The telephone rang, startling Vi out of her thoughts. She looked down at the water fountain and how it barely managed to bubble past the dispenser. Out of the corner of her eye she could see that Vander reached for it, scratching his stubble.
"The Lanes Gym, it's Vander."
A feminine voice garbled on the other line. Vander gestured towards Vi, and she walked over from the water fountain.
"Hey?" She asked.
"Vi, it's Powder," her sister said.
"Pow-Pow!" Vi exclaimed, some relief washing over her. She had been so busy with training that she couldn't find the time to visit her sister in the week preceding the fight.
"Hey, I just wanted to tell you good luck," Powder said.
Vi smiled against the phone. "Thanks."
Clicking sounds crackled across the connection. "And also, Sevika, or whatever, totally looks roided out. What are they even feeding her?"
"Hell if I know," Vi muttered. "She's always been huge."
"Maybe you'll get lucky and her liver will give out."
Vi could picture the way Powder's face would be turning into a goofy smile. "I don't need luck. What are you working on? I can hear you tinkering."
Vander made a motion for Vi to wrap up the conversation. The time had finally come. The only thing left to do was go to the stadium and finish what she had started a month ago.
"Just a lil somethin' for Ekko," Powder responded, the slightest hint of whimsy in her voice. "It's this whirlybird that changes colors."
"That's awesome," Vi said, tugging at her joggers. "Hey, listen, thanks for calling. But I have to go."
"I'm glad I caught you before you left."
"Me too."
"Knock 'em dead, sis," Powder breathed. "Don't… don't get hurt."
"I won't. Love you."
"Love you. Bye."
Vi hung up the phone and took a deep, steadying breath. She wasn't too sure that she was going to walk away from the rematch without something hurting like a bitch. The thought made her pulse race.
Vander opened the door for her, and they walked out together. Even though a few short minutes from now, Vi wished Caitlyn was there with them. Standing next to her. She already was at the stadium, prepping the recovery space for after the fight.
A long, sleek, black car waited for them. "Vander, you shouldn't have," Vi said, bewildered at the presence of the limousine.
Vander chuckled and let himself into the limousine. Vi slid in next to him, in complete awe of the luxury she just stepped into.
"I didn't," Vander deliberately said. "Mrs. Kiramman did."
Stunned, Vi elected to say nothing else, instead, she dragged her finger across the leather. The limousine pulled out of the parking lot and began the journey to the stadium. Out of the corner of her eye, she could tell that Vander kept glancing at her like he was on the verge of saying something to her.
As they exited the highway, whatever Vander had on his mind finally surfaced.
"I'm so proud of the woman you've become," Vander said. When Vi turned to face him, she could almost see the tears in his eyes. "You know, there may come a time where you outgrow me, and I wanted to tell you that if you want another coach, there would be no hard feelings."
"Don't say shit like that," Vi grumbled. "No matter how far this boxing thing takes me, it's you who's gonna be training me. You're stuck with me old man."
Against his will, Vander looked relieved. "Well, alright."
The city's night lights rolled past the windows of the limousine, eventually breaking away to the imposing stadium. It wasn't as big as some of the ones in Piltover, but it still boggled Vi's mind that people were pouring in to watch the fight.
She reached into her bag and pulled out her headphones on. It's time to get in the fucking zone. She cranked up the volume nice and loud and stepped out of the limousine. She didn't wait to see if Vander was following her. She strode up to the VIP entrance and kicked the doors open. The guards jumped back in surprise, then promptly got out of Vi's way.
The bass of the music throbbed against her ears, and she could feel the anxiety she felt from the past few days morph into adrenaline. The desire to overcome the challenge that stood before.
Vi took a deep breath and headed into the prep room, where she hoped Caitlyn was. She bounced with every step she took, feeling utterly in sync with the music. Vi was right, Caitlyn in somewhat of a frenzy, prepped a lot of the space for Vi to both warm-up and recover in.
