Chapter Text
Caitlyn hunted for Vi, her blue clock swishing at her feet as she walked. The crowd’s cheering was almost too much to bear for her sensitive ears. Her eyes narrowed at each passer by who dared to make eye contact with her. She knew the questions at the tip of their mouths. What the hell is she doing here?
She had managed to make an unfavourable reputation as of late, but she didn’t care. What she did care about was finding Vi. There she was down at the pits, fighting like her life depended on it, but if the marks on her body were to be any clue, Vi didn’t care what happened to her. Caitlyn’s mouth quivered as she realised she was part of the reason why Vi chose to punish herself everyday down here. But she forced her head up, and her teeth grinded in its effort to keep her jaw tense.
“Get ready for the new heavyweight Champion!” An announcer yelled into the speaker. The voice echoed, making Caitlyn wince from its grating noise.
Caitlyn’s stern expression softened, her mouth opening, a gasp fluttering out as Vi made her entry. The crowd screamed upon her arrival. Vi looked different, but Caitlyn would recognise her angry stride any day.
A bandage covered her chest, black ink was strewn over her upper body, hiding her tattoos. Her fists clenched at her sides, black ink covering her eyes and ending at the bottom of her face. Her black hair coated, reminded Caitlyn of an oil slick. Powder blue eyes were narrowed, and angry. Jaw clenched tight as Vi walked confidently up to her opponent, a briskly man who towered over her. It didn’t seem to phase Vi though, as she looked up at him with a brisk hatred in her eyes.
“And fight!” The announcer yelled out.
Caitlyn watched with her chin held high as Vi jumped on the balls of her feet, her arms held out in front of her as the bald man and her circled one another. The bald man swung out a fist, which Vi dodged easily. Caitlyn watched as Vi brought down a strong fist against the side of the man’s head. Caitlyn could feel the energy and adrenaline of the situation getting inside her, travelling through her nerves and making her tense up.
Her breath halted as the man snarled and tackled Vi to the ground and she gasped leaning over the railing as she saw Vi’s head snap onto the hard rock ground, huffing and puffing. People were screaming all around, yelling at Vi to get back up. Caitlyn bit her lip, her breath coming out in nervous puffs, only releasing her halted breath when Vi used her legs to kick the man off of her.
Vi brought down a series of kicks and punches, and that’s when Caitlyn stepped back slightly, straightening her head and taking a deep breath. Vi had won the match. She had no doubt about that and it was confirmed only a moment later, when the man lay bloody on the hard ground. Vi brought her fist upwards and screamed in victory. Caitlyn could only wonder what she had done.
—
Stood leaning against a brick wall, across the room from Vi, Caitlyn could only watch as she drank drink after drink, even though the only thing she wanted was to rip away the alcohol from her hands, take her home and care for her.
“Commander.” A feminine voice clipped from the radio at her hip.
Caitlyn unclipped the radio and spoke into it.
“Yes.”
“If you’re finished with your research, the general is asking for you.” Maddie responded.
“Tell her I’m busy. Any meeting shall take place tomorrow.” Caitlyn replied, her blue eyes tracking Vi as she stumbled across the dance floor, her body swaying not with the music but from her drunkenness.
“Oh okay. Well… when will you be back? Perhaps we could have a tal…” Maddie’s voice was quiet, shy to ask.
“Not tonight. I have something holding me up. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.” Caitlyn replied in a clip tone, before putting her radio back on her hip and pushing through the crowd to follow Vi.
Caitlyn knew what Maddie was going to ask. She was, good company. She truly was. But she wasn’t Vi. Caitlyn had decided to end things with her not long ago. As soon as she had gotten news about Vi’s appearance in an underground fight club in Zaun from Loris, Caitlyn had told Maddie they couldn’t continue their relationship. The poor girl was heartbroken, though she tried her best to hide it. Vi was the only one for Caitlyn though and seeing her again only brought back all those feelings she buried in her heart the moment she left Vi in the tunnels of Zaun after their unsuccessful mission of capturing Jinx. Seeing Vi like this only reinvigorated Caitlyn’s decision that she had made the right choice. She had to rectify with Vi before it was too late.
