Honoring the Fallen

Vi experienced death anniversary gatherings, in fact before now she had no idea these were even a thing. Apparently they were, at least for very important people. Well most people who die were important to someone, but not all of them were high military officials and part of the Piltover's highest circles.

As unfair is it might seem, Vi could save her rants for a different day. Today was the anniversary of the day Caitlyn's uncle died, and today Vi will do absolutely anything to help Caitlyn feel better.

Even if it means dressing up and... behaving herself around politicians coming in and out of the Kiramman household.

When Caitlyn told her of the event it was the first time Vi's even heard of Caitlyn's uncle.

"Really? Well I suppose mother doesn't like us talking about him much." Vi glanced up into the mirror, catching the expanse of Caitlyn's bare back as the she put her dress on and Vi fumbled with her tie. "I'm sure you've seen pictures of him in the house. The man in the blue military uniform, salt and pepper hair with a sword at his hip and a rifle over his shoulder? That's him."

"Oh!" Vi's eyes widened, "I though he was your instructor or something. There's a lot of pictures with him and you and all those awards." Now that she thought about it she did remember noticing a distinct tooth gap on one of the photos, it should have been a dead give away.

"He did spend a lot of time training me, he and Grayson had a sort of rivalry going on since their academy days." Caitlyn chuckled at the flood of memories of her having to bear witness to her uncle and Grayson's childish squabbles. "Can you zip me up please? I can't reach."

"Sure thing Cupcake."

When she first had to do things like helping Caitlyn with the zipper her hands were always shaking and her palms clammy. Now though she could both dress and undress Caitlyn with her eyes closed. Practice makes perfect after all.

"Beautiful." She didn't realize she said it until Caitlyn thanked her.

Caitlyn helped her with her tie, Vi flustered and a little embarrassed that she still can't tie it properly herself. But if Caitlyn tying her tie meant that she would get to feel Caitlyn's finger gently brushing over her neck then maybe Vi's never gonna learn either.

The two take a deep breath before exiting the door, going down the hall and into the large living room where the guests were gathering, talking and expressing their condolences. Caitlyn smiled and thanked each and every one of them, but her smile and her words were hollow. Of course you wouldn't know that unless you really knew Caitlyn.

Vi subtly rubbed her thumb over the back of Caitlyn's hand, which seemed to relax her girlfriend just a little.

"Caitlyn." Cassandra Kiramman's voice cut through the small silence that finally settled over the pair. Caitlyn turned her head to see her mother, looking as prim and proper as ever, with barely noticeable dark circles under her eyes. She always slept less as the date drew near. "Could I see you for a moment. Alone."

Caitlyn pressed her lips in a thin line. She felt Vi squeeze her hand and kiss her cheek, "Love you." She whispered, just loud enough for Caitlyn's ears.

"Love you too." Caitlyn caught Vi's lips in a quick kiss before she followed her mother up the stairs and into her study.

Cassandra sat in one of the chairs, motioning for Caitlyn to sit as well. Between them was a small table with the picture of Cassandra and her brother when they were younger.

"He always said you'd make a great sharpshooter." Cassandra smiled with a sigh, "I never liked it. Even before he... died."

"Uncle died protecting people."

"Yes, on the front lines. Away from his family. Away from the people he loved. He died alone." Cassandra took a deep breath, "I don't want that for you." Caitlyn opened her mouth to protest but Cassandra kept talking, "When you said you were joining the Enforcer Academy I was ready to bury Marcus unless he turned your application down. Of course that would have looked suspicious given all your high scores on the exams. Now... he's dead too. Just like your uncle, just like Grayson. And you're the next Sheriff." Cassandra gripped her dress until her knuckles turned white.

"Mom." Caitlyn's voice was soft as she reached over the table and placed a hand over her mother's, "I'll be fine. I've always been fine. And before you way anything, I have Vi watching my back. So I'm never alone out there."

Cassandra narrowed her eyes a little, "Yes, I know. That girl would risk life and limb for you. However the fact is that I never want you to be in a position where she would need to. While Vi has her... rough edges, I've never seen you happier." She smiled a warm smile at her daughter.

Caitlyn felt her cheeks heating up, she knew it was true. Vi made her happy, so happy like she never thought was possible. Vi would always protect her, and she would always protect Vi.

"You know your uncle and Grayson once had each others back like that. Their relationship was strictly professional, but they've been friends since the academy. They worked together only briefly and while they were competitive you could tell there was a genuine friendship there."

"I know. I remember them arguing when I was little, but I'd always see them laughing it off and drinking together afterwards. I always looked up to them both."

"Which is what I was afraid off Caitlyn. You're such a smart girl, always putting others before yourself, I knew it was only a matter of time before you graduated the academy, but I just..." Cassandra reach over and traced a finger over her brother's picture, "I don't want to lose you too." Her voice was barely above a whisper, breaking toward the end.

Caitlyn didn't care for being proper anymore, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around her mother in a crushing hug. It took Cassandra a few moments before she returned the embrace, her hand reaching up to stroke Caitlyn's hair.

"You don't need to worry about that." She backed away, giving her a smile, "After all I've got the best partner in Runterra watching my back."

Cassandra chuckled and shook her head, "Young love. You remind me of your father, sometimes I swear he's still just as smitten as he was when we first met."

Caitlyn gave her mother another quick hug, nodded at the picture of her uncle and went out the door. Vi was leaning against the wall a few steps from the door. "Chat went ok?"

"Yeah. And you? How'd you handle yourself downstairs?"

"Well no one insulted me so no one got their nose broken. Yet." Vi smirked at her girlfriend.

"That's a massive improvement. And not just on your part." She pressed her lips to the VI tattoo, watching in delight as pink dusted across Vi's cheeks. "Hey, Vi?"

"Hm?" Vi still had a love struck look on her face.

"You won't ever leave me right? You'll always have my back?" Caitlyn reached down to take Vi's hands in her own. This seemed to break what ever love struck spell Vi was under.

With a confused frown Vi responded, "Of course Cupcake. Why would I ever leave you? What's this about?"

Caitlyn paused. Then she shook her head and smiled, "Nothing." She pulled Vi into a kiss, "Just happy I have such an amazing partner that's all."

"Uhm... me too?" Vi tilted her head, which made her normally scary face look absolutely adorable. Then again she was always adorable to Caitlyn.

"Thank you for today. For putting up with... everything. And sorry for leaving you to the sharks." Now it was her turn to be pulled into a bone crushing hug. She let out a little yelp.

"You don't need to thank me Cupcake." Vi's lips brushed against Caitlyn's cheek, "After all I'd be a pretty sucky partner if I bailed on you now." Caitlyn melted against Vi's shorter frame, her hands running across Vi's back, her face buried in Vi's shoulder.

"I love you."

"Love you too, Cait. Always."