Caitlyn smiled at Vi, but the pinch in her eyebrows betrayed her true feelings. She looked as nervous as Vi felt earlier. Her trainer pointed at the jump rope and mouthed the words 'warm up'.
Vi started the jump rope, hopping effortlessly on a single foot before switching to the other. Closing her eyes, she melded into the flow of the workout. When she opened her eyes again, Caitlyn tapped at her wristwatch.
Panting a little, Vi set the jump rope down and Caitlyn lead her through dynamic stretches and calisthenics. Somehow, she always knew what Vi needed to feel relaxed and primed for anything. After they finished, Vi begrudgingly took her headphones off.
"What's the time?"
"7:30. Here, take this," Caitlyn tossed a bottle towards Vi. She caught it and squirted water into her mouth. "Vander is ready to work on some last-minute drills. We'll move to the ring shortly after."
Caitlyn reached for her hand wraps and offered them to Vi, who in turn, presented her hands. Caitlyn started on her left hand, and Vander came over in headgear and worked on her right hand. The pair worked in tandem, firmly but comfortably wrapping Vi's hands. When they finished, she flexed her fists.
"Thanks," she said to both of them and turned to Caitlyn for her gloves. Caitlyn slid them on and made sure the wrist strap was secured before giving her butt a friendly tap to go over to Vander.
"Alright," Vander said. "We're gonna practice you surviving this right hook of Sevika's, and how you're gonna counter it."
"Got it," Vi said, putting her guard up.
Vander had his training mitts on and put his guard up. Although he was taller than Sevika and heavier, he served as a better shoo-in than Caitlyn.
Vander barreled towards her and threw a right hook. Vi slipped through the punch, took two steps forward as Vander took two back, throwing mock uppercuts, lightly hitting his chin.
"Good," Vander said. "There's a couple of ways you can close the distance there. So you can slip, like you did, roll, and get a body shot or two in, or you can block and give a hook right back. She takes the two steps back, so be ready to close that distance."
They practiced each of the scenarios, and Vi's mind felt sharp, and her body prepared.
Someone from the League opened the door, poked his head through, and said, "it's time."
"I'll meet you out there, kid. Take your time," Vander said and walked over to meet the representative.
Vi watched him leave and felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to Caitlyn and a wave of mixed emotions came over her. Caitlyn had grown to be not only her trainer but a good friend. And hopefully, something more after Vi won the fight.
Caitlyn's hand shifted from her shoulder to Vi's face, cupping it. Her eyes fluttering, Caitlyn leaned in and pressed a tender kiss on Vi's lips. She pulled back before Vi could reciprocate.
"For good luck," Caitlyn said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Not that you need it."
Vi grinned from ear to ear. "Thanks, cupcake. Can't wait to make good on this bet of ours," she said and walked out the door, Caitlyn trailing behind her.
Entering the arena again felt completely different than the first time. The crowd almost drowned the announcer out with their cheering. Vi pulled her shoulders back and puffed her chest proud and walked out of the tunnel. The lights, the flashes, the sounds, brought Vi back to reality. Her business with Caitlyn would have to sort itself out later.
"Ladies and gentlemen, she is BACK FOR MORE! She's here to settle the grudge match… it's Vi!" The announcer roared into his microphone.
The crowd started chanting her name until Sevika made her entrance. Fucking turncoats.
"Now entering the arena, she's back for vengeance and to preserve her legacy! Former heavyweight champion, Seeeeeviiiiiikaaa!"
Vi slid through the ropes and waited for Sevika. She rolled onto the ring, springing upwards. For how big she was, Vi still couldn't believe how fast she moved.
The referee stood between them. "You know the drill, tap gloves, corners. Wait till the bell rings."
Taking a steadying breath, Vi pulled her hands up into a tight guard. The notes from the music she listened to before echoed in her ears, and she bobbed silently to the soundless notes. The bell rang twice, and with two minutes ticking down on the clock and ten rounds looming before her, Vi took a step forward.