“We can’t do this anymore, Officer Nolan.”
Caitlyn had her back to Maddie, not able to bear how her face would fall, her shoulders would relax and her mouth would fall open in sadness.
“Why?” Maddie asked. Caitlyn kept her gaze forward, on the poster of Jinx, the red threads tying the entire case together on the wall.
“I’ve found Vi. I’m going to go get her.” Caitlyn simply said.
“Of course. It’s always been her after all.” Maddie stated bluntly.
Caitlyn knew she was right, but she still didn’t appreciate the commentary on her relationship with Vi.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Caitlyn turned and asked.
Maddie scoffed, “You and her. Everybody knows about it. I can’t believe I let myself think you might forget about her. I guess I was hopeful because of how things ended between you two.”
Caitlyn gulped from the reminder of that. How it ended between us? Yes, it ended badly. That’s hwy Caitlyn was going to find Vi and make amends.
“You know what you got involved with. Vi has always been important for me. That’s why I’m going to fix it all.” Caitlyn said to Maddie.
“Why can’t you just admit you love her?” Maddie wondered, a crease between her brows.
Love. yes she did love Vi. But she wasn’t ready to say it aloud yet.
When Caitlyn didn’t respond. She continued, “Whatever. Good luck with it all.”
Maddie left the room, the door banging shut behind her.
The cool night air brought Caitlyn back to the task at hand. The alleyway was deserted, metal cans and smoke evaporating from the chimney of the bar. But Vi was nowhere to be seen. Caitlyn walked slowly, her head turning this way and that as she searched for the angry oil slick that had become Vi.
A loud crash turned Caitlyn’s head to the right and she walked slowly to the corner, turning to find Vi up against a brick wall. Her chin lobbed downwards. Caitlyn felt her bottom lip wobble in sadness. This was her fault. She had broken Vi’s heart and she had decided to do this to herself in pain and sadness.
Caitlyn steadied her breathing, ignoring the shed of tear that dripped down her cheek and walked towards Vi.
Vi’s chest fell steadily as she slept. Caitlyn knelt down and called out to her.
“Vi.”
Eventually Vi opened her eyes slowly, coming into focus.
“Caitlyn.” She whispered. It broke Caitlyn’s heart to hear that voice again.
“What are you doing down here?” Caitlyn asked.
“It feels real.” Vi said to herself.
“What?” Caitlyn asked, confused.
Vi giggled, but why Caitlyn couldn’t figure it out.
Caitlyn sighed. Vi fumbled a hand out clutching Caitlyn’s hand like it was a lifeline.
Caitlyn could only look down, tears forming in her eyes threatening to spill.
“Caitlyn I…” Vi started, but her eyes grew heavy and her eyes drifted shut.
Sighing, Caitlyn reached out and cupped Vi’s cheek, her thumb caressing the VI.
—
Caitlyn wrung the cloth in a bowl of warm water, before gently rubbing it against Vi’s face. She had to take Loris’ help to move Vi to her house and place her on her bed. It had been about an hour or so, and Vi still wasn’t awake. Up close Vi looked even worse. Caitlyn couldn’t help but feel a severe sense of guilt. Sure, she hadn’t forced Vi to become a pitfighter, going through so many fights and getting hurt but she knew it was because of their fight that Vi ended up like this. Her eyes looked dark even as Caitlyn wiped away the dark charcoal ink from her face, her cheeks looked thinner, and her collarbones stuck out when they didn’t before.
A humming noise and the sheets rustling snapped Caitlyn’s attention back to Vi who was slowly fluttering her eyes open. Gentle powder blue eyes greeted Caitlyn, looking at her with adoration and slight sense of confusion.
“Are you alright Vi?” Caitlyn asked gently.
Vi whimpered and shut her eyes tight. She turned her head to the side in sadness.
“Vi.” Caitlyn called as she pressed her hand against Vi’s cheek to bring her face forward again.
“Are you alright?” Caitlyn repeated once more. She was getting concerned now, perhaps she should call the doctor.
“This isn’t real. You’re not real.” Vi whispered hoarsely. Her eyes still shut tightly.
