Vi's dreams swirled around her mind, a mixture of ecstasy and confusion. She took a deep breath, taking in the deep smell of vanilla cupcakes and sex. Smells good. She dreamed a parting in her legs, an eager tongue between them. Images floated around her, her boxing matches, new accents, women she's been with, but most of all, Caitlyn.
The pressure between her legs grew stronger and stronger until her eyes blinked open. Her vision blurry, she gazed around the dusk-colored room until realizing with a jolt, Caitlyn was actually pleasuring her.
Caitlyn lifted her head, a small look of smugness on her face. "Good morning."
Vi groaned and shifted her legs so Caitlyn could get a better angle. Not in her wildest dreams did Vi think she would be woken up like this. Especially not with someone as enticing and interesting as Caitlyn.
"Don't you ever get tired?" Vi panted, throwing her head back.
Caitlyn sucked down hard on her clit and then released it. "I feel like I didn't repay the favor enough last night. And also, no, I slept like an angel. Now, if you keep talking to me, the longer this is going to take."
Caitlyn's lithe tongue swirled up and down Vi's opening, dipping inside and then giving insistent strokes onto her clit. Releasing a low groan of approval, Vi's hands reached down and tangled themselves in Caitlyn's hair. She gave a small tug of appreciation and put her legs on top of her back. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the ride. Caitlyn slid two, long, curling, fingers into her sex, pumping gently.
Minutes later, Vi rode the waves of yet another peak, and when she crashed down, Caitlyn looked all-too-pleased with herself. She planted a wet kiss on Vi's trembling inner thigh and sat up. Vi couldn't help but give her a sappy look. She realized that their time together was ending. At least for now.
"What's that look for?" Caitlyn said.
Vi shook her head, "it's nothing. You sure know how to treat a lady in the morning."
Caitlyn finally slid off Vi looked around on the floor, letting out a giggle. "I suppose I do. Have you seen my panties?"
Vi ran a hand through her hair. "Not since last night." She let out an uncomfortable chuckle. She hadn't been with a woman like this in a while, and she wanted a trophy to remember the night by. "You could borrow a pair of my boxers?"
Caitlyn hooked her bra back on and slid Vi's shirt on. "I think I'll have to. It looks like I'll be sporting an entire Vi outfit."
"Guess so."
Caitlyn and Vi finished getting dressed in relative silence, occasionally stealing glances at one another. Vi picked at the scabs on her knuckles. She knew what she wanted to ask Caitlyn, but she didn't want to seem clingy. But, if she didn't make a move, this blue-haired beauty in front of her would just fly back into fate's hands.
"Can I see you again?" Vi blurted.
After Caitlyn had said yes to meeting her again next week, same place, same time; she left. Vi watched her sway out of the door and felt a lonely twinge when the door closed behind her. Vi sighed and decided to wash the night's activities off her, and then, she decided glumly, it was time to visit Powder.
It's not that she didn't like visiting Powder at the hospital. She loved spending time with her sister, but it was becoming an all-too-painful reality that unless Vi could secure funds from fighting, Powder would be left without mental care. And that had dangerous consequences. Vi shuddered at the thought and steeled herself to do better. Nothing was going to stand in her way of taking care of Powder. Not even a brute like Sevika.
Vi sighed and scrubbed her body down with her cheap bar of soap, dried herself off with a worn-down towel, and set out on her day- no time to feel bad about herself. She bolted out of her apartment and locked it. It was a long way to the hospital, and Vi had sold her car months ago.
Halfway to the hospital, Vi grew bored of walking and set out into a run. The breeze felt good against her wet hair as her feet pounded against the craggy pavement. At least running doubled as part of the crazy amounts of training her personal trainer (hired by Vander, of course) had her doing. Training would start back up tomorrow. Time for the next fight.
Vi skidded to a halt, pushed her hair back calmly, and entered the hospital. She was already on a first-name basis for many of the receptionists since she was here so often.
"Skye!" Vi exclaimed, genuinely happy to see the adorable curly-haired woman. "Haven't seen you in a while. How'd your nursing exam go?"
"Violet," Skye said, pushing her glasses upwards. "Well…"
Vi leaned over the desk in suspense. Skye had been working to be a nurse for years. It wasn't easy when you were a Zaunite, not easy to step out of the backbreaking poverty.
"I passed!" Skye squealed. "Today's my last day as a receptionist."
"Congrats," Vi grinned. "Any big plans to celebrate?"
