her lips.

“Caitlyn,” Vi said. She didn’t quite sound like herself.

She finally glanced to Vi's hard expression, and she could see a thousand words on her tongue, sitting there. Always resisting, fighting somehow, for reasons not to do this.

But nothing made it out. Not when Caitlyn was mindless behind those eyes, precise on what she wanted. The faded freckles on her nose, those lips and that scar. Already nosing in again, carefully holding her breath.

Those fingers curled into her waist, and Vi sighed at the way she melted against her. That breath met her lips and it flooded her all the way down. Nothing but dizzying warmth, a current that only drew her in.

She’s never ached like this. She’s never wanted something, someone this way. Like she could give in so easily. Vi was so close she could taste her, and that grip on her waist came alive.

Then everything gave in at once. When Vi quietly closed in, moving her back as if she were nothing. Both hands sliding up her ribs, locked against the counter.

Something strong pushed between her legs, a knee or a thigh, and the pressure hit something perfect. Something so deep and sensitive that everything went limp, shuddering through her body.

All Caitlyn could feel was the panic bubbling up her belly, her throat, escaping her mouth. Something so breathy and broken and loud that even Vi reacted to it. Her nose quickly jerked back, right before their lips touched.

A hand slapped over Caitlyn’s mouth. She had no idea what noise that was, that just came out of her. Her cheeks burned, humiliated. 

“Oh–” Vi blurted, detangling from her. “Shit, I’m sorry.”

“No, no,” Caitlyn tried laughing it off, but her throat was sticky, hot. Just so embarrassed. What is wrong with her?  

Vi licked her lips, catching her breath. She tried furiously to read her expression, “I shouldn’t have— that was— That was a lot, I'm sorry.” 

“No don’t be sorry,” Caitlyn insisted. “I-I just wasn’t expecting it—that. Um.” 

She tried to save this, but her lungs were still tight and she couldn't think of anything to say. She couldn't muster any excuse for herself. And she didn’t want to stand here and have to explain how no one had ever done that to her before.

“Sorry. I think I’ve...had a few,” Vi said then, as if that explained it all. 

Caitlyn tucked a hair away, “Yeah, me too, um.” 

The rest drifted into silence. The air charged, as they stared at each other, like they knew that was a complete lie.

A few footsteps had both of them straightening up, standing on opposite sides of the kitchen. Leona popped her head in, “Hey you two, we have some people leaving. Cait, you mind moving your car?”

She smiled, before noticing her expression. She glanced to Vi and back, “Sorry, unless I’m interrupting something..?” 

“No, you're not." Vi insisted, and Caitlyn's eyes dropped. "I think we're all good here.” 

She agreed, with a weak smile, “I should probably go anyways.”

Once Leona led them outside, everyone seemed to be saying goodbye on the lawn. A few headlights already turned on, girls waving and heading into the night. She thanked Leona for the party, hugged Neeko and Nami goodbye.

Caitlyn turned with her keys, hoping to catch Vi before she wandered back inside.

She walked up to her on the grass. The both of them drifting, step by step. She kept her voice soft but didn't look up. “So, can I see you again? Sometime?” 

It didn't seem like the right thing to ask. Vi exhaled, and any hope Caitlyn had about salvaging this fell away. There was just this guilt that filled her eyes, made it hard to speak, “I don’t know, Caitlyn—”

“Please?” 

She can do better. Vi swallowed at that word, and she hated the sympathy in her eyes. Her head shook again, familiar, but strange. Like trying to convince herself of something, or talk herself out of it. 

“I-I don’t know, Caitlyn." She told her, all jokes aside. "I think I just…need some time to think on it."

It didn't sound very promising. Not with the way she said it. Caitlyn wanted to apologize, or plead her case, but she didn't even know what for. Just for making Vi feel like she did something wrong.

"…I’ll see you around, okay?” Vi said then, as a goodbye.