Caitlyn’s heart ached from those phrases. Vi thought she wasn’t real. Why would she think that when Caitlyn was right in front of her, touching her, her warmth right beside Vi?
“Of course, this is real Vi.” Caitlyn said from above her.
Vi stubbornly refused to listen. She moaned even more and she could feel the tiny pinprick of tears dancing behind her eyelids.
“Open your eyes Vi. I’m real.” Caitlyn urged her.
“Open your eyes Vi. And see that I’m real.” Caitlyn whispered. Her breath warmed Vi’s face.
Her fingertips danced lightly across her eyelids and Vi slowly fluttered her eyes open and sighed happily. Caitlyn smiled down at her. There was the Vi, she was looking for. The sweet, gentle, kind Vi with eyes so cute it made Caitlyn smile involuntarily despite the sadness she was feeling inside her from this whole situation.
“Caitlyn.” Vi whispered. Her name came out in one breath and tears spilled out from the corners of her eyes landing on the silky pillow beneath her.
With strength, Caitlyn didn’t expect Vi engulfed Caitlyn in a tight hug. Her arms coming to embrace Caitlyn’s waist. A gasp flew from Caitlyn’s lips at the unexpected action.
“Caitlyn.” Vi sobbed against her shoulder.
Hot tears spilled from Caitlyn’s eyes, dropping down her cheeks leaving warm trails behind.
Caitlyn rubbed Vi’s back up and down and sniffled against her shoulder. She tucked her head tight and closed her eyes even as more tears spilled out.
“Shhh. It’s okay Vi. I’m here now.” Caitlyn whispered into Vi’s ear.
Eventually, they parted, but still kept close to one another so much so Caitlyn could count each freckle on Vi’s cheeks. She smiled gently at her.
“You’re real.” Vi asked gently. She looked at Caitlyn like she hung up the moon.
Caitlyn smiled, and leaned forward to press a kiss against Vi’s cheek. “Of course I’m real.”
Vi sighed in a blissful happy way. Caitlyn watched as Vi took stock of the environment she was in. From king size bed, to the drapes parted from the bed to the windows shut tight with sunlight streaming through. Vi frowned as she tried to remember how she got here.
“You don’t remember.” Caitlyn said, as she observed Vi’s confused expression.
Vi shook her head vehemently.
“No.” She cleared her throat, hoarse from crying. “I don’t.”
Caitlyn leaned across Vi to grab a glass of water from the bedside table. It was then Vi raked her eyes down to take in Caitlyn in a purple night dress. The sudden lust filled gaze made Caitlyn’s insides throb with warmth. She hoped her cheeks didn’t show how much she liked Vi looking at her this way.
“I found you outside the bar. I took you home since you seemed unwell.” Caitlyn lied as she passed Vi the glass of water. She wasn’t ready to tell Vi she’d been looking for her all this time.
Vi gulped it down in one go. She held the now empty glass out sheepishly for Caitlyn to take back.
“What? What were you doing outside the bar?” Vi asked, now awake enough.
“It doesn’t matter.” Caitlyn decided for them and stood up. Vi’s eyes were drawn to those long legs she had always admired. Caitlyn noticed how Vi’s gaze was drawn to her legs, and again she hoped a pink blush wasn’t present on her cheeks. She cleared her throat.
“You should clean yourself up and get dressed.”
“Oh.” Vi said, as she moved to swing her legs over the bed. She winced and held her arm across her stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Caitlyn rushed to Vi’s side and held a hand to her arm.
“Nothing.” Vi said, grimacing. “Just some bruises from the fights.”
Caitlyn sighed and she looked angry for a split second before it got replaced with sadness.
“I can’t believe you were doing that to yourself. I mean you were always a great fighter but drunk on booze and fighting is never a good combination.”
Vi ducked her head, in embarrassment. Caitlyn frowned. She wasn’t too harsh was she?
“I’m sorry.” Vi spoke to the floor. Her bare feet scuffed against the soft carpet beneath her.
“Don’t be. I’m not mad at you. I just wish you had taken better care of yourself.” Caitlyn stood back up and held a hand out.
“Come on. I’ll help you wash up.” Vi looked at the proffered hand. When their hands connected, the warmth that greeted Caitlyn felt so right. She had missed this.