The two fighters met in the middle, sizing each other up. Sevika threw the first jab, and it bounced harmlessly off of Vi's guard. Vi returned fire with a jab-jab-cross combo, which Sevika took on her guard.
They bounced around each other, their guards hovering up and down, trying to fake the other one out. Sevika broke the unspoken line between them and threw a flurry of blows, forcing Vi to roll around them. Staying light on her toes, Vi pivoted to her opponent's exposed side and landed a vicious liver shot. Sevika punched too, and they ate the punches, eventually ending up so close together they appeared to be embracing.
The referee separated them and gave a slight shove to keep them apart. Blood pounding in her ears, Vi shuffled her feet in an unheard rhythm, trying to juke Sevika out. Jab-jab-cross-hook. Sevika slipped and rolled from the blows, crouching low, brown muscles tensing in preparation.
Having the understanding to know what your opponent is going to do next is earned with sweat, pain, and blood. Vi leaned back as the breeze of an uppercut flew past her chin and seized the opportunity to land two hooks to Sevika's abdomen.
The bell rang, and the two women retreated to their corners. Caitlyn tossed Vi a towel, and she wiped the dripping sweat off her hair and face.
"Alright Vi you're doing good keeping your guard up," Vander said. "Unfortunately, Sevika is at the top of her game tonight. You have to be in it for the long haul."
Vi grabbed a water bottle and squirted some in her mouth. "Got it," she nodded. "Are you seeing anything I'm not?"
Vander shook his head. "No, but let's see what a few more rounds brings us."
The bell rang again and Vi turned on her heel to face her opponent. The second round began much like the first one did; a flurry of body shots, blocks, eventually taking the two women well-within arm's reach.
The referee separated them once more and Vi met Sevika's eyes. Her dark brown eyes narrowed in raw focus, and her eyes flicked towards Vi's left side. In a split second, a wicked hook landed on Vi's ribs, barely grazing off the guard. It knocked the wind out of her. She backed up, wheezing.
If Vander hadn't ridden her about the guard, she no doubt would have taken the shot right in the kidney. And been on the floor.
She put out her jab hand as a feeler, constantly pushing Sevika back with a threat of her own hook. Vi jabbed at Sevika's guard, waiting for the second round to come to a close. Sevika threw a cross, Vi bobbed her head down and returned with a cross of her own. She felt her glove knock Sevika's jaw together, her teeth clicking together in a most uncomfortable sound. The crowd made an ooooh sound.
Ding Ding. Vi wasted no time sitting down in her corner and took a swig of water.
"You're clomping around like a workhorse," Vander quipped. "Stay light on your feet."
"Vary the levels of your punches," Caitlyn added.
"Yeah, keep on multiple planes, stay quick, stay low," Vander said.
"Okay."
The third and fourth rounds came and went without a definitive victor. So far, Vi hadn't seen Sevika set up for her finishing punches. No sign of the barbarous right hook or the accompanying two steps back. Vi was starting to worry. Not because she doubted her skill, but because the game plan she meticulously trained for didn't seem to be coming to fruition.
Vi started to hate the sound of the bell as the fifth round started. Vi jumped around on her tiptoes, trying to follow Vander's advice. She bounced around, testing Sevika's seemingly unbreakable guard with light jabs and crosses. They were met with blocks, or they didn't even land.
She could feel her frustration mounting. What was Sevika waiting for? She was taller and heavier. Vi couldn't close the distance without being in the range of savage body shots, crosses, and hooks to the head. But, if she could endure the barrage, she could come in with an uppercut. With her being shorter, the strongest part of her blow would land right below Sevika's stupid chin.
Changing it up, Vi threw a couple of power jabs. Sevika stumbled back and Vi could only blink and pray as she rolled under the following blows. Vi closed the distance, Sevika still caught off guard.