A dreamy, yet distant, look passed over Skye's eyes. She shook her head, "You came here to see Powder, not hear my sad stories of unrequited love. Let me work on that guest pass for you."
"Thanks."
Skye handed a lanyard to Vi. "No, thank you for checking in. I hope you have a good visit with Powder."
Vi swiped her pass and hit the elevator button for the highest floor, the mental health support unit. She tapped her foot impatiently as the elevator groaned upwards and she couldn't shake the thought that Powder deserved to be in a better facility.
The door dinged open and Vi was greeted by sterile, bright, fluorescent white light. The greeter asked who she was there for.
"Powder, y'know, the one with blue hair," Vi said.
"Ah, you must be Violet."
It sometimes grated her nerves when people she didn't know used her full name. "Yeah. Can I see her?"
Vi was already walking towards Powder's room before the greeter even gave her an answer. She knocked on the entrance, even though the door was always open. Powder often got territorial if you didn't respect her privacy.
"Vi!" Powder cried and nearly bulldozered herself through her sister. Her blue hair was tangled in two long braids, and Vi was relieved to see that she seemed to be in great physical condition.
"Hey Pow-Pow," she grunted from the impact.
Once Powder finally calmed herself, Vi took a seat in her room and they started talking about everything; from Powder's schooling, the gadgets she was tinkering on, to the drama going on in the ward. Apparently, she had a pretty big crush on one of the visitors who frequented the hospital. Some dude named Ekko. Who names their kid Ekko?
"Everything's going okay though, right?" Vi asked, placing her hand delicately on Powder's arm.
It was over a year ago that Powder had her big breakdown which landed her in the mental health unit for an indefinite amount of time. It was a struggle to find the right fit for treatments, especially with Powder's conditions, which Vi was sure she didn't really understand herself. What she did understand was that Powder needed help, and she could make sure she got it.
"You don't gotta look at me like I'm going to break right in front of your face," Powder said in a slightly biting tone. "I'm not a kid anymore."
Vi sniffed in amusement. "I know. Old habits die hard, I guess. How's the new treatment coming along?"
A conflicted look spread across her sister's face. "It's fine. It makes all of me foggy, not just… not just the bad parts." Her brown eyes flicked to the gadget on her desk. "Makes building things harder."
"We can try something else if you want," Vi said, half-praying to herself that it was the truth.
Powder shrugged, clearly more than bored about the subject at hand. "How's fighting? They don't let us fucking watch the fights on the TVs here, incites violence or something."
"It's fine."
Powder rolled her eyes. "You're a terrible liar, sis. Did you knock her lights out or not?"
"Well, it's more like we both knocked each other's lights out," Vi muttered.
"I woulda loved to see that, your face probably looked so shocked," Powder snickered, landing a few play punches on Vi's still-tender shoulders.
"It probably looked stupid," She agreed, punching back. "We'll probably have a rematch, then I'll be onto more fights."
Powder looked proud of her, and said, "that's my sister. The punch-you-in-your-face champ."
Vi's heart fluttered with warmth and pulled Powder into a hug. "All for you, Pow-Pow."
"So, you got a girlfriend yet?" Powder asked innocently, looking down at her pink and blue painted nails.
A scribble of red zig-zagged across Vi's cheeks. "Not exactly."
"Well hey, that's different from your usual 'shut up, Powder'!" Her sister responded, nearly vibrating with giddiness. "Can I meet her?"
"We're not exactly official," Vi said. "We met last night."
A wicked grin spread across Powder's face and seeing the expression on her face reminded Vi that they were definitely related by blood. "Oh?" Powder wiggled her eyebrows.
"Ugh. We're done talking about this."
After Vi felt like she had exhausted every other possible conversation topic with Powder, she left and went to go talk to her doctor. She promised her sister that she'd visit again in a few days, and to bring her some engineering magazine that was hip with the nerds. Out of the two of them, Powder was the one who got the brains.
Vi pulled out the chair, causing it to drag loudly across the floor. She winced at the sound, a little embarrassed. Something always seemed to go slightly wrong when she was in front of Powder's doctor. Not that Vi needed to give the stupid healthcare system another reason to doubt her.
The doctor, who usually seemed sickly and pale himself, had Powder's notes in front of him.
"It looks like her condition is stabilizing," the doctor said. "But, there's the uncomfortable issue of payment. She will likely require a few months more as we find the right treatment."
"I have it," Vi said. "Not to worry, Viktor, you'll get your pay."
"It is not my pay, Vi. You know I don't make the rules," Viktor mumbled. He gestured towards his own deformity, a very crooked and weak-looking leg. "Even being in my position doesn't alleviate the burden of providing treatment."