—
Caitlyn gently rubbed a wet cloth down Vi’s cheeks, washing away the dark marks Vi had put on her face. Vi looked up at her with adoration and Caitlyn tried her best to ignore those looks of love. There would be time for that later on. Or she hoped there would be. She would have to give Vi some food later on. She looked really thin. Caitlyn started when Vi placed her hands on her arms. When she looked down, Vi seemed sheepish.
“Sorry.” Vi said sheepishly. “Just making sure you’re real.”
Caitlyn didn’t mind Vi’s incursion, but simply turned and washed the cloth at the bathroom sink. Black charcoal swirled into the sink as Caitlyn squeezed the cloth. Real? Vi keeps saying that. Why? Caitlyn couldn’t help but wonder. Was she really that lonely and lovestruck that she imagined Caitlyn’s presence where she was not?
“You said that before as well. Why wouldn’t I be real?” Caitlyn wondered. Her back was partially turned from Vi. Vi’s hands fidgeted in her lap and clutched her knees before speaking.
“It.. uh…” Vi looked at the clear white tiles, trying to explain herself. “When I was at the bar, drunk I always imagined that you were there. But, you weren’t, and now you’re here in front of me so I just…”
Vi shook her head, “I’m just afraid you aren’t really here. That my fucked up brain is imagining this all.” The last sentence came out loud and rough. Caitlyn felt her bottom lip wobble. God what had she done? This was her fault. Vi must’ve been so lonely. Caitlyn really had broken Vi’s heart.
Caitlyn placed long fingers under Vi’s chin to get her to look up.
“I’m real. I’m here. I promise this isn’t some hallucination you’re having.” Caitlyn could only assure Vi of this now. She would make it up to her. Caitlyn promised that to herself.
Vi felt tears slide down her cheeks, and Caitlyn wiped them away.
“I’m real Vi.” She closed her eyes as Caitlyn said those words.
Vi sniffed and stood up to wrap her arms around Caitlyn once more. She tightened her hold on Caitlyn and sighed into the place where shoulder met neck.
“You’re really real.” Vi’s voice was muffled. Caitlyn heard her as she ran a hand down Vi’s slightly longer, pink mixed with black hair.
“I’m really real.” Caitlyn repeated into Vi’s ear.
—
Caitlyn wrapped her arms around her waist which made Vi sigh blissfully. Vi kept looking at her, as if she was memorising her face in case they parted ways again. But Caitlyn wouldn’t let that happen. Not again. Besides, she didn’t really mind Vi’s longing looks at her. Especially since they came from someone like Vi. Despite the obvious loss in weight, Vi looked good. Still strong, muscular and broad. Caitlyn missed Vi’s body. She hadn’t realised it until she was holding and touching Vi once more.
Vi sat down with a grunt on the bed and Caitlyn picked out a band aid from the first aid box on the bedside table. Vi winced and hissed as Caitlyn put on a brand new band air on to the middle of her nose where there was a cut.
“Sorry.” Caitlyn murmured softly. She pressed down on the band aid with her two thumbs to make sure it stuck on.
“I think it might scar.” Caitlyn remarked with pouted lips, and Vi’s gaze automatically went there.
“It’s alright. What’s one more scar?” Vi gave a wry smile, but Caitlyn simply looked at Vi with a blank expression and turned to pack up the first aid box. Vi was right. She already had quiete a few scars and she did look good with them. But this was different. Vi was purposely fighting and knowingly getting hurt.
“I don’t like that you were getting hurt all this time. It makes me feel upset to think about you getting hurt every night.” Caitlyn spoke to Vi, with her back turned. She hoped too much anger didn’t come through from that sentence.
“I’m sorry. I just…” Vi stopped speaking. When Vi didn’t continue, Caitlyn turned back around.
“It’s alright. I’m not angry with you for fighting. You’re good at it after all. I just wish you hadn’t gotten hurt so much.”
With that, Caitlyn stood up and went back to the bathroom. She packed the first aid away.
“As long as you’re upset with me, Cupcake. I think I’ll really be okay.” Vi shouted from the bedroom.