Time seemed to go in slow motion. Vi, knees bent, torso twisting, sprang, and punched upwards. The blow landed and Sevika's head flew backward, spittle flying from her face. She gasped and backed up, immediately pulling her guard back into position. Vi pressed on, throwing two body hooks, one on each side of Sevika's body.
That is until Vi realized that her eagerness and frustration to end the fight left her face wide open. Sevika winded up for a cross-body punch, and when it landed, Vi swore she could see stars.
She landed on her ass, and the referee blocked Sevika from trampling over her. Vi jumped back on her feet before the referee could even start counting down.
The bell rang, and the whole crowd, that had been holding its breath, erupted into a deafening roar.
"She's telegraphing where she's going," Vander said. "Keep it calm Vi, losing your tits over how long this is taking isn't getting you anywhere. Stay fluid. Move your waist"
Caitlyn pressed ice into Vi's brow, biting her lip to keep herself from laughing. She also put petroleum jelly onto her cheeks and forehead.
"Yeah, yeah, you're right."
"Get her shoulder, make her mad, make her lose her cool. You got this."
The sixth round started, Vi immediately closed the distance with a power jab and accompanying cross. Sevika rolled under and stepped forward, their bodies flush together. Vi wanted nothing more than to shove Sevika off her.
The referee separated them, and the fight continued. Without hesitation, Vi swung at Sevika's injured shoulder.
The all-too-familiar-rage ignited in Sevika's eyes and she barreled forward, shoving Vi with her shoulder. The referee blew the whistle and gave Sevika a stern warning.
"Fuck you," Vi snarled.
"Fuck you too," Sevika spat back.
Vi threw another punch to Sevika's shoulder, which Sevika couldn't protect at the same time as her head. Remembering what Caitlyn said, Vi dropped down low and punched Sevika's right side for a liver shot. Was she losing steam? Or was she just biding her time?
Sevika pivoted, and the blows rained down on Vi's side. Vi stumbled backward again, pain searing through her body and tainting her vision. She quickly stepped away and opened the distance between them.
Vi got back on her tiptoes, keeping her steps light and fluid. Even though her ribs stung, and the punch to her face from the previous round throbbed, the adrenaline surging through her veins muted the pain.
Jab-jab-cross-jab-hook. The speed and power of the combo she unleashed on Sevika surprised Vi herself. She didn't think she had that left in the tank this round. Disciplined as always, Sevika either blocked or ate the shots. Fuck this shit.
Bell rang. Ass in the corner. Vander was saying words, Vi not quite processing. The buzzing in her ears became deafening.
Her gaze floated to meet Caitlyn's, whose eyebrows were knitted with concern. She tapped on Vi's head.
"Are you alright?"
"Just pissed," Vi muttered.
Caitlyn gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"Lucky number seven, finish the fight," Vander said.
Vi rose to her feet before the sound of the bell filled the arena. She could feel the exhaustion making her limbs heavy, and she prayed that Sevika felt just as shitty as she did.
Vi took a shuddering breath in and pulled her guard up. The seventh round started and the two sharks circled around each other; hungry, as there was already blood in the water.
The thought of Powder entered her mind. The weight of the money in her hand. The roar of the crowd as she rose as the victor. The beginning of her career. Caitlyn.
With a battle cry, Vi pressed forward and unleashed hell on Sevika. They bobbed and weaved around each other, seemingly perfectly matched. Vi kept pushing against her opponent, not letting her height advantage call the shots. Sevika was in the corner, ropes pressed against, absorbing the punches that landed on her guard and eventually on her abdomen.
Vi ran out of gas. All she could do was step back and wait for Sevika to answer her call.
Sevika's muscles tensed as she advanced. And that's when Vi saw it.
As soon as she was out of the corner, Sevika pivoted. Took two steps forward.
That's when Vi's instincts took over. She had practiced this exact moment with Vander no less than a thousand times. Sevika's finishing move would be her undoing. Vi's exhaustion morphed into an indomitable will. The will of a champion.