Vi sighed. "I know. It's just… I was hoping to take the full purse. All I have is 5,000 golden hexes."
Viktor lifted a page in Powder's notes. "That will buy you some time," He gave a dry chuckle. "Literally, in this instance."
"How much?"
"About a month, supposing that the rates don't increase, and her medication remains the same."
Vi shook her head, displeased. "I already sold my," She lowered her voice; she was always worried Powder could somehow hear all about her financial woes. "I already sold my fucking car, Viktor." Angry thoughts swirled around Vi's mind. Mostly she just wanted to throw whoever owned this hospital's head into a table. And then run them over with her car.
A genuine look of compassion crossed Viktor's face. "I'm sorry, I'll see what I can do."
"She also said that this mediation was making her brain foggy or some shit. Is that normal?"
Viktor nodded. "Unfortunately, yes, some of these medicines can make the user feel out of sorts."
"She's too smart to be…" Vi searched for the right word but couldn't. "To be dumbed down. Once she gets out of here, she'll have a real chance at college."
"Like I said, I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks. I'll make sure I come back with a full purse next time," Vi promised. No matter what it takes.
Vi threw her full weight into the punching bag. The bag groaned against her effort, and she laid into the defenseless thing. After landing a ruthless right hook, she shoved the bag away. The sounds of her punches and her ragged breathing were the only sounds in the completely empty gym. After the hospital, she couldn't even imagine going back to her apartment. Much better to punch things alone than sit around alone in her apartment. Minutes, or maybe hours—Vi couldn't be bothered to tell- passed and she gave a final blow against the heavy bag.
"Fuck you!" She yelled at it, frustrated tears welling up in her eyes.
Vi tossed off her gloves and slunk against the wall. In a moment of weakness, she wished that Caitlyn was there to comfort her. She needed to tell someone who wasn't Vander about what was going on. He had already done enough for her and Powder, she couldn't bring herself to ask for yet another favor. But Caitlyn could listen, offer a gentle touch…
Vi wiped her tears away with her forearm and she realized absentmindedly that her knuckles had split open again. At this point, she was too tired to care. Too tired to walk home. Vi leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. It wasn't the first time she'd slept at Vander's gym, and it wouldn't be the last.
"Vi," A distant voice called, stirring Vi from her sleep.
A boot prodded into her stomach, and she finally opened an eye, wincing at the sudden brightness. Standing over her was Vander, the morning light pouring behind him. His hands on his hips, he looked only mildly annoyed that Vi was sleeping on the gym floor in a puddle of her own drool.
"Rough night?" He grunted.
"Something like that," Vi said and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "Needed it after that visit with Powder."
Vander offered her a sympathetic look. "The gym's about to open, go tidy yourself up. Then, it's our usual day. I'll make sure you'll sweat out whatever's in your system."
Vi stood up and placed her forehead against Vander's shoulder. "That sounds great. Thank you."
He gave her a comforting pat on the head and gave her a small push towards the locker rooms.
Vi changed into her boxing shorts, which were shiny and red and into a white sports bra. She wrapped her hands, taking the time to protect them properly for the long session ahead. They were tender from last night, but they've suffered worse before. She laced her boxing shoes up and bounced experimentally on them. They were her newest purchase, one of the few times she splurged on herself.
With a renewed sense of confidence from her gear, Vi pushed her way out of the locker room, ready for the start of the day. Nothing beats looking good and feeling good. She eyed the gym-goers as they started to pour into the space. Most were there just for the workout, not because they were actual fighters.
Vander waved her over. "Alright, I got some vids for you to watch," He tossed her a stack of tapes. "You know the drill. I have to work with the other clients."
Vi gave a moody sigh and slunk off into the other room. This was one of Vi's least favorite parts of going pro. She would spend a few hours every week studying other fights, sometimes shadowboxing one of the opponents, or figuring out what she fucked up during a fight. Spoiler alert, it's my guard.
She popped one of the tapes in, and it was the fight where Sevika's shoulder tore. Vi's mood rose greatly as she realized that she was going to watch Sevika's clock get cleaned. She wasn't in her prime, like she was a few years ago when she won the heavyweight championship, but formidable anyway.
Vi didn't recognize her opponent and didn't really care who it was. She watched the fight progress, trying to find some sort of pattern she could break in Sevika's footwork, punches, anything. She started to see the hint of a pattern of Sevika's impressive, almost machine-like, fight ethic. Sevika would spring forward, using her weight behind a brutal right hook and back off. Vi rewound the tape, eyes straining as she got closer and closer to the screen.