Caitlyn’s hand froze from where it was about to close the drawer. Cupcake. That was something she hadn’t heard in a while now.
Caitlyn came back from the bathroom, standing just outside the threshold where the bathroom tiles ended to meet the smooth flooring of her bedroom.
“What?” Vi asked, confused. Caitlyn looked at her with an expression of nostalgia and a tint of sadness.
“Nothing.” Caitlyn chuckled under her breath. “I just haven’t heard that nickname in a while.”
“Oh.” Vi uttered. Her face fell, and she looked apologetic.
“I’m sorry if I made you sad by calling you Cupcake.” Vi tried to apologise, not fully understanding the way in which Caitlyn was hurt.
“No.” Caitlyn came up to Vi, and sat back down next to her. She held Vi’s hand tightly. Giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“I like it. I’ve…” Caitlyn ducked her head, and when she looked back up her cheeks were slightly rosy.
“I’ve missed you calling me by that name.” Caitlyn bit her lower lip. “I like it.” Vi licked her lips, her eyes darting from her lips to her eyes.
“I like calling you Cupcake too.” Vi whispered hoarsely.
Their breaths were shared in one space. Caitlyn didn’t realise they hadn’t gotten so close. But soon enough, Vi inched closer and gently kissed Caitlyn’s lips. It was a barely there kiss, just a brush of their lips. But, when she looked back at Caitlyn, to check if she wanted this and Caitlyn knew Vi could see the desire hidden in her cerulean blue eyes. Caitlyn surged forward wrapping her arms around Vi’s neck to claim her lips for a deeper kiss.
Vi moaned against Caitlyn’s lips and wrapped her arms around her lithe waist to draw her in closer. Before Caitlyn knew it she was on top of Vi, and their kiss was messy, passionate but full of the love they had for each other. Caitlyn rocked her hips agaisnt Vi’s hard abdomn desperate for clothing to be ripped away, so she could feel the warmth of Vi’s strong body.
When Caitlyn sat up and straddled Vi, Vi moaned and it only reignited the heat in Caitlyn’s core.
“Wait.” Vi stopped Caitlyn by placing her hands on her wrists, just as she was about to inch her night dress higher and higher.
“What?” Caitlyn asked, cocking her head to the side. She was confused. Had she misread the situation? Did Vi not want to?
Vi sat up, so they were close together again.
“Caitlyn I….” Vi gulped down the words, her eyes darting around in her skull as she tried to decide something.
“What is it?” Caitlyn’s eyes roamed around her face. Her lust momentarily replaced with concern.
Her long hands came to rest on Vi’s cheeks.
“What’s wrong? Do you not want to?” Caitlyn asked, meekly.
“No!” Vi said. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening her eyes to lock them with Caitlyn’s blue eyes.
“I love you.” Vi said loudly. Caitlyn’s heart nearly melted. Love. Yes that’s what they both felt for each other for a long time now.
Her face softened, and she leaned down to place a gentle kiss on Vi’s lips.
Her face was still close as she separated. Her eyes were earnest when she whispered to Vi, “I love you too.”
Vi’s face broke out into a smile. And it made Caitlyn’s face break into a grin, her tooth gap peaking out. Vi’s hand wrapped around Caitlyn’s waist and brought her down to rest on top of her on the bed. They kissed languidly, with no rush at all. Clothing came off in no time, left in a pile at the foot of the bed. The sheets rustled as Vi made Caitlyn feel so good, she never wanted the night to end.
At the end of it Caitlyn felt blissfully happy with Vi by her side. Her eyes closed and she hoped this was the start of her making amends for Vi.
—
Caitlyn lay on her side, Vi’s arm over her middle as she kept Caitlyn close to her, even in her sleep. Her breath tickled Caitlyn’s neck as she breathed in and out. Caitlyn sighed, caressing Vi’s hand. She missed this. Being this close to Vi. It felt so good to have her back.
A knock on the door startled Caitlyn from her thoughts. The door opened without her saying to enter. She saw a blue uniform, and then a head of ginger hair poke through the door.
“Caitlyn…” Maddie’s voice began but filtered out when she saw who was in bed with her.