It was the same gentle tone she had the first time. When Vi rejected her in the classroom. It stung more than it should’ve, but truthfully, Caitlyn had no one to blame but herself. 

She swallowed it with quiet pride. “Okay.”

Vi waited until Caitlyn braved herself to meet her gaze. She gave her a little thankful smile for it, something so sweet Caitlyn couldn't help but return it. "I'm glad you came," Vi told her. "Get home safe, okay?"

She nodded, but didn't reply. Not really trusting anything out of her mouth anymore. She watched Vi head back up the lawn inside, sighing miserably as she went.

Do better, Kiramman.  

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Chapter Text

There was nothing worse than a Sunday in Piltover.

It wasn't like Zaun, where things like days and nights, or even time itself, moved differently than anywhere else.

Up here, it was supposed to be a day of leisure. When everyone sat on their balconies, drank tea, and stayed the fuck off the streets in the morning, except that never happened.

Sunday was also the only day both Diana and Leona got time off from work, so they always invited everyone to their favorite brunch spot in town. Sejuani already politely declined in the groupchat, and neither Neeko or Nami responded at all, so safe to say, those two were probably too hungover to make any kind of grand effort. 

Vi wasn't exactly in any better condition; her head stung against the sun, and that sharp pain in her gut never really faded or went away.

But, she's pushed through worse. She had more than enough experience when it came to partying too hard and waking too late, so today was nothing if not...another Sunday.

The couple was already sat outside at their little table, tucked under a shady umbrella. They watched Vi from afar as she crossed the street, sliding in front of cars and traffic and whipping her finger out when they honked at her. She had big sunglasses on, a sweaty undershirt and work jeans.

“Morning,” Leona chirped, as she sauntered over. Always the earlybird of the pair.  

“Hey,” Vi muttered, pulling her chair out. She didn’t apologize for her lateness, but neither of them expected her to. They were already on their second round of drinks, sitting back against the wind to enjoy the fresh air. 

She got herself settled, rubbed her eyes behind her sunglasses before taking them off. By the time her headache cleared, her eyes opened to find everyone else's on her. Weirdly silent.

“…What?” Vi impatiently asked. 

“Oh nothing,” Leona mused.

She pushed her sunglasses back and her hazel eyes blazed in the sunlight, sparkling with amusement. “Just that, well. We haven’t see you in days and now you’re sitting here brooding, conveniently right after you bring a sweet little doll to our house.” 

She sipped her cup as Vi stared, flicking between the two. She answered that simply, “She wanted to meet you guys, so she did.”

“Right. We got that part,” Diana said. “But who is this she to you?” 

An annoyingly direct question, but Vi expected nothing less. These two had made very large, successful careers off of asking the right questions, and they’ve known each other long enough to recognize Vi’s elusive tendencies. A finely aged immaturity, on her part.

Her eyes narrowed. The waiter returned before she could answer, thankfully. She picked up a menu but just tossed it aside, “Can I get a bloody mary? Double, extra spicy.”

“We’re not allowed to serve alcohol until 11am.”

Vi picked up her shattered phone, annoyed. She checked the time and let it drop. “Fine. A water or whatever. Thanks.”

The waiter left and Diana tapped a nail, waiting to pick up where they left off.

Both women were unrelenting and it only made Vi shift back in her seat, like the question only stressed her out more, “She isn’t anything,” She insisted. 

Diana hummed, in her special courtroom tone. The one that always came before she said, Excellent lie. Objection, however.

Vi rolled her eyes, “I mean, alright. She has a crush on me—”

“Aww!”

“—but we’re just friends.”

“Well no shit,” Diana snorted, with her chin in her palm. “She was staring at you like a lost puppy all night.”

Vi scratched at her nape, trying not to smile at that. She didn’t really know what to expect from Caitlyn coming around. She kind of figured she would show up, find someone new to set her sights on. That’s usually how it went with younger girls, they never really stuck around once presented with a better option.