Spring forward, right hook, step back. Rewind again. Play. Vi waited for the Sevika on the screen to do the same thing again. See if it was a habit. She remembered the way Sevika barreled towards her like a caged lion. Vi's pulse began to race with excitement.
Sevika pivoted, took two steps forward, threw her weight behind the right hook, and took two steps back. Every. Time.
Vi grinned. She pictured Sevika in front of her, coming towards her. She slipped under the right hook, and against her instincts, took two steps forward, delivering a jab-cross combo. She paused the tape and practiced her own pattern against Sevika. She was excited to tell Vander her findings.
Vi finished watching the rest of her tapes, including the one she fought against Sevika. She cringed at her guard and how she took a few too many punches. No wonder Vander had scolded her mid-match. It was definitely Vi's greatest weakness as a fighter—the little regard she had for her own personal safety.
She walked back into the main room, tapes in hand, and handed them back to Vander. He gave her a suspicious look, like he couldn't be sure she actually watched all of them. He quirked an eyebrow.
"I figured something out," the fighter said, her own body nearly buzzing with excitement.
"Your guard needs work?" Vander half-chuckled to himself.
"Already knew that," Vi muttered. "No. Sevika. She does this thing."
"Well?"
"She comes forward, like the fuckin' brute she is. Throws a right hook, and always backs away right away."
"How many steps each time?"
"Two or three forward, punch, then two back. Every time."
"Good," Vander said, genuinely impressed that Vi managed to pay attention during the study session. "We'll work a counter on that for the re-match."
"Hell yeah," Vi said, delving deep into her thoughts. The crowd cheering, her standing over Sevika. The referee holding her hand up in triumphant victory... the hard-earned sweat dripping down her brow.
"Before then, though," Vander said, turning to gesture someone over. "You know I've been havin' trouble finding a personal trainer that can keep up with ya…"
Vi blinked, still thinking about how heavy the winning purse would feel in her hands. How Powder could recover as much as she needed. "A-huh."
"Vi. Could you pay attention?" Vander sighed in exasperation. "There's someone I need you to meet."
Vi's eyes lifted from the ground and away from her daydream. There was a tall, beautiful, blue-haired woman standing by Vander, looking half-mortified. A surprised jolt coursed through Vi's body, leaving her feeling completely numb. Was she seeing this right?
"Vi, this is Caitlyn Kiramman. She's a champion herself, rifle shooting. She's one of the best personal trainers in the nation. And she's here to train your conditioning and general fitness. I'll still be working on your technique, but…"
Vi stopped listening. She drank in the view of Caitlyn. Her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her angled face looking as enticing as ever. Don't get me started on those yoga pants…
"I'm sure you two will get along great," Vander beamed, pushing the two young women towards each other. "I'll leave you to it, then."
Vi shoved her hand towards Caitlyn, offering a handshake. "A pleasure to meet you Cup- I mean Caitlyn."
"Likewise," Caitlyn responded, averting her gaze. A pang of hurt hit Vi's chest, much to her displeasure. Why isn't she looking at me?
"Well, no time like the present," Caitlyn continued. "Let's get started on today's session."
Vi struggled to keep up with Caitlyn as she sped-walked to the dumbbell rack, medicine balls, and battle ropes.
"Vander hired me to push his fighters into the best condition," Caitlyn said, her blue eyes flaring with passion. "And that is what I intend to do."
Seeing this side of Caitlyn—this strict, impersonal, professional, and not to mention intense, Caitlyn—made Vi wonder if the woman she had been with two nights ago was a figment of her imagination.
Caitlyn grabbed two three-pound dumbbells and handed them to Vi.
"Follow my lead," Caitlyn said, picking up a pair of her own.
"Never been a problem before," Vi joked.
Caitlyn shot her a venomous look like she was about to pay for the stupidity that just rolled off her tongue. She started shadowboxing, jab-jab-cross combo. Vi gritted her teeth in embarrassment and started mimicking Caitlyn's movements.
After what seemed like an eternity had passed, Caitlyn dropped the weights. Her chest was barely moving from the effort. Vi panted and set down the weights.
"Pick them back up," Caitlyn ordered.
Vi did so.
"Burpees."
Vi let out a groan. She fucking hated burpees. She started in on them, the weights burning in her arm as she jumped upwards. Vi watched from the corner of her eyes as Caitlyn jogged over to the battle ropes.