Vi rolled under the right hook that inevitably flew past her head at the speed of light. Time slowed. Vi kept her guard tight on her cheeks in case another blow would come. It never did. As she crouched low on the ground, her two steps followed Sevika's. Her foot touching Sevika's, there was nowhere for her to hide.
The realization of impending defeat reflected in the whites of Sevika's eyes. Vi sprang upwards, her glove colliding with Sevika's jaw. As she stumbled backward, Vi threw a liver punch, stepped forward, and threw a cross into Sevika's already-unconscious face.
Sweat dripped off her forehead as she stood over her unmoving Goliath. The referee blew the whistle, and the sound immediately was drowned out by the manic screaming and cheering of the crowd.
Vi panted, still staring at Sevika. She couldn't believe it. She was finally going to be a pro-boxer. And give Powder the life she deserved.
From her corner, she could hear Caitlyn and Vander losing their minds.
"Let's fuckin' GOOOO!" Vander yelled as he picked up Caitlyn in glee.
The medic slid under the ropes and flashed a light in Sevika's eyes. She gasped awake, and when she realized what had happened, roared in rage.
"Get the fuck off me," She yelled at the medic. "I'm fucking fine."
"Ma'am your pupils aren't focused-"
"I don't give a flying shit."
The referee motioned Sevika over, and the crowd began to chant Vi's name. The referee raised Vi's glove to the sky. I can't wait to call Powder and tell her I didn't let her down for once. w
"I present to you, Vi! The winner of this fight!" He yelled.
Sevika leaned forward and gave Vi a hard look. For a moment, Vi could see a semblance of begrudging respect in Sevika's eyes. She disappeared out of the arena, and Vi wasn't sure she would ever see her again. Which, she didn't mind one bit.
Vi draped a towel over her shoulders and squirted water into her mouth, not caring that most of it missed and dripped down her neck and clavicle. She eyed Caitlyn, who couldn't hide how pleased she looked.
"Vi, what does winning this match mean to you?" A reporter asked, offering Vi a microphone.
"You have no idea. It means the world to me," Vi responded. "This is the start of something big not just for me, but my family."
"It looks like worries about nepotism were put to rest," The reporter said, looking at Caitlyn. "Do you feel vindicated by your client's performance?"
Caitlyn straightened her back. "Absolutely. I never doubted myself nor Vi. Not even for a second." Vi couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach.
"Who do you have your eyes set on for your next match?"
"Anyone who'll fight me," Vi said. "I'll step in the ring with anyone."
Finally, the reporter pivoted to Vander. "This is the first time your gym has produced a winning fighter. Is this the first of many?"
"With Vi and Caitlyn under my wing, this is the start of a dynasty," Vander replied. "This isn't the last you'll see of the Lanes."
"Thank you for your time," the reporter said and walked off.
Vander came over and ruffled Vi's drenched hair. "You did it kid, I couldn't be prouder. Celebrate as you deserve tonight, but do not call me from a jail cell. I won't bail you out. Because I'll be too busy downing some beers."
Vi chuckled. "Thanks, Vander. I promise to stay out of too much trouble."
Vander raised a knowing eyebrow and glanced over to Caitlyn. "I'm sure."
Caitlyn blushed and rubbed her shoulder sheepishly. As Vander began to exit the stadium, Caitlyn walked over to Vi.
"Mother has another limousine ordered for you," she said. "Where do you want to go?"
"Honestly, I just want a drink and a shower. I wanna relax, I still can't believe I won."
"I have rum to spare and a hot tub on the roof of my apartment," Caitlyn offered, biting her lip for just a moment. "And as you know, plenty of space to relax."
"That sounds awesome," Vi sighed. "Let's go."
Warm bubbles beckoned Vi into the hot tub. She slid in, releasing a loud groan. Her body was sore beyond belief now that the last of the adrenaline had worn off. In a blue bikini, Caitlyn joined her. The strands of the swimsuit hugged her curves in all the right places and Vi couldn't help but look a little too long.