Vi assumed there was plenty of fish in the sea that night. She knew Caitlyn was there to explore. But still, the girl kept coming back to her. Vi didn’t even think she noticed herself. The way she was constantly looking for her, smiling at her. Hoping Vi would come talk to her, or sit by her side.

She was relentlessly polite, eagerly attentive. A very endearing know-it-all when caught on subject she was educated on, or simply fascinated with.

It was pretty damn cute. She liked it, no matter how much Vi tried not to think about her that way. 

“And what about you?” 

“What about me,” Vi drawled, so very done with this conversation.

She didn't mean to get rude, but they never cared about any of the other girls Vi got with, or didn’t get with, so she didn’t get why they cared now.

It made her wonder if it was so obvious at the party. Them. If everyone could tell.

She didn’t really know how she felt about it, not that she ever cared much what people thought. But Sevika already said her piece, and Vi would rather eat glass than be compared to her.

The waiter came to take their order and left Leona to lean on the table, arms tucked under her chest. “Don’t do that, Vi. It’s unbecoming of you.”

“Do what?” She snapped, frowning.

“Get all hot, shut down,” Leona batted a hand, unaffected. “I think know you know exactly what we mean.”

Vi sighed heavily, pulling her sunglasses back down over her eyes. She slouched into the sun. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m feeling, I don’t know what to do.” She waved a hand out, grimacing, “I get around her and I feel like a fucking teenager again, it’s disgusting.”

And there it was.

She allowed a few bitter seconds for them to chuckle at her. She went on, biting her lip, “I like her, I do. But…you know me. How I am. And she’s so young—”

“—mature for her age,” Leona teased. “Well spoken, too. Better than you, actually.” 

Vi didn’t mind the dig. She just half-smiled, thinking about it, “Trust me, I know. …I don’t get anything about her.” She admitted. Her neck rolled over the back of the chair. “One second she’s batting her eyelashes at me, and the next she’s lecturing about the intersectionality of Ionian women and immigration. Like, how the fuck do I keep up with that,” Leona laughed and it made Vi want to as well, just ten times more miserably. 

Diana clicked her tongue, as if disappointed by all this. “I thought you liked a challenge, Vi. When did you get so beaten down?”

She scoffed at her lap, “When I realized I’m gonna turn forty this year.”

Maybe not the smartest thing to say considering both Leona and Diana were already well past that, but it was true. Vi never cared about herself especially, not her age or how she looked, but it felt different now that someone like Caitlyn was here, looking so closely every time they were together. It made her heat up, get nervous. It stressed her out.

And Vi knew she wasn’t old, but she was getting there and she couldn’t imagine someone as smart and sexy as Caitlyn wanting someone like Vi on her arm that wasn’t for…exactly what it looked like. 

She’d get embarrassed of her, easily. Once the high wore off, that initial rush that Vi knew all too well, because that was all she ever chased. 

All Vi wanted was to save her from it. What always happened. For the both of them. The waiter came back and set down a cheeseburger and fries next to two plates of salad. 

“I’m not trying to date her,” Vi insisted, though no one asked. She busied herself squirting ketchup onto her plate. “I mean— okay I shouldn’t of…we—”

“Did you kiss her?” Leona gaped.

Vi froze and Diana just whistled low, smirking her way. “Old dogs still a dog, I see.”

“No, fuck, we didn’t kiss. We didn’t. And I’m done, I’m done with all that.” She gnawed on a french fry, her jaw working overtime. “All the games and the chase. Just no. …I’m too fucking old.” 

“Yes, we can tell.” Leona said, glancing at her plate. Which was nothing but a bloodstain now.

Vi didn’t even look at her, just flipped her off.

She went for her burger instead, and the couple allowed a few minutes of quiet chewing together. Leona saw Vi eventually sit back in her chair, giving up after one bite. She pushed around a few soggy fries and that glance went back to Diana, who met it silently.