Caitlyn watched as Maddie’s face fell. She felt Vi move behind her, poking her head up to see who had spoken. Caitlyn slowly sat up, feeling the sudden awkwardness of the situation.
“I’ll…” Maddie began before gulping and averting her gaze. “I’ll come back.”
Caitlyn sighed and closed her eyes. This was not how she wanted this to go.
“Isn’t that Officer Nolan?” Vi asked, her voice groggy as she placed an arm over her eye.
“Yes, it was.” Caitlyn replied absentmindedly, her brain trying to figure out the best solution for this mess.
“What was she doing here?” Vi wondered.
Caitlyn took a deep breath. It was better to tell Vi now, before she figured it out for herself.
“And why did she seem so upset?” Vi asked again. Caitlyn watched as sudden clarity hit Vi and she sat up with a jolt, looking at Caitlyn with barely concealed jealousy in her eyes.
“Did you two…?” Vi’s eyes were turning in her head.
“Yes.” Caitlyn said in a sigh.
“Oh.” Vi whispered back, her shoulders slumped. Caitlyn watched as Vi’s jaw tensed up. She held a hand out, ready to reassure Vi that it was over, to explain herself but Vi moved before she could do anything.
“You should go to her then. You’ve spent enough time with me.” Vi spat out, before entangling herself from the sheets - the same sheets she and Caitlyn made love in last night - and walking to the bathroom without a single glance back.
Caitlyn was about to go after her, but her radio clipped from the bedside table.
“Commander.” A male voice was saying.
“What?” Caitlyn spat out angrily.
“The general wishes to speak to you.” The male voice replied.
Caitlyn sighed and rubbed her forehead. It was way too early in the morning for this . She thought.
—
“General, you asked for me.” Caitlyn stands with her back straight, her chin held high and her hands folded behind her back.
Ambessa, stands before Caitlyn’s board, all the red straws connected to pictures. All an elaborate way for Caitlyn to understand, for her to find Jinx.
“Hmmm.” Ambessa simply replies with.
Caitlyn’s hands fidget from where they rest behind her back. She never knew what to expect from Ambessa. Truthfully, the woman was intimidating but she also offered enough wisdom to help Caitlyn keep a level head. And she needed that, especially considering that she had just sought Vi out and brought her home. Her heart won last night over her rational mind.
“I would’ve trusted you better to not complicate your relationships and let it get in the way of your pursuit for justice.” Ambessa says, her back still turned.
Caitlyn blinks, and she feels her head start to droop down but she forces herself to look straight ahead at Ambessa’s back.
“I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
Ambessa finally turns, her steely eyes locking on Caitlyn’s blue gaze.
“I heard from Officer Nolan that Vi is back. She was in your bedroom”, Ambessa looks down at Caitlyn’s body and Caitlyn feels like she’s bared naked before Ambessa. Of course she knows, but Caitlyn didn’t expect her to be so forward about it.
“That too, In a slightly uncompromising position.”
“What I do in my spare time is not of any business for Officer Nolan.” Caitlyn replies sternly.
“It is when she’s entangled in one of your many complicated relationships.” Ambessa shoots back.
Caitlyn clenches her jaw, to stop herself from speaking something she shouldn’t.
Apparently, noticing Caitlyn’s fight within herself Ambessa walks closer, laying a strong hand over Caitlyn’s bony shoulder. Her dark eyes soften considerably and regard Caitlyn.
“I know you have a soft spot for Vi. But you can’t let it get in the way of getting justice for your mother. We are so close Caitlyn. You need to cut her loose.”
Caitlyn’s eyes widened. Cut Vi loose. She had only just gotten her back. She can’t do that. Not after last night.
“I can’t do that, General.”
Ambessa sighs, as if Caitlyn were a stubborn child and her lips tilt upwards in a sad smile.
“Love is often hard to let go of, but you have to do that in order to maintain your strength and focus.”
Perhaps Ambessa was right. But, Vi and her just got back together. She couldn’t let her go yet. Caitlyn still had to make amends.
Ambessa patted her child, apparently satisfied with her words.
“Think about it. I’ll be on the ship if you need me.”