Neither of them had mentioned the bet since Vi's victory, and what it meant for them.
Drink in hand, Caitlyn floated to where Vi was seated. She handed her the rum and coke, and Vi took a happy sip.
"Thanks, cupcake," Vi sighed in satisfaction. The drink hit the spot. She adjusted herself so the jet hit her lower back which was surprisingly tender post-fight.
Caitlyn set her own drink down on the edge of the hot tub. "You're most welcome."
She scooted next to Vi, their thighs touching under the water. Vi took a gulp of her drink and also set it on the edge of the hot tub. She turned her full attention to Caitlyn who looked at her intently.
"I have to say I am happy that you won," Caitlyn said, her fingers dragging lightly across Vi's muscular shoulder.
Vi felt her lips pull into a smirk. "Is that right?"
"Yes," Caitlyn smiled back. "Otherwise, I would have felt stupid about giving you that good luck kiss."
Caitlyn dipped her head forward and met Vi's lips tenderly. Vi moved to cup Caitlyn's face, melting into her lover's embrace. The heat from the hot tub and the two women fused into one, indistinguishable, source.
"Can't tell you how much I've thought about this," Vi quivered, pulling tentatively away from Caitlyn's lips.
"That makes two of us," Caitlyn said before diving back into the kiss.
Their lips slid against each other, their tongues swirling together. A month of yearning, of waiting, releasing into the kiss. Caitlyn pulled herself on top of Vi, the bubbles of the hot tub bursting around their every movement. She straddled Vi's hips, rolling her own across Vi's abdomen.
Vi's hands wasted no time in finding Caitlyn's ass. She squeezed down firmly. As always, the feeling of Caitlyn was beyond exquisite. Caitlyn tore her lips off Vi's and started tending to her neck, kissing and sucking everywhere she went. Vi gave a content groan and tilted her head back, moving her hands up and down Caitlyn's slick thighs and waist.
Caitlyn bit down a little possessively on the nape of her neck, and again, Vi released a breathy moan.
"Is the hot tub always this empty?" Vi realized, suddenly suspicious that nobody else was enjoying the warm water on a weekend night. Was someone going to walk in on them?
"Don't you worry about that," Caitlyn said, grabbing Vi's chin with one hand and reaching down her swim trunks with the other. "I have my ways."
Satisfied with the answer, Vi spread her legs eagerly as Caitlyn's deft and long fingers made their way down to her sex. Her fingers rubbed gently across the hood of Vi's clit.
"Fuck."
Caitlyn continued to circle Vi's clit and peppered kisses on her broad shoulders, occasionally leaving a sharp bite. Nothing pleased Caitlyn more than watching Vi become undone with the mere strokes of her fingers.
Minutes passed, and as time went on, Vi's groans turned into cries. Caitlyn sped up her work, pulling back the hood of Vi's clit. The pad of her thumb worked in an up and down pattern, going faster, impossibly faster. Flashes of white pleasure sparked across Vi's vision, and she knew she was close. The jet stream pushing on her back helped push her nearer and nearer to the edge.
"Cupcake," she gasped, her lips searching for anything belonging to Caitlyn.
Caitlyn met Vi's lips as her orgasm exploded around her. Even Caitlyn felt herself become lost in Vi's scarred mouth. When they finally pulled apart, they both were panting.
"How's my champion feeling?" Caitlyn smiled, finally sliding off Vi's lap.
"Like the king of the world," Vi said, reaching for her drink. She finished the rest of the rum and coke. "Haven't felt this relaxed in a long ass time."
Caitlyn took a sip of her own drink, and even though she had spent the whole evening watching Vi, she couldn't seem to pull her eyes off her. "Good, I wanted to make you feel incredible."
"I think we should shower off in your apartment," Vi said, a mischievous look in her eyes.
"I couldn't agree more."
The pair exited the hot tub, the air tense with excitement for what was to come next.