“I remember the days you wouldn’t think twice about this sort of thing,” Diana mentioned, after a while. Her tone was tame, but Vi knew what she meant. 

It took a lot of time, and a lot of forgiveness for them to get to where they were today. Here and now. Diana just never really let her forget it.

"Yeah well," She threw a fry down. "That was back when I was running tricks for fags with femboy fetishes just so I had somewhere to crash for the night,” Vi said, squinting from the sun. “I wasn’t exactly a beacon of good judgment.” 

“And you are now?” Diana joked.

If anything, that got a careless smirk from her. “No. Just better at hiding it, I guess. But this one… She’s got me all…” Vi tried to find the words, but ended up shaking her head.

Leona sat up, always with something cheerful to add, “Well I say give her a chance.” 

“What?” Diana cut in. She had a mouthful of salad.

“What?” She defended, turning to Vi, “Caitlyn’s young, yes, but she’s smart, she’s intuitive, and she cares for you! Even if it is all infatuation right now.” She saw Diana’s lost expression and immediately held her hands up. “I liked her!” 

“You cannot be condoning this,” Diana pleaded. “You think out of all relationships this one has had, that Caitlyn would magically be any different? Or any less ran over? No offense, Vi.” 

Leona scoffed at that, offended for her anyways. Vi just leaned against the table to rub her eyes. “I never said magically. And yes, because this one is no pushover, I can tell. Vi deserves someone who makes her feel young, alive! A woman who loves her enough to kick her in the ass—!”

“Who is talking about love right now?” Vi begged, but Leona just silenced her with a finger.

“I think,” She emphasized, “it’s up to Vi to ask herself what she really wants, and then for Caitlyn to hear that out. Then, she can make that decision herself.” 

“Oh please, you know you always do this,” Diana sat up, gearing up for another argument.

The two went on, and on, and Vi just groaned out. Loudly, aggressively. She shoved her plate so both of them would shut up, “You two are so therapized it makes me sick.”

.

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.

It had been five quiet days since the party, and Caitlyn still hadn’t heard a word. 

Not that she was counting, except that she was. Nor was she really expecting to hear anything after how Vi left her, but still.

She was nothing if not hopeful.

Caitlyn dutifully went back to her studies, but it wasn’t quite the same as before. She wasn’t drawn to any of the windows or lanterns in the study.

Now, it was her phone she couldn’t stop glancing at. Tapping every so often for any missed messages. All just to watch the screen slowly fade to black, before she flipped the entire thing over.

The silence felt somewhat deserved. Even remembering that night now had her wincing at herself. She still couldn’t believe she greened out like that.

Caitlyn had blocked whatever noise she made from her memory just to save herself some dignity, but she still wanted to bury her face in her hands, never see her reflection again. 

She just felt disappointed with herself, and miserable lately, because she put in all this work so Vi wouldn’t treat her like some delicate little thing, and then she goes and does that.

Even thinking about it now, if she had known what Vi was going to do, Caitlyn still would’ve probably had the same reaction. It felt so stupid that when the time came for Vi to actually do something about all her jokes and little looks, she completely froze up, or melted, or everything all at once. 

Truthfully, she didn’t really expect to see Vi change like that. It was so unexpected, seeing that shift in her.

It still made her toes curl thinking about it. The defeat in her eyes once they gave in. The way Caitlyn felt her ease beneath her fingertips, every muscle softening for her. How effortlessly she moved them together, like they’ve done this a thousand times.

She couldn't contain her excitement. All Caitlyn had done since she was old enough to date was speak her mind, make the first move. Even if those attempts failed miserably, she always got back on her feet. She was stubborn like that, practical. 

It wasn’t until now Caitlyn realized… She had no idea what it was like for someone to do that on her. 

Maybe it was scarier than she initially gave all the other girls credit for. But if Caitlyn had waited and waited for all of her past girlfriends to make a move, she’d be even less of a virgin than Vi already made her feel to be.