With that, Ambessa walked off, her heavy shoes thumping on the hardwood floor as she walked away. The rhythm matching Caitlyn’s conflicted heartbeat.
—
Her feet stutter to a stop on the glossy white tiles of her home, when she spots Maddie a few feet away. Her face sheepish, and her eyes downcast as soon as she spots Caitlyn.
Caitlyn clenches her jaw in anger and walks past Maddie only stopping when she speaks.
“I’m sorry Caitlyn. I had to tell her.” Maddie’s soft voice says.
Caitlyn looks down, her fists are clenched at her sides as she tries to reign in her anger about the invasion of her private business.
“Your apologies prove to be meaningless. You had no right to air out what happens in the walls of my bedroom.”
Maddie scoffs, “So it’s fine when our bedroom business is aired out, but for you and Vi it’s unacceptable.”
Caitlyn snaps her head to look at Maddie, her blue eyes full of ire and surprise that Maddie would say this.
“I really do hope she’s worth it.” Maddie says before striding off.
—
The garden doors are open letting in sunshine, the green trees glittering from the sunlight. That’s where Caitlyn finds Vi sitting on a wooden bench, surrounded by green plants and grass. A bird tweaks in the distance. Vi’s arms rested on the bench, her back muscles relaxed underneath the white tank top.
Her face is turned upwards, when Caitlyn walks to her side. Her pale face finally getting sunshine after so many months.
“You took your time to find me.” Vi says, with her eyes still closed.
“I didn’t realise we were playing hide and seek.” Caitlyn quips back, sitting down beside Vi.
Vi’s scarred lips - ones that were kissing Caitlyn just last night - tilt upwards in a small smile.
“Why didn’t you leave?” Caitlyn asks.
Vi’s grey-blue eyes finally open and lock onto Caitlyn’s.
“I've spent the better half of a year trying to find out whatever this thing between us was. I’m not leaving without answers.”
Caitlyn nods her head and for a while they both look ahead, taking in the scenery in front of them.
“Was I that easy to forget Cupcake?” Vi suddenly asks and Caitlyn’s heart freezes in her chest at that thought Vi is having. No, Vi is certainly not an easy person to forget. She never will be.
“Of course not, I was sorry for what happened between us. I tried to find you, but you just disappeared.”
Vi scoffs, “Well excuse me for running away from a rich unhinged mongoose who hit me with the barrel of her gun.”
Mongoose? Caitlyn frowns. That’s a new word. Ignoring it for the moment, Caitlyn apologises, “I’m so sorry for that. I don’t know what came over me. I was just so angry.”
“Hence my point about the unhinged mongoose.” Vi interrupts her.
“You’re one to talk, you look like an angry oil slick.” Caitlyn scoffs.
“An oil slick?” Vi frowns.
“We’re losing track of the conversation.” Caitlyn says with a shake of her head.
“You just called me an oil slick.” Vi says back to her.
Caitlyn rolls her eyes, “Well I don’t like being referred to as a mongoose either. So i guess we’re even.”
Vi and her look back at each other, before Vi lips lift up in a smile. She shakes her head before looking back ahead.
Caitlyn smiles, glad to see some of the tension residing between them. She shuffles closer to Vi on the bench. She takes hold of Vi’s hand, turning it over so their hands fit together.
“I’m so sorry for what happened between us. I want to make amends. It’s why I came looking for you and brought you home with me.”
Vi side eyes Caitlyn, waiting for her to say more.
“Please Vi, can’t we just try to make this work again?” Caitlyn asks.
“What about Officer Nolan?” The way Vi says her name is slightly mocking and annoyed, with just a hint of jealousy underneath it.
“You don’t have to worry about her. I broke it off with her long before we spent last night together.”
A heavy sigh escapes Vi’s lips and her shoulders relax. Her eyes regard Caitlyn.
“You sure?”
Caitlyn nods rapidly. “Absolutely.”
“You’re lucky I like you so much to let you make amends.” Vi muses, her lips twisting upwards.
“I definitely am.” Caitlyn says blissfully.
With the sun beating down on them, their hands intertwined and warm together, Caitlyn hopes this can be the beginning of a new start for them.