"Drop the weights, battle ropes, now!" Caitlyn barked.
Vi dropped the weights and ran to the battle ropes. She picked them up and started pumping. Any romantic or sexual thought of Caitlyn was getting burned away from the workout. Caitlyn's military-like disposition towards Vi was completely unexpected.
"Push, push, push! Squat lower!"
Vi let out a snarl and gave the ropes an angry snap. Her heart was beating so fast, and not much time had passed since the start of the session.
Caitlyn moved on to the medicine balls, picking up the heaviest one. She sat down on the floor. "Over here," She called.
Vi mirrored Caitlyn's position, their feet touching each other. Caitlyn scooted backward, did a weighted crunch, and threw the ball at Vi. With a grunt, Vi caught it, crunched, and threw it right back.
The circuit went on for what seemed like forever. A beeper went off, and for a moment Vi thought the torture was over. Caitlyn set the medicine ball back in its rightful place and wiped the sweat from her brow off.
"Excellent work," She said. "Time for the run."
"Run!?"
The pair exited the gym and started for a long run around the block. Not much was said between them since every time Vi opened her mouth, Caitlyn gave her a reason to shut it. The reason being a sharp glare. When they finally returned, Vi couldn't remember a time she felt this beat. At least, professionally speaking, she would be getting into the best shape of her life thanks to Caitlyn. Vi wiped her head down with a towel and watched the tall woman enter the locker room.
Vi decided she needed answers. Nothing she did warranted this cold treatment from Caitlyn. She wrapped the towel around her shoulders and followed Caitlyn into the locker room. As she stepped through the door, Caitlyn's head turned over her shoulder.
Vi was relieved to see a softer version of Caitlyn's eyes looking back at her. Caitlyn made a gesture for her to wait, as a couple of women left the locker room. They were finally alone.
"What gives?!" Vi almost yelled as the door clicked shut.
"Lower your voice," Caitlyn hissed, taking a step towards Vi, an apologetic look on her face.
"What the fuck, Cait?" Vi hissed back.
"Vi," Caitlyn said, her voice dangerously tempered. "I didn't completely realize when I met you who you really were."
"That shouldn't matter," Vi narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.
"But it does. This is a complete conflict of interest," Caitlyn said. "Vander hired me to train you. I cannot have the reputation that I sleep with my clients."
"Who cares?!" Vi said, her voice rising again which caused Caitlyn to cringe out of fear of being heard. "What I felt, two nights ago with you, was real. Something more than just sleeping together."
"Do you really think I'm happy about this?" Caitlyn said. "This isn't what I planned."
"Then forget about professionalism or-whatever-the-fuck!" Vi said. "Seeing you later this week is the-" Her voice broke. "The first thing I've looked forward to outside of boxing in years."
"Our relationship, especially as new as it was, will distract you from your training," Caitlyn said, pinching her brow. "You're a champion in the making, I won't stand in the way of that."
Vi's fists bunched up at her sides. "You don't know that'll distract me."
"You could barely focus during our session today," Caitlyn countered.
"So?"
"So, Vi, that has repercussions. Vander told me all about the situation with your sister. I cannot be selfish and risk ruining what you're building up for yourself by dating you!"
Vi would have to give Vander a stern talking to later. Her business was her business, not anybody else's.
"That's my problem to worry about," Vi said, jabbing a thumb towards herself. "I'm a grown-ass woman. I can handle a girlfriend, family shit, and a job like every other person on the planet!"
Caitlyn gave a defeated sigh, but Vi could see the gleam of desire in Caitlyn's eyes. If she's not going to fight for it, I will. Vi took a step forward, her shoe making a distinct sound against the tile. Caitlyn's breath hitched as Vi pinned her against the wall, her powerful arm blocking her way out.
"Tell you what, Cupcake," Vi said, looking her up and down. "We have a lot in common. I'm not letting you get away that easy." Her head dipped into the nape of Caitlyn's glistening neck and her lips brushed against her skin.
Caitlyn squirmed against Vi's weight, an all-too-familiar feeling. "What are you proposing?"
"If I prove to you that you can train me and I can win my fights, we can stay together. If I lose…"
Vi's steel-gray eyes met Caitlyn's blue ones. "What do you say? Will you place your bets on me?"
"Fine," Caitlyn said, and even she couldn't contain the small smile on her face. "But we seriously can't do anything at the gym, or anything until your rematch with Sevika. There's too much at stake."
Vi placed a gentle kiss on her lips, then stepped away.
"Deal."