No, she didn't regret it. Just the method in which she did so.

Because, despite how it turned out, everything about that moment and Vi was undeniable. When every defense slowly fell, just like the first time. When Caitlyn could feel how much she breathed her in, how much she wanted her right then. All without a word spoken, a kiss shared.

No, Caitlyn didn’t imagine that. She couldn't possibly. One glimpse of that and she went limp. Never in a million years could she have pictured something like Vi without seeing it firsthand, as raw and real as life.

She could save this. She just…had to tread carefully.

Five days felt like enough time. Almost a week. Caitlyn waited until she was home in her apartment, safe and alone. It was nothing but a text, but she didn’t want to do it where anyone could see.

She shed her clothes once in her room, took a quick bath and made herself some dinner. Nothing too advanced, but quick enough for her finish on the couch, with her knees tucked in.

She bit her nail as she typed, as if hiding from any phantom eyes around the room. 

hi vi

She debated waiting for a reply, but decided against it as a minute or two went by. Just be clear, concise. 

are you coming to Neeko’s thing this weekend?

A few more minutes went by and Caitlyn told herself not to wait. She turned the tv on, picked a random reality show to not pay attention to.

It took nearly twenty minutes, but her phone finally buzzed. Along with her heart.

hey

The bubbles typed, then gave up. Another minute went by before she answered.

haven’t really thought about it

Caitlyn thought about waiting to reply, but decided against it. Vi wouldn't be so immature and neither should she. She didn't want the opportunity to slip away, either.

that’s too bad

i was hoping you might tell me what to expect this time

i think neeko would appreciate your support too

Vi didn't seem to mind her speedy reply. Though that might just be an age thing.

neeko has a good time regardless but i see your point

don’t overthink it. just wear what makes you comfortable. you’ll look good in anything

A smile crept up, pressed into her knees. 

why thank you, i’ll keep that in mind

Caitlyn was too busy beaming over the barest compliment, she couldn't come up with anything else to say. Thankfully, Vi did for her.

i feel like i can hear ur accent thru the screen

me?

maybe you’re the one with the accent 

nah

that’s all you

Now that Vi mentioned it, her voice was all Caitlyn could hear too. And the smile that came with it.

you teasing me now?

or are you just in a good mood

…

you caught at me a decent time i guess

apologies. are you busy?

not really

just having a beer

She glanced up her screen and saw the time. It was already past midnight. Which wouldn’t be that strange if it weren’t a weekday.

are you with someone?

Caitlyn shook her head and quickly deleted. That sounded entirely too presumptuous, but she still wanted to know. She bit her lip and tried again.

out with friends?

It took another few minutes, but not as long this time. Caitlyn got too antsy anyways. She stood up, turned a few lights off and the tv. 

no

just at home

watching some tv i guess, before i nod off

…

anything good?

hell’s kitchen

She blinked, standing in her bedroom doorway. She couldn't help the small snort, falling onto her bed.

you like watching cooking shows before bed?

i like watching gordon ramsey before bed

Caitlyn laughed at how quickly that correction came.

i like hearing him yell

he’s loud but he’s not wrong

bit of an arsehole though, isn’t he?

yeah

but he cares

i can respect that

sometimes tough love is what someone needs

Vi didn’t reply to that right away. Caitlyn took those few moments to ease into bed, tie her hair up with one hand, while typing with the other.

you'll have to show me sometime

A few more minutes went by, and Caitlyn tried not to overthink her last message. She hoped it wasn't too presumptuous again.

well i suppose it’s getting pretty late, and i have an early morning tomorrow

i’ll probably head to sleep. but i really hope to see you this weekend

goodnight vi

Caitlyn tried listening for another reply, but eventually succumbed to the dark and peaceful quiet.

What she found that following morning had this glow in her belly, and on her cheeks, like the warmth of the sunshine now flowing in her room.

A simple message, only two words. Delivered at 2:43am. 

goodnight cait

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